(John Galban) wrote in message . com...
(Rick Durden) wrote in message m...
Now you have me curious...argument over overhead switches? I guess I
wasn't aware there was one, back in the '60s the crashworthiness folks
found out that overhead panels killed pilots in crashes; the switches
penetrated the skull, so the word went out to avoid them if at all
possible.
snip

I'm looking at your comment and wondering whether there are those who
think overhead panels are attractive or cool and therefore use them
because they don't know about the research that was done nearly 40
years ago. Now, I'm curious as to why designers/engineers would put
in an overhead panel on an otherwise simple airplane. It can't be for
panel space problems, I've flown far more complex airplanes, with the
same size panel, in which the designers were able to put everything in
front of the pilot.

If you've got any contacts a Piper, you might want to ask them. I
flew one of their new Archer IIIs last year and was really put off by
their new overhead switch arrangement. The switches were located at
the top of the pilots side windshield and blocked the view up. I
can't see any reason why they would do this, as the previous location
for these switches on the panel was quite good (and remained unchanged
for a couple of decades).

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

John,

I have not sat in any of the New Pipers, but no one I know has said
anything nice about the overhead switches on them. IMHO, the switches
were very well placed when they were located in the center of the
panel. I never cared for the side wall placement I have seen on
Lances and some other Cherokee models.

However, if someone were to offer me a cherry Cherokee with the side
switches, it would not be an automatic no.

Best

John