Convert a modern Mooney to a vintage panel?

[DaV8or]

Sounds crazy I know, but I got a ride in a 201 today to pick up my plane from LASAR. The 201 is a great plane and I do think it's faster than mine, but man, I think I really prefer my vintage Mooney's panel to the 201 panel.

 

Yeah, there's lots of space to stuff gadgets in a 201 panel, but I really like to see out of the plane. Until you spend some time in a vintage Mooney and then go to the 201 and later panel, you really don't realize what you're missing.

 

With today's avionics getting more and more multifunction and condensed, do we really need the acreage of the 201 panel anymore? I wonder, might there be someone crazy enough in the future to convert a modern Mooney to have a panel the size and profile of the vintage Mooney? I might, what about you?

[Bob_Belville]

I guess you are talking about the panel height. How much higher is the 201 panel? My E has a modern panel now and it is pretty high for a short pilot like me but I don't remember what my old E was like.

[1964-M20E]

I guess we need to get some measurements form different folks on the board.  Once we have a few people chime in we can really find out how much more or less visibility you have in the different models.

 

Make  two measurements:

1. Cockpit floor to top of the panel or sun shade at the far left side of the panel
2. Cockpit floor to top of the panel or sun shade at the center of the airplane
3. State year and panel style.

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

I would urge you to think about resale before attempting such modifications

[carusoam]

My panel is as tall as my engine....

If I were to lower my panel, I would be looking at the backside of an IO550...

Which isn't bad as far as backsides go!

Best regards,

-a-

[Marauder]

If you are vertically challenged, it would be a whole lot easier to just sit on a pillow. Jim

Man! I just hate these kind of guys! Using common sense!

[Skywarrior]

If you hate the height of a 201's panel, don't even get into a Bravo...

 

http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/image/30291-/

 

[stevesm20b]

I would trade you panels.

[Jerry 5TJ]

I have a MK12A with good tubes and remote vibrator power supply, a King KN60 analog gauge DME, a Narco Omnigator MK II,  a Bendix T-12 ADF and a Willmar audio panel you can have to complete that vintage look.

[Hank]

I would urge you to think about resale before attempting such modifications

 

Sometimes you have to consider function and use during your ownership, rather than concentrating on the negative return when you eventually sell one year or another . . . or else nobody would buy a plane, and those of us who do would never update, change or replace anything that wasn't broken.

[PMcClure]

I think the O3 has a panel 2" shorter than the O2. Not sure how that compares to the 201?

[DaV8or]

 

I guess we need to get some measurements form different folks on the board.  Once we have a few people chime in we can really find out how much more or less visibility you have in the different models.

 

Make  two measurements:

1. Cockpit floor to top of the panel or sun shade at the far left side of the panel
2. Cockpit floor to top of the panel or sun shade at the center of the airplane
3. State year and panel style.

 

 

I'll save you the bother. It's about 2-2 1/2" higher than the vintage panel from my vernier eyeball. Doesn't sound like much, but given that we sit so close to the ground, it really makes a difference. I see that you are a former E owner and now an F owner. Go sit in a modern Mooney and you'll see what I mean. It's not really an analysis that can be made by numbers alone.

[DaV8or]

 

If you hate the height of a 201's panel, don't even get into a Bravo...

 

 

 

 

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. Are we flying an airplane, or managing a nuclear power plant? Today's avionics are making it possible to downsize. Seeing out the window is a good thing. Looking out is even better.

[1964-M20E]

I'll save you the bother. It's about 2-2 1/2" higher than the vintage panel from my vernier eyeball. Doesn't sound like much, but given that we sit so close to the ground, it really makes a difference. I see that you are a former E owner and now an F owner. Go sit in a modern Mooney and you'll see what I mean. It's not really an analysis that can be made by numbers alone.

I'll buy that the top of my panel is even with the top of the cowl and It does make for a nice view.

I can rember as a young teenager flying in Cessna's adn all I rember seeing the front was the panel.