Overhead Air Vent Options

[Matthew P]

So, last weekend I replaces the wire running from the overhead to the outside airs scoop, whomever did it previously only had it to where the air scoop raised about 1/2 an inch and didn't allow for much airflow. Well, it opens up about 1.5 inches now and allows a bit better airflow but with the current interior vents it doesn't disperse the airflow very well...Just wanting to know what options might be out there to improve, not only the amount of air, but the displacement as well...I saw this picture in an older fourm but it didn't address the airflow, was just in with other pics that the OP did to his aircraft....any ideas?

 

V/r

 

Matt

[00-Negative]

1 hour ago, Matthew P said:

.I saw this picture in an older fourm but it didn't address the airflow, was just in with other pics that the OP did to his aircraft....any ideas?

 

V/r

That picture is my plane. I copied @Utah20Gflyer in the post listed below. I built a simple vacuum forming box and used 1/16 ABS to make mine. I bought the wemac vent from ebay. They are a game-changer. It directs airflow directly wherever you want and the aft vents can be directed at the pilot as well. 

Also, someone just uploaded a 3D print version on thingiverse a few days ago. Search Mooney.

 

 

[201Steve]

I will buy some if somebody has a 3d printer

[Paul Thomas]

The quality of work from owners never ceases to amaze me!

 

42 minutes ago, 201Steve said:

I will buy some if somebody has a 3d printer

What does the overhead console look like on the 77J?

[Nico1]

On 7/21/2025 at 4:42 PM, 00-Negative said:

Also, someone just uploaded a 3D print version on thingiverse a few days ago. Search Mooney.

Found it: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7093747

Very helpful! Though the eyeball vent part is for a beech-style old vent. wonder if anyone might update the file for the standard round ones one can get on spurce? 

[201Steve]

On 7/21/2025 at 8:55 PM, Paul Thomas said:

What does the overhead console look like on the 77J?

Like an F. it’s the same concept as above, more or less. 

[Bartman]

If not already done, consider removing the air plenum and remove the “hog hair” fibers. This acts as a filter and if you were flying in rain with the vent open it would allow it to drop out and drain, but who flies with the overhead vent open in the rain?  I found the filtration benefit did not meet my expectations and it acted more of an impediment to flow.  When we redid mine a few years ago I also rigged the new wire to open a bit more than previous. It now opens about an inch and I now enjoy much improved air flow, but it does adds drag and decreases airspeed a few knots when open. 

I have no regrets about those minor changes. 

[FlyboyKC]

I just built these vent deflectors for my Mooney. I 3D printed them using PET-G filament, mainly because of the heat the plane is exposed to in the hot summer sitting in unventilated hanger.  

You can download the 3D files from this site (still a work in progress) https://www.mypilotflyer.com/3Dproject.html

NOTE: if others have 3D parts they would like to share I will add them to my website for download. My goal is to share projects throughout the community.

 

[Hank]

On 7/27/2025 at 10:23 AM, Bartman said:

When we redid mine a few years ago I also rigged the new wire to open a bit more than previous. It now opens about an inch and I now enjoy much improved air flow, but it does adds drag and decreases airspeed a few knots when open. 

This is how mine opens.

I ain't changed nothin!

[Matthew P]

On 7/23/2025 at 1:07 PM, Nico1 said:

Found it: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7093747

Very helpful! Though the eyeball vent part is for a beech-style old vent. wonder if anyone might update the file for the standard round ones one can get on spurce? 

Just printed them off and found the vents on ebay....will send picture when installed.

[Old Chub]

Hi everyone,

Based on the strong interest I’ve seen for a solution like this, I’ve gone ahead and started designing a replacement overhead eyeball air vent for our Mooneys. After some prototyping and refinement, I'm happy to share that the design is moving forward and is close to ready for production. I will make the promise of getting any order shipped by August 29th 2025. 

To get a better sense of demand and help fund the initial run, I’ve opened preorders on my website. If this is something you've been looking for or needing, you can check it out here:

https://www.smcustomproducts.com/shop/p/mooney-m20-overhead-eyeball-air-vent

Your feedback and support are really appreciated—whether you're ready to preorder or just want to share your thoughts. I'm always open to suggestions as I fine-tune the final version. 

If you aren't interested in a Preorder and would just wait until I have the production unit ready you can fill out my contact page here and I'll email once it is ready: 

https://www.smcustomproducts.com/contact

Thanks for looking and fly safe!

— Sam Mose, Old Chub

Edited August 4, 2025 by Old Chub

[EricJ]

I would suggest leaving the end either just a hole or completely unfinished so that any vent could be used, like the following:

https://www.amazon.com/EATAKWARD-Universal-Shuttered-Dashboard-Replacement/dp/B0DPYHGMWM

[DCarlton]

14 hours ago, Old Chub said:

Hi everyone,

Based on the strong interest I’ve seen for a solution like this, I’ve gone ahead and started designing a replacement overhead eyeball air vent for our Mooneys. After some prototyping and refinement, I'm happy to share that the design is moving forward and is close to ready for production. I will make the promise of getting any order shipped by August 29th 2025. 

To get a better sense of demand and help fund the initial run, I’ve opened preorders on my website. If this is something you've been looking for or needing, you can check it out here:

https://www.smcustomproducts.com/shop/p/mooney-m20-overhead-eyeball-air-vent

Your feedback and support are really appreciated—whether you're ready to preorder or just want to share your thoughts. I'm always open to suggestions as I fine-tune the final version. 

