adrian Posted February 20, 2013 Report Posted February 20, 2013 Not quite finished, but getting there. Before and after pics: It will be going to Europe, hence the antique ADF, which will soon be joined by an almost equally antique DME. Waste of time, never to be used, but will keep the Euro-bureaucrats happy. Hopefully one day there'll be a proper autopilot too, but that will have to wait a little longer. Actually the title should read "total restoration" rather than "panel upgrade". Newly sealed tanks, long-range fuel, alternator in place of generator, lightweight starter, new everything under the cowling except the engine itself, new suspension rings, new seats, new interior panels being fitted, soundproofing, carpets..... hopefully this 47 year old airplane is going to have a new lease of life as an unbeatably efficient machine for travelling around Europe, topping off the tanks only when I fly near one of the few low-tax countries! 1 Quote
KSMooniac Posted February 20, 2013 Report Posted February 20, 2013 Wow. Nicely done! Are you relocating to Europe, or just going on an extended trip? Are you going to ferry it over there yourself? Quote
Rwsavory Posted February 20, 2013 Report Posted February 20, 2013 Very nice. More pictures would be welcome Quote
adrian Posted February 20, 2013 Author Report Posted February 20, 2013 I from the UK, live in France mostly, but work in America. Over here I have access to a Cirrus, but back home nothing - so the Mooney will live in the South of France. I will fly it there with a very experienced ferry pilot friend and former Mooney owner. I'll post some more interior pictures when the interior is finished. Meanwhile, here's an exterior shot from a few minutes ago after some engine runs and taxi tests: Quote
teethdoc Posted February 20, 2013 Report Posted February 20, 2013 You should have saved a little more so you could really put some electronics in it. Quote
Oscar Avalle Posted February 20, 2013 Report Posted February 20, 2013 Really nice! What route are you planning to take? Are you installing a ferry tank? When are you planning to fly her down... Quote
adrian Posted February 20, 2013 Author Report Posted February 20, 2013 Won't need a ferry tank. It has 88 gallons of fuel, which should give it about a 1200nm range at 150kt. We'll fly via Greenland and Iceland - hopefully spending a couple of days to visit some of the towns in Greenland, weather permitting. You can fly to Europe on that route with legs no longer than 500nm - just a series of comfortable 3 to 4 hour flights. The plan is to put about 50 hours on it in the US first, as it has had a lot of work done to it and I want to to make sure all of the post-restoration bugs are ironed out. Hopefully get it to Europe by early summer. Quote
Oscar Avalle Posted February 21, 2013 Report Posted February 21, 2013 Sounds like a great plan! I am asking this because there may be a chance that I have to move to Europe too and of course I would like to take my M20C with me. However, I will need to install a ferry tank (only 52 gal). Oscar Quote
PilotDerek Posted February 21, 2013 Report Posted February 21, 2013 Great panel! I love how you arranged the panel. You gave me more ideas for my panel upgrade.any chance you have the old panel covers still? I may be interested in taking them off your hands. Quote
KSMooniac Posted February 21, 2013 Report Posted February 21, 2013 Sounds like a great plan and adventure! I'm not sure I'd ever do it, but I am intrigued with the idea. I want to fly to Alaska first, though. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted February 23, 2013 Report Posted February 23, 2013 Nice. REALLY nice. I'm going to buy some Garmin stock... Quote
Marauder Posted February 23, 2013 Report Posted February 23, 2013 Nice. REALLY nice. I'm going to buy some Garmin stock... Time to buy was when they went public. They are actually not doing too well as compared to their recent past. Competition from other consumer based GPS vendors and the smart phones has begun eating away at their market shares. But they said Apple was dying at one time too... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote
adrian Posted February 27, 2013 Author Report Posted February 27, 2013 First flight this afternoon, after a long, long restoration. What a fantastic, fun machine! The wing leveler doesn't do a whole lot, the prop RPM control needs to be adjusted (can overspeed in cruise at the moment), and the Aspen system will take some getting used to (I wish I'd kept an old fashioned VSI and slip ball....). But the performance is fantastic! Oh, and an M20E without carpets or soundproofing is brutally loud - but that should be fixed in a day or two! Can't wait to fly it more. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.