DustinNwind

Thought the same thing but the rod area has a lot of play since it too has rusted out a lot.

Found the culprit, photos below. Anyone have a spare heat box for sale? In the mean time, I sealed up the hole.

Hi All, Just got out of annual and took her on a maiden voyage today form KSMO to L35. Great flight, new heater hoses smell awful, but will dissipate after time. Odd thing - on right seat at the legs it feels like there is heat coming through even though it's off. It's worst in a nose up attitude. Any idea what it could be? Thank, D

Thank you for posting this. So has the paperwork for the Mooney STC been sent to FAA?

Top Gun is amazing and worth their weight in gold to pay a mechanic a couple of hours to go over and look at it.

Where are you located? I'm in Santa Monica and could possibly take you up there. Also could go over things to look for specifically as I also when through a couple of pre-buys on Mooneys before buying mine, and just got out of 3 weeks of annual and touched almost every bolt on the plane (exaggeration, but pretty close). Also did pre-buy and annual with LASAR last year so have a good basis on what they like to look at as well.

I'm confused on what you're saying..

I agree with you! Press on, and I am also happy what is going on with TruTrak now. What do you think the installed cost would be on that for a M20E if there was no existing GPS?

That' would be easy if it wasn't what we just dealt with from TruTrak for 2 years.

Sorry I missed this. Yetti is correct.

Mooneyspace is a great resource. Thanks everyone. Made a new strap out of tire, pretty happy about this.

Is there at secret to removing the fuel tank panels? Mine are not budging. Thanks, D

Hi All, I just wanted to share some stuff from my annual we finished today: 1. A 55 year old airplane can look as good as a 10 year old airplane given the right care. Even when everything looks to be in great shape, ALWAYS look over everything, even if the engine is new. We found a baffling that had a little crack and had moved the 14" bolt down less than 2mm so it was chafing an oil line. It only took a ~150 hours for this to happen and another 100 hours I would probably had to land the plane on the road somewhere. 2. Stop using duct tape at the wing root fairing. It takes a little more time to use 3M calk strips, but it's much better. 3. When in doubt, replace. $200 is cheaper than a rescue. 4. Riveting is fun! Did my first riveting to replace the RAM Air baffling. Photos below.

Sits unattached on the floor behind pilot seat. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/c352ts.php

My airplane is in annual right now, and every annual I do on any airplane I've ever own - I take time off from work and sit under the airplane with my mechanic. I like to see what's going on with the plane, how it works, and know everything that was touched. Very personal choice and something I worked on with my mechanic over the last 4 years - it's a relationship, and trust. Even LASAR let me do it. I know taking 4-5 days off work is hard for most, but I find it part of my budget and necessary.

@Ken Whitaker I looked on your approved aircraft list and Mooney isn't listed. Is this an old list? Also, it's very difficult to read sideways. Thanks! Dustin

An easy way of getting ahead of when to descend without being rushed; multiply your altitude by four and that is how many miles out you should start your decent. Example; 8,000’ to lose would be to start your decent 32 miles out. For my airplane (155kts) that usually comes out to be 600 fpm.

Pearce, thank you for the update! Is there a lead time on this?

Always appreciate your words. Thank you.

Haha, thanks @carusoam. I'll buy them knew. Much appreciated though.

Thank you! Look forward to hearing a PIREP.

Thank you both, much appreciated.

Hi Zulu, thanks for the PIREP! I have a buddy that uses High Desert as well and I've been to their shop - really nice guys. They are slightly higher than other shops but have a good reputation, they are on the list of places to go. How do you like the G5?

The maintenance/annuals over the last 20 years has been from TopGun or Lasar, which from my understanding are a couple of the best Mooney shops in the nation.. I'd assume they would be looking at these wouldn't you? I appreciate your deviation from the topic to worry someone about their plane which you have no knowledge of. Further more, it had a new engine installed in 2018 rebuilt from Western Skyways, and installed at Lincoln Skyways (another premier shop), I'd assume they looked over the cables as well.

Thanks Paul, just called and they said they only work with avionics shops directly. :/