New panel - 65 M20C

[DGates]

New panel in my M20C.  Did it as a DIY project, took me anout 2 weeks.  Cut the panel myself from a CAD file supplied by a Mooney list member (thanks!) using my home made CNC that I built from a kit (see www.finelineautomation.com, I built the FLA-100).  I used Nulites to improve the instrument lighting.  The empty hole is for the new Garmin CDI that is hooked up to the new GTN650. 

The last photo shows the GTN650 install.  Not sure if I am going to leave it at the bottom like that -- not sure why the shop did it like that.  The Airgizmo is going on top of the audio panel, at least for now.

Can't wait to fly behind it, I ferried the plane to the avionics shop right before I left on an extended overseas trip (I am in Dubai) in late June. 

Next up is working the right side panel.  JPI830 maybe? Auricle? I want to eliminate the old cluster gages alltogether.  Also, will probably go with a GDL-88 when it becomes available to implement a full ADS-B in/out installation -- had the shop pre-wire for it, it will go in behind the Airgizmo (maybe). 

I *really* ought to get her a new paint job one of these days, too.

[danb35]

Looks nice!  Usually in the 6-pack I see the T&B/turn coordinator below the ASI, and the VSI below the altimeter--was there a particular reason you arranged them as you did?

[DGates]

Honestly I did not think about it at the time, it just seemed to be the "right" place for it to go.  I dunno...  I am right handed, and in a partial panel situation the turn&bank is going to be a big part of my IFR scan.  Airspeed for pitch, backed up with altitude, and the T&B for roll. 

Maybe I will switch it around.  I am planning to get a turn coordinator anyway.  One side benefit from doing this yourself is that you are *totally* no longer afraid to R&R the panel, because in the process of doing this mod you end up R&R'ing it at least 20 times!

 

- Don

 

[Gilt]

Don't forget to send out your ADI and change the tilt ( panel tilt is 15 degrees ). My panel was done before I bought it and the ADI kept messing up. Sigma tec can put 10 degrees on it and RCallen 12 degrees, so I put in a RCallen with the 12 degrees and shimed it till level. 

[DGates]

Turned out that the panel tilt was almost identical to the original panel.

[Oscar Avalle]

If you upgrade to a JPI 830 just make sure that you have CHT K probes and not J Probes. But great work, very nice panel