Shep.G

Just resurrecting this for a moment here. Consensus still a "go" for this conversion? Got a '64 C I'm about to do a major avionics upgrade to, she's still on the old generator. Price on this conversion is now up to $1800 via spruce I'll already be in the vicinity wiring up EIS components. Received warnings about cracking the case?

Just thought I'd add to this, in case the news had not broke yet for anyone. Got off the phone with Dynon rep a moment ago, chatting about a Skyview package. Rep alluded that their AP STC is only going to cover J/K models (I saw they were trying to umbrella many short/mid bodies together). "Hopeful" expectations for the C, but it would require ACQUIRING a C - and backtracking to attain another STC. Unfortunate

Yes exactly this ^^ and this sentiment was repeated to me yesterday. Year-ago guys are just now receiving their units, with about 15 units on backorder. Lead times on new orders essentially "God knows when". It does indeed sound like 100% a parts issue for TT, and an STC issue for Dynon. @Lionudakis you installing that TT yourself? What are you pairing it with on the panel? Would love to know how it works out on your M20C. Would also appreciate any measurements you can provide, as Duncan was unable to (they stated BK did not attach any). I may very well just precut a slot until I can obtain a unit.

Wouldn't bet on that either friend. Spoke with Advanced Flight Systems (Dynon's sister company) Monday, they don't even HAVE a timeline for their M20J. Better still, they're hoping the STC they achieve for the J covers other models (medium to short body). I might just try and beg somebody who's already got a TT unit ordered to purchase theirs, as I'm expediting this skyview plan.

Absolute dream stack you got there Rick. I'm just up the way based out of 0A4 JC, but a GKT native. Will have to come eyegaze sometime and dream. Congrats

Welp talked to Duncan yesterday, as I'm attempting a panel rebuild to skyview/ifd440 - TT would be a perfect mate. ANYway, for those of you who haven't ordered yet: they don't even have the parts for the people currently ON backorder. Was told "hopefully" a few months to fulfill just those, with no promises on new orders placed. Current backorders have been waiting for over a year, so the lead time on new orders is expected to be the same. Duncan also wants full payment up front to process the order, so you're basically handing them $8k to sit on your hands and hope for a year or more.

Tiffin Aire already has it in pieces on the bench...but I do believe you're right, it could have been done without tipping. I enjoyed the wrench time though. Attaching some pictures I snapped before removal - looks to me like the cable is oriented to the right, but better to have a second set of eyes. The mechanic double checked the model #, but I will ask again. Yea I'm leaning this way. @0TreeLemur mentioned having to change out the accessory case studs?

Reviving this thread for a moment: Had the same leak as OP. Went ahead and leaned the engine over with my A&P to remove the governor. Clearly oil coming from it, pooling into that divot against the firewall that the governor rests over - and eventually ending up on the ground in the hangar just behind the main wheel. Anyway, spoke to a one Dennis from Tiffin Aire at Seneca County Airport 16G - pleasant fellow, very receptive and helpful. Quoted just over $1K on an IRAN/OH "if nothing needed replaced" Mailed him the governor. Spoke yesterday, washed out o-ring between the body and the base was the culprit of the leak. Same price quoted, under the same conditions. Bad news today: upon teardown inspection, "internal parts 'obsolete' - requiring replacement in order to 8130". New quote ~ $2K. Worse news - 64' M20C PCU 5000, looks like I pulled the short stick. One of the most expensive models on Spruce (ATH - 1)...... ~$3K. Which way, western men? Rebuild or Replace?

Actually bringing up a great question, since the saratoga's skyview/avidyne combo I viewed did not have a visible transponder. Dynon lists ADSB In/Out Mode S transponder as part of it's entire package...but does not list Mode C, and I did not see Mode C in the saratoga. Will have to ask about that. The intent was to copy his setup (a much cheaper version), or with the Garmin setup I would trade my tailbeacon into uAvionix (they're running a deal right now) and upgrade to the TailbeaconX + AV30. In this scenario, the AV30 now acts as the transponder for the Tailbeacon. However, I'm only seeing Mode S there so again - will have to check back with the avionics shop. Here's a picture of his just for reference

