AJ88V

Much as I hate to ask, but what are our options for pre-J models if we want to add an autopilot? This is a total panel overhaul for a plane I've owned for almost 30 years, or a sell-buy new plane decision for me.

Awesome, Scott. The sheet I found only had the one page which listed the M22 at the top of the page (hence my stupid comment!). Thanks for posting the correction. Did you file a 337 for your installation? While we're at it, do you have shower-of-sparks ignition? From my brief scan of the documentation, you need to only be on one mag for start if I read it correctly. Thanks!

Well, that wasn't so easy to track down. The Electroair site only shows the STC: http://www.electroair.net/pdfs/STC EA-15000.pdf but not the approved list which I found here AML SA04280CH https://coastalskies.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EIS-Suppliment.pdf Funny, the approval list ONLY includes the Mooney M22 Mustang of all things!!! (so none of our Mooney M20... models are approved). The referenced package also includes a 337 for a Piper PA28-181, so at least that IA thought it was a Major Change.

Pretty sure an ignition switch might "appreciably affect" the powerplant operation. Sorry, not meaning to pick a fight at all. @EricJ, I see you have your A&P and IA. Your opinion certainly carries weight with me and I appreciate your points in the discussion. This kind of stuff drives us crazy. My IA/A&P is terrific and I would recommend his shop to anybody. But I never know what his take on something will be. Sometimes it's if the correct part is available - even if it's used and 50 years old - then that's the only choice, sometimes he'll adapt something approved for another aircraft, sometimes he's ok with substitution using non-approved stuff (have examples I won't put in writing), sometimes he'll just fab up a new part to keep planes in the air. Our Mooney fleet is going to get more and more patchwork as time goes on. I wouldn't hesitate to adapt this ACS switch (but the points made by @Outermarker about the barrel diameter are definitely worth considering).

Oil filters for certified engines carry TSO and PMA approvals. You will not be running down to AutoZone or O'Reilly's and getting a Purolator or Fram for your Mooney. The ACS switch is PMA for specific aircraft and the list of aircraft does not include any Mooney. From the ACSpruce website: Q: Can this be installed on a PA28? [Mooney M20C] If your aircraft is not on the eligibility list than a field approval 337 would be required. That said, I'm sure somebody on this forum posted that they successfully installed this in their Mooney (probably with a 337)

I would think this would be a major mod requiring 337. Not because the part itself is that complex, but because it's a critical, single-point-of-failure component. Curious to hear other's opinions. Also curious about this switch itself as a potential replacement that is affordable. Thanks.

Yep, in for two if we can get them for ~$100 each

The sad thing is that most planes with the one-piece belly mod got them through gear up landings. Not only that, they probably got new engines too! Those of us who have thus far failed to perform such a 'manoeuvre' don't get nothin'!!!!!

Was thinking the marker beacon antenna was hidden in there, but see two similar antennae on the belly. Might just be a stiffener and offering a bit of sound deadening.

Probably true, and if somebody wants to break into my airplane, I'd rather it be easy than hard. Mostly, I just want both cylinders to match and get rid of having 3 keys on my keychain!

Adding one more to the mix: Aero-Lites nav position lights this is the brand that was recommended to me for another application. Specifically states no EMI. Note the heat sinks, which none of the others have. Not sure if that’s good or bad. Early LED lights needed heat sinks, but it seems they aren’t really needed on more modern lights. Suspect the LEDs got more efficient as the GaN material quality improved (a subject I used to know a great deal about), so maybe this is a really old design.

That's similar to what I used for the baggage door long ago. It came with a bunch of interchangeable arms and indexing cams that I adapted to match the original. FWIW, last time I looked at the cylinders from Amazon, almost all of them used a small screw to attach the locking arm. The one I used years ago (still working fine), has a much more substantial nut to hold the locking arm in place.

