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Panel work -- almost done!

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Well, the panel work is essentially done, we are being held up by some maintenance -- the Stab AD, waiting for a cable, that is another story.

In any case, that allows for a forced extra couple of days to ensure everything is just right. No rushing out the door.



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Obviously the ASPEN is not back in the panel, you can see its ground strap, the ASPEN is set up but just pulled for the moment. One of the autopilots is also not connected back in for the moment. Notice the under brow and under the panel break (halfway down) indirect lighting, these are electroluminescent (EL) strips, 240v, run by an inverter, and on a pot, also battery backed'up for three hours.

My wife says she likes this picture, as it doesn't show loose wires, all in disarray. Yes! Finally.



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Each of the round gauges (except the self-lit clock and Hobbs) has a circular EL edge light, which beautifully lights the dials, makes it look like it is internally lit. The tractor gauge bulbs have been replaced with LEDs, so they are shock white as well, rather than brown incandescent. There are still a few placards missing for the tractor strip. They are made, just not stuck on yet.



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On the co-pilot's side, the angled panel mount for the 796. In the radio stack, the 430W will be replaced with a brand new IFD540 (when it ships), it will take up the 430w space as well as the blank panel placeholder below it. Above it is the PMA8000BT audio panel, and below the SL-30 and GTX330.



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This doesn't look very special, but if you look closely you will see that all the mounting hardware around the lighting switches is hidden. I had the mechanic measure out and laser cut some clear plastic to cover this area. The plastic is painted black on the back surface, so the paint will never wear. He also laser etched the labels on the side too. He saved a template to use for other PA28/PA32s. The dial switches are painted with a red stripe, to identify at a glance their position.



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I can't be sure, but I could swear that the plane is slowly sneaking towards the hangar door!! <img src=http://cdn.boardhost.com/emoticons/wink.gif>

MONDAY will be the day for the test flight!!

* Orest
 

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