While there are newer, high-tech approaches to instrumentation, most pilots will opt for a conventional approach. One of the best-known sources for ultralight instruments is SkySports, Inc., of Linden, MI. I have always been very pleased with the quality and service provided by this company and many of the instrument options shown here are all drawn from their catalog. In most cases, the same or similar products are available from other sources. Prices will certainly spiral upward with time so check for current prices no matter what you choose.
AIRSPEED - THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM!
The only essential instrument in any gyro is an accurate airpseed indicator. Many experienced fixed-wing ultralight pilots will say you don't need one and that you can fly gauging the wind in your face. The fact is, a gyro has a very wide speed range compared to most other ultralights and you must have an airspped indicator (ASI) to fly one efficiently! Fortunately, there are lots of options to get the job done.
If cost is an issue, you can't beat a simple Hall Windmeter attached to the control stick. The 0-55 mph model (HAL006, $29) is an ideal choice for an ultralight, but you can also get one that is calibrated to 80 mph (HAL008) for the same price. These units are very accurate as long as there are no obstructions in front of the unit that could disrupt air flow.
CONVENTIONAL INSTRUMENTS
Airspeed
For a machine like the Gyrobee, a maximum indicated
airspeed of 75 mph is entirely adequate. Ideally, the low-speed end should go as low as
possible. Most instruments, including expensive helicopter ASIs, are poorly calibrated
below 20 mph and many don't even go this low. My personal preference is the 3 1/8 inch 75
mph, venturi-operated Winter ASI from Germany. A rugged and much-less expensive
alternative is an 80 mph UMAS pitot ASI (UMA3/8MP, $129). The unit mounts from the
rear of the panel, just like the altimeter. You will also need to order a pitot kit
(SS404, $8). The pitot can be mounted to extend forward out of the pod or you can mount it
externally.
Altimeter
Most pilots opt for a sensitive (two-pointer) altimeter to get good resolution on the altitude display. Unfortunately, these units are relatively expensive and fairly fragile in the high-vibration ultralight environment. I would suggest the use of this 3 1/8 inch, 6000 foot, single-pointer unit (UMA6KA, $105) as a good alternative. You save almost $100, the unit is tougher, and provides much better resolution that a typical 10,000 foot, single-pointer unit. Elevation and barometric pressure are adjustable and the unit mounts from behind the panel using hardware provided. No hook-up is required and the unit requires no operating voltage.
Cylinder Head Temperature
For the CHT display, use a 2 inch Westach gauge (WSK2C1, $39).
The gauge comes with a sender and hookup instructions. You need to specify a 14 mm sender
for use with a Rotax engine. The meter slips directly into either one of the 2 inch holes
on the panel and is secured with a simple bracket from behind the panel. The meter display
CHT from 100-700oF and requires no power.
Engine Tachometer
The tach display is provided by a 2 inch Westach tach (WS2CT8A-2/6,
$55) that mounts just like the CHT display. Hookup instructions for either a lighting-coil
or Ducati installation are included and the instrument (which requires no power) can be
used with either single or dual-ignition Rotax engines.
INSTRUMENT PODS
One of the more popular approaches to instruments is a basic instrument
pod. While a pod can rarely accommodate the range of instruments that is found in a full
panel, it is usually quite sufficient for the instrument needs of an ultralight gyro.
Shown above is the SkySports SR pod with an altimeter, aispeed indicator, CHT display, and
engine tachometer. This pod, in red, white, or black, is available for $619 (SS101).
This includes the completely assembled pod, all mounting hardware, a complete wiring
harness, and instructions. In fact, by assembling the system yourself, it is possible to
save a significant amount of money in exchange for only a small amount of real labor!
The pod, panel, and mounting hardware can be ordered from SkySports. While the picture above shows an uncut panel, you can order the system with the holes cut for the standard instrument set-up. Cost is $99 (SS114SR) and you should specify the pod color (red, black, or white) and the standard panel cut-out. You can also specify either the standard horizontal layout, shown on the instrument pod photo earlier on this page, or a vertical orientation, which is commonly used on gyros. I should also note that a vertical pod, with mounting hardware, can be ordered from StarBee Gyros. Their face however is designed for a total of 6 2 and 2 1/4 inch instruments. If you want a "minimal" installation, tell StarBee to skip the panel face and get a "standard/vertical" panel cut at Sky Sports.
The total cost for a basic pod, using this mix-and-match approach, is just $435 plus shipping. It's not pocket change, but it will provide you with a very serviceable instrument pod at a considerable cost saving.
The wiring harness back to the engine has only four conductors and the pod requires no power source. To save you some hassle, jacketed four-conductor cable is available at $0.55 per foot (SS504), and ten feet will do nicely for a Gyrobee. You can also get a 4 conductor quick-disconnect connector set (SS514, $4) which permits you to quickly remove the pod from the aircraft if the area is not secure.
Fuel Status
SkySports does make a very accurate capacitive fuel level system that is all-electronic and highly accurate. However, it consumes a fair amount of power (over 100 mA). Theere is a much easier approach for monitoring your Gyrobee's fuel level:
If you look very closely at this picture, you will see an item that has
been on the prototype Gyrobee almost from the beginning, but generates
almost no notice at fly-ins. Look at the vertical main-gear strut, just below the fuel
tank! The item is a hemispherical bicycle mirror. It is set so the pilot, looking to the
left and slightly back can actually see the fuel tank and evaluate the fuel situation.
Ultra- simple, ultra-light, ultra-reliable, and no electrical power required.
DIGITAL OPTIONS
The biggest problem with conventional instruments is that they are complex and relatively fragile mechanical devices that can be destroyed (or suffer a significant reduction in service life) due to vibration. While the SkySports pod does a good job is isolating the instruments from such vibration, some pilots go with electronic instruments, which are far-less-prone (but not immune) to vibration problems.
Engine Instruments
One of the most-respected and economical option for engine monitoring is the digital EIS System from Grand Rapids Technologies. Several models are available, some of which also incorporate altitude, airspeed, and fuel display options. There basic engine monitoring systems are hard to beat and are simple to use.
Altimeter/Airpeed
This is an all-digital combination of airspeed and altimeter display (Stratomaster ASX-1) available through the Amptronics/Skydat here in the U.S. (~$280). Teamed up with the EIS system shown above, you would have an all-digital display that would operate from any 12VDC power source.
Comprehensive Panels
Shown here are the GX-1 (left) and GX-2 (right) digital instrument panel modules that provide all the instrument functions you would ever need in a very compact form-factor. The systems are available through Amptronics/Skydat in South Africa and, while pricier than other options, they are very nice systems.
Amptonics also has several less expensive options widely used around the world:
This system (above), the SX1, is an integrated pod that contains all the flight instruments you will ever need as well as an engine tach. It does not include temperature readouts (CHT/EGT) but is none-the-less very popular with trike pilots.
For those with more conventional panel ideas, the DX2 shown above offers essentially the same functions as the SX1, but in a flat-panel layout.
If cost is not an issue, this Stratomaster Ultra Horizon XL from the Sport Flying Shop can be configured to do almost anything! Stratomaster has an incredible line of digital instruments, most of which are carried by the Sport Flying Shop here in the U.S.
The Digipod, combining my interests in flying, electronics, and imbedded microprocessors, is my own solution to the instrument question!