install electrical cowl flaps on a 1980 M20k

[NicoN]

We have the above model.

Our manual cowal flaps work perfectly, but they are pretty tough to handle. It needs a little power in your arm.

One of my co-owners has a shoulder problem. recently, I saw that he is almost not able to manipulate teh cowl flaps. his approach of always flying with his wife is not the best in my eyes.

So, installing electrical cowl flaps could be a reasonable safety item for him.

 

Is that possible? 1980 M20K, S/N 25-0378

[PT20J]

I don’t see why you couldn’t do it if you can find the parts assuming the German regs will allow it. But it’s going to be a lot of work. You’d have to install the cowl flap position indicator and switch in the console as well as the mechanism in the engine compartment.

[EricJ]

I'd first check why your existing system is difficult to actuate.   It's not a complicated system, and lubricating the mechanism and/or the cable will probably make a big difference.

Mine was a bit stiff-ish and just getting some lubricant lightly in all the joints made a big difference.

[A64Pilot]

Yeah it shouldn’t be much harder than pulling the fresh air vent knob, a little as it overcenters because it’s stretching a spring. If you disconnect the spring and it moves with very little resistance I might even look for a lighter spring.

‘I think in the US I could get by with calling it a minor alteration, but don’t forget to change the POH etc, but I really think your mechanical one needs some work. The cowl flap is no where near as hard as closing the door

[NicoN]

On Ground it is really easy to operate. in the air you need much more power.

Easy for me, but for my partner with a rotator cuff tear pretty hard.

I had to adjust the cowl flap a couple of years ago when the cable was replaced. It tended to open on its own.