Yooper Rocketman

Alex, Engine failure at 500’ on takeoff, Xmas morning, with NO REALISTIC landing options. Committed Annual Training provided us a “walk away” option under the worst conditions and landing options. Life goes on! Fortunately I was able to buy my Rocket back for a flying option from the U.P. Of Michigan to our home on Spruce Creek (10 miles south of Daytona Beach FL) for the next several winters during the rebuild. Tom

Since I moved back to Rocket ownership from an amazingly capable turbo prop, which will be “years” from flying again, moving from tremendously capable glass back to “steam gauges” has been extremely painful. I was quoting a full Garmin Glass panel and found out the BIG HURDLE is that Garmin has NO FAA APPROVAL to install a Garmin A/P in a Mooney Rocket “because it has too much power”. Seriously, it handled a 724 HP Turboprop just fine! So, has ANY ROCKET OWNER gotten a Field Approval for a Garmin A/P on a Rocket STC?’ed Mooney K Model??? My local FBO will consider applying for a Field Approval for a Garmin A/P with my new quoted flat screen GLASS Avionics Upgrade if someone prior to them has received a field approval, but is working with a “marginally cooperative FSDO approving FIRST TIME Field Approvals. Please advise if anyone has gotten a FIELD APPROVAL for the Garmin AUTO PILOT IN A ROCKET!! Thanks Tom

It’s says “negligible” on the paperwork from Mooney

Crap, was using my iPhone and thought I was messaging.

Jim, ok, will PM you Thanks, Tom

Been there, done that. Would rather not know the guy doing the procedure though

Jim, Yes, I'm aware of the control module as well (already replaced both the module and the control display with an unkownn "possible working" unit. The module was a REAL BITCH on my Rocket Conversion as there is no access to the F/W. If you have that set up and are willing to part with it, let me know what I can do to get that done. Mine failed with 3 other much more expensive avionics (Garmin 345, KX-155, and HSI) from someone arcing a hot wire across my almost new Garmin 345 Transponder. I won't discuss what the rest of the stuff cost. Sure made the engine install, putting 16 pounds of crap in a 3 pound container (Rocket engine in a 231 airframe), without a single serious squawk, look easy. Let me know. Thanks Tom

My intercom died and I will be putting in a complete new panel next summer with a new audio panel/intercom. Looking to just replace this old dinosaur until then. Tom

Thanks everyone. It was a Mooney supplied one piece belly. It's actually pretty light but I guess the aluminum panels are too. Based on what @1980Mooney says, it's pretty clear no W&B change. Tom

I purchased my Mooney Rocket back this spring, removed the engine for tear down and inspection of the engine due to an unfortunate prop strike by the previous owner (4 years ago). We completed the engine installation and are getting the logbook entries completed and reviewing the past log entries since I sold the plane 4 years ago. I found the shop completing the one piece belly mod did NOT make a W&B logbook entry! Anyone have a copy of a W&B for completing the one piece belly mod? That would save my A&P a bit of work to see the removed weights, installed weights and the "arm". Tom

If you don't mind, let us know where you found the gasket. Tom

Any mechanic who pulls the turbo will need to know how to remove the intake housing. The turbo cannot be removed or installed in one piece. The motor mount cage opening is smaller than the assembled turbo! On removal, the intake is removed from the exhaust and center section, slid left (pilot side) as far as possible, then the turbo is removed sans the intake section. Only after the center/hot section assy is removed do you have clearance to turn the intake section sideways to remove it. The two previously mentioned shops have rebuilt or exchanged turbos for me on the three I've done over my Rocket ownership with about the same life expectancy (about 1,000 hours). If your hours are not near "turbo TBO", I would just replace the housing (and fix the source of the damaged housing). Tom

@Tim Jodice Just wondering how many hours on your prop now and if you still have good paint adhesion? Mine was installed in 2019, has about 400 hours on it, and the paint is coming off enough I need to repaint it. MT offered to repaint it, providing I pay shipping BOTH WAYS to Germany. Tom

I like the 4 blade MT. Definitely smoother than my previous 3 blade. It was installed about 3 years ago and the peeling paint issue is still a problem. Also, having problems due to the install (oil rag left in the end of the crank) I was able to see what customer service looks like to MT. Send it Deland FL for the prop governor and prop hub cleaning, at MY EXPENSE, and back to Germany for the paint issue (free, except for the freight each way across the Atlantic). It's YOUR'S once you buy it! Tom

The amount we peeled out was clearly more than one tubes worth. Maybe not 4 tubes though. Tom

Still wondering how many tubes to seal a windshield? Would 4 be enough? Tom

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/sealantgun3.php

My A&P and I removed the windshield last week. The new one arrived on Friday. It took us about 3 1/2 hours to remove it (I was lucky, original window with standard rivets, not cherry max), another 3 1/2 to clean all the old sealant out, and now ready to install. I'm ready to order the sealant and am wondering how many 6 oz. tubes it takes for the job? Anyone have some advice? I'm also ordering the power caulking gun for that size tubes. I've borrowed one before for installing TKS deice panels and it works so much easier than hand pumping with stage four arthritis in the wrists. Tom

I took a close look on Thursday and found my windshield must be original, 41 years old. It has the standard "all aluminum" rivets. That part of the job should go a lot easier! Reviewing the Service Manual the job looks pretty straight forward. I will track my hours so I have an idea what it took. I don't have a "Frustration Meter" to measure that aspect of the job (probably a good thing). A new windshield and co-pilot door window were ordered yesterday from GLA, right here in Michigan. I may be able to pick up my new glass if I get a med flight going that way once the order is ready in 4-5 weeks. Thanks for all the feedback. Tom

My local FBO, Kubick Aviation, worked on my Rocket for 17 years (including an engine OH), serviced one other Rocket regularly, and has a Mooney or two in their shop pretty regularly. I'm based at KIMT, Iron Mountain, MI (in the U.P.). Tom

Well, after crunching “known numbers” I decided to take all expenses (shop rate, expected hours to replace, gas, airline tickets, hotel, lost time from my dealership) of using a quality shop in Virginia (the one in Minnesota NEVER returned my call from last week) and compare that to my actual cost of taking on this UGLY PROJECT, my decision was pretty clear. I also talked with my hangar neighbor, an A&P/IA that I helped get started with his own shop, and was assured he would help me and my A&P through this project. The price swing for this job will be at least $4k. I guess my time is worth some frustration and $4k. Tom

That's exactly why I am seeking a shop. Right now Virginia is looking promising. I've always liked pictures of @jetdriven 's work. Tom

I never said it was a big deal. Just wondered if it required something other than just filing IFR and flying into it. I found out it does. I need to take an on line class. Tom

That's just over 3 hours for my Rocket (which has 5 hours of fuel). I'm not sure about the different color rings around that area. I suspect that requires some kind of preapproval or training to fly into that area? We don't see that kind of stuff over here in the Upper Midwest. Tom

I called them last week and got voice mail. They never returned my call. Tom