Metal Instrument Panel for 74 G
 

I'm thinking of redoing my instrument panel. I would like to get rid of the plastic overlays and put in a solid aluminum panel.

Anyone done this? Right now I'm looking for ideas.

I got rid of the plastic overlay, but replaced it with Carbon Fiber. The Carbon Fiber is then overlayed with clear plastic. All the legends are reverse etched.

Aero Enhancements did it. Ernie has much the same thing, but in wood.
Unfortunately, their website says under construction, today.

Riley is your best source for ideas. When they were converting the P models to Super Skyrockets they did a spectacular conversion on the panel.

I find that searching the sales sites (TAP, ASO, Controller) you find lots of pictures of ideas including panels.

Yes, that's what I plan to do to mine.

Who is doing the Riley mods now? Do they have a web address?

Thanks.

My Aero Enhancements burl-wood panel is gorgeous and the electroluminescent lighting with battery backup is super; you can see pictures at www.consultresearch.com/N924LA.htm

Their website is down, but you can see it by Googling "Aero Enhancements" and then clicking on "Cached" on the first result (that gets you the page stored in Google's server).

Ernie

I'm not much as a photographer, but here are some samples of Aero Enhancement's work. Pretty much everything in black (except the control wheels) is theirs.

Riley is out of biz at this time but my suggestion is to talk to some avionics shops in your area and get references to look at and to talk to customers that have had this work done.

Here's even a better idea, come to the SOAPA meeting/convention in June 2008 and you can see these planes in person. This is a 336 that belongs to Walter Simondinger that is a perfect example of restoring an aircraft especially what he has done to the panel. Great job Walter, please come to Michigan in June of 2008 for SOAPA. He even has the Beechcraft control yokes. Sweet.

Thanks. I'll probably end up fabricating my own panel from aluminum.

Here is Dave Jarrett's P model. Very nice panel. See what the SOAPA meeting can do for a thirsty 337 driver!

Attached is Beth & Tom Fiala's Riley. This is the standard Riley not the Super Skyrocket. Very nice panel.

http://www.tuleriveraviation.com/

Tule River is now doing some Skymaster conversions in California.

I also went with Aero Enhancements and have used them on other planes as well. I have a large collection of photos you may want to see if you send me your email address then Ill send em to you.

_travis

Its hard to tell in these pics, but the black is actually carbon fiber and is beautifull...

I was looking to have my instrument panel redone in the future and search the web for Aero Enhancements with no luck, does anyone know if they are still in business. Do you have an website or phone number for them?

Karl

They went out of business last year.
A loss for everyone.

Hello everyone, I have a metal fabrication shop here in Phoenix. One of the services we provide is Laser cutting. Some of the parts we cut are for the aerospace industry.

I have not made a control panel before, but I would be willing to work with you to make your aluminum panel. I would need a drawing or a template.

Of course, as a fellow Skymaster owner, I would like to do this for the bennefit of our group, not for profit.

Let me know if there is any interest.