Hi everyone. I have a M20F Mooney 1967 and I’m trying to have my instrument panel changed to the standard configuration but the lame doing it says it cant be done without an engineering certificate. Am I able to buy a 201 panel certified to fit my M20F that I can have fitted in Australia that will house the 8 main instruments (ASI, T&B, AI, DG, ALT, VSI, VOR and ADF)

Any info, much appreciated.

Thanks

This sounds like a very expensive way to end up with an old style panel. Have you considered installing an Aspen and a Garmin 430 or similar. I think you will need a CAR35 Engineering Order (have I got the terminology correct anyone). How about posting a picture of your panel now.

Geoff
NWF (she's away being refeathered)

I operate Mooney M 20F WTA which arrived in australia new in feb 1967 but i believe was manufactured late 66
Whilst i have got used to the non standard panel for IFR ,I have been having discussions with Range Avionics Toowoomba as to upgrading the panel to fit a Tso GPS & Auto pilot
they will cut new panels to suit most aircraft & instrument configuration (they have some new computerised equipment that just cuts the panel to order
Malcolm Alcorn
M 20F VH WTA

Geoff,

I think you may have misunderstood what I am doing. I currently have the original M20F panel, but I want to update it so I can have what is currently considered normal. I would like the 8 main instruments in front of me instead of 7 of them in the random mooney configuration and one instrument in front of the co-pilot.

I think Mac. Alcorn has the right idea, I'll check that option, Thanks

Stuart,

I have just had my M20K stripped and a glass panel installed by Complete Avionics at the Gold Coast. They also have a machine whichc takes its info from an CAD programme and cuts the panel according to the plan. From memory the new panel was about $1200. Pity the whole job didnt just cost that much...

Hi Stuart,
I have a late C model with the updated panel fitted as standard from the Mooney factory. If you were to obtain the panel from a wrecked Mooney (there are a few available) either C E or F you should not need an EO as it was standard equipment. Mine is covered with vinyl which can be untidy after a many years but you could have it powder coated and would look a million dollars. Rorganising the instruments could be expensive as you may have to redo a lot of the wiring - fun stuff.

Alternatively Lasar Parts used to sell an updated panel but I just checked their website and it is not listed now.

G’day Stuart,

The old early model panel update. If it were only as simple as cutting a new panel I would have done it ages ago.

My M20E was updated with a new Garmin 430 GPS (then to a Garmin 430W), a Garmin 340 audio panel and a new CDI some time ago. EO required some new racks bundles of new loom and a few provisions for an autopilot at a later stage.

The S-TEC 30 autopilot was installed recently under the STC. It required moving a few instruments to different locations but did not require any significant change to the systems other than the basic autopilot installation. As a result I have a dog ugly panel which is functional enough and a very nice autopilot attached to some very useful avionics.

So if you want to do any significant avionics update at some point it will require probably require an EO. In the US the LASAR panel mentioned elsewhere in this thread is installed under the FAA Form 337 system – the nearest Australian equivalent is an EO.

The issue with original Mooney vintage 1966 panel is that there is about an 8o bend in the panel about halfway down. A new flat panel would bolt straight onto the existing mounts but would not be level. The gyro instruments need to be level, especially the attitude indicator for obvious reasons. This would require some stand-offs at the top to level the panel and a cover down the radio stack side of the new panel if just a “pilot side” panel was installed.

At the moment I have a nearly complete AutoCAD file of an 8 hole, pilot side panel which can be used to mill, or laser cut a new panel out of a sheet of 2024-T3 aluminium. The position of the mounting holes and the Bendix ignition switch needs to be determined before it is ready to go to the machinists. The AutoCAD file is otherwise complete.

Also I have a fitter who is going to turn the standoffs and shock mount collar supports out of some ½” 2024-T3 rod provided I supply sufficient quantity of amber fluid. Technically the instrument panel isn’t structural and could be made out of anything but I’ll settle for aircraft grade aluminium just the same. Aircraft grade material would probably need to be stated in an EO.

The other consideration is the depth of the instruments because there is a likelihood that some material will be in the way. The panel does “bounce” up and down a fair way on the rubber shock mounts so plenty of clearance is needed. Then there is the re-plumbing associated with the vacuum, pitot and static air lines to the instruments in their new location.

There are kits that allow a M20J panel to go into an early model C, E, F or G and from memory were about US$5000+ the last time I looked plus about 70 hours to install and definately require an EO. After doing the sums (at $85 to $95 an hour for 70 hours) plus the kit cost I thought the ugly panel had a bit of charm.

Regards, Paul

PS. Ugly panel photos are available on request.

I am not aware of how ugly the panels are or how they could be cleaned up. I recently have had quotes of $17k to supply & install an Aspen 1000PRO http://www.aspenavionics.com/index.php/ ... fd1000-pro use one of these and remove an instrument or two. Note that the Aspen fits into holes where existing instrument are located. Hook it into a Garmin 430 with a similar audio panel and you have an IFR glass cockpit, albeit not so pretty as MK's, nor as functional, but I have not got enogh in my budget for that. A glass cockpit is not everones likings but it is simple and very cheap compared to most alternatives, I have the installation of the Aspen in next years budget, that is if I have a good year financially, I need a few contracts like those delivering to schools under the Fed Gov Stimulus package with some of those nice margins and undersupervision.

Geoff
NWF

I have now had everything relocated with looms extended, tubings extended and everything ready to be located as I would want. So if anyone has, or knows of a 201 panel and is interested in selling, I would love to hear from you