Davidv

Quick question for anyone who has installed the GFC500 in their long body. I'm nearing the end of my installation and my avionics shop tells me that they are removing my electric trim switch rocker switch since it works differently with the GFC500 than my KAP150. I usually keep the rocker switch on at all times so it's not a big deal. However, my only concern is having something to pull or shut off in a runaway trim incident. Has this been the case for others who had it installed?

I guess you just need a cost breakout. Some installers do funny things by packing more profit into equipment and less labor/vice versa. Higher equipment and normal labor = find a different installer.

Yeah, it's $9,800 for the 3 servos plus the G5.

Mooney is currently working on completing some very important projects that will hopefully benefit the majority of current Mooney owners. Social media is important, but everything has to be prioritized. Once some of these projects become a reality, I'm sure Mooney will get back to managing their social media presence.

I'm hoping (if all goes well), I'll also have some king servos to sell in a few weeks. I'll post pictures when I get them back to see if anyone wants them.

Wow, yes very sad. Also doesn’t look like a fuel related issue.

The TKS system is an unknown to me, but with the engine (factory rebuild, firewall forward, with installation), 02, and donuts you're probably looking at about $85-90K of costs. The good news is that they are still trying to sell the TKS system components off a Bravo that was being salvaged on Ebay. You may be able to save some $ if there's a component you need. I'd say it's a $170-190K plane with all of these things fixed and a 0 time engine. @alextstone probably isn't far off. Link to ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mooney-M20M-Single-Piece-Wing-TKS-Ice-Protection-System/233501386455?hash=item365dc466d7:g:yCcAAOSwPa9eTsz9 That's the entire system but they are also selling individual components. These guys have a pretty good reputation.

It would appear that whatever trouble he had he realized shortly after takeoff since he immediately asked to change his destination to Henderson with the approach controller. I can't imagine a lot of other reasons to change your destination immediately on takeoff other than some mechanical anomaly. No one can know for sure, but it's clear that KLAS would have been a much better option and maybe even a turn back to VGT. The other thought that crosses my mind is that somehow fuel level was overlooked prior to takeoff. I don't have a multi, but if you were running dangerously low on fuel would there ever be a last ditch effort to shut down one engine (or maybe it just quit on its own if the tanks don't cross feed)? He had flown from San Diego the day prior and this may have been his return flight. If you took off and all of a sudden realized you were low (I know it sounds crazy, but crazier things have happened in GA), KHND would be directly on your route home (and it's $8 gallon at KLAS). The phrase "we have to shut down one engine" is also interesting to me since it doesn't exactly show that the pilot thought this was an emergency.

Agreed, the market will take care of any imbalances. If one shop wants to charge a significantly high markup their customers will either stay (because the service they receive is superior) or vote with their feet. Likewise, if another shop is charging almost no markup, people will either have to spend a lot of money in avgas to get there (which will reduce the "discount") or the service center won't be in business very long because they aren't charging enough to cover their costs.

Seems like a Freudian slip to me

It's hard to believe that people would have an objection to you adding a margin to a purchased part but I guess there are a lot of crazies out there. I also wouldn't expect to pay the same price for the same part at every MSC because each MSC has it's own expenses that can vary significantly based on many variables (rent, local labor rates, utilities, ect...).

Thanks for the clarification @M20Doc. If I hear what you're saying correctly, Cirrus and Diamond are essentially fixing your margins and your ability to make a profit from those parts you sell? While Mooney does not provide MSRP, you are free to add a reasonable markup to the parts you buy from Mooney as you see fit.

@mike_elliott is correct, the parts are sold to the service center and the service center then sells them to owners. Individuals are not able to buy from Mooney directly.

As a side note, I'd like to know what happened that made the person fly it for 10 hrs then pay to have it sit in a hangar for 15 years (assuming he doesn't own the hangar). Not sure about Jacksonville area, but in south Florida that would be about $90K in hangar rent for that time period.

Having a TLS to part out right now would definitely have some value. I believe the last one was the aircraft that crashed in Chandler. BA’s part sales sold through a ton of stuff on that aircraft.

When Mooney went from the TLS to the Ovation they moved the height of spinner tip down 1 inch. Apparently it was 1 inch too high to hit you in just the right spot . Say what you want, the dimension difference in the propeller or engine had nothing to do with it...

Yes, Banyan at FXE will rent you anything you need.

Ah ok, yes at least you know what all those things cost if it comes back with no corrosion. You’ll need to get inside the plane to read the Hobbs. Pretty much the only way is to lay on your stomach head first into the passenger foot well with a flashlight (unless you’re an Olympic gymnast and can bend over in the seat to see it).

The toughest part is the personal restraint not to bug the people doing the work too much. I’ve found there is a fine line...

And you’re in Jacksonville? If it were sitting some where like Vegas or the California desert I’d be a little more enthusiastic about the project but I’m assuming any exposed metal has a decent amount of rust? While rust on its own not bad, it makes you wonder about other corrosion if not treated. Btw, since it’s my vintage (and happens to be same color scheme), Hobbs is in the left side of the passenger foot well if you haven’t seen it yet.

Cue everyone suggesting the model they own. I’ll start by saying you should get a Bravo. In all seriousness, it may be the most under appreciated model and it’s not overly complex besides watching your temps since it’s got a pretty decent density controller. For instance, on takeoff there’s no “setting power” like the 231. It’s throttle full forward, Boost pump automatically turns on, and the density controller does the rest.

I’m not saying it can’t happen but I always laugh at this scenario. Anyone who has been through an avionics upgrade and knows the work that goes into configuring units with various HSIs and PFDs knows how far fetched this scenario is. If there are thieves who can sit in a plane with a flashlight in their mouth and seamlessly integrate an older Garmin box in a matter of minutes or several hours (assuming the second aircraft doesn’t have the same EXACT panel as the first aircraft) they deserve the avionics tech equivalent of the Nobel prize. They probably would make way more money opening an avionics shop and completing full panels in a week.

Yes, I've learned that whatever I'm going to spend in additional fuel is usually less than what I'm going to spend with someone who: A. Is not familiar with my plane and makes a mistake that needs to be corrected later or B. Acts solely as a "parts replacement specialist" and not a mechanic.

This is partly why I often fly my plane 1200NM to get work done as I pass many MSCs and mechanics along the way.

@bd32322 Just to address the original question, Mooney used two lighter colors in the modern panel. One is called “Oyster White”, the other “Oyster Grey”. I’m not sure if the color code but many suppliers produce it. Take a look online and confirm that’s the color you are looking for.