Red Leader

I had arranged to purchase 22HM from the previous owner, having been directed to him by a friend who had a prebuy performed on it. During the inspection, it was found the engine was corroded from disuse and required an overhaul. My friend did not purchase this plane but gave me the contact number of the owner. I personally never visited the aircraft so I cannot elaborate on the problems other than the issue with the engine. I thought the paint scheme was attractive and in good condition from the pictures I had but there could have been corrosion - IDK.

Wow, that is even worse than I thought. As much as I want a Bravo, I don't need one - my 231 is plenty fast and very efficient. Also, mine has most of the upgrades I want. This plane, even if the engine was good, has the original interior, no GPS, I don't see any ADS-B but I have not contacted the seller to ask. The fact that he is selling after having for only a little while suggests an awareness that there is much more to be done to make it reliable, but again, I have not spoken with him and after this information, I don't believe I will. Thank you all!

I am the proud owner of a really nice, upgraded 231 but have always wanted an M20M. Recently, on Trade-a-Plane, I came across a 1991 Bravo at a very good price. According to the listing, it sat inside a hangar for 6 years and the new owner found corrosion inside one of the cylinder heads. Here is the listing: 1991 MOONEY M20M TLS BRAVO Single Engine Piston for sale - 2450926 Am I right to be concerned? No original logs - according to the ad, they have been reconstructed. Corrosion already in once cylinder suggests corrosion in all of them but I suspect they didn't look in others for fear of what they might find (hence the good price?). I recently missed another Bravo (22HM) a couple of years ago when the owner, after making a deal with me, ended up giving it to the shop for outstanding fees. It, too, had corrosion inside the engine and needed an overhaul. In spite of the good price and (seemingly) good condition of the airframe, I am worried that it may be a major can of worms - the engine may be just waiting to fail and reveal all sorts of mess inside. I know a thorough prebuy would reveal (or put to rest) all concerns, however, I believe the wise course of action would be to pass on this plane. Thoughts?

I have never heard of the "Liquid Rocket" conversion. Can you tell me more about it?

Unless you have really short legs, you might want to consider the 1.5". I have short legs and, like you, wanted the 3" extensions. I got a good deal on a set of 1.5's and had them installed at my last annual - they are absolutely perfect! Had I installed the 3" extensions, it would've been too much. If you can find another Mooney owner who has either the 1.5 or 3" extensions installed, I suggest a test-fit first just to see how you feel. You might be surprised (I was!).

$1355 - Ouch!

I was unable to go to the summit this year (we were in Seattle) and would love to get feedback from those who attended. Any pictures, comments or reactions from attendees would be welcome on this platform! How many came? Were there any contests - what were they, who won? Photos of the planes? I am sure there are great stories from those who were there about their experiences, please share! Maybe we can come next year!

Am I correct in assuming that this prop is only rated for the specific engine and airplane model (Acclaim) and not for use on a 231?

Make sure your gear override lever is completely locked.

I would love to come to your place and rummage around.

Are you parting out this system or selling the entire assembly?

Don't have Gami's but have been considering them. At my last annual I had several fuel flow tests performed and the output of the injectors was almost exactly the same.

Good points, all. My engine monitor is a new Insight G4 installed a couple of years ago. I took a picture of the instruments on that flight and just looked again - ROP I was at 11k feet, 30" and 2350rpm. The engine just loved that setting and I was faster by about 5 knots indicated. Still running close to 400 on 5 & 6 but lower on 3 & 4 and lowest on 5 & 6. The temperature spread was about 100-degrees (between #1 and #5) and my fuel flow indicated a solid 10.2gph. Not a big difference but noticeable. I don't remember things running that smoothly when operating LOP. In fact, usually when lean, the engine would stumble several times during cruise. On shorter trips when I lean, it might not stumble at all, but the fact that I feel it when LOP and can also feel the reduction in speed when leaning suggests I may not be doing something right. I am taking another short trip tomorrow and will play with it a little more.

