AOPA Pilot Magazine - May 2017 - 56

small blades control airflow over the wings by creating vortices that energize the boundary layer. The results are lower stall
speeds and improved control authority at low airspeeds and
high angles of attack.
NON-TSO STANDOUT

Our 1978 Cessna's avionics were ripe for replacement. (The
attitude indicator-which had passed an annual inspection the
previous week-failed on the way to Wichita.)
Yingling's avionics department wasted no time in stripping
out the old to make way for the new, and their technicians rolled
with the punches as we sought to bring the panel up to date.
AOPA supports industry and government efforts to get
lower-cost, modern instruments into legacy aircraft while
reducing certification barriers. Our sweepstakes 172 was one
of the first certificated aircraft to sport a Garmin G5 electronic
attitude indicator. The G5 was installed with a supplemental
type certificate rather than a technical standard order. Its clear,
bright display-resembling a mini glass panel-was a hit at EAA
AirVenture 2016 as pilots discovered it provides altitude, airspeed, and vertical speed, and comes with a four-hour backup
battery in the event of an electrical failure.
The remaining analog flight instruments are brand-new.
They are matched with Aerospace Logic electronic gauges,
giving you a crisp readout for the fuel, oil temperature and pressure, and tachometer.
The FAA has made it easier to install nonrequired safety
enhancing equipment (NORSEE), and we're all in. Garmin's
GI-260 angle of attack indicator is installed atop the panel, providing a quick visual reference during all stages of flight, and an
audible alert if a stall becomes imminent.

THE 180-HORSEPOWER Lycoming O-360

drives a brand-new propeller (right). Micro
vortex generators installed on the wings
improve slow-flight performance (lower
right). Mods from Knots 2U modernize the
landing light (below left) and streamline
the wheelpants (bottom).

Another NORSEE addition is the
Guardian Avionics iPad mount, sized to
hold and charge an iPad mini with a flushmount design that cools the tablet. The
winner of the sweepstakes 172 will get an
iPad mini. We've been using the Garmin
Pilot app on the iPad to display weather
and traffic advisories obtained through
the Garmin GTX 345 transponder, which
is certified for ADS-B In and Out.
A Garmin GTN 650 touchscreen navigator rounds out the panel, along with a
Garmin GTR 225 com radio and GMA 340
audio panel. Don't have much experience
with the Garmin 650 series? Neither did I,
but you shouldn't worry: Flight Training
Apps is giving the winner a copy of Flying
the Garmin GTN 650/750, and you can
keep it right on the iPad mini.
PAINT

Members tell us the stunning base coat, with a hint
of metallic, looks like polished metal.

56 | AOPA PILOT May 2017

"The ugliest airplane at Oshkosh" (AOPA
Editor at Large Dave Hirschman's description, not mine) won't hold that title this year.
In November 2016, the airplane's red
and blue on white scheme was replaced

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - May 2017