MooneyStrike Posted March 18, 2020 Report Share Posted March 18, 2020 Been doing research on purchasing an M20E, and see a lot of them without autopilot. Is the Mooney positive control system a good replacement for autopilot? Does everyone like the PC system? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasturepilot Posted March 18, 2020 Report Share Posted March 18, 2020 It’s not a replacement for an autopilot. It’s closer to a knee on the steering wheel, or letting your right seat passenger hold the wheel while you unfold a map on the interstate. Properly maintained or repaired, they’re a good aid in the cockpit. They’re not hard to fix when they break (lots of manuals and advice available here) and I’m pretty much just letting mine ride a couple years into the future. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianWilkins Posted March 18, 2020 Report Share Posted March 18, 2020 I have an M20E with the PC system and no AP. I've got mixed feeling on PC. It's nice on long, straight flights, especially if you run into turbulence. It's also nice when flying in IMC (keeping the wings level while you're looking at charts, setting radios, etc.). I don't care for it as much when flying in the pattern or maneuvering, but of course you can just disable it by holding the button down or putting something over the button to hold it down. If mine ever stopped working, I probably wouldn't spend much to get it fixed. I am hoping TruTrak gets certified for Mooney soon and will probably put one of those in when that happens. Bottom line: it's okay but I would definitely not make it a major consideration, either positive or negative, when deciding whether or not to purchase a Mooney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Culver LFA Posted March 18, 2020 Report Share Posted March 18, 2020 (edited) I’m very happy with it, when traveling it holds the GPS line perfectly but if set to track a VOR it does have a tendency to chase the needle a little bit. As far as like or dislike when hand flying, I’ll admit that I did not like how heavy the controls felt even with the disconnect button pressed, then I found out recently that the disconnect was not working properly! Now that the disconnect is working properly actually I think PC is the deal! I would definitely consider adding altitude hold if/when it becomes available again. Edited March 18, 2020 by Culver LFA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted March 18, 2020 Report Share Posted March 18, 2020 For 1960s technology... it is brilliant..! As an AP it is a B&W TV... modern for its day. If you are expecting a 70” HD color TV... you will need a more modern AP... some digital ones are on the horizon... It comes down to one rhetorical question... How much do you want to spend? The basic PC system only holds the wings level... without it, the plane will drift into steep turns depending on the fuel balance... Or your ability to fly and do other things at the same time... updates are available on the used market to add following a course... and altitude hold... PP thoughts only... Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammdo Posted March 18, 2020 Report Share Posted March 18, 2020 My PC wing leveler was added in my B later. I like the fact it is always off and I can pull the switch when I need it (A/Pilot). -Don 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted March 18, 2020 Report Share Posted March 18, 2020 The panel mounted switch is a big plus. mostly because it clicks on. And clicks off... Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammdo Posted March 18, 2020 Report Share Posted March 18, 2020 Yep, and it’s a positive click too... The TC has the adjustable level so it’s not bad for a simple design... -Don 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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