M20F autopilot, seeking advice

[PierreZee]

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]

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]

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]

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money and/or time to get it fixed whether be you or the next owner, and finding someone who can work on it if the brand is obsolete can be a bit of a challenge.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

[icurnmedic]

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. 

[Ragsf15e]

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.

[LANCECASPER]

On 9/6/2025 at 6:31 PM, 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.

Hindsight being 20/20, this is one of the reasons why when you buy an airplane you are so much better off buying an one where someone else has paid for the upgrades. They will get only part of their upgrade cost back when they sell and if you include a thorough avionics pre-buy you'll get an airplane where all of the upgrade glitches have been worked out.

What you're looking for is the owner who did everything he could possibly think of to upgrade the airplane and has now run out of things to do, so now it's time to sell. (Like me for example on the last couple airplanes I had before this one . . . lol)

[Jake@BevanAviation]

Will need to replace the Aspen with a G5, GI275, or G3x system for the GFC500 autopilot.  If you are wanting to keep the Aspen your choices drop down to Aerocruze 100, S-Tec 55x/3100.  Also, is the navigator a GNS430W? You might have some limitations if the GPS navigator is not WAAS.  

[mikey757]

This '96 MSE that has been on controller.com has an Aspen, one GI275 next to it, and the GFC500 autopilot. How were they able to do that? I also have an interest in this.

https://www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/245297647/1996-mooney-m20j-mse-piston-single-aircraft

[Paul Thomas]

13 minutes ago, mikey757 said:

This '96 MSE that has been on controller.com has an Aspen, one GI275 next to it, and the GFC500 autopilot. How were they able to do that? I also have an interest in this.

https://www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/245297647/1996-mooney-m20j-mse-piston-single-aircraft

The GI275 can control the GCF500.

[Nico1]

People that have an Aspen and GFC500 will have either a G5 or a GI275 to control the AP. So you can either install a G5/275 that will control the AP and keep the aspen. Or get rid of the Aspen and go for 2x G5 or 275s. 

[LANCECASPER]

On 9/9/2025 at 4:57 AM, mikey757 said:

This '96 MSE that has been on controller.com has an Aspen, one GI275 next to it, and the GFC500 autopilot. How were they able to do that? I also have an interest in this.

https://www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/245297647/1996-mooney-m20j-mse-piston-single-aircraft

The ad says JUST SOLD.

[PierreZee]

Thank you all for your inputs, it is really appreciated.

I would really like to retain the Aspen so I've narrowed it down to 2 candidates: the Aerocruze 100 and the S-Tec 55X.

The S-Tec is compatible with the Aspen and on their website they have an STC listed for the M20F. Their form factor is really not compatible with my panel unless I do major rearrangements.

The Aerocruze, along with a rectangular format, also has round form factors (2 1/4", 3 1/8") which would fit nicely in my panel. When I look up their approved aircraft list, they list many Mooney models in alphabetical order up to the M20E and then they jump to the M20G.  Strange since the E and the F are very similar with the F being the long body. How strict are these approval lists, can you install one an "E" kit on an "F"?

Did I miss any options?

Any comments or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Pinecone]

Shop at a my field is installing one in a F.  The shop contacts the company and they issue a Letter of Authorization to install in THAT aircraft.   Later, it would be covered by the updated AML for the STC.

[McMooney]

im getting the Aerocruze 100 for my m20e,  gfc500 is nice just don't want to spend 10amu more

[larryb]

Last year I had a GFC 500 installed in my plane which already had the Aspen 2500. I had a GI275 installed to control it. The Aspen system and the autopilot systems are completely independent. That means flight director shows on the 275 and not the Aspen. Altimeter must be set in both.