Alan Maurer

Just out of annual , my right front seatbelt was twisted. I tried to un twist it and buckle came off belt. I put it on the seat to work on it later. Came back to airplane and buckle and one Bose headset was gone. Lots of search did not turn up missing buckle and headset. We really looked everywhere. So...Any ideas how to find a replacement??? Frank Crawford at Mooney had none and Lasar in Oregon had none. For Mooney Ovation...2008...seatbelt has airbag. it is a goofy two piece buckle with main latch and slider behind that belt loops around. Anyone know where I can replace it?? Thanks Alan

In trying to untangle a twisted seatbelt ,at the handle that clicks, the two parts came apart. Getting it back together is a struggle and should be easy. The belt loop should go thru the opening and then the little metal slider put thru the loop and in to the grooves on either side to the buckle. It wont go. I know it should ,but the thickness of the seatbelt jams it. I must be doing something wrong. Very frustrating.....Who Has an idea? Thanks Alan

Hello Everyone, Update on my annual. Fiddling with stall warning vane got it working. After careful pre flight and run up, took off. Climbed to 2500 ft AGL and at this altitude stayed in traffic pattern ( Florida KVNC is 18 feet) Flew for 30 minutes at 25" MP and 2500 RPM. Thunderstorm was getting close so landed. Engine ran smoothly . I will carefully watch engine parameters for next 25 hours and keep track of any oil consumption. Thanks for all the advice. Alan

Mooney People, Ovation annual...#1 cylinder had to be changed...compression was 30 and crack found. Bought overhauled cylinder from Zephyr Hills. Installed per Mike Busch. and stall warning does not beep! So two questions...If for the next 25 hours or so, I run 24 square , will it break in the new cylinder properly? and will leave out the CamGuard. I think Sarasota Avionics will try to fiddle with the stall warning and then I will slow down and see if it works. Anybody know how to fix it? Thanks. Everyone Alan PS TTSN was right around 1000 hours since airplane was new. My friend here has a Cirrus SR22. with 1800 hours, same engine ...all compressions in seventies...go figure! and I wanted a brand new cylinder.....cannot be had!

That is a tough question. Dazzling paint job with beautiful stripes gets attention but if you actually plan to keep the airplane , the Garmin autopilots are spot on. It likely has more capability than the older King , but since yours works perfectly You might want save all that money for avgas! Alan

Hi Everyone...thanks for the good advice.....ordered sealant...will just clean up factory screw Alan

Mooney People Found a small soft spot on wing walk near the top. about one half inch. Is this indicative of a fuel leak here. 2008 M20 R ovation. Thanks Alan

Premier Aircraft in Ft. Lauderdale's has nice 2006 Mooney Ovaton. Probably 103 gallons . G1000 and no damage history. Sounds like the one you are looking at has a lot of expensive issues. Approach speed will always be75 kts. Take a look! Better buying in the USA Alan N913ND M20

Going on five. years in my R and no trickle charger and most flights under one hour. Airplane always in hangar and not left out. Alan

Hi Everyone...Thanks for the notes. I will get these things checked. . Alan

Hi Will Nosewheel is straight. But when on the ground , one aileron is down and other up...each about 25 to 30 degrees! This likely needs attention?? Alan

ah....good question...will check

Mooney People, In hangar, one aileron is down about 25 degrees and other up. Yoke is turned to right and will not sit straight. Does this mean. a repair has to be done? Seems it should not be this way?? Thanks Alan

Hi Midlifeflyer...what does 'unsuspend invitation to resume sequencing" mean? Still question as to whether the engaged AP does disconnect when pressing the "Go Around" button?? Thanks Alan

Mooney People, A question regarding G1000 . Understand pushing "Go Around" FD commands pitch up. Believe it disconnects AP. For AP coupled approach and miss, Will re engaging AP and pressing NAV set the autopilot to climb to selected altitude and proceed to missed approach waypoint and enter holding? I have to try this. Thanks Alan

Mooney People, My 2008 Ovation has almost 1000 original hours since factory new. Presently compressions are in the fifties and I burn some oil...maybe a quart every three hours. So we spoke , ar Sarasota Avionics about a top or bite the bullet and order a factory new engine. At my age it would be the last engine I would every buy. Suggested that at 1000 hours the cam would not look great if one could get a good look at it. Airplane runs great, smooth and fast. With STC done for Ovation. 3 , it really climbs fast. Fair amount of Money for new engine but certainly tempting. So, Could just get the Six pack and top (Mike Busch says "Be Afraid" or actually order and wait for new engine. Would love some opinions! Boroscope views of valves looked fine...probably cylinder walls wearing and rings. Don't know about cam.Oil analysis have been good. Any Thoughts? Thanks Alan

wow...I would like to buy four parts for five dollars and then re sell them for $250 each

Is there more to rebuilding a wearing out cylinder than grinding the valves and seats. What about restoring the honing on the cylinder walls or checking the valve guides? I find myself adding more oil than a year ago. Good question to wonder about? Alan

Mooney People, Last summer Got new Lord engine mounts. Now,the spinner /prop looks low ( maybe one inch) and not exactly centered in the upper and lower cowling. Our Maint manager here at Sarasota Avionics and Luca...my flight instructor from MAPA, both thought "they all look like that." Anyway, I was still thinking about it and thought I would ask anyone here who has wondered about this. Any thoughts? this is an 2008 M20R Thanks Alan

Hi, I will be at he airport and will get some photos of filler neck...2008 Ovation Think it can total 103 gal Alan

Sounds like you need a degree from MIT to do this!

Thanks everyone....glad to have help Alan

I will go out and give it a try. Seems the GA button disconnects the AP and does only command 7 degrees pitch up with the FD.then pilot must apply full power, follow FD command, set altitude for miss ( or do that in advance) re start AP ,reset flaps and use either NAV or HEADING (if vectors) and with NAV , should proceed on autopilot to published miss and enter holding......I think....Stay Tuned Alan

Mooney People, Using G1000 ( not NXi) , Using a coupled ILS or RNAV approach, will pressing GA button only pitch up FD command or will it proceed to published miss and enter holding? I am under the impression that autopilot will disengage and must be re engaged along with NAV but not sure.....Thanks Alan N913ND

HI PAUL...GOT BACK FROM MEDICAL MEETING TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO ANDWENT TO CHECK MOONEY. PUT ON BATTERY SWITCH ON G1000 AND ELECTRIC RUDDER TRIM SWITCH (ON GROUND) AND INDICATOR RAN ALL THE WAY RIGHT AND LEFT....SO AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. ILL FLY THIS WEEKEND AND SEE IF I CAN KEEP THE BALL IN THE CENTER. STAY TUNED ALAN