The goal is one glass Primary Flight Display that controls all avionics: comm radio, xpdr, and audio. This implies remote-mounted units slaved to the PFD. We'll also need room for a sequence card holder or, better yet, a way to display an image of a sequence card on the PFD.
General layout:
- "T" shape with a curved top that follows the canopy bow
- Mixture and prop control and air vent on a fixed piece, upper left
- Air vent on a fixed piece, upper right
- Fuel selector valve on a fixed piece at the bottom of the "T"
- Need some sort of slanted attachment to the spar box
- The main portion of the panel will attach to the front of the canopy bow with a hinge above the fuel selector that allows the panel to tip aft for maintenance
- Run all panel wiring to the bottom of the tilting section and then bend it upwards, to avoid strain when the panel is tilted
- Top attachment
- Through-bolts with sleeves potted into the bow to prevent crushing, or
- Threaded inserts potted into the bow
Switches:
- Locking toggle switches for the electronic ignition and magneto (the kind you have to pull towards you in order to move them, like this: https://www.skygeek.com/honeywell-micro-switch-1tl1-2d-switch.html). Because of their critical nature, I might position these switches on the upper left side of the instrument panel, away from the other switches.
- Regular toggle switches for most functions, positioned along the bottom of the instrument panel
- Master
- Alternator
- Avionics master
- Position lights
- Strobes
- Landing light (three positions: off, flashing, and on)
- Cowl flaps (if electric)
- Two-element controls for engine start, e.g. a "Start Enable" guarded toggle switch on the panel plus a button on the control stick
- Leave the left hand free to move between throttle, mixture, and boost pump
Circuit breakers: traditional standalone units, either positioned below the corresponding switches in or a separate bank.
Additional features:
- USB charging ports
- Cigarette plug socket?
- Music input jack
- Mounting point for a portable GPS holder (could be as simple as a flange to clamp onto)