scottfromiowa

Anyone completed a rear bench seat conversion to fold down? I am NOT talking about converting to late 80's J removable/convertible seats, but rather making rear bench hinge so it can fold down to allow golf clubs, dog crates, etc. to more easily fit in back seat/cargo area. Wondering on cost and amount of time to complete.

Check with Coy Jacobs at Mooney Mart. I believe he has done this and could provide a price.

Brian, Love your new panel! Your choices for avionics look fantastic. I did mine on more of a "poor man's" budget for expansion. I also added a 496 with XM (using panel mount Air Gizmo with angle toward pilot). I have the PS 3000 Stereo intercom with separate panel jack. I can attach I-pod to jack or connect 496 to have XM radio. I also like the 496 audible terrain alerts and altitude alerts. I plan to have 300XL (currently VFR) made IFR and will run a line to the 496 so IFR flight plans will be overlaid from 300XL to the 496. My plane is painted with VERY similar scheme to yours except John Deere tractor green. Appropriate for Iowa :<) Enjoy your new panel, Scott

I read the post regarding the PC valve and wondered about upgrade/replacement of the OEM exhaust temp probe (Alcor) with a multi-probe exhaust and cylinder head instrument. Certainly the multi-probe IS a significant improvement in engine management, but what about the removal of the single probe? I just updated my panel to six pack and installed a vacuum gauge vs. idiot lights for low/high vacuum and removed single probe EGT with installation of GEM. Mechanic did panel swap as "minor change" no formal 337. What are everyone's thoughts here? I know many have done the same as I have seen in panel photos... ps-someone with electric pc cut-off please elaborate (with newer 201 yokes) as I want to learn more about this... Thanks

Dick, There are a couple of overhaul shops listed in Trade-A-Plane each issue. They list prices for different instrument overhauls. They have numbers and addresses. A good starting point.

I had a functioning Brittain PC wing leveler on my 1966 M20E...until my Horizon crashed and I had it replaced. After the replacement the plane had a strong pitch to the right that could NOT be trimmed out with yoke adjustment. I had my pilot panel replaced/upgraded and installers found two vacuum lines that were completely loose from the fittings...They replaced, so I might again have a functioning PC system. In the mean time I purchased a pair of old style 201 yokes and control column's used. The pilot side had a toggle switch marked PC. I am guessing that he also had the panel cut off as well as the electric switch installed. I would like to do this with my system too. I plan to have the Accu-Trac installed by Brittain. Anyone have one in use with the GPS heading function? Does the plane really stay wings level incrosswinds with ball centered as advertised? Having upgraded yokes and functioning PC with heading trac would really be a nice "poor man's" auto-pilot for my bird.

Has anyone read the MAPA article n the M20E by Kromer? I always fly at 25 squared and lean to 50 degrees rich of peak...I have NO cooling issues and fuel burn is fine...and as Jack says plane was designed for full throttle all the way to TBO and you get better cooling in the climb, so why sacrifice airspeed?

Just thought I'd post regarding gear-up/damage history and three-bladed prop. I experienced a gear up in my Johnson Bar M20E. I was flying under instruction (did an hour under the hood) followed by my bi-annual flight review. After several take-offs/landings and two hours of flying CFI pulled power on downwind mid-field. She asked what I was going to do and I said I can land on runway...which was NOT my home field and has a displaced area. I was so focused on the displaced runway and doing a perfect flare...instructor said "beautiful" that I didn't drop gear...Plane sustained prop/nose gear door and center belly skin damage only (and right inward flap hinge). The 3 blade prop HELD the plane up. Replaced belly with fiberglass. Nose gear doors with K doors...new McCaulley prop and majored an 1850 hour engine. In my opinion the gear up significantly increased the value of my plane....and the 3 blade prop which I love in the M20E prevented more significant damage to the airframe. REMEMBER THOSE CHECKLISTS AND BAR GRABS ON SHORT FINAL! There are those that have and those that...

FINALLY! Thank you to Craig and whomever else is responsible for the creation of what I have been searching for...literally for years. A Mooney specific website where Mooney drivers, owners and wanna be's can find like minded people that have a passion for the backward tail, speed and safety. My name is Scott Thompson. I'm 47 married with two awesome kids. I am a Wisconsin native and Iowa transplant for over ten years. Always had a passion for general aviation...really all things aviation and began flying in 2000. Explained to my wife that we can fly to cottages (in-laws) in northern Wisconsin in less than 1/2 the time...Bought a Consumer Aviation Used guide to airplanes and read...and read...and read until I decided on an M20E...either '66 or '67. Found a low time 1850 hour bird on line and agreed on a purchase price to be confirmed by an annual in Brunswick GA. Love at first sight with X-Ray. Purchased in December of 2003. I have between 400-500 hours in my Mooney. Since purchase I have majored the engine at Poplar Grove, IL, installed a 3 blade McCaulley prop, smooth belly, K nose gear doors, Garmin 300xl, updated com 2, panel mount 496 tied in with a PS engineering stereo intercom (to enjoy XM radio/I-pod) Gem engine monitor, EI volt/amp monitor with discharge light as well as numerous airframe replacements (aux fuel pump, voltage regulator, HID landing light, generator, vacuum pump etc....It has been a labor of love culmonating with a new pilot panel that came out fantastic. As soon as funds allow plan to finish IFR instrumentation (nav heads, annunciator/wiring) and bgin my instrument rating. I have PC and was thinking about having Brittain install the Accu-Trac tied into Garmin and Nav for GPS tracking. Has anyone else done this? If in Cedar Rapids drop me an e-mail and we can talk Mooney over a beverage. I look forward to posting further enhancements to X-ray on Mooneyspace. Scott

I have functional belly rotating beacon (red) that works on separate switch. I had whelen comet wingtip strobes installed (separate switch) and they work great! The cost of the strobes and installation were NOT prohibitive. Why not just add a belly strobe with wingtips?

I have a generator in my plane. Works fine. DID have problems with old OEM light at low RPM. Installed a HID landing light and operates on lower amp draw so while taxing I can see great. Also installed new updated voltage regulator, 201 type plexi fairing mod and a electronics international amps/volts indicator with discharge light so I know condition of charging...The OEM indicator only deflected a "tad" off center to left and I lost all electrical (thankfully was day flight and had hand held for class C airspace). Consider these upgrades vs. change from generator.

I am the "new panel" guy. Just signed up for the website. A user saw my MAC posting and gave me link to the...Mooney forum I have been looking for. I am very pleased with how the panel turned out. Many thanks to Hendricks Mfg.