GPS Mount above an Aircraft Instrument Panel

A friend has a Piper Cherokee (four place) made in 1964. He is in the brown jacket. I am wearing the blue jacket.

(Many of the photos in this Instructable are from Google Images. I do not have access to the airport and to his airplane. During this project we did not have a lot of time for making photos.)

Step 1 His new GPS

He also has a new GPS unit for his airplane. It is quite large compared to a GPS for an automobile--almost 6 inches across.

Comments

[MadScott]

Mounting electronics near (or covering) the magnetic compass could cause all kinds of problems - did you have to re-swing the compass? Also the compass is on the plane's MEL - shouldn't be flying if it's inop.

[Phil B]

My friend is the pilot. This is his second aircraft GPS. The first was smaller and he mounted it in the same place with Velchro. He has been using an aircraft GPS mounted in this location above his instrument panel for around ten years. The newer GPS is too heavy to stay in place with only Velchro. He has never mentioned any affect on his compass readings. I think he pretty much relies on his GPS for getting him where he wants to go rather than on his compass. He also flies VFR only.

[rimar2000]

Good work, as always, Phil. Now you must do an instructable for mounting a GPS on my Mountain Bike... ;)

[Phil B]

Thank you, Rimar. I saw a photo of your mountain bike in one of your Instructables. The handlebar has no empty space on your bike. Could you remove the long bolt that tightens the gooseneck and attach a fitting for a GPS under the bolthead before putting it back in place?

[rimar2000]

Phil, It was a joke. 1) I have not GPS; 2) My bike trips are 30 minutes average, near my house, then I don't need a GPS. Anyway, thanks for your kindness.

[NachoMahma]

. Another great iBle from Phil B! If your Member page is correct, this is number 81. You need an "Outstanding Contributor" patch. . The only step that might need a pic and didn't have one was mounting the GPS to the sheet metal. But, if someone can fly a plane, they should be able to figure it out. ;)

[Phil B]

Thank you. There is a base for the GPS, and the GPS snaps in and out of it for safe storage at home. The base's bottom has a smooth surface. A sticky piece of very soft rubber-like stuff attaches to the bottom of the base and then to the surface on which the base mounts. That comes with the GPS. But, my friend first tried to mount his GPS to the curved surface above the instrument panel. The sticky stuff was pretty well destroyed when we pulled the base off of the instrument panel console. The GPS really did not attach well there, anyway. We went to the hardware store and bought a roll of double stick mounting foam tape for mounting to the sheet metal. It is a common item from Scotch - 3M. Just peel off the waxed paper backing and cover the bottom surface of the base with strips of foam mount tape. Trim it to fit the contours of the base. Peel off the waxed paper backing from the other side and plant the base onto the sheet metal. You get one chance to do it right because it holds like there is no tomorrow. Yes, I now have 81 Instructables. Someone, please stop me before I post again! ;-) I do also have a life outside of Instructables. But, being in my early 60's means I have things I did in the past and have things from the present. I keep on thinking I will run out of things to post, but I also have a list of about 50 I would still like to submit. This one came to mind suddenly when there was a need. My friend thought this would be useful to Cherokee owners, and owners of any other plane with a Hand Hold like his Piper has.