So just an update on my avionics dilemma. Spoke with Dynon reps over the phone, and visited a couple of my closest avionics shops (Horizon at KTYS, KHKY (not garmin certified), and KGKT (also not garmin certified, but Dynon certified) As you can tell from the panel, next to nothing is really ready to move to the next generation (MAYBE the comm as a backup - that ILS does not work). Also, as some have mentioned here and the mechanics confirmed, the riveted panel on the mooney (and the condition of my panel in general) essentially require a new panel to be fashioned and the old one trashed. The Dynon rep was very helpful, but unfortunately alerted me that their AP is only about to be released for K/E models in October of this year. He had no timeline for the C, if one even exists. This is the part where you guys talk me off the cliff, because at this point I'm leaning towards the "buy once, cry once" philosophy. Which is looking to be close to a $50K pricetag for one of the following two routes: 1. Dynon skyview package: 10" MFD display, ADSB In/Out, Transponder, Comm, Backup EFIS-D10A w/ battery, EIS, associated cables - $20,447 Avidyne IFD 440 - $13989 Need backup GPS or NAV so let's say Garmin 175 GPS - $5695 Subtotal not including taxes or install - $40131 2. Garmin package: G3X - $12795 GTN 650xi - $13595 GMA 345 - $2245 GNC 255 - $5195 uAvionix TailbeaconX + AV30 to solve ADSB In/Out & Transponder & Backup to G3X - $3398 Subtotal - $37228 First observation, to be honest I did NOT expect a Garmin package to be cheaper - but install deltas TBD. Next, with Garmin at least there is a guarantee of the possibility to add AP later. While at the GKT shop, I hopped in a guy's Saratoga who just finished the Dynon upgrade - two 10" displays, IFD 540 & 440, bunch of custom panel work. Although it looked super clean, I was told that job totaled $120k. So ocean's beyond my budget. But I will say the Dynon/Avidyne combo did look good. I realize I'm being long winded here and apologies for that. This is just potentially the biggest single purchase I've ever made, and more expensive than what I paid for the airframe itself ($28K in 2021). Perusing trade a plane places me in an odd position where, the price tags on other Mooneys almost encourages me to go through with this (as I'll get exactly the avionics I want). But let's just say 40-50k on this upgrade and 30k (AT BEST) for an overhaul (reminder, she's at 1950 SMOH) and we're up to $110k, and you don't see very many rangers listed at that price.

It's not going to matter that my fuel displays will not work, right? Resealed both tanks over the last couple years, and failed to fix whatever is causing the level sticks to not read on the panel gauge.

I recognize the two 275's, 255 and 355 here (?) Were all three of these purchased as part of the 35k? What else did that price tag entail (new panel etc) For what it is, this setup looks like it may be the option. Not sure if the Sentry ADSB In will pair, may have to explore another way.

If you were to choose redundancy, would it not be for GPS over NAV?

I notice a few replies mentioning the Garmin ADSB In/Out devices. I do have the tailbeacon for Out, and the Sentry for in....will these not suffice for those necessities? Was hoping to be only searching for GPS/Nav/Comms. Honestly did not even expect to keep the old Narco 810 comm, which is where the 650/355 idea originated from to satisfy 2x GPS / 2x Comm / 1x Nav

The combo I am referencing is the Skyview paired with the Avidyne IFD 540. Although I do not know the cost of this gentleman's setup was, it seemed like the "other route" if I chose to stray away from Garmin. As he is in the exact same model Mooney, it looked like a very polished end product (also having no AP). Do you think the G3X is worth nixing the GTN650 for the GNC 355?

Greetings, PPL here, just crossed over 200 hours total time and will be pursuing my instrument rating shortly. Purchased this 64 M20C a couple years ago, just after earning my license, as this was the approach I wanted to build time. To what end? I honestly don't know. I already have a good career, but love flying - it could go either way. This Mooney has ~3200 TT, ~1950 SMOH. Compressions good at the low to mid - 70s, and my oil analyses from Blackstone have all come back great. Previous owner a wonderful gentleman, who owned and cared for the aircraft for the better part of 3 decades - and rents me out this hangar space, with my hangar mate the A&P that has worked on her for a couple decades as well. Point of this is - I trust the aircraft, and would like to stick it out with her as long as possible. Will fly past TBO as the engine dictates, with a goal of 2500 SMOH. Now let's state the obvious. Panel is way outdated, and certainly not IFR capable. With a ballpark budget of 30-35k, what are my options? Goal is Light IFR, both for training and pleasure. I was originally gunning for GTN650, GNC 355, GMA 345, 2 G5's. But as I investigate further, I start to see the trend moving towards a necessity for autopilot. GFC 500. I also notice the benefit of a larger display, G3X. The costs begin to mount when adding these products into the equation. So I look for alternatives. The Dynon/Avidyne Evolution and Skyview combo. I almost got AV30s a couple years back, but saw all the complaints about horrible procession. But I just noticed the tailbeaconX (I already have the tailbeacon) pairs with an AV30 and provides ADSB In/Out as well as transponder capabilities - which seems like a good bang for the buck. Any suggestions? Thanks

My M20C doesn't have autopilot though, so I'll be doing IFR without it. My instructor's cherokee has your exact setup, watched him shoot RNAV and GPS approaches. But that setup is also like $5k more to replicate.

Any update from some AV-30 owners? Attempting to IFR my 64' M20C, and am starting from essentially zero. The AV-30C seems to have functions well beyond that of a G5, and the 275 is a little out of budget. There's a great deal right now on 2 AV-30's for $4000 plus a $400 rebate May set up the aircraft with 2 AV-30s and a GNC 355 for GPS/Comm (no RNAV) Also may go 430W but its aging, however that would provide gps + comm + nav Real question is - would you trust only having those AV-30's and removing vacuum instruments in IMC TIA. Regards, SG