M20F G500 install

[W6k]

I am planning on installing a G500 in my M20F. It will be receiving new avionics also. I  do most all of the mecanical work on my plane with the blessing of an AI. Mechanical work i can do, especially metal fab. I am thinking about doing the servo installation myself prior to sending it  for the avionics upgrade. I have not been able to obtain instructions for the servo install to understand the complexity or feasibility of a DIY install.  Anyone have any experience with an M20F servo installation?

[ArtVandelay]

First, make sure the controls, especially trim & pitch operate smoothly and freely.
Second, I’ve heard of a few shops that didn’t install the servos properly.

Either of the above can cause pitching problems that are common, the 500 servos aren’t especially strong so they won’t make up for bad installations.

[Andy95W]

21 minutes ago, W6k said:

I am planning on installing a G500 in my M20F. It will be receiving new avionics also. I  do most all of the mecanical work on my plane with the blessing of an AI. Mechanical work i can do, especially metal fab. I am thinking about doing the servo installation myself prior to sending it  for the avionics upgrade. I have not been able to obtain instructions for the servo install to understand the complexity or feasibility of a DIY install.  Anyone have any experience with an M20F servo installation?

@FlyingDude installed one in his M20E under IA supervision.  Should be nearly identical to the M20F.

[LANCECASPER]

1 hour ago, W6k said:

I am planning on installing a G500 in my M20F. It will be receiving new avionics also. I  do most all of the mecanical work on my plane with the blessing of an AI. Mechanical work i can do, especially metal fab. I am thinking about doing the servo installation myself prior to sending it  for the avionics upgrade. I have not been able to obtain instructions for the servo install to understand the complexity or feasibility of a DIY install.  Anyone have any experience with an M20F servo installation?

G500 is an EFIS display

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/63598

 

GFC500 is an autopilot

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/604257

[W6k]

Andy95

How difficult was it? Were you involved in the install? The E and the F are basically the same except the F fusalage is longer. i am not a novice working with metal, so perhpas i can handle the job.

[LANCECASPER]

Garmin has an unresolved issue on some airplanes with the airplane porpoising in Altitude Hold and is now replacing some servos for the third and fourth times. If anyone but a Garmin dealer installs it and you have a problem, you are out in the cold. 

[7.Mooney.Driver.0]

Garmin has only granted permission to dealers to use their STC. You would need to find a dealer who is comfortable with your work to sell you the brackets, and give you access to their manuals. Unfortunately, not many dealers are willing to work with owners when it comes to Garmin stuff.

The GFC500 is worth every penny. I have one in my C model and love it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Andy95W]

@W6k- I tagged Flying dude so he will get a notification that he was mentioned in a post.  When he has time, hopefully he will check in.

I was not involved in the installation, so I can’t offer any assistance. 

[EricJ]

6 hours ago, W6k said:

I am planning on installing a G500 in my M20F. It will be receiving new avionics also. I  do most all of the mecanical work on my plane with the blessing of an AI. Mechanical work i can do, especially metal fab. I am thinking about doing the servo installation myself prior to sending it  for the avionics upgrade. I have not been able to obtain instructions for the servo install to understand the complexity or feasibility of a DIY install.  Anyone have any experience with an M20F servo installation?

GFC500s are dealer installed.   An A&P isn't even allowed to do it unless they're a Garmin dealer or work for a Garmin dealer.

[ArtVandelay]

GFC500s are dealer installed.   An A&P isn't even allowed to do it unless they're a Garmin dealer or work for a Garmin dealer.

He might be thinking since he bought the (experimental) version, he can install it himself.

[PT20J]

18 hours ago, ArtVandelay said:

He might be thinking since he buy the (experimental) version, he can install it himself.

Isn't it just a minor modification 

[cliffy]

It should be NORSEE

[M20F-1968]

I would not try to install a Garmin autopilot myself in an F model.  If you rely upon it it is flight critical, and interfaces with avionics which can be an issue troubleshooting.  You will at some point need Garmin's support.

John Breda

[W6k]

I was hoping to do the mechanical work myself, but apparently the AI that signs off my work can't do it. I will need to talk with the Garmin dealer who would do the avionics part and interfacing and see what he has to say as he will end up certifying the work. Probably will just have to have it all done by the tech.

[LANCECASPER]

On 11/24/2023 at 4:00 PM, W6k said:

I was hoping to do the mechanical work myself, but apparently the AI that signs off my work can't do it. I will need to talk with the Garmin dealer who would do the avionics part and interfacing and see what he has to say as he will end up certifying the work. Probably will just have to have it all done by the tech.

To get a legal installation on the Rocket you'll need the FSDO to do a field approval on the airplane.

 

EDIT: Even though his profile says Rocket - he is talking about installing it in a F.

 

[Fly Boomer]

1 hour ago, LANCECASPER said:

To get a legal installation on the Rocket you'll need the FSDO to do a field approval on the airplane.

OP said M20F.

[LANCECASPER]

3 hours ago, Fly Boomer said:

OP said M20F.

Ah ok - his profile says Rocket - sorry

[Fly Boomer]

59 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

Ah ok - his profile says Rocket - sorry

Yep.  I tripped over that the first time I read it.

