wings_level

Absolutely agree with this approach. I just need to find a few reputable shops and then start making phone calls to set up visits.

Anyone know of any other avionics shops out there that are highly recommended within reasonable distance to East Tennessee? I'd like to get 3 or 4 quotes before making the call.

So I really like the panel. Now if you look at mine, its like three sections (left, right and middle). My left panel protrudes out. Where yours looks like one continuous panel from left to right.

Does anyone out there have a C model with a 750 in it? I would like to see what the panel looks like with that huge screen and how much room is left in the center stack.

Perfect. Much appreciated.

I agree that is something to look in to. But hey Browncbr1, you’re not too far from me. Do you by chance know any good avionics shop around East Tennessee? I have been talking with one near Nashville. Thought I may get a couple more on board.

Very true.

I probably got about 20 more years of flying left in me. Maybe not in this plane, but maybe so. But who knows what tomorrow holds. Something could ground me tomorrow.

I am thinking the 750 because whether it’s a 430, 530, 650, or 750, the labor cost would probably be about the same. The cost difference would mainly be in the unit. If your a gonna spend the same in labor, might as well get the big one.

I think there is a post on here talking about the 480. My understanding is I thought Garmin quit supporting these units? Jepp still does the database updates I think, but for how long? My luck I would put one in and then no updates available. Seems too risky.

I have one avionics shop I have been talking with here in East Tennessee. Anyone have any other recommendations nearby?

I’ll bet you’re right. I do like the idea of both AI’s level with each other....ok I think I will move it up and let the nav head sit below.

Good points. Time frame will be to get started sometime this year. That is as narrowed down as I have gotten. I like the idea of the backup gauges underneath the EDM, but when I laid it out it looked like there wasn't enough room vertically. If I did an IPad it would have to be a mini. Don't think there is room enough for a full size IPad.

I toyed with the AI in the top or bottom slot. The reason I went with the bottom slot: when I shoot an ILS I just always use the top Nav head. That's the only logic I had.

Ok so, I have expanded the work scope. See pics below. Please let me know your thoughts? Too much for a '66 "C" model? What would you do differently? I am just making this up as I go. If I am gonna upgrade the gps, might as well do it all. I don't have any plans to get rid of the plane anytime soon. It's just me and the Misses. May end up having to do it in phases. Phase 1 - Center, Phase 2 - Left panel, Phase 3 - Right panel. Something like that maybe. Anyway, I am completely open to suggestions.be.

Yep. Alone in the hangar. Must be one of those weird flukes. Maybe it won’t go off again.

Nope. But even so, the plane has been sitting for well over a week. Seems like if there was a rough landing it would go off then or very shortly after.

So I got a call from the airport today. Apparently my elt was going off. I missed the phone call but when I called back the airport manger had went in and reset the elt and everything is fine for now. The plane has been in the hangar and not flown in a little over a week. The batteries were just replaced this last annual. Any ideas?

I like the yokes on your C model. Where did you get those done at? Looking to do similar with mine. Love the idea of keeping the RPM and MP as backups. I did not realize that could be done. I have a P1000 tach I really do not want to lose (I kinda like it). But losing those two gauges is what has been keeping me from going from my JPI700 to the 900.

Good point. I will be researching those a little more closely. Guess I just always thought Garmin was the way to go.

Wow.These are all greats thoughts. I have been kinda leaning toward the 750. It makes it tough to sink that kind of money in a 66 C model. About $25k for 750 and 345R. But I really don’t have have any plans to upgrade to another plane anytime soon.

Not a great shot but it is a shot of my center panel. I having been debating this for a while now. Garmin 650 of 750. 1966 M20C fully IFR machine. Stec-30 autopilot and engine monitor. I always file IFR on trips. Now I do use the iPad with foreflight. But kinda like the flitecharts and large screen on the 750. I am looking at removing the KLN89B and one radio and sticking 750 there with remote 345 transponder, or sticking a 650 there with 345 transponder below it. It is about a $5k difference in cost from 650 to 750. Any one else out there that can sway me one way or the other?

Manufacture charged $1375 for overhaul. And then about 7 hours labor for removal, install, and bench check.

Yes. The 345 they quoted was with gps. My biggest heartburn is having to put another hole in the airplane for the antenna since I don’t have a waas gps already.

So I am starting to narrow it down. Apparently the gdl 82 is rather high labor cost. I was quoted by two different shops at around $5k part and labor. Same shops quoted a 345 at around $8.5k. So I think I will go with a 345. This biggest heartburn is I have an old kln89b gps, so no waas. Upgrading to ads b requires a waas antenna. So I have to put another hole in the top of my plane for the antenna. Unless I go ahead and upgrade the gps at the same time. Then I can use the space where my 89b antenna is. But gosh that would be about $20k for a ‘66 C model. Good grief!!