Edo Aire Mitchell Century 31 for M20J - need information and assistance

[Thomas_1981]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for any assistance or information about an Edo Aire Century 31 autopilot on a Mooney M20J.

We have an old Century 21 in our Mooney M20J. Because we have more and more problems with it, we are looking to upgrade on a Century 31 system. So some more parts need to be installed and some need to be changed. A lot of parts are available at ebay and other marketplaces, but ...

Problem is that I don't know exactly which components are playing together. Does anyone has an idea what components we need exactly ?

- Computer is clear
- Attitude indicator is almost clear, it should be a 52D67
- Trim Servo, which one works with the Century 31, maybe 1-52C373-6-523 ???
- Pitch Servo, which one works with the Century 31 ???
- Trim Switch for the yoke
- Roll Servo of the Century 21 should work with the Century 31 as well

Maybe anyone of you has a century 31 in your Mooney and can tell me for which parts I have to search. There are really no documents available in the internet but there are some offers for Mooney M20J, but I need to know if they fit to us.

I'm Happy about any information or assistance

regards
th.

 

[KSMooniac]

Not to rain on your plans, but I'm not sure that will be much of an upgrade, considering how old all of those components are and it does not seem you have any installation documents or drawings to assist.  You will need all of the brackets and other accessories, not just servos.  You would also need an STC Authorization (at least in the US) and I doubt that can be issued these days.  Perhaps an avionics shop might have some original documents in deep storage somewhere, but I suspect you will not have much luck.  I would also add people upgrade autopilots when their old system becomes unreliable, so the chances of finding working components is far below 100%.  

The only modern upgrade options are the Garmin GFC 500, Dynon, and BK Aerocruze 100 as far as I know today.  Installation labor will be similar for any new autopilot installation, even an old Century system, so in my opinion it makes little sense to spend so much installing old equipment.  

If you have your heart set on an old Century, your path might be to buy a complete salvage Mooney that has that system so you can get everything you need, and you would have a pattern to work from during the installation.  10+ years ago I bought a salvage J with a KFC 200, but was not even remotely tempted to transplant that system into my J with a less-capable, but simpler STEC-30.

Good luck with whatever you decide.  I think it would be wiser to spend more for a modern option.

[Thomas_1981]

Many thanks for answering and your expertise. In principle you're right. We're talking about money what I don't have at the moment and so the idea was born to take a system which is still working but less expensive, to install it on my own as far as I can and to be finalized by an avionic workshop. That was the idea but I see as well some difficulties like installation documents or spare parts like brackets an so on. Maybe we've luck, mabe we don't have ...

Nevertheless thank you for your efforts and replying

[KSMooniac]

The Century you currently have installed is likely repairable, although there are far fewer experts and shops these days.  We have resources in the US if you want to troubleshoot via correspondence to start, and then potentially send components over for repair.  Bevan Aviation in Wichita can very likely help, and there is a consultant for troubleshooting, Bob Weber, that is reported to be very helpful with diagnostics before you start spending more money on repairs or swapping components.

I forgot to mention in my first post that I spent quite a few hours trying to remove all of the KFC 200 brackets, components, wire harness, etc., and that was with a disassembled airplane, and in the case of the roll servo, a cut-open wing.  Installing these things in a Mooney is very, very tedious with difficult access in many places.  

If you do have a legal path to install an as-removed autopilot system, I would encourage to try to find a salvage J with the system if you have the ability to buy the carcass and do the transplant yourself.  Getting it approved is a difficult task, though, but perhaps you have a way.  I made some money when I bought my salvage plane and acquired upgrades and spares for mine, but that is accounting for my labor as $0/hr and not paying any extra storage (long story).  It was a worthy exercise for me, but obviously not for everybody.  I imagine there are not a lot of salvage Mooneys in Europe, though, but there would presumably be less demand to purchase them and perhaps it could work out if you can find one.

[Jake@BevanAviation]

With Century Flight Systems out of business a lot of the parts for that system are very sparse.  You might get lucky finding something at a salvage shop but in my opinion it is on a short time line until there is no support for that system.  Not to mention finding the correct installation documentation for the aircraft.  At this point with the limited parts we have for the Century 21 and 31 systems I am very reluctant to try and repair them.  Also, if you require a EASA release your repair choices are going to be drastically limited.