More Panel Upgrades

[N2868C]

Hi Folks,

I noticed on another post that someone recommended installing a panel mounted GPS Gismo in a 170, for use with a hand held GPS. I have a Garmin 196 that I would like to be able to snap into a Gismo with power and external antenna attached. Has anyone done this and what paperwork was required?? I'm ready! I already have a panel mount gismo and an external Garmin GPS antenna.

Thanks, Tom

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Twink zip -(that was the can of worms opening )

Tom depending on where you are and your mechanic or avionics shop and their relationship with the local FSDO, this can be seen as something done with just a log entry buy someone qualified to do the work and sometimes logged on a 337 or it could be seen as a major alteration where a 337 is filled out describing the work done. The difference is who approves the modification.

Talk to your mechanic first and see what he thinks and what he thinks the local FSDO will think.

What we think doesn't make any difference.

[N2868C]

Bruce, you're selling yourself short. Of course it matters what you think. I am an A&P, but I don't have a lot of experience with paperwork. I can do the installation, and I can make a logbook entry. I also think that my IA will accept it at the next annual. I have no intentions of selling, but I just don't want to create a bag of worms for an unwary buyer somewhere down the road.

Tom

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

No I'm not selling myself short. What I said is exactly correct.

If I said it was a minor alteration and a log entry was all that was needed then your IA or local FSDO guy thought otherwise guess who's right. They are because they are the current kings or your world when it comes to paperwork.

Now since you twisted my arm my unqualified opinion is that depending on what structure if any was effected in the installation of the gizmo it all should be a minor alteration requiring only a log entry. That is what I'd argue to my IA and local FSDO people. I'd be surprised if they saw it my way.

Oh and if you have no intentions of "selling" it to anyone you won't get far. At least in my experience.

*I don't hold a civilian mechanics rating even though I've been educated in the field and have studied the regulatory guidance.

[N2868C]

I sure wouldn't consider a rubber mounted instrument panel to be structural!! It sure sounds like a minor to me!

Thanks for the encouragement

Tom

[GAHorn]

Another alternative you might find of interest (and what I did)...:

Bought a roll of heavy-duty Velcro tape (from Wally World fabric section), which is about 2" wide and 5' long. Cut an oval out to match the Garmin 196 supplied swivel-mount. (Didn't use their two-sided sticker.)
Now my 196 can sit in it's factory swivel mount on top of my dash right in the center (like a HUD.) Ran a power cord (cut the cigar lighter plug off the end) to my Nav circuit breaker down thru a hole drilled (like a drain) in the hand-hold/scupper on top of the dash. (Put a rubber grommet in the hole to prevent chafeing the cord. When the unit/mount are removed the cord lays inside the scupper completely out of view.)
The factory swivel-mount swivels, angles, tips, and securely holds the 196, yet the unit is easily/quickly unsnapped from the mount when headed for the hotel. The mount-base, being Velcrowed, is also easily removed for when I want to use it in the car/boat. I wired the power cord thru my nav cb so it would be powered thru my Radio Master. If ship's power dies the 196 warns me and will continue to operate on internal batteries. (Handy backup for total electrical failure. Also, page 4 of the 196 gives me a digital reading of the ship's charging voltage.)
Lots cheaper than the docking module, and my FSDO ruled it a minor alteration requireing only a logbook entry.