FlySafe

You guys are Great, thank you for all the tips, i"ll explore the door option and or the trans cabin heater install. Thank you!!!!

Thanks Greg and Jim, in spite of this minor problem, I'm still very happy with the results and like the IFD interface. Will wait and see if the pending IFD software updates helps address this issue. Can always bite the bullet and swap to the GTN down the road maybe after the garmin backorder improves later next year.

Hi All, Update on the GFC500. About 2 months with the GFC500 now and it is still impressing me with its ease of use and flight control. One issue I have noticed and discussed with my installer and Avidyne for the IFD 440 is that on GPS LPV approaches, I'm ~100-200 feet right of course from the FAF to the runway. This matches with what the G5 HSI is showing. This problem is restricted to GPS approaches, not ILS. Avidyne support suggested I disable approach roll gpss steering which my installer did. After that change, the approach mode on the GFC500 would disengage once LPV mode became active on the IFD when inbound on the approach and revert to nav mode; it was not possible to rearm the AP app mode while inbound and the AP stayed in general GPS nav mode on the PFD. HSI vertical and horizontal nav information continued to be displayed. I suspect the AP is looking for the approach roll steering input from the IFD when LPV becomes active on the IFD, and when not found, the AP reverts to simple nav mode. I'll be changing the approach roll steering on the IFD back to enabled this week and give you an update on this issue. thanks kurt

Hi All, looking for advice on best method to get an external power cord connection inside the cabin for the winter heater (hornet). Plane (M20C 74) on ramp so ideally would have a permanently placed external connector as on the engine heater to allow easy connection to an power extension cord and then an internal connector on the inside for the heater hook up. I hate having to run the heater cord through the small pilot side access window due to dust and moisture getting in plane even with cover on plane. Thanks in advance for your shared wisdom. Best, kurt

Alan, this of any use? kurt

SOLD: Brittain 2 Axis AP with Accu-Trak (B11)-Flite (B12) & Pitch (PC/AH II) Controllers, All servos, DG, TC, Install & Operational Manuals. Selling as a unit. Everything working as intended when professionally removed last month from 1974 M20C Ranger for GFC500 upgrade, items are green tagged from shop. Components were inspected and serviced in the plane by Brittain in 10/2016. Selling by mooney owner as a complete system, $1,950 plus shipping, 30-day returns. No servo brackets or tubbing. PMM if any interest. thanks. Kurt AP Parts: # P/N S/N Weight Brittain Servo BI-706 1 20413-6-0 E0551338 1.0 Brittain Servo BI-706 1 20413-6-0 E0551340 1.0 Brittain Servo BI-706 1 20420-0-0 E1740077 0.8 Brittain Servo BI-706 1 20424-0-1 E0625133 0.8 Brittain Servo BI-706 1 20424-0-1 E0625132 Brittain Servo BI-706 1 20420-0-0 NA Brittain Dynertial Pitch controller and panel interface PC/AH II 1 11674 552001 1.5 Brittain Altitude hold chamber 1 11353 Brittain Autopilot B-11 Accu-Trak controller 1 111-002-500 432120 0.9 Brittain Servo controller (B1 805) 1 20464-200 434108 0.5 Brittain TC100-EVS Gyroscopic Turn Coordinator 1 604-200 14v A433159 2.9 Brittain DG Adapter and panel switch for B-12 Accu-Flite 1 280-003-500 1403312 0.5 Edo-Aire Heading indicator w bug 1 4000D-1 69485F 2.6 Brittain Air Filters 4 123-002-002 Install Manuals: Install Instructions Pitch Stabilization and Altitude Hold 1 402-700-507 Brittain LSA-5 Lateral Stability Aug System Install Instruction 1 2-732-02 Brittain Install Manual B-11 Accu-Trak 1 2-1000-5 Operation and Service Manuals: Leve-Matic or Duo-matic BSS & B2C Opp & Serv 1 3953 Accu-Flite B-12 Maintenance Manual 1 3963 Mooney Positive Control Opp & Serv 1 11990 Dynertial Pitch Control System PC-1 Opp & Serv 1 11804 Mooney Nav Coupler Opp & Serv 1 11990-1 Misc cables, connectors, filters

