Avionics News March 2014 - 24

HOMEBUILDING PANELS

Continued from page 22

Both the Fast Stack Pro and Pro-X hubs are suitable for
connecting IFR panels, with the Pro-X particularly suitable
for EFIS-centric instrument panels. They can be used for new
projects or as the basis for retrofitting avionics and electrics in
older aircraft - homebuilt or certificated.
The Pro-X Hub is compatible with, but not limited to,
Garmin nav/GPS/comm, audio panels, intercoms, moving
map displays, VOR indicators, HSIs and just about any "send
and receive" EFIS, or electronic flight information system.
Approach Fast Stack's hub is self-contained with circuitprotections already integrated into the box; and it varies in
size, while generally compact and lightweight enough to
allow installation behind most instrument panels.
Simply select the appropriate Approach cables for the
avionics, plug it in and you're done. All Approach cables are
Milspec Tefzel with proper gauge and shielding. Cable ends
are terminated with the connector connecting the Pro-X Hub
to the avionics.
The Approach Fast Stack system is a favorite of several
kit-aircraft companies that offer a standardized, ready-toinstall VFR panel solution to its builders. Zenith Aircraft, for
example, offers a package complete with switches, circuit
protection, and connections to a Dynon 10-inch display,
Garmin comm, audio panel, transponder and engine probes,
and more.
Composite Design offers a line of standard electrical-bus/
switch panels ready for installation, with nine switches and 18
circuit breakers feeding two buses: avionics and essential.
The company's latest is its new Radio Stack Power Panel,
designed for and ready to accept wiring for ship's power,
an avionics master and everything from an aircraft's lights
to stand-alone GPS, nav/comms, transponder and EFIS
equipment - everything you'd want in a modern glass-panel
cockpit.
The Radio Stack Power Panel includes provisions for three
power buses: the main (lights, pumps and an accessory);
avionics (radios, transponder and audio panel); and essential
bus dedicated to engine-monitoring equipment, flight
instruments and up to two EFIS-type units.
Vertical Power is another established supplier of a
centralized installation solution and the harness to match.
Wiring with the Vertical Power system is greatly simplified
with a centralized, fault-tolerant control unit that provides
control over electrical power to the devices in the aircraft.
When installing the Vertical Power packages in experimental
aircraft, most switches, circuit breakers and modules give way
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avionics news

march

2014

to solid-state circuitry with microprocessor-controlled systems.
The pilot maintains full control of the electrical system with
detailed information available about each individual circuit.
The system also supports easy work to upgrade or otherwise
change and upgrade the electrical system how it operates.
Like the Pro-X Hub, the Vertical Power system offers
easier installation and greater functionality than the traditional
aircraft electrical system. Vertical Power provides full
instructions, the wiring harnesses, rental tools and wiring
diagrams, as well as builder assistance to help advance a
panel project.
Some repair shops specialize in custom-building panels for
experimental and certificated aircraft using both noncertified
and certified avionics.
Pacific Coast Avionics in California, like Gulf Coast
Avionics in Florida, offers everything from harnessbuilding services to complete panel fabrication, wiring
and testing. Ditto for other AEA member companies that
don't generally promote their abilities to the experimental
community.
Hanging out the shingle
Builders may hesitate to approach a repair shop cold
without word-of-mouth recommendations or knowledge
that the shop is open to working with experimental-aircraft
builders. Though rarer now than a couple of decades ago,
general aviation still has some mechanics, technicians
and shop owners known by homebuilders in their local
community to eschew any involvement with experimental
aircraft or builders.
Many others, however, actively interact with builders,
even to the point of going where builders go - experimentaloriented fly-ins, rallies, periodic events and local EAA
chapters or local type clubs organized around a kit design.
As marketing goes, ads in chapter newsletters are likely to
be the lowest pure-dollar advertising a shop can buy in any
given area. While unlikely to be the lowest cost per thousand,
it will reach an audience higher in qualified prospects.
Chapters love speakers; avionics topics are always ripe
because at any given time someone in the chapter is building,
rebuilding, updating or repairing their experimental, vintage
or contemporary aircraft.
Another approach to breaking ground with local builders or
an EAA chapter is hosting one of their meetings at your repair
shop to show off your capabilities.
Those chapters can be the source of customers with
certificated aircraft, as well, since many EAA members
own and fly certificated aircraft, from antique to warbirds to
contemporary iron. q

Avionics News March 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News March 2014