How well does the PC Wing Leveler Work?

[Bradg33]

As I noted in another thread, a few friends and I are looking at the possibility of partnering up on a "vintage" Mooney.  We've come across a few that don't have an autopilot but do have a (functional) PC system.  I've got a fair amount of M20C and E time, but both planes I flew had the PC system inop.  Assuming the system is in good order, how well does it work?  Is it effectively heading hold without the bug?  Manually put it on the heading you want and it "should" keep it there?  I understand it won't bring itself back to the heading if it gets "bumped" one way or the other by turbulence, but will it generally fly the airplane straight ahead?  Enough to trim it out, take your hands off the yoke and focus on something else for a short time without worrying about the airplane getting way off course?

[Mooneymite]

I have an "unenhanced" original PC on my 'C'.  I works well at leveling the wings.  It is a great asset for single pilot IFR because you can turn loose of the controls to look at appraoch plates, etc. and it has been incredibly trouble-free and reliable for 14 years.

 

However....

 

It is NOT an autopilot.  It is a wing leveler.

 

On a long cross country, it will hold a heading "for awhile", but it will eventually drift one way, or the other.  It does not "hold" a heading.  It levels the wings, using the small adjustment knob one can correct apparent drift left, or right, but eventuallly it will drift.

 

When I compare the overall cost of ownership of an autopilot, it would be hard to beat the wing-leveler, but it is NOT an autopilot.

[Marauder]

I would second MooneyMite's comments. My PC system worked for a bit for the first year I owned my plane and it did a responsible job of maintaining wings level. Altitude hold on the other hand did not exist, so you do need to make sure you keep an eye on things in that regard.

For me the most annoying part about the PC system was the fact that it was always on unless you disabled it with the switch. Which led me to a series of rubber bands and other devices to deactivate it since I preferred hand flying most of the time.

[ryoder]

Mine rocks the wings back and forth if I test it by deflecting to one side and try to let it stabilize the airplane. Maybe the is something wrong.

[TWinter]

Works great as all mentioned..Just keep an eye on it. Also when fuel levels change you will also see it drift to one side or the other requiring you to realign. All in all a great  inexpensive system.

[Jerry 5TJ]

I have a "C" with a fully functional PC wing leveler system.  In still air trimmed up for cruise it will hold a decent heading for several minutes.  It is a great help in IMC, permitting you to look at charts or stuff data into the 530W while stopping your scan for tens of seconds.  

 

My first Mooney was an "E" model with no PC and no autopilot.   ("E" models prior to SN 400 had no PC installed)   I flew it 800 hours including some moderatly tough hours in IMC.   I'd rather have had an autopilot but the Mooney is perfectly flyable with no help from "George."

[Seth]

Also, if you have a functioning PC system, then you can easily add the Brittain autopilot module that basically controls the wing leveling to the heading you want, either by picking a course or by having a nav unit send a signal.  Most cost effective way to get an autopilot in the older birds.

 

I had the wing leveling system on my fomer F model and enjoyed it.  I was planning to upgrade to a full Brittain system by getting the parts and flying it to Tulsa for the install.  Instead, I sold my F and purchased the Missile.

I flew my F across the country, east coast to west coast and back.  Got my IFR in it, and loved hand flying it.  However, I must admit, an autopilot, such as the KFC200 in my Missile is a huge improvement to workload.  You can still hand fly anytime, but boy is it nice to be able to use an autopilot to lower your workload, especially during low IFR flights.  You become a manager of systems as opposed to both a manager and the operator.  I would still hand fly approaches, and do from time to time to keep my skills up, but monitoring an autopilot and ready to take over instead, I feel, is the way I want it going forward (personally).  And yes, I also flew the Missile coast to coast and back!

 

-Seth

[Guitarmaster]

Mine rocks the wings back and forth if I test it by deflecting to one side and try to let it stabilize the airplane. Maybe the is something wrong.

 

You have a small leak somewhere in the system.  At least that is what I have read in the troubleshooting documents.

[N201MKTurbo]

I used to have an M20F. The PC system worked really good. In smooth air I could fly it all day without touching the yoke. If it started to go right I would rest my left foot on the rudder pedal and visa versa. If you are really bored, you can keep it on heading by leaning a little left in your seat, or a little right.  

[rbuck]

I have a C model with a great working PC. As alluded above, it doesn't hold a heading necessarily, but combined with the elevator trim, it definitely helps. I like that it allows me a decreased workload without letting me completely stop paying attention. 

[Hank]

PC works fairly well by itself. Add the Brittain heading bug and it becomes downright wonderful! I went to Yellowstone and back using mine, hardly touched the yoke except when I wanted to. Also flew to south FL and back with a leaking servo, took constant right yoke to fly in a straight line. Pulled left servo, retaped it; pulled right servo, had a huge hole in the boot, sent to Brittain for a fast, inexpensive repair. It now works like it did before.

