One of the improvements I made that I am most happy with is the instrument panel.  The original panel was an ugly black painted panel.  I added several things to the panel and extended it about two inches lower than the original panel.  I design bridge consoles for ships so I had the resources to make a very nice panel.  It was drawn in AutoCad and all the holes were cut out on a CNC turret punch in about five minutes.  The panel is .093" aluminum.  I put on a walnut veneer and spent about a week trimming the veneer and staining and varnishing it.  I can offer custom made panels to other builders if anyone is interrested.  I will probably do any more wood laminated panels on a waterjet machine to eliminate the time consuming hand trimming.

This picture shows the business side of the panel.  The electric turn coordinator is something I added.  After about 35 hours of instrument training I realize that the turn coordinator can make the difference in weather I live or die if I accidently wind up in IFR.  I recommend a turn coordinator for anyone that does not have gyro instruments.  I cut the holes for a vacuum operated artificial horizon and heading indicator.  I don't know if I will ever add them or not, but the holes are there just in case.

Some of the other things I added to the panel are the Westach fuel indicator, the PS Engineering intercom, the Westach amp meter, and the Astrotech digital clock.  The cable sticking out the top of the panel is the power cord for my Garmin handheld GPS.  I will put on the mount when I put the canopy back on and can get the placement just right.  The rectangular hole is for the loran.  I probably should have pitched the loran when I redid the panel, but for now it will stay.  If I never use it I will put eventually put a transponder in its place.  The circuit breakers on the right side replaced the original switches and fuse holders.  The stips above them are fiber optic back lights for the engraved label plates the I haven't had engraved yet.

Here is another view of the pilot's side.  The switch with the guard on the left is for the mag.  The plate next to it covers the hole for the second switch that will be added sometime when I add dual ignition.  The blue knob is the primer.  The black hook shaped pieces on the top left isntrument holes are a new fiber optic instrument post light that I have designed.  I have a patent pendig on them and am currently getting distributors.  You can get more information on the lights at www.engalt.com/aviation.htm