Permanent mounting of a Rosetta in a C42

[Pidea]

We're doing a lot of work on our C42B next week and it seems like a good time to permanently install our Rosetta into the aircraft.

We've got the fitting kit from PilotAware including the aerials and the most likely location for the PAW will be behind the instrument panel.

From a quick glance at the BMAA documents it appears that we need to use a mount that will hold 9x the weight of the PAW unit but a quick Google shows that most people just ziptie or velcro theirs somewhere.

Is their a better way to mount the Rosetta ?

Thanks in advance

Phil

[Timothy]

I like to see the lights, so mine is in the panel.

[grahambaker]

I like to see the lights, so mine is in the panel.

The LEDs in a Rosetta are literally that, i.e inside the case, and difficult to see without peering inside at exactly the right angle, and then not all at once.

[Timothy]

I'm glad that's fixed on the FX.  Happiness is four greens, and three greens and a blue means that you know you are missing stuff.

[exfirepro]

Hi Phil,

I just took a look at the 'Fixed Installations' Forum, - which is worth a look in any case for general awareness - but there isn't a specific post there for the C42.

The 'traditional' mounting position in a C42 for a PAW Classic/Rosetta/or FX (with supplied directly attached antennas and internal GPS), is on top of the coaming just in front of the centre struts, with power and feed out (audio or transponder feed) cables going down through the coaming. You are correct that the units were often mounted using velcro or similar - which, in my experience (I have been installing and using PilotAware in its various iterations in many different aircraft types since prototype development began way back in 2015), has always been perfectly adequate to retain the units in place, though I can't say I have ever actually tested a purely velcro installation to 9x the unit weight. Remember of course that there are (or at least were when I last looked) different test requirements for different directions of pull.

In practice, both Rosetta and FX have a standard 1/4" 'tripod' thread incorporated into the underside of the casing. This can be used to attach the unit to any appropriate part of the aircraft structure using an appropriately sized screw. Just speak to your inspector to make sure they are happy with your chosen location and mounting solution. Also be aware that if you are NOT mounting the unit 'right way up' you should replace the internal GPS with a (remotely located) GPS 'mouse' with a good clear view of the sky.

In addition to the 1/4" 'tripod' mount, FX also has 2 x 5mm threaded holes to allow additional mounting options. Just make sure that in both cases the screws you choose aren't too long - they should provide a solid mount without 'bottoming out' in the mounting hole(s).

In all cases, I would advise using PilotAware's external antenna kits as these significantly improve range and reliability of signal - even in flexwings and other fibreglass or fabric-covered aircraft. These antennas should be mounted on the underside of the aircraft (on a metal ground plane unless the aircraft is metal skinned) and kept away from transponder antennas to avoid potential interference.

If you need any further advice please don't hesitate to ask.

Best Regards

Peter

[steveu]

In addition to the 1/4" 'tripod' mount, FX also has 2 x 5mm threaded holes to allow additional mounting options. Just make sure that in both cases the screws you choose aren't too long - they should provide a solid mount without 'bottoming out' in the mounting hole(s).

Mine has 3 x 5mm holes and the 1/4" tripod mount doesn't fit anywhere...