[Buckeyechuck]

I guess I’m the lucky one. We have an avionics shop on our field. They are a Garmin shop.  I was able to do the most of mechanical installation on my GFC500. They did all of the wiring, installed servos, setup,  etc.  I’ve done this a number of time when doing upgrades prior to, so I have an excellent relationship with them. Not only does it reduce some cost, I’m learning and I know my airplane that much better.  They are just a two man shop so they appreciate the help. 

[W6k]

I apologize for not editing my profile. I began with Mooneys in 1979 with an M20F. In 1995 I purchased a M20K 252 with Rocket conversion and my son took up flying so I let him have the F. I enjoyed going high and fast for 25 plus years, but my need for speed gradually cooled as my age increased. It was a lot of fun to cruise at 225 knots in the flight levels. My son gave up flying, so I have my original 1967 M20F back.  I sold the Rocket in 2020, so It's back to basics now, cruising lower and slower, but being retired now life in the fast lane is for the young. So-- I am fixing up my old M20F..

I do miss the autopilot I had in the Rocket and want to install the GFC500 in the F, along with upgraded avionics.  From the comments so far, it seems that I might be able to install the GFC 500, but it is a lot of work. I can always bail out and have a shop do it. The avionics shop will do wiring and interface the GFC with the Aspen I plan to have installed. I had an Aspen PFD 1000 in the Rocket and loved it, so i want to stay with that. I'm too old to adjust to the full glass panel route. Many of the comments indicate I won't be able to buy a GFC as a non Garmin afiliated individual, but at least one person has done so and I need to understand how to buy one with full installation manuals for the F. I have the support of a local metal fab facility owned by a good friend of mine, so if push comes to shove, he can help me if necessary. I am in the process of installing a JPI 930 and junking many of those inaccurate original analog gauges. Other than the JPI and the autopilot, I will let the avionics shop do the com and nav stuff in the center. They will need to sign off my install work. Now that i am retired, I need to fill my days doing something constructive

f

[Ragsf15e]

9 hours ago, W6k said:

I apologize for not editing my profile. I began with Mooneys in 1979 with an M20F. In 1995 I purchased a M20K 252 with Rocket conversion and my son took up flying so I let him have the F. I enjoyed going high and fast for 25 plus years, but my need for speed gradually cooled as my age increased. It was a lot of fun to cruise at 225 knots in the flight levels. My son gave up flying, so I have my original 1967 M20F back.  I sold the Rocket in 2020, so It's back to basics now, cruising lower and slower, but being retired now life in the fast lane is for the young. So-- I am fixing up my old M20F..

I do miss the autopilot I had in the Rocket and want to install the GFC500 in the F, along with upgraded avionics.  From the comments so far, it seems that I might be able to install the GFC 500, but it is a lot of work. I can always bail out and have a shop do it. The avionics shop will do wiring and interface the GFC with the Aspen I plan to have installed. I had an Aspen PFD 1000 in the Rocket and loved it, so i want to stay with that. I'm too old to adjust to the full glass panel route. Many of the comments indicate I won't be able to buy a GFC as a non Garmin afiliated individual, but at least one person has done so and I need to understand how to buy one with full installation manuals for the F. I have the support of a local metal fab facility owned by a good friend of mine, so if push comes to shove, he can help me if necessary. I am in the process of installing a JPI 930 and junking many of those inaccurate original analog gauges. Other than the JPI and the autopilot, I will let the avionics shop do the com and nav stuff in the center. They will need to sign off my install work. Now that i am retired, I need to fill my days doing something constructive

f

You will need a G5, GI-275, or G3x to actually control/display your gfc500 autopilot.  It doesn’t “interface” with Aspen, although you might possibly be able to use the heading bug.  The autopilot indications such as mode, altitude selection, etc will all not be on the aspen, but on your garmin pfd.

I hear that you liked the Aspen, but the garmin g3x is actually meant to work with the gfc500 and is a better choice if you want that autopilot.

Additionally, you will need a Garmin dealer to order the gfc500 for you, but maybe you can work out a deal where you help with the installation?  
Make sure you get the certified version of all these because they come in experimental versions as well but those aren’t airworthy for your certified aircraft.

Good luck.

[JimB]

It comes as a complete kit from Garmin with the control head, servos and all the brackets. Its hard to piecemeal it and you will have to go to a Garmin dealer to buy it and install it. You might find one that will let you assist but in the overall installation its not going to mean that much. 

And BTW.... IA= Inspection Authorization     AI = Artificial Intelligence  

 

[PT20J]

As @Ragsf15e said you need a G3X, G5 or GI 275 for the GFC 500. Unlike older autopilots, most of the autopilot software resides in the display. The control head is just a user interface and a AHRS used for self checking. The least expensive route would be two G5s. If you want something that looks more like the Aspen, you could get the 7” G3X, but you would still need a standby G5 or GI 275 per the STC.

And as @JimB pointed out, the GFC 500 can only be purchased through a Garmin dealer and they will do the installation. You might find a one-man Garmin dealer that will let you help, but most won’t want that because you will just slow them down.