If you aren't interested in a Preorder and would just wait until I have the production unit ready you can fill out my contact page here and I'll email once it is ready: 

https://www.smcustomproducts.com/contact

Thanks for looking and fly safe!

— Sam Mose, Old Chub

Since you asked, why does it need to extend so far down from the headliner?  I'm frequently hitting my head on things in the cockpit.  Unless there's a functional reason,  think I'd like to see it as flush with the headliner as possible while still improving the angle and flow towards the occupants.  

[201Steve]

7 hours ago, DCarlton said:

Since you asked, why does it need to extend so far down from the headliner?  I'm frequently hitting my head on things in the cockpit.  Unless there's a functional reason,  think I'd like to see it as flush with the headliner as possible while still improving the angle and flow towards the occupants.  

Also concerned about this. All the others I’ve seen have been goofy looking when installed bc they are so long. 

[Flyler]

On 7/29/2025 at 12:35 PM, FlyboyKC said:

I just built these vent deflectors for my Mooney. I 3D printed them using PET-G filament, mainly because of the heat the plane is exposed to in the hot summer sitting in unventilated hanger.  

You can download the 3D files from this site (still a work in progress) https://www.mypilotflyer.com/3Dproject.html

NOTE: if others have 3D parts they would like to share I will add them to my website for download. My goal is to share projects throughout the community.

 

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6830500

Here's an "improved" rear seat recline lever I made.

[Old Chub]

On 8/4/2025 at 12:02 PM, DCarlton said:

Since you asked, why does it need to extend so far down from the headliner?  I'm frequently hitting my head on things in the cockpit.  Unless there's a functional reason,  think I'd like to see it as flush with the headliner as possible while still improving the angle and flow towards the occupants.  

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll incorporate a more flush design and see how it fits with the headliner, I have a trip planned this week and didn't want to take apart the headliner panel just yet. 

[Old Chub]

On 8/4/2025 at 9:41 AM, EricJ said:

I would suggest leaving the end either just a hole or completely unfinished so that any vent could be used, like the following:

https://www.amazon.com/EATAKWARD-Universal-Shuttered-Dashboard-Replacement/dp/B0DPYHGMWM

I plan on using eyeball vents from Spruce for consistency. 

[EricJ]

3 hours ago, Old Chub said:

I plan on using eyeball vents from Spruce for consistency. 

It just means they're not useful to anybody who wants to use a different vent.

[TaildraggerPilot]

On 8/4/2025 at 1:02 PM, DCarlton said:

Since you asked, why does it need to extend so far down from the headliner?  I'm frequently hitting my head on things in the cockpit.  Unless there's a functional reason,  think I'd like to see it as flush with the headliner as possible while still improving the angle and flow towards the occupants.  

It might have something to do with the structure of the plenum in the roof, as well as the ability to mount the vent adapters. 

[Old Chub]

Update: I was able to install the initial design this morning. It sticks down a little bit more than the stock vent but its only about an inch or so. 

[EricJ]

Yes, the vents that are more flush may be more desirable for this reason.   That 1" is a lot for taller people, especially during ingress/egress.

Something like this works well and doesn't stick out nearly as much:

https://www.amazon.com/Garneck-Universal-Trailer-Interior-Outlet/dp/B087TG6BWT

 

[DCarlton]

43 minutes ago, EricJ said:

Yes, the vents that are more flush may be more desirable for this reason.   That 1" is a lot for taller people, especially during ingress/egress.

Something like this works well and doesn't stick out nearly as much:

https://www.amazon.com/Garneck-Universal-Trailer-Interior-Outlet/dp/B087TG6BWT

 

Yep.  I’ve hit my head on my compass so many times I broke the mount.  I’ve keep those little bullet can lights tucked up snug.  

[Old Chub]

46 minutes ago, EricJ said:

Yes, the vents that are more flush may be more desirable for this reason.   That 1" is a lot for taller people, especially during ingress/egress.

Something like this works well and doesn't stick out nearly as much:

https://www.amazon.com/Garneck-Universal-Trailer-Interior-Outlet/dp/B087TG6BWT

 

This vent would be less flush than the eyeball vent in my design. The threaded part on this vent also extends down quite a ways which means the adapter would also have to be taller... 
 

[EricJ]

1 hour ago, Old Chub said:

This vent would be less flush than the eyeball vent in my design. The threaded part on this vent also extends down quite a ways which means the adapter would also have to be taller... 
 

They're actually not.   The straight part on the end is just to straighten the flow and can be cut off completely.   Plus there are many similar units with varying degrees of "flushness".

I bought some of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q4S8L41

Which shows this, but the entire bottom shown as 1" can be lopped off without any mechanical interference to the vent:

[AH-1 Cobra Pilot]

I have had these in my J-model for some time now, and they are holding up well.  I have made a few of these for other people.  (I should have sanded these more before painting them, but they were a Beta test.)  The eyeball vents came from Aircraft Spruce and are aluminum and plastic.  They are not cheap, but very good quality.  The size and shape of the fixture was made to accommodate these:

I used carbon-fiber infused ABS.  An acetone-based paint sticks really well and actually strengthens the print.  They are attached with the same sized hardware you remove from the old vent covers, so you can put them in place without removing the overhead panel.  I also designed another version with a lip that does have to have the overhead panel removed. 

PM me if you are interested.