Kevin Harberg

Technically, Al Mooney numbered all his designs (not all his planes). After the company bearing his 18th, 19th, and 20th design was sold, he continued his design numbering which differs from Mooney Aircraft Model numbers (The M21 is a small twin Jet he designed for Lockheed)

Yes. Al never referred to the M-18 as the "Mite", as it was a moniker given by a airplane magazine contributor.

Mark numbers were used to identify design variants in some Second World War aircraft (Australian built Mustang P51D was designated Mark 20) The "M" in Mooney's 1959 M20 was referred to as "Mark 20" with the Mooney Mustang being designated "Mark 22)". Does anyone still use the term "Mark' when referring to Mooney model variants or do people assume the "M" stands for "Mooney"?

The plans for the M-18X still have the wood wing. I am not aware of a metal wing design for a Mite.

Wait, there's more, Mooney Type Certificate Number 2A3 covers M20, M20A, M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, M20R, M20S, M20T, M20TN, M20U, M20V

Interesting to note is the wooden M20 (1955), the metal M20B (1961) and the Mooney M20C (1961-1978) share the same type certificate (Type Certificate 2A3).

TravisM has a set of M-18x plans for sale here in Mooney Space in the Mooney Mite Forum.

Within the first 45 seconds of the video, it is clearly stated that this company is bringing back Helio Courier for "Certified" production.

The Mooney Aircraft Inc. published Manual 889 (Approved Aircraft Repairs - Wood) which clearly identifies approved inspection and repair procedures for all Mooney wooden components. Replaced or repaired wooden components, when approved procedures are followed, produce "Certified Aircraft Components". Service Bulletins and/or AD's have been issued for continuing the "Certified" status of wooden Mooneys. Mooney M-18 aircraft remain "Certified" when wooden structures such as the wing are modified under approved STC's such as the STC granted for wrapping the entire wing in aircraft grade plywood.

So all of the prints are at the Smithsonian and they are available. The Mites original cockpit and firewall forward is all metal. The Fred Quarles Estate and/or the Smithsonian may have the current drawings for the metal fuselage (headrest to tail cone). The certified M-18 fuselage section aft of cockpit were wood. The wing was wood and the vertical and horizontal stabs have wooden spars. Here's a photo of the updated M-18 rear metal fuselage attached to the original metal tubing cockpit and motor mount.

I am not familiar with the entire process, but if you were to contact a couple of fellows in Alaska, they would know the complete process. They purchased the type certificate, parts, and tooling for the Helio Courier from the owners estate. An interesting YouTube video explains the steps taken to build this certified aircraft once again. It appears as though they are permitted to make changes including a new engine design. Here is the link

C-GXTR FOR SALE.pdf

Happy New Year! Here's another video of C-GXTR that was placed elsewhere in the forum regarding the exhaust note of the CA-65 powered M-18.

Happy Thanksgiving Mark, (and to all Mooney enthusiasts). Unfortunately not a positive result from Smithsonian M-18 Lower Shock Pad drawings (for scaling replacement donuts). The drawing received is for the thin metal plate that separates the pucks. Can't seem to find any drawings related directly to the rubber components.

Wig Wag Gear Indicators Mooney M-18 The Wig Wag on the left is made by: The Wig Wag on the right is made by: The Anderson Co. Gary, Ind TRICO ANCO (Maxi Vac Model MV 1B) ¼” hose fitting 3/16” hose fitting One of these units is likely off of my M-18LA serial number 142 and the other is likely off of my M-18C serial number 306. Curious if manifold pressure differences between the 145cu in Lycoming (0-145) and the 170cu in Continental (CA65) require different vacuum units or if changes were made on the production line due to availability. My M-18 drawings only show the TRICO unit for both “L” and “C” models. Is anyone familiar with these gear warning indicators? I don’t know which one goes with which airplane.