Never can remember which Brittain system is which--I have AccuTrak and AccuFlight both. I suspect Trak follows the heading bug, and Flight is slaved to the G430W.

[Hector]

My C has good PC system and as everyone has said, it works well and it is helpful both during IMC and VFR. The previous owners installed a switch in the panel to turn the PC system on/off and I like this much better than having it be on all the time. My plane is well rigged and the ball is centered during level flight with feet off the pedals. The PC system will stay on heading for a while but will drift off eventually. Once you dial in just the right amount of aileron trim, however, it does a pretty good job and it only takes a nudge once in a while to maintain heading. In IMC its golden. I can look up something, copy a clearance, etc., and by the time I put my hands back on the yoke I might be a degree or two off my heading. I'm glad I have it and it has been extremely reliable. It is one system that I would absolutely fix immediately if it started to go wrong

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[TWinter]

PC System, AccuTrak and Stec 30 Alt Hold is a winning combo for a Mooney guy on a budget (like me). Not as fancy and neat as a all in one auto-pilot system, but gets the job done well. My AccuTrak box fits nicely next to the cowl flap open/close rod on the bottom under the dash.

[N7186V]

For me the most annoying part about the PC system was the fact that it was always on unless you disabled it with the switch. Which led me to a series of rubber bands and other devices to deactivate it since I preferred hand flying most of the time.

I just got my PC system, which was inop when I purchased the airplane, fixed and I love it. In conversations with Brittain, my IA discovered a disconnect switch mod Brittain recommends installing. Way better than trying to hold the trigger for take off and landing.

[carusoam]

Vince the switch is good.

Before that the had the film canister.

Before that, they had the rubber band.

It's fun to be an experienced CB,

-a-

[Hank]

I almost never use the disconnect button. It helps me remember to not overbank in the pattern when landing; on departure, I rarely make more than one turn, sometimes two, not an issue there, either.

[ryoder]

My film canister is developing a crack. Need to overhaul it.

[N7186V]

I almost never use the disconnect button. It helps me remember to not overbank in the pattern when landing; on departure, I rarely make more than one turn, sometimes two, not an issue there, either.

I almost tried that departing the fly in, but figured it was the wrong audience for trying something new.

[Hank]

Departure was almost straight out for me.

Saw someone flying low over 33A (Landrum, SC) while I was tying down there a little before 1600. Looked headed for GSP. Was that you? It was definitely a Mooney!

[N7186V]

Departure was almost straight out for me.

Saw someone flying low over 33A (Landrum, SC) while I was tying down there a little before 1600. Looked headed for GSP. Was that you? It was definitely a Mooney!

I was heading down for GYH, probably about 4k MSL around there. I always make the mistake of trying to cut through GSP airspace to get home and they usually route me completely around them for no good reason and I think 33A was about when I contacted approach.

[Glenn]

Mine rocks the wings back and forth if I test it by deflecting to one side and try to let it stabilize the airplane. Maybe the is something wrong.

You might try lubricating everything between the yoke and the ailerons.  Friction in the system will cause it to overshoot or hunt.

[ryoder]

You might try lubricating everything between the yoke and the ailerons.  Friction in the system will cause it to overshoot or hunt.

Thanks for the info. Between that and the air leaks it's probably fixable. Of course I don't know how to fix that stuff so I'll have to relay this to my mechanic but I will ask him to show me how this is done.

[ryoder]

On November 7, 2014 at 9:25:49 PM, Hank said:

PC works fairly well by itself. Add the Brittain heading bug and it becomes downright wonderful! I went to Yellowstone and back using mine, hardly touched the yoke except when I wanted to. Also flew to south FL and back with a leaking servo, took constant right yoke to fly in a straight line. Pulled left servo, retaped it; pulled right servo, had a huge hole in the boot, sent to Brittain for a fast, inexpensive repair. It now works like it did before.

 

Never can remember which Brittain system is which--I have AccuTrak and AccuFlight both. I suspect Trak follows the heading bug, and Flight is slaved to the G430W.

Mine is doing this right now. Except it's turning right.  Glad to hear there is a simple fix.  Any pics of how to remove the servo online?

[Hank]

It helps having small hands, and a small socket set with universal joint. There is one screw that holds the servo on; unfortunately, the access panel is on the front, the screw is on the back. You can see how by looking at the ones in the tail cone.

[Mooneymite]

Unless you have a damaged boot, you can probably re-tape around the servo and stop the leak without removing it.  It takes a certain amount of perseverance, but it isn't particularly technical.

This is what a box of servos looks like.  You can see the tape around the edges.