PierreZee Posted Saturday at 11:31 PM Report Posted Saturday at 11:31 PM Hello, new Mooney owner here. I have a M20F with an Aspen E5 and a Garmin GNS430. The vacuum system was removed some time ago (and so was the PC system). The pitch trim system is still manual. I'd really like to install an autopilot. I don't necessarily need something to shoot IFR approaches (I'm an VFR pilot). Even a simple wing leveller would be great on long cross-country flight. Does anyone have any suggestions/advice on what I should look for or install? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
LANCECASPER Posted yesterday at 02:45 AM Report Posted yesterday at 02:45 AM 3 hours ago, PierreZee said: Hello, new Mooney owner here. I have a M20F with an Aspen E5 and a Garmin GNS430. The vacuum system was removed some time ago (and so was the PC system). The pitch trim system is still manual. I'd really like to install an autopilot. I don't necessarily need something to shoot IFR approaches (I'm an VFR pilot). Even a simple wing leveller would be great on long cross-country flight. Does anyone have any suggestions/advice on what I should look for or install? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. On an M20F your choice is really limited to a Garmin GFC500. (https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/604257/#additional) Maybe . . . an Aerocruze 100 (https://www.duncanaviation.aero/news/duncan-aviation-has-stc-to-install-bendixking-aerocruze-100-autopilot-in-mooney-m20s)
Ragsf15e Posted yesterday at 03:32 AM Report Posted yesterday at 03:32 AM The simplest gfc500 is going to be pitch and bank (no trim or yaw) but you will still need at least a g5 to run it (and a controller). That or the aerocruze are basically your only options.
jamesm Posted 13 hours ago Report Posted 13 hours ago Something to think about..., which autopilot(Avionics) is going to be supported in the future. The younger Me got really good at picking the wrong Avionic brands to buy either they became obsolete or no longer supported or really hard to find someone to work on it, without costing me more than if I went with Garmin in the first place. Yeah I know people don't like Garmin, I get it. When you start ingratiating different Avionic brands together becomes a real big kludge. that someone going have to pay money and/or time to get it fixed whether be you or the next owner, and finding someone who can work on it if the brand is obsolete can be a bit of a challenge. If the product support is still around and the knowledge is still out there to work on it. Yes, Garmin has it's problems too. I could be wrong.... but there is going to base autopilot installation price that you are going have to pay where it be Garmin, King(Bendix/Honeywell or???) , STEC, Avidyne, Brittian, Dynon, or whoever. So your are going have to pay the base installation price doesn't matter who's the manufacture of the Autopilot is. then come the features you want. In My humble opinion get one that's going to be around and stand best chance in being supported in the future. So you probably don't want to take my (younger me) advice just something to think about. People mock the port-a-pliot (not approved for Mooney) but I like the simplicity concept. https://www.portapilot.com/ Good luck in your search. James '67C 1
icurnmedic Posted 7 hours ago Report Posted 7 hours ago Had a gfc500 in a F model. Worked outstanding. Not sure what you need to run it though. I had a g3x and a 275 and the 650. Not sure which one “runs” it though. 1
Ragsf15e Posted 6 hours ago Report Posted 6 hours ago As a minimum, you need a g5 or gi275 or g3x (or maybe a g500) to act as the brains. With the aspen the op already has, this can get complicated.
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