Falcon Man

One thing to consider when flying an airplane in icing conditions, is how much climb power do you have. Non turbocharged airframes have less options to escape the ice: stay at the same altitude, descend or a much reduced ability to climb. IMHO, when flying over mountain terrain I would want the best option to climb.

Funny video a fellow Mooniac sent to me. Jeff Avination Acronyms.mp4

Mooniac15U - Please send me your shipping address and I will let you know the $. Jeff

My bad - didn't know how to remove the ad.

Audio panel sold

Yes audio panel

I have three David-Clark headsets: H10-13X nose cancelling, H10-13.4 and H10-30. All are in great shape. Just pay for shipping and they are yours. Thanks, Jeff

Redbaron1982, I have over 1800 hours in turbocharged 231/252 K models, including 1000 hrs in a converted 231 (1985) and almost all hours are 3-4 hr. flights over the Sierras and Rockies. Unless most of your flights are at these altitudes, just about any other non-turbo Mooney will be more efficient and less expensive to operate. The most sensible transition would be to get a F or J model to do your IFR training in and become a master Mooney pilot. When the time is right for you and you need to fly high on O2, a 231/252 will be a great step up. If you do pursue the 231 conversion please reach out to me so I can share with you the issues you are likely to encounter maintenance wise. Good luck pursuing your dream, Jeff - 208.720.2506

For all owners of a 262 and those considering one: I have a copy of the STC from Mod Works Inc and the Aircraft Flight Manual Supplement which I can share with anyone. Additionally, if you have the TSIO360MB engine in a 12 volt airframe BEWARE of using a lightweight starter. Several have failed in flight and lead to gear shearing and failure of the accessory case, thus leading to a simultaneous vacuum pump and alternator failure. I know this from personal experience. Fortunately my aircraft has dual alternators and an electric vacuum pump backup. After my incident I contacted TCM and Niagra Air Parts and they were aware of the situation. Unfortunately, TCM has not issued a SB about this situation, but the engineer at TCM I talked to was aware of the problem. Go Figure! He told me to use the original type of starter, NOT a lightweight one. Jeff

Jason, I have a 1984 "262" that will be for sale in about 3 months. Engine is @ Continental right now. If interested contact me about the particulars. Thanks, Jeff

Have you considered Savvy Analysis? I used them on my TCM TSIO360MB4B engine in my M20K 231/262 and went 700 hrs past TBO. Their regular evaluation of my JPI engine monitor data, my own borescope and oil analysis was used to make sure the engine was running safe. The only reason I overhauled the engine at that point was because I incurred a towing incident with nose gear collapse and static prop strike. At teardown the engine was in really good shape according to the engine shop. IMHO, Jeff

K Model Mooniacs: The STC number is SA3106SO. You can find it below or on on the FAA STC website. I only have the first page. The Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office might have all the other pages. Jeff SA3106SO.pdf

msh9, Your story is not uncommon. I have owned several Mooneys over many decades and had a number of mechanics mess things up. I live in Idaho and will not use any AP/IA for my Mooney other than Kerry McIntyre at KNR in Evanston, Wyoming. You cannot find any other person in the West who is as knowledgable as Kerry. No one at Cascade has the experience nor knowledge equal to Kerry IMHO. Good luck, Jeff

Hello All, I just looked up the STC for the "262" conversion and found out any M20K S/N 25-0001 to 25-0889 could have a TSIO360MB (any version) engine installed. Also the STC is transferrable per FAR # 14 CFR 21.47. Maybe Coy Jacob's heirs or probate attorney can transfer the STC - just a wild daydream. My engine repair shop is still trying to find parts for the broken starter adaptor. I found out from TCM that a starter adapter from a TSIO360MB4B, MB2B or SB2B version will work on my engine. Jeff

The lightweight starter broke the drive gear/shaft in flight and some pieces chewed up two sump gears is my understanding. Niagra can't get parts. Kelly Aerospace sold out to Boeing and Spruce is their distributer. Spruce lists a new drive for $13K and a OH unit for $7.5K but none are available. No other version of the TSIO360MB engine parts will work. Not sure yet why TCM said no bueno. Jeff

My Mooney 262 is now a parts orphan. Just found out my engine shop cannot find starter adapter for my TCM TSIO360MB4B. If anyone knows of such an engine that is being used for parts or knows where I can find parts please let me know. Thanks, Jeff

Yes, I am the one who was on a long straight in final approach to KPUW (Pullman, WA) so it was essentially a no brainer. I had just flown thru a rain squall when the vacuum/alternator gave out so I was trying to figure out how it might be caused by the moisture - duh. The problem has only been seen on the dual pad version of the TSIO360 engines. I spoke with Greg @ Niagra Air Parts and he seemed to know more about this than anyone else because they are the T drive specialists. He could likely answer about the TSIO360GB or LB engines, but they do not have the dual pad accessory case. He said the new crop of engineers were the ones who decided on lightweight starters, ignorant of the previous engineering done by the old farts. Likely they thought their education made them smarter, and we know now they weren't in this case. Kerry said there isn't a service bulletin/letter. I wish I could back charge Continental Aerospace for my Beta testing in the field Jeff

Mike, I was thinking the same thing. I would be interested if this idea goes any further. Jeff

Jerry, The phone number 423-273-3755 just goes to a busy signal. I have tried it hourly since you emailed. I am thinking it isn't working. Do you have any more info about Brent? Jeff

Jerry, Thanks for the contact info. My engine is a TSIO360-MB4B version which is a later version than the MB so I will call Brent to see what version he has. Jeff

There was no warning whatsoever. At this point one gear and shaft was broken and that is $3200. Hopefully the rest of the T drive is ok because those gears are $12K to replace. I will ask the shop to take some pictures. Jeff

Oops - did not know he passed. Jeff

I talked with Coy Jacobs about two years ago and he still owns the STC. Maybe he can help you out. Worth a try, Jeff

If you are using any lightweight starter on a TCM TSIO360-MB engine in a Mooney with a 14v electrical system - BEWARE. In my Mooney 262 the lightweight starter caused the starter T-Drive gear and shaft to fracture in flight with a resultant simultaneous vacuum and low voltage warning. Fortunately, my airplane is equipped with a second alternator and electric vacuum backups. The failure stopped the T-drive from working properly and I had a partial loss of power due to the turbo filling with oil. My IA did some research and it turns out that TCM does not recommend any version of a lightweight starter on this engine in a 14v Mooney (28V system is OK). The only starter safe to use is the old version PN: 646238-R. I think that the only models with a 14v system running the MB engine are the converted 231's. It's always something, Jeff

Oh I have been reading MS on and off for a lot of years - just don't do much social media commenting.