Hello Chase, beautiful panel, and great plane. We operated one for a decade.

Two comments. I am not sure why they located the AP control head to the right. Maybe they flew as a crew? You will find out that you are constantly pressing the buttons, during altitude changes for example. I would move it closer to you, where the N-number sits right now for example.

The second would be to leave the flaps in the TO/AP setting to remove stress from the cables caused by temp changes for example. Looks like they are set in the up position. This is the SOP for most 501 owners. It also reduces the number of cycles on the flaps, and it reduces the risk of getting side-tracked and forgetting to set them properly for takeoff (several professional crews in airliners crashed due to that oversight of course).

Enjoy!

That is a F/D mode selector. The AP control will be in the pedestal. But yeah, it could be moved from the original position

Congrats Chase, that looks like an outstanding 501.

I see that the temp control is in manual, this is often because the auto temp controller isn't fully functional. Have you verified that yours is working?

Congratulations, Chase! What a great accomplishment! Your family must be so proud! Cheers!

Nice looking airplane Chase! What airplane are you coming out of?

I second this suggestion, except I would move the GTN units higher and put the mode selector under them. I find I want the GTN displays not to be such a height change when scanning off the PFD and you look at them far more than the mode selector.

Here is my layout.

I put both the FD mode and AP control head together below the GTNs.

I do have a GCU 485 above the pilot PFD, but that could easily be put in the center console so both pilots can use it. My shortened pedestal is a great enhancement for cockpit access, and provides a panel surface I'm not using. Moving the GCU 485 there is about the only thing I would change in my layout, and that's minor.

I patiently await a digital autopilot STC which will get rid of a bunch of stuff in my airplane.

Mike C.

It does seem like an odd place to put the A/P. I have my first training flight today. Obviously, I’ll fly with it for a bit and see how I like it and if I need to change something, we can make arrangements. No big deal.

I asked on CJP but, what do people use for a battery charger/GPU?

I use the aviation-style batteryminder for continuous maintenance, and the best-tug Romeo (R12) for the GPU. (This is for the L39, which has a Concorde RG390). makes a huge difference in battery life.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... 1mEALw_wcB

Can I get some data-points on hourly dry-lease rates for the 501?
Do any 501 owners here have dry-lease arrangements?

If you do not want to post them publicly, please PM me.

I am interested as well and have an opportunity to dry lease one, too. We haven't gotten to price yet.

If someone has a price and doesn't want to post it, please copy me on the PM if you would.

I’ve no idea what Cessna was thinking when they designed that ptt switch/intercom.

From the days before VOX intercom. A lot of other jets had similar.

I pulled mine and replaced them with standard PTT push button switches.

Switchcraft 913X.

You do need to do a little bit of adaption to make them fit where the old switch was.

Mike C.

I like the mode selector, AP controller and the Garmin knobs in the pedestal. It's just so natural to reach down there from either side and turn or push. My brain doesn't even have to think about it.

I agree with you Mike. After a couple of days of flying, reaching over to push the buttons isn’t a huge deal but i would love it to be in the pedestal.