Science

Along with the fact that the canard design and composite construction of this aircraft is cutting edge, the instrumentation is just as technologically advanced.

For this aircraft, we are using a pair of Glass Cockpits. These are computer screens that take the place of the anologe gauges. The Stratomaster Enigma is a comprehensive flight, engine and navigation instrument designed for Experimental and Light Sport aircraft.

The Enigma includes, 3D Terrain, Highway-in-the-Sky HITS...  

Instrument Panel

Level and square the instrument panel in the cockpit. Mark where the panel meets the cockpit and make 5 brackets of 3 bid fiberglass to bolt the panel too. Duct tape the 5 areas on the back of the panel where the brackets will be found. Install the panel. Glass 3 bid brackets to the fuselage and but it up against the duct tape areas of the panel and let cure.  

Measure and cut the yoke holes at 19 in from floor and 10.5 inches from center. Place instruments on the panel so they do not interfere with the controls, keeping in mind that they have depth.  Draw the proper cut out for each as listed by the instrument manufacture.  First cut out the fiberglass panel.  Fit the instrument in the panel. 

I had a custom panel cover made. After the panel is cut place the cover over the panel and mark the location of each hole from the back of the panel.  Cut the holes in the panel cover.  Build two vertical brackets of 3/4" x 1/8" aluminum angle for each side of the radio stack.  Epoxy and rivet all brackets.  Rivet radio trays to the vertical bracket.  Place cover on panel and install all instruments and radios.  Install panel in aircraft.  Check for clearance on all controls. Drill braket holes and install nut plates. Make and cut holes for the fresh air vents.

Pitot Tube

Mark The location of the pitot as directed in the manual. This should be 8" below the aft edge of the canard. Place the mounting bracket on the fuselage with the rounded edge forward and trace around it. Cut out the hole with a hacksaw blade. Glass the mount in with microglass. The pitot must be mounted at and angle between the curve of the body and parallel with the fuselage.  Bolt the pitot tube in place. Wire the heater to the master panel. Attach the hose to the pitot and the instrument panel.

Static Tube

Bend a 5" piece of 3/8" aluminum fuel line as shown. Cut a slot through the inner skin of pilot side of the fuselage. Remove the foam. Pinch the bottom of the tube closed. Glass the tube in place. Drill three 1/16" holes 1/2' apart through the tube and the fuselage. Seal the holes only on the inside of the fuselage. Attach a 3/8" poly tube on the end of  the static tube. Reduce to 1/8" tube and attach to static port.

Wiring Harness

The wiring harness comes with all wires labeled at both ends as well as the ground block, alternator fuse, and three wiring buses. Run a wire through the wiring conduit on the co-pilot side of the aircraft. Attach the wiring harness to the wire and pull the harness through from the firewall to the nose of the aircraft. Cut a 2"x1" slot in the canard bulkhead to run the harness to the power panel. Wire the harness to the power panel. Attach the front buss to the inside of the fuselage just above the battery. Wire the buss. Pull wires through a hole cut in the conduit just in front of the rear bulkhead for the rear buss. Attach the firewall buss above the conduit hole on the engine side of the firewall. Wire the Firewall buss. Attach the ground and the fuse to the firewall. Wire each as indicated in the manual. Wire the upper console lights, map lights, low fuel indicator, fuel lights, strobe lights and nav lights.

Lower Console

I Built a lower console plate that covers the top face of the lower console out of aluminum for my switches. Create a pattern out of paper for the length and width. Cut the aluminum plate and bend it to fit the shape of the console. Drill mounting holes and attach nut plates to the console. Mark the location of the Left and Right Mags, Starter, Aux, Fuel Lights, Trim and Speed Brake. Trace around the switches. Drill holes on the inside of the trace of each switch. File out the switch holes till each switch fits. Pull the wires for each switch and wire each in place. Bundle the wires and find a location for them to exit the console cap. Cut and file a slot in the console cap for the wires and the antennae.  Bundle all wires and attach to the fuselage.  

Install the mounting brackets for the radios and audio panel. Attach the antenna connector to the Icom 200A. Bolt the connectors to the back of the mounting brackets as instructed. Slide the audio panel and radios in place. Attach the antenna connectors to the antenna cable. Run the cable through the lower console to the front of the firewall.

Transponder Antenna

Cut a 7"x7" aluminum plate. Drill a 3/8" hole in the center. Place the plate on the floor under the landing gear. Shine a flash light through the hole. From under the plane mark the location of the hole as indicated by the light. Drill the hole through the floor. Attach the antenna to the plate. Place in the hole and rivet the plate to the floor.  Attach the antenna.