Question: Instruments for Fisher FP202?

[TinmanJones]

Hi guys.
I’m in the process of buying an Fisher FP202. Because we’re going to replace the fuel tank, we’re going to have to rebuild the instrument panel.
I’ve been flying Cessna 150’s and am quiet comfortable with the instruments in that airplane.
Since we are going to rebuild the panel in the FP202, what instruments should I buy to install in it?
And more importantly, where should I buy those instruments from?

What instruments do you guys use in your UL’s?
What instrument do you wish you had in your UL?

[CHICAGORANDY]

Can't help with the choices, but am wondering what instruments are already in the plane and why they need replacing?

[rwanttaja]

US or some other country? Part 103 or Experimental Amateur-Built?

Ron Wanttaja

[DaleB]

Considering it's an FP-202 and you're likely not going to be flying it at night or IFR... personally, I'd go with the minimum required instruments for safe flight, and use a GPS or tablet for nav if needed. Airspeed, altimeter, tach, fuel gauge (if you don't have a visual gauge), a compass and a slip/skid ball -- maybe not legally required, but a really good idea. Plus whatever is needed for the engine, I'm not at all familiar with operating a 2-stroke. What else would you need? Other stuff like a VSI, turn coordinator, attitude indicator... really not needed and a waste of money, panel space and weight in a day VFR airplane.

[Tralika]

I used UMA 2 1/4 inch non-TSO flight instruments. UMA didn't have the exact Airspeed Indicator speed range I wanted shown in the catalog so I called them. They said they would make whatever I wanted at no extra cost. I ordered through Aircraft Spruce. I'm happy with the smaller instruments but I understand not everyone would be. You can get 2 1/4 inch instruments a little cheaper from Falcon but they are made in China. I spent a couple extra bucks on the USA company and was rewarded with good customer service. If you are comfortable with digital instruments you might check out Belite. They have a whole line of flight instruments as well as engine and fuel monitoring equipment. I agree with DaleB on minimal equipment. As slow as your plane flies you could even forgo the Slip Indicator Ball and use with a Yaw String.

6990

[DaleB]

Nice looking panel. Whatcha building?

[cluttonfred]

Assuming that it's got a Rotax 277 or similar, you might consider looking at what the paramotor folks are using for minimum weight and low cost. For example, this PPG Meter (https://glidersports.com/shop/ppg-meter/) gives you a tachometer, CHT, EGT, voltmeter, and fuel level gauge with alarms for under $300 all in including senders. A simple combo tachometer/CHT gauge as used on two-stroke motorcycles is even less. Add analog or digital altimeter, ASI, and compass and you're good to go.

[Tralika]

Nice looking panel. Whatcha building?

Thanks. It's a Just Highlander. Received the Airworthiness Certificate in November.

6996

[waltermitty]

Nice airplane! Clever wheel chocks, think I will borrow the idea.

[DaleB]

I made some just like those. Nice thing is, they break down for stowage in the plane so they take less room.

[cluttonfred]

Nice panel, though you seem to have quite a lot of switches! ;-) What is the rectangular item above the throttle and below the battery fault lights? Also, I love the simple red scheme with just the two "speed stripes." Is that Oratex?


I used UMA 2 1/4 inch non-TSO flight instruments. UMA didn't have the exact Airspeed Indicator speed range I wanted shown in the catalog so I called them. They said they would make whatever I wanted at no extra cost. I ordered through Aircraft Spruce. I'm happy with the smaller instruments but I understand not everyone would be. You can get 2 1/4 inch instruments a little cheaper from Falcon but they are made in China. I spent a couple extra bucks on the USA company and was rewarded with good customer service. If you are comfortable with digital instruments you might check out Belite. They have a whole line of flight instruments as well as engine and fuel monitoring equipment. I agree with DaleB on minimal equipment. As slow as your plane flies you could even forgo the Slip Indicator Ball and use with a Yaw String.

[Tralika]

I stole the idea for the wheel chocks from someone else. I glued the parts together so there is no chance anything will come apart when I don't want it to.

[TinmanJones]

Sorry guys took me a while to get back here.
Here’s a photo of what’s in my FP202 right now.
As I understand it, the existing panel that’s in the airplane now will have to come out with the fiberglass fuel tank. Why? Because it’s built in with the existing tank.
We will be replacing the tank with a stainless tank & rebuilding a new instrument panel.
I want to keep it simple. I’ll be using an iPad mini with ForeFlight.
So, what would you guys put in a new panel?

[Dana]

Airspeed indicator, altimeter, tachometer, CHT, EGT, fuel gauge, as a minimum. Oil pressure and temp if a 4-stroke engine. Compass if you plan to go anywhere.

[cluttonfred]

Lightest weight and lowest cost are going to be digital LCD gauges (Tiny Tach, TTO, PPGMeter, etc.) for the engine function. MGL Avionics makes some simple LCD units with all your engine functions in one gauge and a combined ALT/ASI in another. GRT also still makes their simple EIS monitor and the two-stroke model is quite affordable. For analog gauges, Westach quad gauges are neat and you can find them with tach/CHT/EGT/volts and even tach/CHT/EGT/ASI (70 mph for ultralights only). After that there are plenty of options but the many individual gauges start to add up and the more functions you can eliminate (wire/cork or sight gauge for fuel level, little mechanicial compass, maybe do without EGT, etc.) the better.

[Tralika]

Nice panel, though you seem to have quite a lot of switches! ;-) What is the rectangular item above the throttle and below the battery fault lights? Also, I love the simple red scheme with just the two "speed stripes." Is that Oratex?

That is the Viking View Engine Information Display. It monitors and displays everything related to the engine and electrical system.
https://www.shop.vikingaircraftengines.com/2016-Viking-View-110.htm?categoryId=-1

The plane is covered with ceconite and painted with Stewarts. The stripes are vinyl, custom made but inexpensive.
http://www.avgrafix.com/index.html

I'm ordering some 3inch vinyl custom script lettering for the cowling, "Highlander" in white. I think it will balance out the front of the plane with the strips. I bought the N numbers seen on the tail from the same company.
https://doityourselflettering.com (http://doityouselflettering.com/)

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, Trailka. I think your last link should be https://doityourselflettering.com/