I also agree and flew round gauges from 1982 to 2017. And if you really want, the Dynon can be configured to show a round gauge 6-pack. It took me about 30 seconds to get used to a tape instead of round gauge, only a couple flights to find everything on the glass panel in an instant. But then I also went to classes and am lucky enough to have Dynon factory very close, got a tour, and extra classes. Certainly, can fly, and did fly, round gauges and a magenta line, and a tablet or phone. But knowing exactly where I am near Seattle Class B airspace, or near an MOA, or other B or C airspace is extremely helpful. Looking out I used to see maybe 2 or 3 planes a flight. Now with ADSB-In and on the moving map it alerts me in headset and shows me their course and relative altitude - so now I see 3X+ as many aircraft and know what I was missing; still looking out and like that visual confirmation. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to fly any plane, whether round or glass, but at 75 insurance is be coming more of an issue than type of panel. Most of my local flights I turn off the moving map so primary flight instruments and engine instruments are larger. Even then it shows ADSB-In aircraft relative to my position on the flight instrument portion instead of the map, so map isn't really necessary. Airport diagrams, runway lengths, parking areas, and the departure/approach frequency for wherever I am are all just a push button or few away. I especially like knowing controller frequencies when in an unfamiliar area for flight following, which I use a lot. I have no issues with information overload, just glance at what I need or want. Same with engine instruments. A quick glance shows me all green and if anything happens, I like the audio warning in the headset. Of course, that hardly happens but did a couple times when we had CHT sending unit issues. Instant alert, not just at the next instrument scan.
Jim McGauhey WA -----Original Message----- From: KRnet <krnet-boun...@list.krnet.org> On Behalf Of Flesner via KRnet Sent: Monday, March 21, 2022 6:14 PM To: krnet@list.krnet.org Cc: Flesner <fles...@frontier.com> Subject: Re: KRnet> Instrument Panel On 3/21/2022 7:25 PM, Phillip Matheson via KRnet wrote: > Agree with Larry > But we all like different systems. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ My post was not intended to call anyone's baby ugly. It's just that a lot of needed info can be had with round gauges and an $80 tablet running $100 software. In reality, the only thing you will do on a cross country is fly a heading that keeps you on the magenta line at an altitude with the best winds with a selected power setting. Heading and ground speed are what gets you to the destination and ETA is nice to know when you'll arrive. Even IAS and TAS are of little value in determining any changes you'll make during flight. Even when adjusting power / mixture for the best fuel burn you look for best economy or best ground speed. As to winds, I know the forecast for winds at altitude and have a general idea of intended altitude. At 1000 foot increments I compare the ground speed to the indicated airspeed to determine best winds for highest ground speed. Accuracy of IAS is not an issue as this is comparison only. Given that, I may climb higher or descend to a better altitude. Just knowing that I have a 30 degree quartering head wind a 60 degree quartering tailwind or a 90 degree crosswind is of no value as it will not change the ground speed I'm getting. I fly the magenta line with a given power setting at the altitude for the best ground speed and safety. The greatest gains I see in flat screens is weight savings and the ability to set alarms. I've got 50+ years on round gauges and only 5 or 6 hours of solo PIC on flat screens. The one negative I faced on the flat screen was information overload and having to "hunt" for the information I wanted. That's not a problem at altitude but on short final I want to know at a glance which of those numbers are airspeed, altitude, decent rate, and in the case of a high rpm geared auto engine, the power setting. One or two mph on a round gauge is hardly noticeable but that number "scrolling" on a flat screen will have you chasing the number if not careful. Just my opinion / observation so go with what you want / like. Flat screens are so versatile that you can set them to display the way you want and I'm sure you'll get comfortable in time even if they are new to you. We used to use pen, paper, and telephones to communicate and look how we do it now without giving it a second thought. Larry Flesner -- KRnet mailing list KRnet@list.krnet.org https://list.krnet.org/mailman/listinfo/krnet -- KRnet mailing list KRnet@list.krnet.org https://list.krnet.org/mailman/listinfo/krnet