PIREP on the GFC500 with auto trim in a 74 M20C....it’s truly incredible. I have the dual G5s with Mu11, GAD29B, IFD440 and optional G5 GPS antenna. Completed ~ 2hrs of test flights and investigating various failure modes. Everything is working out the door as expected. I want to acknowledge appreciation to Freedom Aviation (Jason Moorefield) at KLYH in VA for coming in on quote and time on the job. All the approaches have been to the runway centerlines with needles crossed and the missed approach automation with the GA button is so easy feels like cheating. If you get this system, your biggest concern will be keeping your hand flying skills sharp which of course you must do. Picture of new panel posted earlier. Happy flying.

mgan, I just recently had my done by Lasar, they first inspected the internal gears and if they pass that inspection, they will then send on to another individual (semi-retired) who overhauls the motor; otherwise they will first replace your worn gear set with a new 40:1 set (~$1,800) and then send it on to the gentleman to deal with the electrical motor overhaul. My gears were in good shape and the overhaul alone cost was ~$1,600 plus labor and shipping. took about 6 weeks from start to end. good luck.

The GTX345 ads b in services (weather and traffic) display nicely on the IFD units

Hello Elimansour, You are asking good questions and doing due diligence on deciding how best to upgrade your panel. I have another positive pilot report for the IFD. I Have had mine for 3 yrs and love it. I instruct and fly in TAA with GTN, GNS and IFD boxes and the IFD is a true flight management system. Main consideration is if you are using or planning on a GFC500 AP, it does not provide VNAV or smart glide functions for Garmin’s AP. Otherwise, intuitive interface and good support in my experience. Good luck on your upgrade journey.

my TAS is usually about 135kts, 8gal/hr, 21m/23r, 6-8K, in a C

I have a temp prob for the jpi and one for the av20s and the readings even match

I have had mine for ~2 yrs. The AI is solid as compared to my g5 AI and i trust it more than my foreflight AHARS for backup in an emergency. that said, the foreflight AHRS display with a stratus 3 is pretty good. i must be lucky, my TAS display is matching up well.

Im very happy with mine, using as a backup AI for G5s, TAS agrees with nav computer, AOA not so well, love the timers for tank switches etc

Sorry misunderstood, sure someone here or your Garmin installer can provide some guidance, good luck

James, not sure how the PC button on yoke is removed but believe i have heard others mention it is held in place simply via an o-ring but I’m not an AP. here is a few panel pics of the cleaned-up panel arrangement with the gfc500 installed.

Thank you for clarifying warranty time

sorry about the unusual attitude, maybe someone can teach me how to rotate a figure thanks k

Richard, thanks for checking! The installer fashioned a bracket to hold the buttons and i think it will work well once painted black and labeled. Had to forgo the nice optional trim switch on yoke for the standard Garmin trim toggle

from an earlier post, take care

Thanks Richard! I'll be standing by for update. maybe someone else has figured this out or has some used modern yokes needing rehomed.

Hi All, I could use your advice/pictures on how you installed the GFC500 trim switche on the yoke handle of a C model. Just got questions and pictures below from my installer. Thanks in advance for your help! "I was wondering if your Mooney friends have come up with a good way to get the trim switch in the yoke? The old vacuum tubes are molded in place and there is not much room especially for the cygnet switch where the Brittain valve is located. We can maybe get the toggle in there but not sure how to get wires up there."

Update, heard from LASAR and gear motor should be on its way back next week and I’m glad for their help. However, the long wait for this one item makes me wonder about future availability of other parts and repair options for our older Mooney fleet even while some of us are on an install wait list for the GFC500. This may test my theory that “things of quality have no fear of time.” Have a good weekend.

LASAR has had my Dukes gear motor for 6 weeks now, said they had to send out to have the armature rebuilt. No clear explanation on delay or ETA. Anyone know of any other overhaul/replacement options or are the ITT motors available? Thanks