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Douglas,
I solved this problem in both cost and function by simply
putting in a Sportys 3" electric attitude indicator. If you did the 2"
version of the ADI then Mid Cont has an electric version of the "life saver" in
2" , but it *aint* cheap!
Yes, you loose heading info, but that's what the AP backup
magnetometer (assuming a TT AP) is for if everything craps out...
:)
At least for my nickel, that's what I did in a
Legacy.
Alan
My panel is a dual Chelton panel with 3 backup
instruments; altimeter, air speed and Tru Trak ADI. I specified a Tru Trak ADI
rather than a standard Attitude Indicator because of price and the fact
that the Tru Trak could also show heading. In case of a failure of my dual Cheltons (hopefully very unlikely) I
would still have; altitude, air speed, heading and attitude.
However, I have been re-thinking my choice of the
Tru Trak ADI for the following reason. The ADI does not display pitch, but
instead displays "gyro enhanced vertical speed". In most situations the
"gyro enhanced vertical speed" should parallel pitch. However in a
situation close to stall speed, I could be nose up but descending. In this
case the ADI (if glanced at quickly) could lead me to believe that I
was nose down and should pull back on the stick. A standard Attitude
Indicator would show me nose up and give me a better idea of the true
situation.
I spoke to the Tru Trak representative at Sun n Fun
and he stated that there are stall warnings built in to the system and that I
could "retrain" myself to interpret the ADI properly. Nevertheless, I am
concerned that in a difficult situation, I would interpret the Tru Trak in the
way I would a standard AI. Your thoughts and advice?
A drawback to going with the standard AI is the
loss of the heading information that the Tru Trak can provide. Of course,
I would still have my wet compass.
D. Brunner
Legacy N241DB
hoping to fly in June
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