Good morning guys! I have a 1981 M20k with the GB engine. We all know this model engine is prone to getting hot fast if you don't watch the temps, even with the intercooler and Merlyn (which I have) Usually I run LOP and watch my pressures and temperatures - running about 29" and keeping it under 400 degrees. At these settings, I don't get the of speed our model is known for but I do get good fuel burn (9 - 9.5gps). On my last trip, I was running a little late on the return leg so I ran it ROP. I was burning around 11gph, going noticeably faster while not seeing the high cylinder temperatures I notice on my typical flights. Other than fuel burn (and higher speed) is there anything I am doing wrong by running it ROP?

Why cannot you just reinstall the cover without the associated hardware? That would effectively cover the hole and keep it legal.

Insight offered me a 10% discount if I purchased an engine monitor from them during the event - I did so and am a very happy customer.

Take it to someplace reputable. Pay the extra because the alternative is even more expensive. A couple of years ago, one of my tanks suddenly developed a leak that was fairly severe. I had it fixed at a shop on my home field at a price exceeding 2k. My first fill of the tank (a couple of weeks later to ensure a good cure) and it leaked. To me. that the leak was coming from the same location, at the same rate and stopped at the same level. The same shop fixed the leak again and charged me another 2k, claiming it was a different leak. That totally pissed me off as it was OBVIOUSLY the same leak that was improperly repaired the first time. Lesson learned - take it to someplace reputable.

Great chart - I've seen that before. Is the airspeed listed in MPH?

How much damage is too much? What is the exact amount of impression allowed before it becomes unairworthy? Isn't it something like 1/32" Of course, your pictures show about the worst-case scenario that isn't an immediate failure- sorry about that.

I'd be looking more into the vibration that concerns you so much. On my last plane, I had a strange vibration that was minor but still noticeable. I had the prop balanced and it did little to resolve the issue. I saw the readings on the before and after (though I do not remember the numbers) and although slight, it was OOB. Are you sure it is the propeller? Have you had an IA check the operation? I would exhaust other potential causes before plunking down a chunk of change on a new prop. If you are sure it isn't anything else, you have a good used prop already - have it overhauled and rebalanced. You might find (if this is the issue) that an overhaul fixed the trouble and at considerably less cost than another used one.

"Cheaper Fuel" elsewhere suggests there was fuel at his departure point. If so, prudence suggests he should have added fuel to ensure an adequate supply before departing. I didn't see a listing of his departure point in the NTSB report - perhaps there was no fuel available where he started? If so, he couldn't have stopped at a closer airport to add gas? Doesn't sound very risk adverse to me.

Please do!

Check it out: 1968 Mooney Mustang - aviation - by owner - airplane aviation parts - craigslist If you cannot open the link, here is what it says: 1968 Mooney Mustang M-22 PRESSURIZED 5-Seat Single Engine. 310/Hp Lycoming TIO-541, 222/kt Max speed at 25,000’ 1100-TTAF/E $125K The ad doesn't say what, if anything, is needed to be airworthy, nor does it have any pictures. As much as I would like to have a plane with the performance of the Mustang, I am unlikely to purchase an M22 knowing there is next to no factory support. I am also unaware of a supply line on the secondary market for used parts which makes a purchase such as this potentially unwise. Thoughts?

No, but I have done my share of whipping. All were after landing and all were deserved. Twice, years ago, I observed my instructor almost losing his mind over the radio to another pilot who was flying dangerously (and I mean DANGEROUSLY). This pilot took the runway while we were on short final - I saw and avoided (barely), after ignoring our radio calls and not looking for planes on approach. An hour later, this same pilot cut us off in the pattern and almost hit us. In both cases, the other pilot blew him off after the chewing and got a severe talking-to in the FBO later. I haven't heard him at the airport since.

That happened to the battery in my last plane. A few years ago, I flew to another airport to discuss avionics upgrades with the shop but when we went to leave, the plane would not start. We got a jump and flew home but the battery refused to spin the prop after shutdown. Talk about sudden with no warning! I don't remember how old it was but I do not believe I got near the life out of it that you did with yours - well done! My replacement, at the time, was around $600.