I was wondering if anyone had tried an aviation install. I have a Cessna T210 with a factory cassette/radio that is no longer too functional. It connects through four headphone jacks for the passengers. I have Bose noise cancelling stereo compatible headphones for passengers which do a good job on the noise level.

I am replacing the GPS in the plane and since they will be in the panel anyway, it should be fairly easy. All that is available is 24Volts. I would need to reduce the voltage for the player and a small amp to drive the headphones. Heat should not be a problem because I can tap into the existing radio blower just below the player.

I've used laptops before but the vibrations in a plane are failrly high frequency (2475 rpm) and with the player tied to panel was somewhat concerned with damage to the hard drives.

Has anyone tried it? I wouldn't even think about it except it has the factory already in it and wired up for the headphones.

I haven't read about anyone doing one but I don't think it would hurt much I would guess the worst thing that would happen would be the hdd failing and those are easy to replace

Sounds like a fun project. Please take pictures.

The HDD failing? We're talking about an airplane. And the "worst" thing you can think of is the HDD failing. Hmmm... I can think of a couple of other things I'd like NOT to fail.

Bruno

BTW. For anyone interested, here is a link to multiported avionics cooling fans for 14 or 28 volt.

http://www.edmo.com/s2/s2-18.asp

Almost all avionics today are fitted with cooling ports. A small hose <1" runs from the fan to the radio. this might solve heat problems in any install. I think all that would be necessary would be to blank off the bottom large hole in the mounting tray and have an adapter for hose made.

I'm only refering to the empeg not the thing it is installed in

There are a few aviation installations - from a Cessna to a 747. I think the first plane install was by Jurg Sommerauer and he had a web page up at one time. I'm not sure what the URL is.

I've heard that there can be problems with vibration in some installs - particularly in a helicopter.

Rob

747

Really ?

In reply to:

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747

Really ?

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In that case, next time I cross the Atlantic, I'm bringing my Rio remote

Ahem, did you have to sign a NDA for the 747 install?

Details, please!

I can't imagine who has a personal 747. I know Paul Allen has a 757 and Boeing sell a surprising number of private 737s, but I have never heard of anyone having their own 747 (unless you count Air Force One I guess).

Probably installed by Bill when he was going through his anti-Microsoft phase. He'd heard the Empeg ran Linux and that it'd also help him pull the interns.

Don't permanently installed electronics in a certified aircraft have to have some kind of paperwork? Or is the permanent tray just considered wiring and the active components are 'not' permanently mounted.

There are a number of private 747's. I think most are royal families though - think Saudi and Brunei.

I know Chrysler Aerospace, err I mean E-Systems, err I mean Raytheon, err I mean the new guys down at Waco did a royal Saudi setup. I don't know what the plane cost, but the interior was certainly not cheap.

Yes there is an NDA involved and I will probably be thrown out of a 747 in flight now.

Rob

Yes, it is necessary to get FAA approval to fit a car player into a plane above a certain size (or usage type, I'm not sure of the details). This involves doing all sorts of horrible things to car players!

Rob

Edit: FDA?? I don't think they care too much. Changed to FAA!

I think a lot of the Saudi stuff was done at Associated Air Center at Love Field in Dallas. When you walk through their lobby they have some huge presentations on their custom work. A few DC8s, I think 757s, etc.

Some of the less opulent custom work can be found here

http://www.associatedaircenter.com/bbj.htm

Here is an AV Rack

http://www.associatedaircenter.com/avionics.htm

Note in the write up that the technicians receive training on large commercial aircraft. Now that's nice.

This makes me wonder about the Empeg in an airplane now. I mean, if it'll fsck up a keyless entry system, what would it do to avionics at close proximity?

Well, If it were properly shielded and grounded, nothing. And if you can afford to install one in a 747, you can afford the custom shielding. It just scares me to think of a pilot getting mesmerized by Hula Hoops. ;8^)

My avioncs guy had already mentioned the certification. I know there are "aviation" CD players. An airplane is a mess for electronic noise anyway.

If you want a really scary aviation thought, I think I saw NT running on a moving map display advertised in an aviation magazine.

Yes, FlightMax multifunction display from Avidyne. The most scarry thing is that they have a version for regional airliners, too.

I think the idea would be to put it in the main cabin, not the cockpit

The certification seems to be more concerned about the fumes that are released by the product in a fire than the electrical characteristics (if it passes FCC it's close to passing FAA in that respect). We never bothered with FAA certification for the product because we didn't think the potential market would make it worthwhile, but maybe we were wrong!

Rob

I don't think you were wrong.

Hm... For installation in a Helicopter or any other "leisure" aircraft, there are two considerations. (these rules are for amateur radio receivers and *transmitters*)
1) Power (If you do not connect it to the aircraft's own power, everything is much easier
2) Aerials/antennas. These need Authority approval if mounted on the outside of the cabin.

Marius (Escort Cab + Mark II)