Airways Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 Hi mooniacs, does anybody know (for sure) whether it is possible to replace the instrument panel of an Ovation (first gen) with the panel of an O2 DX ? I understand the engine instruments would’t fit, but I was more thinking about the attachements to the tubular steel cage. I’m really keen on an Ovation for sale but one of the co-owners (VFR-rated only) can’t live with the height of the panel. Thanks ! Quote
gsengle Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 Have they flown one yet? It seems much higher on the ground than in flight. Also the seats adjust vertically. Here is mine and I see cowl ahead in flight, not sure lowering it would change the view much.And of course even if it’s legal, I’d imagine it’s prohibitively expensive.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote
Airways Posted August 5, 2018 Author Report Posted August 5, 2018 Yes we sat in one, but didn’t fly it. It is the taxi & landing phase that worries him. Since Mooney lowered the panel in the O2 DX, I thought they agreed on this. Also, we flew a J right before looking at the O. The difference in forward view between those two is already big. Quote
carusoam Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 Airways, A lot of the difference is the length of the engine and much of the engine mount of the O... If the J and the O are in a close battle... go J save tons of cash... If Long Body and speed are a solution to the mission, go O! To See over the long cowl... raise the seat. Bring the eyes as close to the ceiling as possible... It’s the cowl in the way, not the panel like the pic indicates... One take-off in a 310hp O and the whole discussion about panel height will be... What was that issue again...? Best regards, -a- 1 Quote
midlifeflyer Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 10 minutes ago, Airways said: Yes we sat in one, but didn’t fly it. It is the taxi & landing phase that worries him. Since Mooney lowered the panel in the O2 DX, I thought they agreed on this. Also, we flew a J right before looking at the O. The difference in forward view between those two is already big. It is really big.I'm chuckling a bit, but this might actually help: A friend was having a little difficulty transitioning into an Ovation because of the landings. I told him to recall his early training in a Cessna 172 to develop the right sight picture. Quote
gsengle Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 Yes we sat in one, but didn’t fly it. It is the taxi & landing phase that worries him. Since Mooney lowered the panel in the O2 DX, I thought they agreed on this. Also, we flew a J right before looking at the O. The difference in forward view between those two is already big. I’d go fly one, personally I think it’s overblown.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote
Airways Posted August 5, 2018 Author Report Posted August 5, 2018 We really need the seat at its lowest. We’re +6’5 Quote
gsengle Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 We really need the seat at its lowest. We’re +6’5 The point is to get your head high not your butt so you’re all set thereSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
carusoam Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 We really need to be discussing sitting height... I’m 6’... when i’m Sitting at the negotiations table, i’m The tall guy... Skip the discussion... Go fly! -a- Quote
midlifeflyer Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 Just now, gsengle said: I’d go fly one, personally I think it’s overblown. I think "overblown" is a function of experience - both length and type. A pilot who has little experience, or even lots of experience in a very few types, magnifies the differences between aircraft. But I agree with you. A lesson or two should smooth out some of the rough spots and five the potential purchaser a more realistic perspective.. Quote
Airways Posted August 5, 2018 Author Report Posted August 5, 2018 “ I’d go fly one “ Exactly what we’re planning. Can change everything... Quote
carusoam Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 As for lowering the panel... Expect to find some steel tubes there so lowering the panel is going to take some effort. Best regards, -a- 1 Quote
carusoam Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 1 minute ago, Airways said: “ I’d go fly one “ Exactly what we’re planning. Can change everything... It does change everything... Test Flying isn't about making sure the plane works... It is making sure the plane fits the mission as expected.... it fits you... way to many variables that can’t be measured on the ground... or from pics... Best regards, -a- Quote
Danb Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 I have a late model Bravo which has lowered panel for the lack of a better phrase it’s fine, my friend has an early Ovation with the tall paneI,I agree with AW it’s tough seeing over the cowling especially when on the ground. When airborne it was better, I’d go for a flight and try. Quote
