<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
          <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
          <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>
    For what it's worth, I've just replaced my Ritchie electronic compass
with an R.C. Allen electric DG.  The Ritchie compass looked very attractive
when I was designing my panel -- new technology, no precession, light
weight, and quite inexpensive (about $260, as I recall).  After some flight
hours with it, however, I elected to replace it with the old-tech RC Allen
model.  The Ritchie compass was sluggish, hard to read (I got the 2" job,
although they do make a larger one), and didn't like extreme bank angles.
It also did the E.I. fuel gauge trick:  when you key the mic to transmit on
your COM, the Ritchie compass goes nuts (along with the E.I. fuel gauge).
Seems that neither of these instruments like stray RF.

    I went through the compensating procedure for the Ritchie compass, and
it seemed to go about 10 degrees further off each time!  Too bad -- with all
the nifty solid-state compass-type gizmos on the market, there should be a
better mousetrap out there at an affordable price.  To be fair, Ritchie
don't sell this model for aircraft use, and would probably have a small fit
if they knew that's what I bought if for.  I now have the Aerolectrics
all-electric panel on a more seriously stressed budget than before.  The
R.C. Allen model is sure bargain, compared to the vacuum model.  For about a
grand more, you get no heading bug and no autopilot pick-off.  Just yer
basic DG.

Jim Cameron
Lancair Super ES, N143ES


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
LML website:   http://members.olsusa.com/mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please remember that purchases from the Builders' Bookstore
assist with the management of the LML.

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>