67 m20F chump

I wanted to put some more numbers on this thread. I have a 67’F. I did 3 way runs at 5500 and 7500 yesterday and was using 22.5”/2600. The speed was 151kts@5500 and 155kts @7500. I have all mods except the J cowl. 2 blade prop. I think I could find a couple more KTS at 8500’ but ran out of time. It’s not a V35 but it is also much less expensive.

And just like that the garmin autopilot became the affordable option! Bonus it’s already stc’d for my plane.

I’m sure this is a dumb question but will a garmin G5 drive this autopilot? IE do you have to put in everything Dynon to use this autopilot?

Would it be possible to get used ones shipped?

Would it be better (faster) to get the parts for a Johnson bar? I don’t know if the conversion is possible but I would think parts would be available.

I’m turning 54 and no accident history.

Just got my renewal for insurance. It was $2000 for 45k hull 1mil liability. I know my hull is way under insured so I need to up that. I’m an ATP with thousands of hours and several hundred in Mooney aircraft. My Mooney insurance is now more than what I was paying for my B55 only 5 years ago. Is this the new normal for insurance?

I found a wing for my M20F from a Mooney service center in New Jersey. I can’t imagine what shipping would be to the UK. I put it on under supervision and it took a ton of time add in fuel bladders and paint too.. I wonder if your plane is worth more as parts IE the cost to repair isn’t worth it. I know in my case I probably would have been ahead and build a RV-8 but I always wanted a Mooney.

What a great outcome. I hope you enjoy your vacation!

I live on a runway. My house was one of the later builds. I looked at everyone’s hangar to see what I liked and what didn’t work. You can’t build big enough. Make the door taller and wider than you think you would ever need. I now have a camper in my hangar and it fits under the door by 4”. Don’t go short on concrete. Make sure you have a large spot to park in front of your hangar. I live in the south so I used bubble insulation under the roof but not on the wall. Maybe I should have put some on the wall facing the sun. I got a high fold door and have been happy with it. The hangar is a pole barn. Good luck!

I was in the mighty C172. 1000 hours at 1000’. This was early 90’s. Back when Walt Starling was doing it. 5 cessna 172’s and whatever Montgomery county was flying.

Flying around the DC area used to be so easy. I used to be one of the traffic pilots flying the beltway at 1000’. It was fun and I was young. The DC area has become such a PIA to fly in that I just go around.

I have talked to a MSC and the factory. Nobody will touch it. I’m on the fence about grabbing any available parts needed as they become available because it ain’t cheap, getting a 337 approved is a challenge, and nobody wants to do the job. I feel like I’m pissing in the wind here. I bought a nice cowl already but so far that is it.

It’s the engine baffles and oil cooler ducting, intake, cowl flap handle from inside the plane to where it attaches at the flap, tail pipe and hangar, spinner and backing plate, and the cowl. The parts where the cowl attaches are listed as shim in the manual. I think I should let this idea die but I still want to do it. You would also need a 337 and possibly a DER to sign off on it. I’m trying to get a FAA guy to give me a thumbs up on a 337. I ordered the records from the FAA on a couple of aircraft that had the swap done. On top of that I can’t find any A&P willing to take the job on. I think I should sell the Mooney and buy a Vans. Allen has a 80’s J that he is parting out but the engine and baffles are already gone. I could pick some parts from him but I want to be sure about getting a 337 before I sink more money into this black hole.

There used to be a STC to put a one piece belly panel on like newer aircraft had. Maybe LASAR?