I moved the ELT around to a few different places to find a better place for it…but in the end, the best bad location is in the left side panel. I also changed my thinking on the annunciator (warning) lights.
My initial layout was going to place the annunciator lights together in a horizontal grouping above the auto pilot control. I have been in ongoing conversations with people that have a ton more flight hours than I do... and based on input from Bob and Mike - I have made some changes to the panel layout and the annunciator lights. I agree that it would be beneficial to have the indicator light near the control. So, for example, as my hand is leaving the starter button, the starter engaged light should go out - and if it does not - that's clearly a starter engaged issue that needs to be dealt with. That is a better idea than having to glance over to the main grouping of lights in some other place to verify that the light is no longer on. Same idea with the low voltage lights by the Alternator switches - it makes sense - as one relates to the other.
Mike tells me that in the Airbus, the overhead panel is prepared for flight by turning out every single switch with a light on it. That really makes it easy to get it right.
ELT on the left panel
Switches down in the center panel
Alt/Batt switches and starter with lights on the right side
