ColoradoCloudSurfer78 Posted March 8 Report Posted March 8 (edited) Greetings y'all! I'm working on my "new to me" 1966 C Model that has the PC in the yoke. Since I've got the panel apart for some upgrades, (GNS 530W, KX165, GI106A, KI209, Status ADSB, PS7000M-S) I want to relocate the PC switch to the dash. I have the appropriate valve, have read all the related material, and am confident that I can pull off the relocation. (All of this will be done under supervision of an IA while I finish up my own A&P). My question to you is, once the PC button is taken out of the yoke, how do you remove the housing that it lives in? It is just a press fit and can be pulled out? Is it glued in and requires more "surgical" means of removal? Will I ever be truly finished with everything that I want to do to this aircraft? I'd prefer not to damage the yoke with the removal, so I figured I'd as the boffins at the hive mind to get an answer. I've used the site:mooneyspace.com search method for a couple of hours, but have yet to find a definitive answer about removing the housing the button lives in. Thanks in advance! Edited March 8 by ColoradoCloudSurfer78
Mellow_Mooney Posted March 8 Report Posted March 8 From my experience the button just pops out. It is a separate piece. The housing is part of the cast in place aluminum yoke itself. I’d leave the valve stems as they are in case you ever want to put them back., though you can just clip them. I have mine in the yoke and use it as its intended and love it. Extremely useful.
takair Posted March 8 Report Posted March 8 It pulls out. It can be difficult if it hasn’t been out in a while. For what it’s worth, I too love where it is and how it works. You could add the panel mount as a master cut off, but once you get used to the button it’s nice to have. 3
Bob E Posted March 8 Report Posted March 8 If you're not removing the vacuum system, why on earth would you want to move the PC cutoff button off the yoke? The entire purpose of having the button there is to be able to cut off the automatic wing leveler for a few moments when you're banking. You mentioned that your C is new to you. I'd strongly recommend not trying to relocate the button. I removed the vacuum system on my '65 C several years ago, but before that the PC cutoff button was nice to have. It's located where it is for a reason. 1
JoeM Posted March 8 Report Posted March 8 leave the hole and tubes that feed it. You will need it someday for wires, either for PTT or AP disconnect or something else. 1
Hank Posted March 8 Report Posted March 8 Some people have a panel-mounted disconnect switch that disables the PC, but leaves it available for use when desired. I fly using two Brittain APs, an AccuFlight and AccuTrak. It didn't take me long to stop even pushing the yoke button, as the extra stiffness not only helps with stability but it reminds me to not overland in the pattern. If for some reason I need to make extended turns, the button is right there. Fly your plane for a while before you disable the system. Its a great safety feature. Unless you're putting in a new Autopilot.
DCarlton Posted March 8 Report Posted March 8 I have the yoke button with an additional panel mounted toggle switch. I use both frequently. Both are nice to have. 1
Mellow_Mooney Posted March 8 Report Posted March 8 Just to elaborate on the panel mounted switch some have that also have the button… Essentially what this does is allows you to turn off the system completely so the button is inoperable, but when the panel switch is turned on - the button acts as the cutoff switch. You can do this by teeing off the vacuum hose that runs to the button and installing the switch. I’ve been considering doing this to mine, but I too fly with it on consistently and the switch is not high priority, just a nice-to-have. 1
Hank Posted March 8 Report Posted March 8 Some people have a panel-mounted disconnect switch that disables the PC, but leaves it available for use when desired. I fly using two Brittain APs, an AccuFlight and AccuTrak. It didn't take me long to stop even pushing the yoke button, as the extra stiffness not only helps with stability but it reminds me to not overland in the pattern. If for some reason I need to make extended turns, the button is right there. Fly your plane for a while before you disable the system. Its a great safety feature. Unless you're putting in a new Autopilot.
ColoradoCloudSurfer78 Posted March 9 Author Report Posted March 9 Thanks for all the replies! I went out today and took my clock off to have a look at what I am working with and here is what I came up with. To clarify, I'm not disabling the PC system. Simply relocating the disconnect to a valve on the panel. This switch will also be located right under the throttle, so it'll be easy access should I want to turn it on and off. I need to go get a step drill to widen the hole out so it fits nicer. There was a mic jack in that spot that I will not be using, so it's quite convenient. Also, as it turns out, the nipples for the hoses will work perfectly to guide the wires up to yoke horn where I want I want to put the PTT.
Hank Posted March 9 Report Posted March 9 So you'll turn with both hands, left turning the yoke and right turning the PC off then back on? It's easy to mount a PTT to the yoke using existing clock screws and a piece of sheet metal. It's easy to press the PC cutoff button when desired, just by moving my thumb.
ColoradoCloudSurfer78 Posted March 9 Author Report Posted March 9 Not quite. I’ll only use the PC in cruise. For everything else I’ll be fully hand flying. I really enjoy hand flying. Even the aircraft I fly for work I hand fly as much as possible.
dkkim73 Posted March 9 Report Posted March 9 On 3/7/2026 at 10:22 PM, ColoradoCloudSurfer78 said: Will I ever be truly finished with everything that I want to do to this aircraft? No. Definitely not. Terrible question, even looking at the noodling you've already done the answer is that you have the bug worse than half of Mooneyspace (I am in the same half). I figured I would roll in and answer a question I'm competent to answer... On the PC front, I've always been kind of intrigued by the system. It seems elegant to me from a human factors standpoint. Mooney got a lot of things right; my inclination would be to follow the advice above and try it for a while. You can always install a parallel cutoff (either by vacuum or electronic IIUC) to get the effect you want, but that way it can easily retain the "positive control" function, e.g. if you're IMC in turbulence and in a period of inattention. My 2 cents. I get enjoying hand-flying and would also imagine you have a lot more experience as a professional.
brantv Posted March 13 Report Posted March 13 Hi CCS78, I like the way you think, but I agree with many of the above. I’ve had my M20F for about 4 months, love it. But I also saw a bunch of “improvements” during my prepurchase. The PC system seemed a little gimcky to me initially. I’ve been flying for 40 years and do it for a living. After a few months of flying I have my plane in doing a panel upgrade. (New G5’s, GTX345D for ADS-B in/out, a 345 audio panel, and a used SL30) One of the things on my wish list was an autopilot. But as I reached the 40k mark, I decided to put the A/P off for a year. One of the things that factored into the decision was how stable the plane is and how useful I’ve found the PC. It’s no autopilot to be sure, but if your fiddling with the iPad or talking to your passenger it allows you to occasionally divert your attention. I love it. Sounds like you have it figured out, but for others pondering the PC, I thought I’d throw in my 2 cents. Happy flying! 1
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