carusoam Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 Am I missing something? The new to be owner is a tall guy at 6’5”... Why would lowering the panel be helpful? Isn’t he not having a problem seeing over the panel? Have no fear... Mooneys are for everybody... From the smallest to the tallest... The thickest to the thinnest... If you need specific advice ask Yetti... (he is around here too) Best regards, -a- Quote
gsengle Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 Am I missing something? The new to be owner is a tall guy at 6’5”... Why would lowering the panel be helpful? Isn’t he not having a problem seeing over the panel? Have no fear... Mooneys are for everybody... From the smallest to the tallest... The thickest to the thinnest... If you need specific advice ask Yetti... (he is around here too) Best regards, -a- I agree, in my ‘96 Ovation, if my head is near the ceiling, the cowl limits the view and the panel is almost as high, but not the limiting factor. It does seem awfully high though when sitting on the ground. That said I wouldn’t give up the panel space, and those early Ovations are a great deal imho if they’ve been taken care of, like any airplane...Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote
gsengle Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 Just saw this one pop up on the Mooney pilot fb grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/2226961823/permalink/10155734906216824/Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote
M20R Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 I have the DX2 Ovation. It is approx. 2.5 inches lower. 1 Quote
MIm20c Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 I think Mark at Delta Aviation has one (dx) for sale. Instead of the height I’d try to find one with an updated panel that has removed the Mortiz gauge cluster. Quote
StevenL757 Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 6 hours ago, Airways said: Hi mooniacs, does anybody know (for sure) whether it is possible to replace the instrument panel of an Ovation (first gen) with the panel of an O2 DX ? I understand the engine instruments would’t fit, but I was more thinking about the attachements to the tubular steel cage. I’m really keen on an Ovation for sale but one of the co-owners (VFR-rated only) can’t live with the height of the panel. Thanks ! I’m between 6’4” and 6’5” and have to bring the seat height up slightly...high enough to get my visual sight line over the glareshield correct, and low enough where the top of my headset clears the ceiling by a small, yet comfortable amount. I don’t believe there are dimension differences between the panels in the pre-1999 airplanes and the post-1999 (Moritz gauge) airplanes. Your six-pack and other instruments are simply mounted below the Moritz package. Honestly (and respectfully) you’re making an issue over nothing. Again, go fly one. Where are you located? If you’re a reasonable distance, you and I can connect, and I’ll take you up. Steve 1 Quote
LANCECASPER Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 The earlier panels had enough space to put instruments three high, the later ones two high below the Moritz gauges. Mooneys don't have a lot of real estate on the panel. I am happy with the taller panel. The seat adjust enough for just about anyone I've ever seen. But I would find the airplane with the panel height you want and buy it - and not try too modify the panel height. Hate to bring this up, but if the potential partner is that much of a stickler about this . . . .hmm 3 Quote
tony Posted August 5, 2018 Report Posted August 5, 2018 24 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said: Hate to bring this up, but if the potential partner is that much of a stickler about this . . . .hmm .......then get a new partner. It would be a lot cheaper 1 Quote
Airways Posted August 6, 2018 Author Report Posted August 6, 2018 Thanks for all the advice guys ! I’ll arrange for some test flights asap. I live in Europe so I’ll have to decline your offers for those check rides. For now: the proof of the pudding is in the tasting Quote
Piloto Posted August 6, 2018 Report Posted August 6, 2018 Get a cushion seat pad at http://www.aircraftspruce.com/search/search.php?s=seat+cushions&x=25&y=20 Easier and cheaper than tampering with the panel. José 1 Quote
Airways Posted August 6, 2018 Author Report Posted August 6, 2018 I’m not sure we are on the same page here. I’m 6 feet 7 and my partner 6 feet 5. With the seat all the way down I have about 1,5 cm left before my head touches the ceiling. We really need no cushion. What we’d like is more outside view when we look forward. I thought that lowering the panel might give us more of a J-ish forward visibility. But if I understand correctly, the cowling is the limiting factor here. 1 Quote
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