Ranger AeroCruze 100 Success info needed.

[Jakes Simmons]

     Trying for a Hail Mary pass before selling my Mooney. Talked to Chris from Duncan Aviation, sounds like BK may eventually make a bracket for the pitch servo on my serial number Mooney, but no solid timeframe. He had mentioned hearing of several Ranger owners who had the -100 installed, their installers modified the pitch pushrod and servo bracket, covered under the STC, with good results. My original installer is not able to accomplish the mods.
     Currently I have a complete AeroCruze kit sitting in a box on my hangar floor. If any Ranger owners out there who have an installed AeroCruze 100 or know an owner that did, I’d appreciate a shout to gather info from your experience and a direction toward a shop who has done the work. The issue I’ve run into is my s/n 1213 has a different doubler under the cargo area vs earlier -C’s. The stock install kit does not work.

      If the hoops to install this a/p become too high, I’ll send the a/p back and sell the plane. For my type of flying, it’s a safety issue when carrying non pilot passengers. Appreciate the help…

[Ron McBride]

Is it possible that brackets from an E, F, or J might work?

 

[Jakes Simmons]

Unfortunately, no. We tried going down that road. Apparently 30 Rangers ‘76 and onward were manufactured slightly different in the belly area. The STC allows for the modification of the parts but I haven’t found anyone willing to do it.

[LANCECASPER]

14 minutes ago, Jakes Simmons said:

Unfortunately, no. We tried going down that road. Apparently 30 Rangers ‘76 and onward were manufactured slightly different in the belly area. The STC allows for the modification of the parts but I haven’t found anyone willing to do it.

@Jake@BevanAviation is this something that your shop would ever consider doing?

[Jake@BevanAviation]

@LANCECASPER We would not be interested in any deviation from the STC on a flight control system.

[LANCECASPER]

52 minutes ago, Jake@BevanAviation said:

@LANCECASPER We would not be interested in any deviation from the STC on a flight control system.

I understand that completely, but the previous post mentioned that the STC allowed for some modification. Thanks for the response though.

[Hank]

On 11/21/2024 at 3:34 PM, Jakes Simmons said:

     Trying for a Hail Mary pass before selling my Mooney. Talked to Chris from Duncan Aviation, sounds like BK may eventually make a bracket for the pitch servo on my serial number Mooney, but no solid timeframe. He had mentioned hearing of several Ranger owners who had the -100 installed, their installers modified the pitch pushrod and servo bracket, covered under the STC, with good results. My original installer is not able to accomplish the mods.
     Currently I have a complete AeroCruze kit sitting in a box on my hangar floor. If any Ranger owners out there who have an installed AeroCruze 100 or know an owner that did, I’d appreciate a shout to gather info from your experience and a direction toward a shop who has done the work. The issue I’ve run into is my s/n 1213 has a different doubler under the cargo area vs earlier -C’s. The stock install kit does not work.

      If the hoops to install this a/p become too high, I’ll send the a/p back and sell the plane. For my type of flying, it’s a safety issue when carrying non pilot passengers. Appreciate the help…

If it all falls through, I'm interested in the Aero Cruze, since Avidyne seems uninterested in approving their nice AP for the pre-J market. My Brittain is barely hanging in there . . . .

Assuming, of course, that the installation is compatible with a 1970 C.

[Lionudakis]

On 11/22/2024 at 3:01 PM, Jakes Simmons said:

Unfortunately, no. We tried going down that road. Apparently 30 Rangers ‘76 and onward were manufactured slightly different in the belly area. The STC allows for the modification of the parts but I haven’t found anyone willing to do it.

I installed one in a J, that likely had the same issue you have.  It took a minor modification, and was exactly that, a minor modification. PM me and I can explain in more details

[Lionudakis]

On 11/21/2024 at 3:34 PM, Jakes Simmons said:

     Trying for a Hail Mary pass before selling my Mooney. Talked to Chris from Duncan Aviation, sounds like BK may eventually make a bracket for the pitch servo on my serial number Mooney, but no solid timeframe. He had mentioned hearing of several Ranger owners who had the -100 installed, their installers modified the pitch pushrod and servo bracket, covered under the STC, with good results. My original installer is not able to accomplish the mods.
     Currently I have a complete AeroCruze kit sitting in a box on my hangar floor. If any Ranger owners out there who have an installed AeroCruze 100 or know an owner that did, I’d appreciate a shout to gather info from your experience and a direction toward a shop who has done the work. The issue I’ve run into is my s/n 1213 has a different doubler under the cargo area vs earlier -C’s. The stock install kit does not work.

      If the hoops to install this a/p become too high, I’ll send the a/p back and sell the plane. For my type of flying, it’s a safety issue when carrying non pilot passengers. Appreciate the help…

Is this a vertical U shaped reinforcement riveted on the aft bulkhead where the aft pitch servo bracket mounts ?

[65MooneyPilot]

Check this thread out. @cliffy has a lot of good info.