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Replacing AI


fleman202

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We recently had our gyro-stabilized attitude indicator die in our R44, and we are looking for a replacement.

 

I'd like to go the digital route, because we do ag work and the flying is not easy on the gyros. Any thoughts or experience on the digital attitude indicators?

 

In looking around the Sandia 340 Quattro caught my eye. For the money it seems like it would be a good replacement. Does anyone have any experience with this brand of avionics?

 

 

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Have a look at the Aspen screens, about $15k for a full setup, enough to fly IFR if you want, and huge amount of information in a useable form. And cheaper to buy than overhauling your gyro instrument.

 

 

fifteen thousand is cheaper than overhauling an attitude indicator?

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Just put a large scale turn needle (not a wings leveler) and ball in it.

I taught instruments for three years. When I had a student who couldn't fly straight and level, I covered the AI and had him fly needle, ball and airspeed. Way easier.

If a pilot has become dependent on the AI, someone taught him wrong. Pretty universal nowadays.

Sadly, I realize I have completely wasted my time writing this.

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Taught him wrong???

 

The whole principle of instrument flying is the Selective Radial Scan. Radial, because everything is based on the AI at the hub. 90% of his scan should be on the AI, with a glance away at one other instrument to check it is where it should be, then back to the AI, a glance at another, back to the AI and so on.

 

You are teaching Limited Panel technique, something which a pilot must be able to do when the AI falls over.

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Just put a large scale turn needle (not a wings leveler) and ball in it.

I taught instruments for three years. When I had a student who couldn't fly straight and level, I covered the AI and had him fly needle, ball and airspeed. Way easier.

If a pilot has become dependent on the AI, someone taught him wrong. Pretty universal nowadays.

Sadly, I realize I have completely wasted my time writing this.

 

 

It is 2017, not 1964. The AI is the master instrument. As such, you should rely upon it. I've got two glass PFDs and a back-up gyro horizon, none of which is dependent upon the other. I see no reason why it should not be relied upon. Even teaching partial panel is pretty much pointless in this century.

 

Now, if were talking about a R22 or R44 trainer (which will never touch a cloud) you might be on to something. Any modern helicopter going into the clouds, use the AI. That's the job of the AI.

 

I've taught instruments for 9 years.

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It is 2017, not 1964. The AI is the master instrument. As such, you should rely upon it. I've got two glass PFDs and a back-up gyro horizon, none of which is dependent upon the other. I see no reason why it should not be relied upon. Even teaching partial panel is pretty much pointless in this century.

 

Now, if were talking about a R22 or R44 trainer (which will never touch a cloud) you might be on to something. Any modern helicopter going into the clouds, use the AI. That's the job of the AI.

 

I've taught instruments for 9 years.

I was about to agree with Rupert based on my own instrument training experience, then I realized it was over twelve years ago!

 

Everyone's going glass these days, can the AI even fail separately anymore?

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Remember the basics :

 

Power, plus Attitude = Performance (when in balance.)

 

Set a known power, hold a known attitude,(from the AI) and you should get the performance you expect. If not, one of the above items is not where it should be.

 

And since we are wagging them around, been teaching instruments since 1976

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I put a Dynon D1 in my '47. Has a neat mounting bracket that clips into a standard 3.5" instrument hole but is not permanently attached so no paperwork required.

 

http://www.dynonavionics.com/docs/PocketPanel.html

 

Not certified but given that your R44 isn't either that won't matter.

 

Glenn

 

This seems like a good option to have as a back up. Thank you for the suggestion.

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