Decided to hold off ordering anything until I open up the bulb and see why it's not working. It might just be a bit of corrosion on the bulb base for all I know. In the meantime, I found these LED alternatives: These have a reflector just like the original incandescent bulb: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/britta_13-22036.php These do not have the reflector, but are a little better rated than the ones above: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/lednavlightsreplacement.php?clickkey=101226 Any opinions? Anybody installed one? 337 and signoff? Cost of the A&P participation probably kills it economically, but the higher brightness and lower power draw is a big attraction.

Does anybody know if the lock cylinders for the cabin door and baggage door are the same dimensions? From my 1970 Mooney parts manual, the Cabin door has PN 3786 LOCK & KEY Baggage door has PN 3339 LOCK ASSY I'm waiting for some other parts to arrive before removing plastic panels for repair/refurb, but would like to get a matching pair. Note that I replaced the lock cylinder for the baggage 15 years ago (aftermarket, minor mod) and it's been holding up fine. Just want the two doors to have matching keys. Finally, *IF* I decide to replace with the expensive parts, are the keys the same blank as the ignition switch? If so, that may justify going more expensive just to get all 3 keyed identically. Thanks!

I'd wait at least a month or two before putting on a cover. The tailcone probaby won't be a problem this time of year (not nesting season), but I roll up bubble pack and stuff that in the hole in by the elevator and rudder to keep the birds out.

good to see some common sense. Was surprised they didn't still disallow video supervision outright (the subject of the original inquiry).

State Farm. Maybe my policy is grandfathered? I'll say that it is a bit of a PITA. Have to cover high limits on all the other liability (house, car, plane) to get it.

So that's the right bulb? I wish I had pulled it out after flight, but we had a dinner party to make that evening.

First, congrats FSU! If you're really looking at spending $100K - $150K, you should definitely be looking at the J model planes, the later the year the better. They're faster, more efficient, roomier, run cooler, and are more modern. There are lots of planes nicely equipped IFR in this price range. I'm struggling right now between upgrading my panel or just selling my C model and buying a J model with the panel already done. FWIW, the (really) short-bodies C, D, and E models make really great 2-person platforms. With ~1000 lbs useful load, you can fly 4 seats full with lighter adults, but it is cramped. That said, we made two vacation trips VA to FL with 4 seats and luggage just fine. Not to change gears too much, but the biggest purpose of insurance is to protect ALL your assets. I think of it as "Go Away" money in case you actually hurt someone on the ground. To achieve that, you need your airplane insurance to hit some minimum coverage and then get an umbrella policy to cover anything over that up to some reasonable amount consistent with your total net worth. Some of your net worth is shielded, but you don't want them chewing you through the grinder with lawyers looking for a big payout. Go-Away insurance keeps that from happening.

One of my nav lights was burnt out last flight. Anybody know what size the bulb is? What's the latest story on replacing these with LEDs? I found these on Aircraft Spruce for $90: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/wingtipLED11-14884.php?clickkey=3008538 Not TSO'd or PMA'd, but some people appear to be installing them as a minor mod. $90 seems like a lot compared to a $2 incandescent bulb, but actually pretty cheap if they improve safety. Already have Whelen xenon strobes in the wingtips, but interested in other options too. Do they do wigwag nav lights?

Excellent work, Flyler! Maybe you could post the files on Thingaverse https://www.thingiverse.com/ or someplace like that? In fact, maybe somebody has already started a Mooney section on one of the 3D CAD posting sites. ---- update ---- Lo and behold, a quick search for "3d printed parts Mooney" picked up this very part: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3074623 I think Flyler's design has a couple of nice updates.

Oh, I'd be worried about the 337!

Good idea to update your pitot static system to the later config with drain if your plane does not have it. Might want to time it with your next static cert.

Wow!(???) It's in your POH. Static drain sticks out underneath the fuselage on the pilot's side below the rear access panel where your ELT and probably any old avionics are. (I think the battery may be there on the E-model too). The pitot system drain is under the front edge of the pilot's wing near the wing root.

I thought there were two lines connecting the static ports, one high loop that feeds the instruments and one low loop that connects to the drain. At least I *think* that's how mine are configured. FWIW, my static drain is 'crunchy' after sitting outside for two years. Want to open up the empennage and have a peek.