Zenith Panel Design

Zenith Panel Design

Click on pictures for larger view

The Zenith plans are pretty sketchy on this part of the aircraft construction. The fact is if you pack many instruments into the left side panel, the panel is quite flimsy without some additional reinforcement.
This panel design provides for the following features:

Reinforcement for the panel - vertical stiffeners in 5 places.

Radio Rack provides multiple benefits:
Stiffens Panel fore and aft by attaching to the firewall.
Provides stiffening for the forward top skin.
Mounting location for Engine Information System, ICOM radio and Collins transponder
Reinforcement for handle at the top center of the panel for seating and unseating.

Spacious Glove box.
Glove box door also provides easy access to the fuse block.
Encoding altimeter mounted to the side for easy serviceability.

Elevator and Aileron trim switches mounted in thumb distance of the left throttle.

Angle of Attack and ELT indicators. Also EIS and Stall warning lights.

Scratch build timer from plans.

Provisions for a Palm Pilot type Moving Map GPS (located in the Artificial Horizon / Direction Gyro position).

Center Console
Contains all Fuel System controls & gauges
Provides convenient location for large ball vents.

Centrally located electrical switches to reduce wiring lengths (including fuse block).

Stick On Graphics Overlay for console and Glove compartment door.

A full size drawing is available (AutoCAD) for the panel layout. Also a full size template for the stick on graphics

Regards
Chuck Long

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