Instrument & Equipements

The picture shows the instrument panel of the A-21SJ, which has the very same size as on the sailplane. It has a surface of as much as 11 sq. dm. and offers enough room for a complete instrumentation including according to requirements all basic IFR instruments and radio equipments, still allowing the installation of stand-by instruments and equipments. The electrical equipment - current on the jetglider and optional on the A-21S - allows full lighting of the cockpit by night. The controls of landing gear, brakes, flaps and trim are placed between the two seats ; in the A-21SJ also the throttle and the engine air intake opening / closing control are placed on the central pedestal. On the sides of the instrument panel, there are two indipendent knobs allowing each pilot to release the tow hitch. For high level flights an auxilary oxygen set can be installed on request. It is equipped with 2 masks and a manometer fed by a 1,000 Normal liter bottle, enough for an endurance of more than 2 hr / pilot at 20,000 ft.

Accomodation : Like a Luxury Airplane

Calif cockpit has been designed in every detail to offer the highest safety and comfort during the long flights allowed by both the glider and the jet-glider. Getting in and out requires no twisting or acrobatics and the canopy (1) can be opened by one hand. The inside width is a good 108 cm. allowing comfort and free movements even to stout pilots. The padded seats (2) allow a relaxing position to person of any size. Seat back reclination (3), and pedal distance (4) are adjustable in flight. The safety belts (5) are certified up to 9 g. The cockpit interior is upholstered and padded (6). The floor is covered with moquette (7). Two handy paper-holder pockets (8) on the sides and the prearrangement for a 50 lt. luggage compartament (9) are ideal for long flights. All control are handy ; ancillary controls (10) are colored  according to international standards and related placards (11) call out operating instructions. Other placards show speed and weight limits and list allowed manoeuvers. Special care has been given to cockpit ventilation which is forced through two ramming intakes. The airstream distribution towards each seat (12) and the windshied (13) can be adjusted indipendently for each intake. Moreover two sliding panels (14) on the canopy slides give an additional air ventilation source and a direct view towards the outside.