omega708 Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Took the plunge and scheduled a partial panel upgrade. We're leaving for vacation on Friday, so I'm dropping the plane off on Thursday. On the docket is the replacement of my shotgun panel with a standard 6 pack, a new PS-Engineering 8000B in place of the OLD Narco audio panel... And the big one: the removal of my Apollo 2001 GPS, Apollo 360 Slaved Map, and my TKM Mx11 primary comm, to be replaced with a shiny new Garmin GTN-650 and a GI-106a. While the panel work is going on, Aero Comfort is wrapping the yokes and installing PTT on each as well. I also have the avionics shop pulling my inop ADF and installing a new Davtron Chronometer/OAT/Voltage gauge. I'll post before and after pictures after the work is complete, which should be complete by 9/28. Pretty darn excited. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobat95 Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 That's awesome! I have started getting parts for my upgrade. I can't wait to see the before and after. You are going to love the leather wrapped yokes. How much they charging you? I got the full works, mooney logo x2, ptt x2, and had the old clock removed and a plate installed in its place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevesm20b Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 I'm interested in seeing pictures. I'm planning a similar panel upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega708 Posted September 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 That's awesome! I have started getting parts for my upgrade. I can't wait to see the before and after. You are going to love the leather wrapped yokes. How much they charging you? I got the full works, mooney logo x2, ptt x2, and had the old clock removed and a plate installed in its place. I'm expecting the final $ figure on the yokes on Monday, but am having the exact same thing done that you had done. Once everything is complete, I'll share the experience and the cost as well... I currently have a Velcro PTT, and the previous owner installed a tennis racket grip on the left side of the pilot yoke. Looking forward to bidding both of those farewell. The PTT on the copilot side will be nice as well since I occasionally fly with other pilots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega708 Posted September 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 I'm interested in seeing pictures. I'm planning a similar panel upgrade. I'm going to the hangar tomorrow morning to snap some before pictures and I'll post the after pics as soon as I get her home from the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega708 Posted September 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 Before picture.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobat95 Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 You are going to love the standard panel and the leather wrapped yokes. Who is cutting your panel? I like the work Hendricks does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega708 Posted September 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 You are going to love the standard panel and the leather wrapped yokes. Who is cutting your panel? I like the work Hendricks does. Yeah, the instrument scan will be much better with a standard layout. I'm using McKee Avionics in San Marcos, they came highly recommended by SWTA and I've read some positive pireps on this forum as well. Thus far they've been very pleasant to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega708 Posted September 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Dropped the plane off about 5 PM yesterday. It has begun.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega708 Posted September 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2012 Small picture with the panel mostly stripped out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega708 Posted September 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2012 Jax88 was kind enough to snap this picture when he recognized my Mooney on a recent trip to the Avionics shop... They were pre-fitting the pilot panel before sending it off for paint and silk screening. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega708 Posted September 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Aero comfort sent some before and after pictures of my control wheels... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevesm20b Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobat95 Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 If you think you like how they look just wait till you get to feel them......very nice!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantom Posted September 27, 2012 Report Share Posted September 27, 2012 I prefer the "after" photo They do superb work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega708 Posted October 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 N9638M will return to service later this week... A few minor delays have pushed the completion date back. Avionics shop had to return the Nulites and use a different product because Nulite has apparently changed their design slightly and they take up a little too much room in my tight panel. Ended up using these instead... http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/umabezellight.php?clickkey=13558 Pictures to follow in the next few days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega708 Posted October 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Finally picking N9638M up from the shop tomorrow. Between back-ordered instrument lights and a defective DG, the upgrade ended up taking an additional 2 weeks. Stay tuned for updated panel pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega708 Posted October 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 First picture of the new panel. I'll post more pictures later with everything on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 That looks decades newer... -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevesm20b Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega708 Posted October 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Two more pictures. I'll have to go back at night so you can appreciate the effectiveness of the instrument ring lights... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevesm20b Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Great looking panel! Can't wait till I can get mine done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefanovm Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 That is great! I would like to start saving for mine. I am 30 miles south. Who did your work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyPilot Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 Looks nice! I just did stage 1 of a planned 4 stage upgrade. (Trying to pay cash and avoid over-extending). I took out an old Narco comm selector from the right side panel. Previously I had taken out an old tube ADF in the middle stack and an even older NARCO 12 tube nav comm from the right side. We removed some crazy intercom system and the 3 marker beacon lights from the left side also. Stage 2 will be pilot side panel upgrade to a nice 8 pack similar to yours and then Stage 3 pulling everything out of the right side and putting in a JPI EDM 930. Stage 4 will happen when the KX155 croaks and then I'll put in either a Garmin 530 or better as long as it fits. The 60's woodgrain is going and painted panels will be the new look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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