My panel is here!!!

I received my "plug and play" panel from Aerotronics.  Thanks so much to Gary, Jason and Jeff (names listed in reverse order of how much work they did!).  They fit an incredible array of stuff on a standard Vans panel.  It's finished in carbon fiber, and features dual AFS EFIS display, TruTrak AP and backup round gauges cleverly placed next to the ribbons on the PFD that they backup.  We went with circuit breakers, rather than Vertical Power (tough call, but my technical advisor, and Aerotronics, both felt this choice would be robust).  The radio stack is pretty standard Garmin 430 WAAS, 327 mode S transponder, SL40 comm.

We kept the necessary wording on the passenger warning placard, but added the phrase, "in the opinion of the builder, it exceeds them", since that is and remains a true statement.

Too busy working to post

Doug and I finished adjusting the canopy frame, installing (temporarily) the rails and bolting on the roll bar.  The rear track is in positioned and held briefly with duct tape prior to drilling final position.  The plexiglass canopy has been positioned, and we actually made the trim cuts and the "big cut", separating the windscreen from the canopy, but no photos of that yet (next post).

For fun, we are working on louvers for the cowl to be installed later.  Since Doug is a huge fan of the Shelby Cobra 427, we are adapting some Shelby replica louvers for the cowl (see photo).

Finally, my panel is on it's way: a "plug and play" from Aerotronics.  Finished in carbon fiber, it will blend down in to a center console that I am doing which is also finished with a carbon fiber look (again, more pictures later)

rear slider rail, held with duct tape

Shelby Cobra 427 louver

Doug and my panel!!!

Plexi in place prior to the big cut and trimming the side rails