Reducing Panel Height in Older O's & B's: is it Possible?

[HH60HLDG]

FNG in the hunt for a Bravo (or Ovation) for a while now.  At 5'7" I'd really prefer a newer model with the lower panel height.  Given the current scarcity in the market, wondering if it's possible to reduce or install a reduced height instrument panel?  If so, new from Mooney or fab'd elsewhere while updating avionics?

[ilovecornfields]

I’m 5’6” (and a half!) and don’t have any issues with the higher panel. It’s kind of nice to have room for all my toys.

My son can’t see over the panel unless he sits on a cushion but he’s only 5’ tall. I think you’ll be fine.

[MooneyMitch]

My experience and my opinion, seeing over the panel is not an issue as the seats articulate up or down.

In addition, view over the nose of the O or B to what’s in front and below you is less than a shorter bodied Mooney because the cowling is longer.

[FoxMike]

The lower panels began in 1999.  I  have flown behind both and prefer the lower ones.  I suppose you could have a lower one fabricated or hunt around in the junk yards for one.  The newer models have vertically adjustable seats so a taller panel may work ok.  The big problem I see is the rewiring.  It might not turnout to be a big deal but most likely the techs that are doing this for you may run the shop hours through the roof.  While doing radios may help the situation it will not eliminate it.  My suggestion is that you shop for what you want.  I did a custom panel in an E model that I owned many years ago and found that even with good planning lots of problems presented themselves.

[Niko182]

I believe the lower panel starts in 2004 to 2005ish.

23 minutes ago, FoxMike said:

The lower panels began in 1999.  I  have flown behind both and prefer the lower ones.  I suppose you could have a lower one fabricated or hunt around in the junk yards for one.  The newer models have vertically adjustable seats so a taller panel may work ok.  The big problem I see is the rewiring.  It might not turnout to be a big deal but most likely the techs that are doing this for you may run the shop hours through the roof.  While doing radios may help the situation it will not eliminate it.  My suggestion is that you shop for what you want.  I did a custom panel in an E model that I owned many years ago and found that even with good planning lots of problems presented themselves.

 

[mike_elliott]

It would be major structural surgery to change a the mounting tubes so you can use the GX height panels. Not really practical unless you have all the acronyms behind your name and a few friends at the FAA

[StevenL757]

2 hours ago, HH60HLDG said:

FNG in the hunt for a Bravo (or Ovation) for a while now.  At 5'7" I'd really prefer a newer model with the lower panel height.  Given the current scarcity in the market, wondering if it's possible to reduce or install a reduced height instrument panel?  If so, new from Mooney or fab'd elsewhere while updating avionics?

In short, is it possible?  Anything’s possible, citing Mike’s @mike_elliott comment.

Can you simply install a short panel into an aircraft containing a larger one and vice versa?  No.  Use the height adjustment crank handle on the Ovation and Bravo seats to raise yourself to the proper height.  Similar to the red and white “ball” sighting devices in airline cockpits used to determine proper seated height for the CA and FO to correctly reference controls.

[LANCECASPER]

I have to say I've had a change of heart on this recently. Every long body I've had was with the higher panel and since I hadn't flown with the shorter panels (except on two K's that I owned) my thought was always "just adjust the seat and stop complaining" . . lol. I also used the argument that you could stuff more avionics into the taller panel, which was true, back when you needed a lot of separate things in the panel.

However, having owned a shorter panel long body now for about a month, I have to say that I like the field of view a lot better in the short panel. I am 6' so I could see over the tall panel without adjusting the seat much - that wasn't the issue. I find the depth perception to be much better for short final and landing with the larger field of view  - both height and width improves. The tall panel still works fine, not a deal breaker for sure, but given the choice, for what it's worth, I now like the shorter panel better and consider it an improvement. 

[Yetti]

You can build a taller bridge or dig the channel deeper.   You can also put more foam in the seat.

[IFLYIFR]

Which Ovation model years have the tall panel and which model years have the short panel? One post says short panels started with 1999 model years and another post says the short panels started in 2004 or 2005!


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[exM20K]

2 minutes ago, IFLYIFR said:

Which Ovation model years have the tall panel and which model years have the short panel? One post says short panels started with 1999 model years and another post says the short panels started in 2994 or 2095!


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GX and DX 2004+

[exM20K]

With the cool new retrofit glass and autopilots, a DX Ovation or Bravo would be quite a find for someone that wanted a project.

-dan

[IFLYIFR]

Thanks exM20K


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[MIm20c]

The panel was lowered late 2003 for the ovation/bravo DX models. The Moritz gauges came out in 1999 and were updated in 2000 when the ovation 2 and the toothpick prop was introduced. 

Edited December 19, 2021 by MIm20c

[LANCECASPER]

I stand corrected. In an AOPA article about the DX in 2003, here's a quote "There's something else new about the instrument panel: It's been lowered by two inches. This step was taken in response to complaints by some pilots that they didn't have enough forward visibility in Mooneys — especially during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Engineers squeezed the panel vertically, then tightened the radii of the "bow tubes" — support tubing that forms the upper rim of the panel. This allows the redesigned glareshield to ride lower and provide more of a forward view."

[IFLYIFR]

I found the AOPA article. Very helpful.


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[HH60HLDG]

Thanks all for your thoughts, history lessons & opinions!  Happy holidays!

[carusoam]

Looks like this has become a two part challenge…

1) Seeing over the taller panel…

2) Fitting glass panels into the better designed more accommodating short panel…

 

At 6’ tall… I have the chair adjusted to get my eyes as tall as possible to see over the beauty loooong nose…. 

The extra 2” of panel is down low and could be raised a few more inches without getting in the way….

 

The limit of my seat adjustment… keep my head from bumping the ceiling in turbulence….  

 

Go fly it…

See if you can tell the difference…

 

It is only going to matter… the day you are buying one, and you have two to select from….

 

See what Jimmy has in mind for this question… 

Best regards,

-a-