Panel Update 6/25/16

Great News Yesterday.... John Carmen and I powered up my new GRT Sport SX panel yesterday afternoon. Everything went according to plan.  No hits, no runs, no errors... and no smoke.  The new GRT powered up beautifully, and correctly the first time out of the gate.

Congratulations to John Carmen... for a job most excellently done on all the amazing wiring he accomplished over the preceeding days.  All the checks, re-checks etc... I am VERY proud of my new system.

We set the panel in a chair outside the airframe to make it easier for me to spend hours in front of the panel doing all the necessary programming.  I am already 2 hours into the familiarization, and programming process, and all is going well.

I will post several photos in a new photo page to be uploaded in a few minutes.

More Wiring Completed

John Carmen came over yesterday, and today, completed a lot of electrical wiring in the Avionics Bay, and Sub-Panel. I know it looks a mess... but consider John still has several more connects to make on some equipment... then it's down to cleaning up the area, and securing all the wiring with the proper protective wire sleeves.  Please view page 14 of the construction photos for more.

Panel Update Page Edited

I had to edit the previously posted Panel Update page with some important edits. My on/off again OCD shows thru sometimes.... sorry about that.  I'm an engineer... we go back and change everything at the drop of a hat.... right? <G>

New Photo Pages Added 6/16/16

I added new photo pages today.  New Construction Pages 11, 12, 13.  Also added General Photo Pages 1 & 2.  ENJOY! I know I did <G>

New Avionics Bay Deck Installed!

Hi Everyone,

John Carmen spent several hours today while I was at work, working hard on my plane doing the initial install of her Avionics Deck. This is why I work only with the BEST! John expertly started the final wiring phase of the project today wiring-up and connecting all the numerous electronic and electrical equipment in the new avionics bay.  He will be doing some cleaning-up, and securing all the newly installed wiring. He will be back in a few days to continue with the wiring. Below is shown a preview of the work he did today.  I will be posting tomorrow night 51 photos I took in and around the plane this afternoon.

Equipment List Update

Added many many new items to the growing list at the bottom of this blog.  Most entries are listing the numerous fabrication of custom parts and labor that has, or will be completed on this project. I am in awe of the number of items on that list. And it will grow even more before the project is completed.  For example... all the EFIS, EIS and Engine software setups and systems testing to mention just a few. Then of course there are all the in-flight setups as well for AOA and other EFIS/EIS software systems.  The list is generated as I think of the items... not in any particular order of completion.

I will of course, be self-imposing a rigorous non-offical Phase-One testing program starting with the first flight after project completion. If anyone is willing to share their own phase-one testing list to help to help me formulate my own... it would be greatly appreciated.  Please email me direct.

New Electronics, and Equipment List

I have added at the bottom of this Blog a "Running" List of all the electronics, electrical equipment, and labor upgrades contained so far in my "Little" upgrade project.  The list will continue to grow a little . I will be adding other equipment upgrades a short while later... Such as:  Mode S Transponder, Electric Flaps w/controller, HITS, Video Camera and 2-Axis Auto-Pilot.  I will re-edit the list with manufacturer names later where needed. I purposely have not indicated total cost of my project to date... it's too embarrissing; the obscene amount I am investing in this plane. And YES.... I plan on keeping this plane a while. <G>

Ray Allen Control Grip

New Ray Allen Control grip installed. Includes obviously a PTT on fore-grip. John Carmen doing the wiring of course. I will be adding full digital/electric flaps in the near future, with a electronic controller.

Credit where credit is due...

I want to take a few minutes to give total, and absolute credit to JOHN CARMEN for the increditable layout, design and craftsmanship on my project.  I did the initial layout and design of the panel in CAD... but that is far as it went for me.  Of course I help out in my hanger as his helper to do whatever he asked of me... mostly I just got in the way, asked too many questions, and kept adding to his work load when I dreamed up another little addition of a new toy I could not live without.  He has been stead fast, and dedicated to my project from day one... never has complained, and always made sure what I wanted was incorporated into his increditable workload.

Without his vast knowledge, and professionalism, and his over-all skills at appeasing an anxious plane owner... my little expanded upgrade project would have never seen the light of day.

Thank You John!

With John's permission: You can reach John Carmen at his email address if you have questions or comments you did not want to post to him here....  JOHNLCARMEN AT GMAIL DOT COM

John Carmen
Ph.D/A&P/IA/FCC/AET

John Carmen is also a Certified Mediator (#33120 R) for the Florida Supreme Court. Specializing in Aviation and other Technical Cases, Arbritration & Consultation.

Added new photos tonight

Hi All,

I added a ton of new photos tonight... enjoy.

Avionic Bay Update

John Carmen, the Avionics Technician Extroidinare just sent me a photo update on my new avionics bay he is in the process of putting together for me.  What an awesome job he does!

What was my upgrade goals?

Initially.... And I say this now... sorta "tongue n' cheek".... all I was going to do was get the wiring, linkages, control surfaces, engine systems, and existing instruments in perfect working order.  Maybe add a inexpensive panel mount used radio. I had already purchased a new Apple Mini iPad with a Dual 150 GPS and mounts, and necessary software. I thought I would be done in a few weeks.... sure, you betcha!

That was many many months ago.... now... well, you will see in the coming posts.  There is a lot of data and information to pass on to you folks about my epic upgrading my new (to me) JT2. I say epic, because my LOVING and BEAUTIFUL DARLING WIFE gave me her permission and blessing to go for it... Soooooo.... I said ok... thanks Honey... where did you hide my credit card? But if I continue on now and try to write it all out tonight... it would become a novel for sure... <G>

More later tomorrow.

Preview of the new "Avionics Bay"

This is a early photo of the conceptional design of my new avionic bay located where the luggage area once was. Still not installed is the remote transponder...which will come a little later.

New Panel Preview

This photo is a quick preview of my new panel.  Shown is the 8.4" GRT Sport SX S200A, Microline 760Q, and remote GRT EIS 4000 (in avionics bay).  Many more details of my new system to follow in additional posts.  The panel color is actually a light grey... not white, like it appears here.

Added New Pages

Added a new photo pages today. This will be the start of the photos I will be uploading to document the major upgrade.  Starting from when I received the plane initially.

First Blog Posting

Hi All,

Thought I would try out this blogging thing everyone talks about... Here Goes...