Control cable and antenna input

[Tim213]

Hi Bearhawkers, I'm planning out a few things on my BH. On my RV7 I used an aftermarket mount for the throttle, prop and mixture controls that mounted in the center beneath the instrument panel. I would like to do the same on my BH but sitting in the plane it seems like my control stick may interfere with this location. Any input for those who have done this as opposed to putting them on the panel as designed? Also I went with a Dynon Skyview system on my RV and will do the same on the BH. Of course the RV is aluminum so antenna locations were not an issue. Where did you guys mount radio, transponder and gps antennas? Thanks for any input.

[JimParker256]

Bearhawk wings are metal and would seem the ideal place to mount antennas. But if you want them on the fuselage, there are plenty of ways to establish a ground plane there. Tony Bengelis' books talk about it, as well as other sources.

[Battson]

I put my radio and transponder antennae under the belly, one on the tunnel and one on the belly panel.
GPS antenna I put on the dash, not the underside for obvious reasons.

[whee]

Other builders have placed the engine controls below the panel like you are thinking. I can't recall if they had to trim down the stick or not. Also make sure it won't interfere with your leg. I would like to gain that panel space but my leg position won't allow it.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

I've always liked the look of the Sorensen's military themed Bearhawk with the center-mounted throttle quadrant.

http://bearhawkin.com/Completed-N63521.html

Pretty cool

[jaredyates]

I'm running the engine controls in the stock position and I think it works great. I agree that I'd rather not lose the leg space. Eric Newton's build manual addresses putting them under the panel and shortening the sticks. I'm running two 7" Skyviews, and suspect that you'd still be able to fit the larger screens with the engine controls in the stock location. The transponder and its antenna are back behind the baggage compartment, the ADS-b receiving antenna is between the gear legs, where the old Mode C transponder antenna used to be. I built a triangular shelf that mounts to the tubes under the boot cowl, and installed most of the Skyview stuff on that shelf. The ADAHRS sensors are in the wing root between the fuel tank and the fuselage, and there is a remote magnet sensor out in the wingtip. All of that has been working great.

[Battson]

If you want to extend your flap handle, to make the control force lighter (read comfortable), then it will definitely interfere with those controls if they are hanging down.

There is still room for the big 10" screens if you are careful.