Question about the Positive Control System

[MooneyStrike]

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

[Pasturepilot]

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.
 

[BrianWilkins]

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.

[Culver LFA]

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

[carusoam]

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-

[hammdo]

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

[carusoam]

The panel mounted switch is a big plus.

mostly because it clicks on. And clicks off...

 

Best regards,

-a-

[hammdo]

Yep, and it’s a positive click too...

The TC has the adjustable level so it’s not bad for a simple design...

-Don