iPad Yoke Mount for M20E w/ Clock

[Steve Hughes]

This has probably been asked and answered 1,000 times but I can't seem to find what I'm looking for.  I've tried three variations on an iPad mini yoke mount and just can't seem to make it work.  The Ram clamp mount hits controls on the panel and sits too high; I tried a flexible-arm clamp mount for a bicycle and the back ball holds the iPad too high, covering the gauges or too close to read the screen.  I tried some straps and that was a loser.

Any suggestions for a better solution? 

[BrianWilkins]

I removed the clock and replaced it with a metal plate that has a Ram ball mounted to it. iPad mounts to that. 

[midlifeflyer]

8 hours ago, bluehighwayflyer said:

Stick this Steelie ball mount on your yoke right above where it reads “Chronometer” and then a tablet magnetic socket on your iPad mini.  If that is too high stick it below the blue buttons. Problem solved.  

 

I’m always worried about a powerful magnet near the panel. Is that not really a concern?

[47U]

14 hours ago, Steve Hughes said:

Any suggestions for a better solution? 

I’ve put the clamp on the yoke, not the yoke shaft.  It moves the iPad closer to your body… depends how long your legs are?

Or, accomplish Mooney SBM 20-205B and replace the yoke shafts (several amu’s, sorry).  The new shafts are about 1.5” longer than the old shafts.  And, it retires the yoke shaft AD.  I ordered the shafts through LASAR, or Top Gun, I forget.  I think Mooney had them in stock (last year).

[TheAv8r]

Here's mine on my M20E. RAM Ball Mount + Arm + Cradle, iPad Mini mounted horizontally (landscape).

[tcal780]

I removed the guts of the clock and use the existing plate for a 1" ram mount

[Mister_Bevilaqua]

I came here to ask the same question. Great ideas suggested, thanks!

[Steve Hughes]

I tried the Steelie magnetic ball and it stuck to the iPad really well, but even the slightest bump and the ball and socket slid around.  I pulled that off before the adhesive became permanent.

So here's what I found that worked for me after buying three different failure mounts.  I took the mount for a bicycle with a flexing shaft and a small profile clamp.  I removed the clamp and just took the clamp part and cut off the threaded socket on the back that the ball secures to, and then cut out a piece of 1/4" plywood the same size as the face of the chronometer (2.5" x 2.5").  I then used some 3M VHB dual stick tape to adhere the plywood backer plate to the back of the clamp to flush it up with the base of the threaded socket.  On that plate, I stuck on some Dual Lock (a strong type of Velcro) and put a couple of pieces on the face of the chronometer.  With that I was able to just press the clamp's Dual Lock into the chronometer and it is at the right spot and angle, no clamp to hit the controls and/or knobs or other things that might impact the full use of the yoke.  I can also orient the clamp either vertically or horizontally with this configuration, just can't change the tilt much.  It's very small and fits into my flight bag's iPad pouch with the iPad.

I also stuck a Fintie pencil holder to the back of the IPad to keep the Apple Pencil secure.  I got tired of that thing falling off the magnet and rolling around the cockpit.  Let me know if you have any questions.

[Bob E]

We removed the clock and replaced it with the separate clock and timer you see at the top center of the panel. 

Timer:   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HGYZBW8. 

Clock:   It's a GH102A, hard to find now.  Any LCD clock with a seconds display will do.  

None of the commercial iPad mini mounts are simple and compact, so we made DIY mini-ipad trays by pairing old Garmin yoke mounts with office-style steel bookends cut to shape. (Any stiff sheet metal will do.)  Simple spring clamps at the top to hold down the iPads. Black duct tape over the clamps and in the groove at the bottom to cushion the iPads.  We also routed a charger cord to each iPad.  In hot weather we remove the iPad cases and charging cords to keep the units cool.

We've had these for about five years and they've become invisible, just part of the aircraft.

 

[IvanP]

I found that mounting the tablet (iPad or otherwise) on the co-pilot yoke on articulating mount provided better solution. No obstruction of panel in front of me and still close enough to read. I had a RAM mount for tablet in my E-model that was clamped to the yoke shaft on co-pilot side and teh tablet was angled to give me a good view (sorry no pics as I sold the plane couple of years ago and use a panel mount in my current plane). Mounting the tablet on pilot yoke was just too cramped for me.