Adding an inclinometer

[iamtheari]

Dad's Champ doesn't have any gyros and it doesn't have an inclinometer. I know that a lot of people with similar planes just get a cheap stick-on inclinometer for a sailboat and stick it to the panel. Is there a better solution that doesn't involve serious instrument panel surgery? The panel has a spare small round opening but no spare big openings. We don't need a needle and ball, just a ball. Thanks for any tips!

 

[Flybuddy]

How about something like this:
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/beliteinclinometerbezel.php
Hopefully this will let him know when he's "inclined" to go flying

 

[EdFred]

Hang a ball from a string.

 

[iamtheari]

How about something like this:
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/beliteinclinometerbezel.php
Hopefully this will let him know when he's "inclined" to go flying

I think those are experimental-only, but Spruce's new look makes it harder to tell for sure.

 

[Flybuddy]

I think those are experimental-only, but Spruce's new look makes it harder to tell for sure.

I think if it's just an add-on with no removals that's it's allowed with an IA signoff and 337. Regular needle/ball was a common option on Champs so I would guess they are on the type certificate.

 

[FastEddieB]

Not as cheap as I remember, but attached with double-sided tape or “super” Velcro would be legal.

 

[champ driver]

If you don't need to fill an instrument hole, you can mount one in the middle with two small screw holes.
My Champ had the big 6" one, like the one on the top in my photo, I'm switching to the one in the middle, looks period for the era.
The one on the bottom is smaller and lighter, but more modern looking.

Both the smaller ones were rebuilt by me, picked all the old white material out with dental picks, cleaned up the glass tubes, repainted the housings and used bath caulk to fill in from behind the tubes. I found the two on E-bay. You wouldn't believe the prices for some of these on AS & S and E-bay.

 

[Flybuddy]

Just goes to show...you have to have "balls" to fly

 

[iamtheari]

Just goes to show...you have to have "balls" to fly

Balls of steel, since they’re always getting stepped on.

 

[unsafervguy]

I think if it's just an add-on with no removals that's it's allowed with an IA signoff and 337. Regular needle/ball was a common option on Champs so I would guess they are on the type certificate.

337? how the hell could adding one of those ever be a major mod or repair?