Alan Maurer

Thank you… seems very scary

Hello Mooney People...My M20R Ovation from 2008 has an intermittent problem with #1radio. Told it was very scratchy. We tried switching antennas to see if the problem would go over to #2 radio but it stayed with #1. Now our avionics shop ( Sarasota Avionics) says , having obtained an exchange radio from Garmin that when the two #1 radios are switched, that the G1000 software (via Mooney and Garmin) has to be revised, which I am told takes four hours. In the past have been told to avoid doing anything with the Garmin G1000 software as it can cause big problems. Sarasota Avionics agrees it is not without problems but can be done. I would like to know what experiences anyone has had with this as I am worried that it will create a disaster. maybe better to keep a not so great radio. Thanks....Alan....N913ND

Hello, Similar problem. Oil changes with very small sparkles of non ferrous metal. IO550 with 870 hours since new. Boroscope of cylinders did not show scored cylinder walls and exhaust valves looked OK. My #5 always runs hotter CHT than the others. Wondered if the alternator in front of it blocks some cooling. We are watching this. Oil analysis showed increased aluminum and iron. Engine develops full power. So far no diagnosis?? Could pull a cylinder off but would like to avoid that....any ideas.....Thanks....Alan

thanks everyone...annual coming up ...will get exhaust system and muffler checked Alan

Hello Everyone, I have a question. Starting Ovation today the engine backfired...quite loud. Then did start in normal fashion. On taxi and take off CHTs and EGTs were fine ( well, cylinder #5 CHT always too hot on take off roll and initial climb) and I don't know if one backfire does damage. Could mag timing be off? On flight CHTs andEGTs were fine. Engine very smooth. Anythoughts? Thanks, Alan N913ND M20R

Hello everyone, I have a question. Starting Ovation today, on start up while cranking the engine has a backfire.....pretty loud. Then it started in a normal fashion and CHTs and EGTs were all normal. In recents starts this has never happened. Could mag timing be off? Any thoughts? Thanks Alan...N913ND Ovation M20R

I have a question.....My M20R is a 2008 model and Ovation 2. Is any Mooney dealer still doing the change to 310 HP? And what is the likely price to do this? Thanks Alan, N913ND

I read all the replies regarding LOP vs ROP. Using my Ovation I have tried both. So 100 F ROP vs 50 F LOP. Using ROP I burn five more gallons cruising at 8000 feet. And I gain about 12 knots. Running 50 degrees LOP , I save 5 gallons per hour but 12 knots slower. Both seem OK. IN a real hurry use ROP and go faster. Or LOP and save fuel. Flying around peak and CHT much higher and not good.....that red box! Avgas is expensive but a Mooney is supposed to go fast. Cheers Alan

Hi Everyone, thanks for the notes. annual shortly...will plan to get FF on T/O up to 24 gal/hr

I was flying South from Panama City to Venice on Friday in mid morning at 7000 feet with same settings and 4 kt tail wind (which does not changeTAS and I took a photo of my TAS. See photo below. Also Ovation 2 M20R. I do not have VG's.

Thanks to our friends in Canada also.

Thank you and special thanks to Harry in Adelaide. I'm heading back to Australia in a few months....not that far! Agree that 26 sounds better than 22 gal/hr. My cylinder head on #5 is just over 400 F on take off....too hot!

Hello Everyone, Flying Ovation so 280 HP available at sea level. With full throttle for take off, the fuel flow is just over 22. gallons per hour. Mike Busch said , in his book, that the fuel flow should be more like 28 gallons per hour. Our mechanic at my airport says the lower full power flow is correct. Engine is IO550G-7. What is the correct answer? Thanks Alan. N913ND (2008 Ovation using G1000 data.)

Here is the question....In my Ovation , the glare shield is getting very ratty. . Seems it is difficult remove it to get it recovered. Anyone know how it is dome maybe without having to take a lot of stuff apart? Thanks Alan N913ND

Hello Mooniacs, Flying Ovation with G1000 , occasionally the flap position on MFD does not show correct flap position and also ...again occasionally, electric trim quits ( with warning on PFD) and need to use manual trim. Then it goes back to normal......Any ideas?? Usually it works fine but sometimes it does not. Cheers Alan N913ND

This is my way....Mixture full lean...all the way out....throttle all the way in....full throttle......low boost for five seconds, then off... crank engine...it will start.....mixture in ...throttle back quickly....all set

Hello Mooney Avionics People, I was told my #1 radio is scratchy and switched to #2 and told way better. I understand that servicing a G1000 is not that easy. Anyone have any idea of the possible causes of this. Mooney is a 2008 model Ovation. Thanks\ Alan N913ND

always pops up on G1000. Is it a good idea to OK this or avoid it. I don't know what will happen....... Thanks Alan

Hello Everyone and thanks for the advise. We have noted that the alternator in the M20R does block the #5 cylinder. Recent annual but problem has persisted. Usually climb at Vy for safety/ In cruise the CHT #5 still around 350 which is hotter than other cylinders. I am not sure where this so called pixie hole should be cut but sound good. new #5 CHT probe changed nothing. engine is Continental tuned. model .Spark plugs are brand new fine wire plugs. It could be that this is the fault of the front alternator position maybe. Still, it is worrisome and will still try somehow to correct. Thanks everyone I have tried keeping mixture rich to cool engine but that does not help very much. Alan N913ND

Hello Mooney People.\ Question: in 2008 Ovation M20R , the CHT of #5 cylinder goes over 400 degrees on initial climb out. EGT's are all OK. Thought is was probe and installed a new one and a new gasket on the air intake. Did not change anything. TT 835 since new. In level flight ,all seems fine. Don't have a reason for this.....any ideas? Thanks Alan N913ND

I have had my 2008 Ovation 2 for two years. It has had few issues and is a fantastic airplane. Since I have had the airplane the gear donuts were timed out and I had a crack in the muffler. These were the two expensive items. The G1000 is very capable and the 100+ fuel tanks make longer range possible. With full fuel that allows 450 pounds in the cabin which is fine. I don't have AC, FIKI or O2 so more useful load. For summertime I use a portable AC parked on the rear seats which works better than factory air. Airplane is ,of course, very speedy. The Mooney is not the most forgiving single and should be flown by the numbers. Very solid , well built airplane!

Guess I will not think about the MT prop thanks Alan

Hello Everyone, I saw a photo of an M20R today with an MT propeller. Very good-looking. Anyone have any experience with this prop? Any actual difference in performance?

What are "Lead Charlie" weights?

Taking off from Bartow, Florida this afternoon in Ovation with G1000 panel, the status bar on the PFD showed only white GPS signal rather than green. In several minutes the GPS indication turned green. So no GPS on a sunny day over central Florida. Does anyone know how this can happen? Thanks Everyone Alan