cliffy

The factory did supply a conversion kit for retractable gear on the D Mine has a notation on just that. The D came out with stiff gear and a wooden fixed pitch prop. There were around 250 D models (the TCDS has the correct number but I don't have it handy). IIRC there are only 2 stiff gear Mooneys still in the registry and only one flies. Again IIRC Mods that might affect the CAS stall? Vortex generators BUT the control is "original certification" not after mods. It would be a small niche of pilots affected by the MOSAIC rules in a Mooney but for those who would be it would be a big deal

I hate oil leaks! I want my engine to rust away from the outside not be preserved in a bath of oil! :-) My guess is the rocker cover drain tubes hose couplings above. Just found my prop governor cap leaking on last trip so off it comes next week in annual. Antique airplanes take constant maintenance just like old Rolls Royces !! :-) Don't fall behind on the job.

Probably the smartest move but be aware you may know more about the subject than the one you talk to so YOU may be doing the educating at first

One has to remember that in the FAA - crap runs downhill! Everything, and I mean everything starts as how it affects the 121 world and then and only then rolls down hill. You want just one example? ADSB 60 years of dealing with them If you have trouble with the metaphor I can clarify

I would suggest what is on the airspeed indicator is not the "controlling " document. It still comes down to what ever the manufacturer published in the Operating Manual. If the manufacturer didn't list a CAS speed then one needs to follow what the FAA "suggests" to determine same. Any other way won't be a problem UNTIL it is a problem. Say you have a runway excursion that involves an investigation and you are flying it as a Sport aircraft- Do you think that someone MIGHT look to see if it really is a legal Sport airplane during the investigation? I'm willing to bet someone in the office might look into that. Later POHs do list CAS but not our earlier ones. Time marched on and left us behind. In addition- one can't just take the IAS stall speed and do a direct conversion to knots and call it CAS It don't work that way All that does is give the MPH IAS as KTS INDICATED AIRSPEED not Calibrated Airspeed

For those interested 43-9 was just revised allowing A&Ps to sign off on 8130s for parts and repairs. In the past some shops and IAs would not accept an 8130 with an A&P sign off because the AC only mentioned Repair Stations Now that has changed (attached below) The AC is probably deeper than most any owner wants to read but IF you have a shop not accepting an A&P 8130 you might refer them here The AC really does have (starting on page 3) a real good synopsis of who and what records are required by the owner and A&P. AC_43-9D Maint Records.pdf

Can the font setting be changed to Comic Sans and set as a default setting for all responses by me?

Well that puts it into an entirely different light.

CAN"T FLY IT? How about empty right tank and fly only on the left tank? More stops but safe to do. Make a fun trip out of it with 1 1/2 hr legs. Stop and smell the roses. Visit new airports Houston Tank does a good job but he's 3 months out like most all of them are.

On the SB 20-252 paragraphs 4-8 deal specifically with the rudder balance being "out" of limits The SB itself deals with rudder balance on Gross Weight Increase Google it

It used to be a "secret" that rigging the flaps and ailerons UP 2 degrees (with flight load) was the "speed" setting :-)

The 99s were started by Amelia Earhart after she was turned down for membership by the Quiet Birdmen (QBs) Its a good organization and they paint compass roses on airports all over the country just for costs incurred,

MAYBE the factory can dig into the certification records and come up with an IAS correction factor at the low airspeeds to compute a calibrated airspeed for the stall? I'm sure its model and airspeed dependent. Might be worth a try. AI ain't as good as many think it is especially in technical matters.

Speaker low and pilot phones low go to pin 22 Shielding goes to Ground

Very detailed balancing instructions are shown in section 27-93-01 of the Mooney J maintenance manual available right here on MS in DOWNLOADS (up top on drop down menu for Browse) It is very serial number specific - so check carefully. If its out of spec it is probably too much paint.