Would you convert this 1940's era panel to do instrument proficiency work if the plane were yours? Why or why not? (sample pic I found on the internet provided below)
Probably more cost effective to buy one that already has an IFR panel than to convert one. That said, I've never had the urge to practice approaches in my plane.
No!! don't do it. there are too many hand held devices that serve the purpose. My IPAD does the better job, than ruining the instrument panel.
Do you really believe the Luscombe should be the aircraft for IFR work? and the electronic devices are approved, the DPEs are using them in testing
That's a conversation that, although tangentially related will get us off topic Can you show up to an IR check ride with the original panel and iPad?
You can do anything you wish, but I would leave a vintage Luscombe panel original as much as practical. Do you have an electrical system or vacuum system ?
Always exceptions to every rule. This thread breaks the one referencing something about the correlation of an inquiry to the amount of knowledge used in proposing said inquiry.
The amount of money you would spend making that panel IFR certified could buy a lot of hours in a rental with an instructor for practice. But if I had too much money to spend in the rest of my expected lifetime, sure why not.
If it already has an electrical system, and you're lightweight, and the instructor's lightweight, and you have money to burn, and you don't have a better platform, and you don't mind being guilty of sacrilege, and if you don't mind the opinion of others being against you... by all means do it.
I think you can do both. Needle, ball and airspeed is all you really need to fly IMC (been there, done that). Handheld radio, the Sportys' 400 has a built in VOR/LOC/ILS receiver with display. If you can make that work you are good to go in a real IFR airplane.
If you must. Take out the original panel and fabricate a new one with the desired instrument punchouts. That way you are not permanently altering the increasing historic value of this plane. The next curator may thank you for it. ;-)
I wouldn’t be opposed to modernizing. It could actually look great if done properly. I totally agree with Howard about making a new panel. Keep the old one original. Maybe a clean new one piece panel with a retro look. Add a small GPS/comm and a couple GI-275s. If it makes you happy do it. That’s what really matters here.
Heck, If I ever hit the lottery I’m going to be rolling with some crazy stuff myself. Love to have a DC-9- 10 series. Just for knocking around VMC that is It would be perfect for my needs after I gut the BS out of it. The rear ramp would be insane for my motorcycle adventures. VFR flight following would be such a hoot with ATC. Of course there’s nothing like the sound of a cutting torch taking off! I was a DC-9 A&P for many years before becoming a commercial pilot. Hehe
Twenty years ago I upgraded the "shotgun" panel in my '63 C172D, and have no, zero, nada regrets. The new panel has the standard six-pack which greatly enhanced the flying experience. Did I get the panel upgrade investment back when I sold it? No, but it was a much easier sell and it was much more enjoyable to fly while I owned it.
How many 172- are there vs. Luscombe's? You could reverse the procedure at any time. Luscombes not so much.
Luscombes aren't rare museum pieces; there are roughly 1,600 on the FAA registry. Update the panel and it's still a Luscombe, no?
Different strokes for different folks. I am kind of a purist when it comes to antique/classic aircraft. I like to keep them original to the extent possible.
I knew a Luscombe 8E owner who actually filed and flew IFR. He used the L & R glove boxes to mount a pair of Nav Coms. Radios in one and a single CDI/OBS in the other. Dissimilar brands, btw. If I remember, he also had at least a venturi driven DG. May have also had an ADI. He and I had the only two Luscombes at the airport. He was always picking my brain about IFR matters in the local area because I had more exposure to it. I flew it on a regular basis due to my day job as a military pilot.
In the car world: My step mother is the original owner of a '55 Thunderbird. When the radio broke she insisted on finding an original equipment AM radio to replace it to keep everything original. Good decision. Then she replaced the original black license plates (California) with personalized plates (blue at the time). SACRALIDGE!
