Avionics Question

[tomn]

I am thinking about reworking the left panel on my 66 E. It has the original instrument layout with primary instruments not next to one another and I'd like to change it to the conventional layout. My question: is this something that I can do with the supervison/signoff of an AP or IA?

[danb35]

Yes, it is.  Talk with your preferred mechanic before you do the work to see what he's going to want as far as documentation, inspection, etc.  I have a .dxf file of the left-side panel for my '67F if it would help--I had it cut on a water jet cutter from .090 sheet Al.  It ended up being a pretty big job, but I'm happy with how it came out.

 

My mechanic treated it as a minor alteration, so all it took was a log entry.  If yours thinks it's a major alteration (and thus, needs a 337 and field approval), either find another mechanic or see how he'd go about getting that field approval.

[Marauder]

I am thinking about reworking the left panel on my 66 E. It has the original instrument layout with primary instruments not next to one another and I'd like to change it to the conventional layout. My question: is this something that I can do with the supervison/signoff of an AP or IA?

Tom -- I did a lot of work on my plane and found that if your IA is willing to sign off on your workmanship, the actual work can be done by you. Some mechanics are more open to it than others. Considering your background, if I were your mechanic, I would welcome it with open arms! There are a number of IAs who outsource speciality stuff.

[Jerry 5TJ]

I am also in mid-panel revision with my "C" and have a question about structure - the pilot's side panel floats on several rubber mounts, so replacing that sheet of metal 'clearly' does not alter the structure. 

 

The copilot's panel is connected to the airframe and removing it might - stress on might - be a structural alteration.   I could just replace the copilot side panel with a similar shaped piece of aluminum and retain the same mechanical attachments.  Or I could float a new panel above the altered original. 

 

Does anyone have suggestions on how they have dealt with changes to the right side panel in a vintage Mooney?

 

 

 

 

[captainglen]

As an A&P and avionic mechanic I would have no problem signing off a panel mod that does not require wiring changes with only a minor inspection. Of course any addition of equipment or changes to the basic wiring will require both servicable tags and a 337 asuming the equipment is TSO. If equipment is not TSO a STC must be files as justification to install the equipment. Under these circumstances would perform fairly extensive inspection of pilot accomplished work along with opperational testing, compliance to MFG install manual (many can be obtained On-Line) and compliance to AC-43-13 standard practices with regard to bundeling, routing and clamping of wires..

[Marauder]

I am also in mid-panel revision with my "C" and have a question about structure - the pilot's side panel floats on several rubber mounts, so replacing that sheet of metal 'clearly' does not alter the structure.

The copilot's panel is connected to the airframe and removing it might - stress on might - be a structural alteration. I could just replace the copilot side panel with a similar shaped piece of aluminum and retain the same mechanical attachments. Or I could float a new panel above the altered original.

Does anyone have suggestions on how they have dealt with changes to the right side panel in a vintage Mooney?

Jerry -- my F is a bit different than my your C but I had my right side rebuilt. My mechanic did the work and I had it done for a couple of reasons. The first is that the radio stack brackets were heavily modified over the years and had weakened. He rebuilt the structure behind the panel. In additon, I had the right side completely rebuilt to clean up the holes and to allow for electronic replacement gauges to go in on the right side and to have another row of breakers installed to clean up a bunch of inline fuses that were installed by various shops over the years.

Here are pictures of the before, during and after.

This is still an interim state. I will have the left side rebuilt next year and have it cleaned up as well. I will probably have the entire panel repainted to a more modern color as well.

[N601RX]

Another thing to condsider on the older models is that the structure behind the rubber mounts is at about a 25 deg angle when in level flight. If you cut a flat piece of auminum and mount with the rubber spacers, you will not be able to adjust your AI for level flight without sending it off and having the internal panel angle changed. Alternately you can space the top of the panel out enough to compensate for this, but you will have to use a triangular shaped filler strip beside the radio stack to fill up the gap.

[Alan Fox]

I am also in mid-panel revision with my "C" and have a question about structure - the pilot's side panel floats on several rubber mounts, so replacing that sheet of metal 'clearly' does not alter the structure. 

 

The copilot's panel is connected to the airframe and removing it might - stress on might - be a structural alteration.   I could just replace the copilot side panel with a similar shaped piece of aluminum and retain the same mechanical attachments.  Or I could float a new panel above the altered original. 

 

Does anyone have suggestions on how they have dealt with changes to the right side panel in a vintage Mooney?

No part of any mooney panel is structural....The roll cage is the structure ....which is what the panel is fastened to...

[tomn]

Thanks for the responses. I can install a new left panel that has the same angle bend as the original so it would not affect the AI. I don't anticipate any serious wring changes at this point but will look much deeper into it before starting. My right panel is OK for now, I just want to get the instruments on the left side arranged correctly - my scan pattern is ridiculous...

Dan, could you go ahead and email me the .dxf - I'll see if it matches what I have now. tnalle@nalleautomation.com

Tom

[M20F-1968]

I have some panels left over from my rebuild if any of they prove to be helpful.  My project took sufficiently long enough

that the avionics in my panel changed several times before the plane was completed.  Mine is an F model.  These panels can be attached to the existing structure by brackets.  In my case, I altered the plane with an instrument panel bow with

proper approvals and a 337.  If interested, you can call me at (617) 877-0025 or e-mail me at johnabreda@yahoo.com

I included pictures of the steam gauge version, and then the Garmin 600 version of the pilot's panel.

 

Thanks,

John Breda

[Bob_Belville]

'66 E before during and after.

[orionflt]

I am also in mid-panel revision with my "C" and have a question about structure - the pilot's side panel floats on several rubber mounts, so replacing that sheet of metal 'clearly' does not alter the structure. 

 

The copilot's panel is connected to the airframe and removing it might - stress on might - be a structural alteration.   I could just replace the copilot side panel with a similar shaped piece of aluminum and retain the same mechanical attachments.  Or I could float a new panel above the altered original. 

 

Does anyone have suggestions on how they have dealt with changes to the right side panel in a vintage Mooney?

Jerry,

the co-pilots panel is mounted to the structure but is not a structural component, that being said it is also the frame that the pilots panel is attached to and the radio stack is mounted in. when i re-did my first panel i just created an overlay panel. on my latest project I replaced the complete panel. 

 

Brian

[tomn]

John, thanks for the offer for the panels. Those would not fit my E without some serious work - not going that far with it at this point, Tom