Dan Bohn

Thanks, Mickey. Very helpful. Options with price estimates (installed). And PICTURES! :-) Perfect.

Thanks and you are right. This was a great cockpit 20 years ago. The autopilot is the original Britain system. I did research a few years back and discovered the only place that works on this antique system is in Oklahoma, if memory serves me. It was not expensive, at the time, to get it working - they quoted me a worst-case scenario of around $2800. But then, I still have a very old "mechanical" system capable of wing leveling. A fellow pilot advised me that if I was going to spend the money, better to put that into modernizing the autopilot. So, here I am.

This is an old photo of my panel - not intended to be a close up of the panel. But it's all I have right now. My M20F is in the shop for annual inspection, so I can't get a better panel shot. Dual nav coms. Antique GPS that I never use in the center stack. Strike finder (the green screen in lower center of panel). Fuel monitoring system below the panel on the lower right. Engine and oil temp monitor is the round gauge on the lower right. It is IFR capable. The original Britain autopilot, to the left of the tach, is inop. I could clean up the cockpit and probably lose some weight by upgrading. But I am beginning to rethink my strategy, based on advice. I think I may want to upgrade planes. I was originally just looking for an autopilot to help with wing leveling to handle some of the workload. But it all starts to snowball.

Thanks. I really appreciate your advice.

Thanks for the referral. No, I am based in Fairfield County at KLHQ.

Thanks. I imagine the avionics shop will also need to remove some of the old Brittain system, as well. Yikes. I can see how avionics can end up costing more than the airplane is worth. It's a great airplane - very efficient. I am weighing the difference between upgrading or replacing it with a more capable aircraft. I know what I have (happy with it) and it's always a crap shoot buying a used airplane.

Thanks. Very helpful. I will do research on these combinations and see if one works for me. BTW, I have a Rayjay aftermarket turbo, so I already have an engine monitoring system. It's a must. I wouldn't absolutely need that capability included in a system, but would be nice to have it all in one. I had hoped to keep it around $30k or under.

Lancecasper, you nailed it. I am not trying to "cheat" to get an Instrument Rating with an autopilot. As I responded to another comment, instructors will require me to demonstrate the ability to fly in IMC in a simulated autopilot failure,. I prefer to train in the configuration I will fly. I wasn't asking for advice in getting an Instrument Rating, though I appreciate the comments. I was asking for advice on an autopilot system and the required avionics to drive it. Thanks.

I understand the recommendations to get an instrument rating without an autopilot. Got it. My intention to install an autopilot is NOT to make my instrument training easier. My understanding is that instructors will demand I fly without one, simulating an autopilot failure, because we all know anything mechanical will eventually fail. The reason I want the autopilot is so that when I have earned an Instrument Rating, that my plane is easier to operate and safer. AND I'd like to train in the configuration that I ultimately plan to have for my aircraft. I'd prefer to train in the aircraft I will fly into IMC. Should I be able to fly in IMC without an autopilot? Absolutely. But I want to train in what I intend to have. I intend to have a more modern, safer aircraft and train in it. I appreciate the well intended advice, and agree, but it's not helpful.

Thanks for your reply. I saw the quote for the Garmin panel upgrade, but doesn't include the autopilot function, which is my priority. I even considered repairing the old Brittain unit - but I feel like I'd just be throwing the money away on old technology. I'd upgrade the com system with GPS, but looking for the autopilot integration. Good string though, and thanks for the installed pricing info.

I have a basic steam gauge layout in my 1968 M20F - and the original Brittain autopilot is inop. I started Instrument training several years ago when I purchased the plane, but gave up. I would like to restart training since I'm not using the full capabilities of the aircraft, but want autopilot to help with the workload. I have looked at the STEC models, but then the upgrade of autopilot explodes into necessary avionics upgrades. So, here's my question. Can someone give me suggestions on a COMPLETE panel upgrade that would include a nice autopilot that can fly an instrument approach? I am interested in the most cost effective way to go. I am mostly interested in the autopilot capabilities, but based on what I've read, I must upgrade my steam gauges (I don't have GPS). I have read that Dynon is nearing an STC. I like Garmin, but the prices are prohibitive. I'm looking for suggestions/advice on a nice, INTEGRATED cockpit replacement - at a reasonable price. Manufacturer and model numbers would be helpful. If you have basic ideas as to installed price, I'd appreciate that, as well. I can see the prices for individual components in Trade a Plane, but I don't have any experience in glass cockpits or autopilots. Bewildered in Ohio.