At 03:24 PM 4/14/2013, you wrote: > There used to be a prevailing attitude that if you were using a > "glass panel", you'd still need backup "steam" gauges for basic > stuff like compass, airspeed, and altimeter. >Mark Langford ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mark, When considering the entire panel at once it looks a bit challenging. Break it down to the three things you need for a safe flight, aviate, navigate, communicate. First aviate: (fly the airplane) You're setting up for VFR day / night with something to save your bacon on inadvertent flight into IFR. Start with the required list in whatever form you chose and I'd want at least an artificial horizon and (maybe) a turn and bank. You may have all that in your "glass box". Then decide if you want or need backup and what form that will take. Your iPhone may serve backup for most of what you need. How about a simple flashlight for backup night cockpit lighting. Some smart phones even have that. If your iPhone is primary backup, I'd want it plugged in to aircraft power (charger) so it's ready to go at any time with full battery. Navigate: Your IFLY 720 is your primary. Awesome piece of equipment ! Possible backup? Is your radio a comm only or is it a nav / comm? You have a transponder, call "center" for a fix and heading if your in unfamiliar territory if necessary. Does you iPhone have GPS of any kind? I have an IFLY 720 but I've left my 7 year old Lawrance 500 installed for backup. Data base is over 5 years old but they haven't moved many airports since then. Communicate: If your radio quits on flight following, or any time, dial in the transponder code for "no communication", 7600 I think. 7700 is "hijacked" as I recall. Your IFLy 720 has tower phone numbers or at least FBO phone numbers under "airport information". iPhone to the rescue. I once had total radio failure and happened to have the home base tower number in my flip phone. I called them for clearance. Plan your equipment for the type of flights you normally make and keep it simple. Make adjustments as necessary. How many times have you actually had equipment failure? Is a simple backup sufficient when it happens? Larry Flesner
