dcrogers11

Thanks, and yes it doesn't compare to what I had. When the leather interior is in, I'll be in hog heaven for sure. Here's some before pictures. Don

After 4 months, the panel upgrade has been completed in my '64 C replacing some 50 year old tech. All engine gauges gone and replaced with the EDM 900. I didn't go as far as an Aspen, but sent off all instruments for reconditioning along with installing a rebuilt HSI I had. The stack from the top down includes PCI 8000 audio panel, 430W, GTR 225, and STEC 55X A/P. To the right of stack is an Airgizmo with a Garmin 795 (can crossfill from 430) and the GTX 327 transponder. Not shown is the GL39 for ADSB and is hard wired in. I installed the LASAR 201 windscreen during the process, and replaced all the door and baggage door seals. I've got the LASAR cowl enclosure still in the box and will get that done soon. I delivered the plane to San Antonio today for Hector at Aero Comfort to work his magic and finish the project. So far, I'm a kid in a toy store with all the new to goodies to play with. I've not had a working A/P in over 20 years so I'm flying now with a stupid grin on my face the entire time I'm in the air. Since the STEC 55X will almost fly the plane and land it, I'll probably do a lot less hand flying. Yes, I'll be the first to admit that this was way too much of an investment for a 50 year old plane, but I plan to keep her for the remainder of my flying years, which I hope to be a few more decades and there's something fulfilling about breathing new life into an old bird. In hindsight, I should have gone the Aspen route but I had the rebuilt HSI in the box and I just ran out of dinero. Maybe I'll look into it on the next 50 year rebuild. Regards, Don

Lean of Peak...... Okay, I couldn't help it. Seems we have found another subject that has considerable debate and differing opinions. Don

I'm so glad that the pilot was not injured and hate to see the plane in that condition, but in looking at the way the plane came to rest says a lot about the strength of the wing spar as it almost looks like the plane fell flat out of the sky hitting and straddled the hangars. Don

Yes, I was shocked it went for that. I put a Buy It Now price on it just for grins and it worked out.

Sold on Ebay.

The Garmin would be a LOT cheaper.

I have a Garmin 495 (w/o XM) for sale and includes all the items shown along with the original box. I've kept a screen protector on the face the entire life of the unit. I'm selling because I am upgrading my panel in my Mooney. I'm asking $495 + shipping for the unit. Thanks, Don 817-559-3950

All, The FSDO gave me approval to install the Door Steward as a minor alteration and a logbook entry. I'll update further when it is installed. Regards, Don

"Can you fly this plane and land it?" "Surely you can't be serious?" "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley." "Striker listen and listen close, flying a plane is no different that riding a bicycle, it's just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes." Airplane-The Movie

Does anyone have a battery box they could sell? I pulled mine during my panel work and its got a hole in the bottom that I would prefer not to reuse. Thanks, Don

Most items still available. Accepting reasonable offers. Thanks, Don

It was my concern as well, so I sat in the Piper and took some measurements and the plain on passenger side seat cushion is a few inches above the lower door opening and it ends up being below your legs. I then looked in the Mooney and its about the same. I'll update everyone next week when I have the chance to mock it up in my plane. Don

I beleive the STC says 1/2 lb. so not a bad trade off. If the approval goes well, then the luggage door will get tried out. They already have a product for Cessna twins' luggage doors. How cool would it be just to hit the latch and let the door open itself. Of course, its always a good idea to lock it before flight, but this may make it more important to do so. Don

Heres a picture of a Piper installation-

I contacted a company called Mountain View Aviation about a product call the Door Steward. They have a STC'd replacement for worn door slides/stop for some airplanes, unfortunately Mooney is not yet on the list of STC's. Their kit replaces the slide with a gas charged cylinder that is spring loaded. When you open the door latch, the door smoothly opens just like one you would see on a car trunk or hood. I tried it out on a Piper that is in the same shop that's doing my avionics work and it's really nice. The owner at MVA said that I should be able to install it as a minor alteration with a field approval, but he said he would give me a full refund if it didn't work out for me. All parts are PMA'd so he thought it should work. The kit is around $200. I'll report back what happens. http://www.shop.mtnviewaviation.com/ Don

You might have your avionics shop check for pricing as there was a couple of factory rebates that I was able to get from JPI on the 900 and I'm not replacing or updating from their older eqquipment. With OSH in full swing, there may be others as well. I can't wait to see what I've been missing with my 50 year old tech here in a month when mine is up and flying. Don

Rob, It's always been either all the way green when on or red when the master is off. That's a good question that I don't have a better answer for. Thanks, Don

Offers?

I've got a lot of items available that were pulled from my 64C avionics and panel upgrade. This includes all the engine gauges due to a JPI EDM 900 install, all the radios, and some avionics. Avionics include tray and harness and all were working when pulled, unless noted. Here's the list- KX-155 w/GS - $1600.00 KY-197 Com - $750.00 KLN-90B - $650.00 KA134 panel - $150.00 KI-209 CDI - $700.00 Sigtromics intercom SPA-400 - $125.00 Engine gauge cluster - $275.00 (amp not working) Man. Pressure/Fuel Pressure - $150.00 Tachometer - $150.00 Mooney Artificial horizon w/vac. lights - $125.00 Mooney Turn and Bank - $125.00 Thanks, Don

As much as I would like to own a late model Mooney with it's 747 size panel and room for a couple of G1000's, I'm stuck with my poor man's Mooney with primary engine instrumentation on the right.

Thanks. I'm going to move things around and mount it horizontally just to the right of the stack and the Airgizmo/795 to the right of it. Is is accurate to say from everyone's experience that it is easier to read in horizontal orientation? Also reading the mounting instructions online, it appears that the 900 has to be mounted in the standard 3.125" hole and I didn't see that it could be mounted flush if the panel were cut to fit it. Don

Thanks guys. I beleive the A/I said it was to be no more than 21" away from the center of "six pack" on the left. Here's a picture I had found of someone else's installation that I liked. I don't recall who did it but I liked it. Does anyone claim this nice panel layout.

I'm installing a JPI 900 on the right side of my panel to replace all my old analog gauges in my '64C. In doing so, I'll be cutting out a new panel. My present plan is to install an Air Gizmo/Garmin 795 just to the right of the radio stack then the JPI just to the right of it. Has anyone had an issue with the new engine monitor being too far away from the FAA's recommended pilot's line of sight for approval? Thanks, Don

Welcome Daniel, Autopilots Central located in Tulsa, OK is one of the best around. Unfortunately, the old ARC system in your Mooney is one that hardly anyone will want to work on as I had the same unit in my 64C. They'll tell you that you'll end up spending what could be a considerable amount of money on a 50+ year old system that no one supports and won't last very long. I'm presently pulling my ARC A/P system and installing the Stec 55X along with an all new Garmin stack. If you do find someone that can work on yours and need parts, I'll have some REAL cheap A/P parts. BTW, and I may be wrong, but the ARC installation in your panel isn't where the factory installed them. I've attached a picture of my ARC intalled in my old panel. It was installed at the factory and has the Mooney logo. Again, welcome to the forum. Don