Hradec

Update..... As I was laying on my back installing clecos and match drilling the new aft stub spar, I was thinking to myself " I see the light at the end of the tunnel". It was at the same moment I found some hidden top spar cap corrosion I over looked. It's bad, needs replacement. I visited with the awesome crew at Don Maxwell. Part is available. I have ordered it and started drilling. Dream of having the plane finished next summer has been kicked down the road a bit. Glenn

Very exciting! I'm at the same airport as Nidal. We have been following this, we very excited for him and his system. I hope to install one in my mooney when I get her flying next summer. Aft stub spar replacement in progress. Glenn

I've always been told never use petroleum products around oxygen(vaseline) beeswax is the thing to use.

Before mooney closed they said they had everything in stock to assemble it. When I got ready to purchase it, mooney closed. I panicked. I recall seeing a very old post of a guy on mooney space having a new one for sale. I reached out and he responded very quickly. Still had the part, but no mooney. Made a quick deal, flew out to seattle and drove it back to chicago. Started the removal process probably more than 3 weeks ago. Between work and other responsibilities I managed to get it out. Now cleaning the filthy plane and priming before the wx turn in a few days. Glenn

Stub spar is out, took about 3 weeks. Next job is clean the airframe, prime before the wx gets cold in a few days.goal is to fly it next summer. Will spend the rest of winter installing the stub spar. Glenn

Thanks for the pics and info. Was trying to convince myself it was worth it. Just got my ppl. This plane I bought hasn't flown in 5yrs. Friend says just make it airworthy and fly it save some money if I have cam corrosion. I I however feel if I am there, I'm going to make it right and make it easy for me. By the way, lasar was kind enough to send me a copy of the stc to determine if it would be a helpful purchase in my aft stub spar endeavour. This stc says the tube does NOT go through the belly panel. Not sure how they want it routed.

Thanks for sending the picture. I was just at the hangar under the airplane and just drilled out the rivets of the 2 center belly panels realizing it's going to be a pain to reinstall. I have a copy of the stc and looks like some stringers and formers get removed. It is going to allow for amazing access. Really looks like it will be a time saver in reassembly after my aft stub spar replacement and in the future for lubrication and inspect. Looks like I'm going to pull the trigger. What antenna is mounted to your panel?

How thick is the panel? How thick at the fwd leading edge and aft edge?

I got my plane for next to nothing, had 2 incidents one in 1965 and then again in the 70s. So much monkey motion in the belly of these planes. Will make it much easier for me to maintain it. Going to have the belly pulled and riveted panels removed. I think it will be a time saver for reassembly and then again a time saver in the future.

I couldn't remember where I saw it for sale, thanks. At $2500 the one at lasar is new and cheaper.

Who makes/markets the carbon fiber belly for the m20e?

Anyone do the smoother belly mod recently on an M20e? I'm in the process of changing the aft stub spar due to corrosion. I have to drill out the 2 riveted panels in the belly and unscrew the other panels. They are dirty, grimy, need paint. A dozen different fastener sizes. Riveting the 2 panels back in will be time consuming. Is this mod a sensible use of time and money? I will be doing all the work myself (ap/ia minimal GA experience) I was looking at the lasar mod. No change in wt and balance. I believe 4 panels are removed, some stringers, lots of screws and clipnuts. Glenn

Got a few layers peeled away today. The aft stub spar painted white is the gear well side, doesn't look to bad. The other side of the same part shows the real damage. Black marker shows all the popped rivet heads. I dont know when splash guards were installed on the landing gear on mooneys, this one did not have them. Maybe the splash guears could have helped? Glenn

Hoping to have the old one out in a couple of weeks. Typical corrosion in the extrusions a dozen rivet heads popped off from exfoliation corrosion in aft part of gear well

Just want to tell the forum I'm beginning to replace my aft stub spar on a 64 m20e. I was able to find a new one on the forum. I removed the main landing gear and started drilling rivets out. I will drill until it gets too cold in the hangar. Then I will go through the gear in my heated garage. Plane is at klot if anyone wanted to take a look or help. Wish me luck. Glenn

I'm thinking about getting my Inspection Authorization by attending the Baker School of Aeronautics near Nashville. Any opinions or experience from this place? I have worked for American Airlines for 24 years and never needed it, but I own my own plane now that I am trying to resurrect. Thanks Glenn 64 M20E

I am very close to getting my ppl, wife went on an observation flight and loved it. Ended up buying a mooney for next to nothing and we have been working on it together. It should be flying next yr. I should have my ppl next month. I took the wife to oshkosh for an EAA sheet metal class this past winter. I'm lucky to have her. my ex wife was boring and liked to sit on the couch and knit sweaters in the middle of the summer. Hated to travel. Unfortunately my situation is the exception. I knew a guy with a citabria and then started building an rv7. Nobody in his family was interested or helped. Finally decided it wasnt worth spending so much on a hobby where he was the only one enjoying. Sold everything. Focus on it is not about the flying, but the together time. I like cars and people, to me car shows are about people, there just happen to be cars there. Good luck Glenn

I have a 64 m20e at the airport I'm working on, let me know when you come to the airport Glenn

I dont know where I saw this topic written about, it may have been here. There was a guy that through trial and error spent a lot of time but not a lot of money trying to duplicate the acf50 spray system. If I recall he decided the acf50 spray system they sell works, makes a great fog, no trial and error. Uses very little product. I'm very handy and cheap, I ended up buying the system thinking I could do my plane and other planes and recoup some of my expense. Havent used it yet, I think I will use it in the next couple of months. Glenn 64 m20e KLOT

I dont have my IA(yet) but I have been maintaining commercial airliners for the last 25 yrs and started dabbling in GA. I have been helping a little flying club with a little work. I noticed that by the time they do their annual they have over 300hrs on the plane with no other maintenance during the year. Even if you are not on a 100hr inspection requirement, not a bad idea to do the recommended hourly maintenance stated in the maintenance manual between annuals.

I do a lot of antique and collector car work on the side, I was shy about charging for work, then it became all consuming. I started charging, nobody went away, they we actually very happy to pay. Over the yrs I have steadily raised my prices. Only lost the cheapskates and those that wasted my time or didnt value my time.

Currently a Concord battery installed. The whole area was painted black. Bulkhead, belly, half of the bottom of the hat rack, shelves. Was this done at the factory? So nasty and dark back there, was thinking about painting white or silver.

Was this done at the factory?