S-TEC 60 PSS installation on M20J - who has experience ???

[Thomas_1981]

Hi guys,

the forums on mooneyspace.com are really awesome. It's so helpful to gain knowledge and experience by so many people for flying and operating a Mooney. So I learned a lot about opportunities and what makes sense and what not. Thank you very much.

History:
We had some problems with the 1-axis autopilot on our Mooney 201 (M20J), built 1981. It's an Edo Aire Mitchell Century 21. It worked fine for many years, but suddenly it started to loose the direction in all modes and made right turns (always right turns ???) We went many times to the avionic repair shop, but still without success. So the idea was born to replace the autopilot and by the way to upgrade the capabilities. Unfortunately there is not enough money to install a new and modern system like the Garmin GFC 500 etc. I would like it very much, but that's too much money at the moment ...

So at first we thought another Century, Century 31 or maybe Century 2000 could be a good idea, because we can save time and money if we keep components like roll servo, attitude indicator etc. on board. Actually there are not so many parts available and they are all quite old and of course used. Most important is, that we can't find any documents or installation manual.

Next idea was to install King Bendix KAP 150 with Altitude select etc. But the document situation is almost the same, the devices are also old and unreliable and so there is no chance for approval by the authorities.

Finally we came to the conclusion that we can go for a system only if there are documents for installation and an STC for approval available. So we found out that the best way is to keep the Century 21 (but it's needed to find the bug) and to install additionally the

S-TEC 60 PSS with Autotrim function

 

Is there anyone who has experience with that system? I found already some documents and I know that an STC is available, But there are still some information missing. I can't find the right part no. for the pitch servo on a M20J for example. I only found numbers for the computer, the trim servo, the annunciation/programmer panel etc. and seriously I found out that the J model needs the computer 0110-1 or 0110-1T but I know as well that someone took the 0110 out of a M20J. Confusing !!! Is anyone familiar with that issues? What is needed for the Mooney M20J and does anyone have access to installation manuals or documents?

Thank you very much
regards
th.

[Rwsavory]

The best way for your questions to be answered authoritatively is to contact an STEC dealer. You would need to purchase the STC from STEC, and they will likely have their own requirements as well, if they were willing to sell it to you.  Under the best of circumstances you would be putting together a system with old technology and parts, with the likelihood that you would be left back where you started in short order. I will give you an example. My own 60-2 system was repeatedly blowing a fuse in the pitch computer. It took multiple repair visits to find the problem, a defective preselect computer no longer supported or supplied by STEC. I was able to find a used one (the only one of such module I have ever seen for sale) and luckily it worked.  
 

 

[Thomas_1981]

Thank you for answering.
I agree and I think in principle you are right. The only thing is that we fly an aircraft which is older then 40 years and of course the equipment too. If I could I would buy a new autopilot, but for some reasons that doesn't work. So I'm thinking for any proper solution and maybe I have some luck like you with the S-TEC computer. The only problem could be that I'm living in Germany and we don't have the same support for systems coming from the other side of the Atlantic ocean. But it deepens ...
So at first I try to come in contact with S-TEC itself and may be a dealer in the US.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a proper avionic workshop or dealer in  the US

best regards
th.

[Rwsavory]

If you don't have dealer support for an STEC installation in Europe you're wasting your time. 

[KSMooniac]

I don't think that system is even offered for sale any more, but I could be mistaken.

You might contact Bevan Aviation in Wichita, KS for help with your Century... They can likely give you troubleshooting steps to isolate problems, and then you can send the faulty equipment to them for a bench repair.

Unfortunately there aren't any great options on a budget. Maybe the Aerocruz but reviews are mixed in terms of installation, but performance is good.

Sent from my motorola edge plus 2023 using Tapatalk