New Panel for Mooney

[1000 HP]

I'd like to clean up my panel, modernize it a little and get rid of the fake wood-grain plastic. It's a 1967 Mooney M20F with electric gear. I'm not planning to spend a bunch on radios just adding one KX155 Navcom and an update to the comm selector. I might consider a modern engine monitoring instrument that can eliminate a few other instruments. I need a shop that has done this before and can give me a quote not an estimate.

I'd like to do this in Canada if possible and somewhere between the Winnipeg to Vancouver area.

Thanks,
1000 HP

[Colonel Sanders]

I think you will find the price for this to be jaw-dropping.

Try these people:

http://www.mooneymart.com/modifications/index.php

[azimuthaviation]

Modernize it with a 30 year old radio? Theres better stuff out there that a KX155, why do you have your eyes on one of those 4000 dollar dinosaurs?

[1000 HP]

Modernize it with a 30 year old radio? Theres better stuff out there that a KX155, why do you have your eyes on one of those 4000 dollar dinosaurs?

Actually, because I have one, and they work good. Another one as backup is good and required to fly IFR. Plus they only cost $2300 overhauled/tagged. (With a tray). I'm more interested in fixing up the panel instrument set-up that is not super-functional for scan than replacing a perfectly functioning radio.

And the next question that will be asked is why not upgrade to a more modern/newer Mooney? I hardly fly this one. Plus the banks just don't want to lend money out for airplanes right now. Once you buy it, just try to sell it. I put mine up for sale, not caring if it sells. Just to see. Definitely not a "liquid" asset.

[Colonel Sanders]

Actually a G430 and a KX155 (possibly both used)
would make a nice pair of radios for a Mooney.

[Big Pistons Forever]

Actually a G430 and a KX155 (possibly both used)
would make a nice pair of radios for a Mooney.

+1. The cost of an install of one radio will likely be close to the same as the cost of a used KX 155.
With good used Garmin GNS 430,s available for $ 4000, you should consider the upgrade.

[1000 HP]

I might have just enough room for the Garmin. I've got a King GPS that works just fine. And the KX155 is nice with the ILS. I just lost about 20 pounds of empty weight taking out 2 tube radios...

[azimuthaviation]

Put the 430W in place of the second KX155 and King GPS you might even gain an inch on your stack.

Plus with a 430 youll get WAAS, moving map and approach capable GPS of which your King probably has neither. Since you might get an engine analyzer you can interface that to your GPS as well, and still have a few GPS data lines left over, one can go to your ELT, one can be an output to a tracking software so you can map out your flights...

[1000 HP]

I've used the 430W and 530. Excellent stuff. I'm starting to like the idea. I have heard that the older ones are no longer serviced by garmin. I'm assuming the radio shops around can still service them. Although pulling out a perfectly good King GPS seems a bit crazy, at least with the garmins, you get a second radio built in. Really frees up the panel. I'll have to do some pricing. The 530's seem to be very high still. After using the 530, a 430 just isn't as nice. Either one is better than what I have. If anybody has any leads on a good place to buy excellent used equipment, please send 'em my way

[1000 HP]

Ha! Got side-tracked. Even though the airplane is up for sale, I'm putting a JPI 930 in the right panel. That will free up a lot of space. Looking at it, now I have to pull out the push button 8 track style com selector and put in a Garmin 340. Not sure but the JPI has an OAT display so I might gain .25 of a knot by removing my old mechanical one. This might not end

[CID]

KX-155s can still be fixed by pretty much any radio shop. Garmin...not so much. As the older ones become obsolete Garmin can stop supporting them. In my experience, a KX-155 is more reliable and works better as a COM/VOR/ILS than the 430/530. Yes, they are old but when you get into the Garmin stuff it's like turning a page on how your avionics are serviced.

[burhead1]

Nice setup http://www.controller.com/listingsdetai ... 255581.htm

[1000 HP]

KX-155s can still be fixed by pretty much any radio shop. Garmin...not so much. As the older ones become obsolete Garmin can stop supporting them. In my experience, a KX-155 is more reliable and works better as a COM/VOR/ILS than the 430/530. Yes, they are old but when you get into the Garmin stuff it's like turning a page on how your avionics are serviced.

I gotta agree. I've used the 430 & 530 extensively, and although I have experienced zero service difficulties, if and when I do, the repairs will for now stay as my employers problem. I think I will stay with my plan to add one KX-155 with a VOR and keep my perfectly functioning King GPS. As much as I drool over a 530, I'd rather put the money into a functionality increase or regular maintenance (like a new alternator, relocating and replacing the oil cooler, etc). I don't do hardcore IFR anyways.

With that in mind, I'm planning a JPI 930 install this winter. No more 45 year old gauges and better engine monitoring and management. Any thoughts on those?

Also, does anybody know the best shop within a couple of hours of Lloydminster by Mooney that has a KX 155 and can install it while I wait? I've got the room.

[avionics1]

Saskatoon Avionics
www.saskatoonavionics.ca

Worked closely with the guys there, great shop.

[Indanao]

http://www.barnstormers.com/Avionics,%2 ... ifieds.htm

[1000 HP]

The bird in is Saskatoon right now getting a new Garmin 340 com selector and a Garmin SL30 with glideslope. The KX155 wouldn't fit because I wanted to move the com selector to the center stack. That's how it goes. Started out cheap and escalated. Stage 2 will now be to put a waas G530 in place of the KX155 and KLN89.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

[1000 HP]

Saskatoon Avionics did a nice job. The panel has a ways to go but I'm maybe going to take a couple of months off to catch up the bank account. I've got lots of room on the right side now for the JPI 930 but I think I'll do the left side and get an "8-pack" installed first I still like the steam gauges but the woodgrain has got to go..