Over time we will add subsections to illustrate each major decision / configuration choice we have made on our airplane. Obviously some things can be decided on very late in the project whereas other things have to be selected at time of kit order.


Gear Configuration:

7A implies the nosegear. That was a no-sweat decision. No need for "real pilots..."- type bragging. No disadvantage with the nosegear, nice control (differential braking) and good view during taxi operations...


Trim System:

Electrical Pitch Trim
Electrical Aileron Trim.
Both control sticks will be fitted with 4 way trim controls.

Canopy Style:

Tip-up! The only place where the slider has its advantages is when open and on the ground. Every other time the tipup wins hands down in our opinion. Check Dan Checkoway's Tipup vs Slider page and you know why we decided that way...
Also, instead of using screws/drilling holes, we opted for the nice Sikaflex 295UV method of gluing the canopy in place. http://wiki.matronics.com/wiki/index.php/Gluing_Your_Canopy


Engine:

Major decision made... It is a 180+hp (192 in the test cell!) parallel-valve TMX-IO 360 fuel injected, roller-tappet technology, nickel-carbide cylinders, experimental-only Lyc clone from Mattituck. Fuel injection is the new ECI FIS cold air induction, with a vapour return line ready for mogas. Ignition is one traditional mag and one pmag. If that performs flawlessly in the long run, we might change to a second pmag one day. The TMX in our configuration is a fine evolution from the traditional Lycoming with many advancements incorporated on the basic engine parts. Especially with the RED-GOLD option, this engine should run about as smooth as a Lyc can be. Mattituck's Mahlon Russel is a very knowledgeable and easy-going guy and we highly recommend him for anything related to aircraft engines.
After a lengthy evaluation, which for a long time favoured an Eggenfellner 2.5STI supercharged subaru-conversion, then a FADEC driven TMX, we settled for this setup.

Even though we finally ended up with an advanced but "traditional" old-technology aircraft engine, we have definitely looked at all available options in depth. Long story short, there is just no such thing as a free lunch what engines are concerned. That magic 180hp, affordable, low fuel consumption, lightweight turbodiesel is just not out there on the market :-( And worse, it probably won't be for a while until the price of fuel in the U.S. finally gets even with the world.

We are very happy with our decision, and we can proudly say that we didn't dismiss any option without thoroughly looking at it.

For the exhaust we have a Vetterman custom made 4 into 4 modified to route the 4 tubes outside the cowl and aft of the firewall into a 4 into 1 collector, where a Liese muffler will be attached to.


Propeller:

Ordered a Hartzell "blended airfoil" 2 blade constant speed running on a PCU5000 governor.


Avionics / Panel:

Huge and pricey decisions to make on the avionics / panel. A lot of development going on in that area as well. One thing is certain, we will install a modern EFIS system with a solid state attitude & heading reference system. Ordered a dual screen AF3400 setup with a few options from Advanced Flight Systems. Will pick it up at OSH :-) And we will pimp that setup a bit, watch this space ;-)

The Vertical Power VP-200 will be the core of our electrical system as well as providing many other beatiful features. Be sure to check them out, there are also less expensive models available. Since we're yet going to be building for a while, we hope that possible early adoption problems will be solved by the time we get ready to fly.

We have purchased a Digiflight II VSGV flatpack edition autopilot from http://www.trutrakflightsystems.com

A custom PC based moving map solution will provide nice navigation and flight planning for VFR use.

Radio stack will contain from Garmin, an SL30 Nav/COM and GMA340 Audio Panel, an ICOM200 COM2 and from funkwerk avionics (formerly known as Filser) a TRT800A Mode-S transponder.

An AOA Sport from http://advanced-flight-systems.com/ will provide stall warning and help with consistent and stabilized approaches.

Lighting:

Landing light: HID [High Intensity Discharge / Xenon for Europeans ;-) ] Landing Light Kit from http://www.duckworksaviation.com

Strobe lights: Strobe Light Kit from http://www.creativair.com

Nav Lights: Rectangular LED Nav Light Kit from http://www.creativair.com


Interior:
In the sub-projects section you will find lots of information. Most notably we will design our own center console.

Seats are foam from Van's upholstered by www.classicaerodesigns.com
Sidepanels and floor carpet comes from classicaero as well.
Seat belts stock from Van's.

Panel paint will be original Airbus blue-grey! Specs are: Mankiewicz Alexit 404-12 (Color 5317 but appears to be darker than original panel color) Original would be ASNA 3687-5316


Paintjob:
We have now decided on the final paintjob!