Thread: Some more design "wish list" changes...

Hi Guys
Reading this has made me want to mention a couple of layout improvements that I would like to see in the CT.

1. Headphone Jacks - I would like to see these located in the front of the stem in the middle of the back wall and higher up. I use Telex Stratos Digital 50's and they are worth to much to leave in the aircraft so with the jacks on the side of the stem behind the seats are just a little awkward.

2. Trim Wheels - If the little storage tray could be moved a bit further back the Aileron and Rudder trim wheels may be able to be located in the centre panel next to/behind the park brake. This would make their use so much easier.

3. Carb Heat/Heater - Only a trivial thing but the carb heat and heater controls swapped over so the carb heat is the closest one to the PIC
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Regards

Ian

Originally Posted by administrator

2. Trim Wheels - If the little storage tray could be moved a bit further back the Aileron and Rudder trim wheels may be able to be located in the centre panel next to/behind the park brake. This would make their use so much easier.

Ugh, yes, please move the rudder trim. It's hard to reach without the seat digging into your back.

Doug

I agree with the posts about location of the rudder and aileron trim wheels, but one of my greatest peeves (and I see others are having trouble with it too) is the positioning of the throttle, and keeping it where you want it. The Evektor Sportstar in which I checked out before deciding upon and buying my CT had a vernier throttle for the same engine we have. That was great. I think it would be BIG improvement for the CT to have one, too.
I also agree with the people who'd like to see the emergency BRS handle in front of the pilot and passenger. In its present position, I think it would be VERY difficult to deploy the chute (though I'd hope that would never be necessary). Not only is it in an awkward place for the pilot or passenger in the shoulder harness, but the motion required is, I would think, tough to manage with the stated 30 lb. resistance.

Bob Sigman
Appleton, WI
CT N715Y

I like the throttle location and if it was moved I wouldn't be able to use it and the brake simultaneously.

I also like the Throttle loction where it is, like Charlie Tango said, you can operate the brake and Throttle at the same time.

I can't think of any location that would work better.

I agree that vernier throttles are nice, (I have had them in a couple of airplanes) but not in this case.

Real fuel gauges on the panel.

I agree Jim.....or at least some capacitance plates built into the tanks with wiring so we could hook up to the Dynon EMS if we wished. When I was ordering, I did try to get some feedback from FD on the possibility of this however it fell on "deaf ears"!! (went straight into the "too hard" basket)

Dave

Originally Posted by WestcoastOz

I agree Jim.....or at least some capacitance plates built into the tanks with wiring

Ditto. Given the CT's problems with fuel management, this would be a real help.

Doug

I wanted real fuel gauges with my first CT and then when I decided to get the Dynons on my 2nd one I really tried hard to get fuel gauges. The replies were that due to the fuel tank design it would be extremely hard to have accurate fuel gauges - something about it would require many floats in the tanks to achieve it - well that is what I was told anyway.

I'm not interested in fuel gauges because I prefer the sight tubes. The gauges can tell me how much fuel I have in my right wing but unless your display is displaying for each baffled compartment the gauge won't tell you if the fuel in the right wing is inboard and therefore available.

A few times, after about 5-6 hours of flying without re-fueling I was flying with no visible fuel in 1 wing's sight tube. After landing and sitting on the ramp the fuel reappeared in the sight tube and there would be as much as 3-5 gallons.

When I'm en route and out more than 2 hours the sight tubes tell me at a glance how many hours I have remaining.

When It comes to managing fuel I am most comfortable with fuel visible in both wings. When I get down to seeing fuel in one wing only I'll play with the rudder and see if I can make the low side reappear. If I get so low that the low side won't reappear than I become more cautious about keeping the remaining fuel from sloshing outboard. Since I don't encounter this condition in the first 6 1/2 hours of flight it doesn't come up a lot.