Garmin Yaw Damper - Weight & CG Implications

[Ragsf15e]

Do Mooney’s wag their tail much? No. Is it noticeable, yes.  Surprisingly noticeable and steadying.  In the PA46 I fly it’s damn near Required equipment and that’s a “straight tail single” too.

[Oscar Avalle]

On 9/14/2025 at 4:10 PM, LANCECASPER said:

This is one of those rare cases on a Mooney where the lightweight Earth X battery might make enough difference to make it worthwhile.

yes. I did it and it helped

[47U]

On 9/14/2025 at 7:56 AM, oisiaa said:

Yes, my battery was moved to the tail.

If the aircraft has aft cg issues, why was the battery moved to the tail?  What is the empty weight arm?  My C is at 43.95”.  With my 3-blade McCauley, battery on the firewall, starter, and generator, I’m forward cg challenged with the front seats filled.  I have to add weight to the baggage compartment.  A ‘65 C on the ramp is moving his battery aft to rectify forward cg issues (also has a 3-blade prop).

As @Scooter and @Z W suggested, a review of the wt & bal history may be beneficial.  I found numerous errors when I reviewed mine.

If you have the amu’s, go for the yaw damper (dampener?).  As @donkaye, MCFI says, 1.4 lbs isn’t much.  Offset that with a lightweight battery. 

[oisiaa]

5 minutes ago, 47U said:

If the aircraft has aft cg issues, why was the battery moved to the tail?  What is the empty weight arm?  My C is at 43.95”.  With my 3-blade McCauley, battery on the firewall, starter, and generator, I’m forward cg challenged with the front seats filled.  I have to add weight to the baggage compartment.  A ‘65 C on the ramp is moving his battery aft to rectify forward cg issues (also has a 3-blade prop).

As @Scooter and @Z W suggested, a review of the wt & bal history may be beneficial.  I found numerous errors when I reviewed mine.

If you have the amu’s, go for the yaw damper (dampener?).  As @donkaye, MCFI says, 1.4 lbs isn’t much.  Offset that with a lightweight battery. 

The previous owners were chasing speed. It isn't a huge problem, but a lightweight battery would help with not having to think about CG too much.

[47U]

15 minutes ago, oisiaa said:

The previous owners were chasing speed.

Can’t blame them for that…

[Jackk]

On 9/15/2025 at 2:57 PM, Pinecone said:

Until you have it.

I remember a flight in a friend's Cherokee 180D.  I was flying from the right seat.  He started muttering and cussing under his breath.   I asked him what was wrong.  He commented that I flew his airplane almost 4 knots faster on the same power setting.  I am glider, tailwheel and helicopter trained and certified.  I use the rudders.

 

Bingo in the second half 

 I’ve flown all sorts of stuff, some with it some without it, it’s just about being a master of the plane when it comes to these light low power straight winged singles, I mean we could also install auto brakes and antiskid system, but why? 
 

 One of my planes the last owner installed aileron trim, he did this because he didn’t know how to balance fuel and would get a heavy wing.

For me to fix this I’d need to pull wires, remove switches and servos and reskin a aileron to make it right, I’ll get around to it, but for me it’s just extra drag, weight and complexity all for what looks to me to be the equivalent look of having training wheels, just because this dude couldn’t manage the aircraft 

 

 

 like you said, use your feet, use trim and it’s no factor 

Edited Tuesday at 07:08 PM by Jackk

[Pinecone]

18 hours ago, Jackk said:

Bingo in the second half 

 I’ve flown all sorts of stuff, some with it some without it, it’s just about being a master of the plane when it comes to these light low power straight winged singles, I mean we could also install auto brakes and antiskid system, but why? 

 like you said, use your feet, use trim and it’s no factor 

Why not install it?

Saves having to dance for 5 hours in cruise.