Bonanza 35
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Type 1557
Human-Machine Interface; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors; Aircraft; Weather
I was given a deviation from an IFR flight plan that included landing at an airport; with which I was unfamiliar. The time from the deviation directive to entering the instrument approach was short. My airplane had just undergone the insertion of a new panel with a complete reorganization of placement of the instruments; the insertion of a new/used COM radio; plus a new VAL VOR. Additionally; we had added a new stratus ADS in/out transponder to which we had attached Foreflight. I was trying to use Foreflight for weather information/flight information; IFR maps and approaches. It was difficult for me to fly in moderate to severe turbulence; and strong crosswinds; continue an effective scan; manage new electronics and new placement of instruments and stabilize my approach. Approach control asked me to abort my first approach and on my second approach recommended a diversion to VMC conditions at ZZZ; which I accepted. I continued the flight to ZZZ and landed uneventfully.
BE35 pilot reported an IFR flight after an avionics upgrade including a new panel with a complete reorganization of placement of equipment. After the second instrument approach; ATC recommended a diversion to a VFR airport which was accomplished.