Posted for "Jeffrey Liegner, MD" <liegner@earthlink.net>:

I prefer the least manipulated item to be high on the panel...the intercom at
the top, then the transponder next DOWN. The autopilot gets a lot of action,
more than the 430. Comm (430 or SL30) is also busy item, so down low. Given
a center location, I'd put the A/P above the throttle quadrant, close to your
hand in primary position, below the comm.

I put my TruTrak autopilot by the pilot's joystick since when I'm using the
autopilot, my hand should be off the stick. Kind of like gas and brake in the
car being controlled by the same foot. Keeping the autopilot away from the
right seat pax also avoids control conflicts when you're distracted. Joystick
has single toggle for CWS and A/P disconnect.

My 2 cents. Now only worth <1 cent these days.

Jeff L
LIVP N 334P

(old photo before installation)




>I am finalizing the setup of my instrument panel -- LIVP. Gary Wirrell of
>Aerotronics wants to know if I prefer the Tru Trak AP on the bottom of the
>stack as in the attached picture or have the transponder (one position up)
>swap places so that the Tru Trak is one position up.
>Does anyone have a personal preference for this? Theoretically I will be
>letting my fingers do the walking on the AP controls more frequently than
>the TXPDR. Am looking for advice and rationale.
>
>Regards,
>
>John Barrett, CEO