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Well, that didn't work but, none of us correctly predicted where the problem would be. The plate height worked fine with the 2 different sets of wheel pants I looked at, the problem came when winching the nose wheel on. As soon as there was real tension on the rope, it started bending at the hinge instead of pulling the plane up the plate. I should have seen that coming. I need to enlarge the plate a little to feel comfortable with this and I'm going to have to relocate the winch to the part that the plate is on so there's no option for the winch other than pulling the plane onto the plate.

The FBO and shops I've seen using these always attach to the gear above the wheel pants. They just wrap that strap around it. Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

I've got to get some measurements of the door rails and lip heights when I go to the airport today. This currently has only 2" of ground clearance, which seems pretty low already. If I only need an inch to clear normal obstacles though, I can drop it some. The challenge is finding the sweet spot where loading the plane is easy and it's not going to get stuck when you try to go over something. I can probably cheat some of it by placing the wheels where the hinge for the plate is since it's the lowest part. My thought is that the winch remains attached until you're ready to unload so you don't need to chock the back side, just the plate in the front to keep it from rolling forward when you stop the tug.

Maybe this will work. I'm trying to keep the plate compact to keep it portable. Raising and lowering the plate as a whole would definitely work well, I just don't know a way to do it that won't become bulky and expensive. I'm open to suggestions. Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

Good point, I can add a vertical plate up front to prevent that.

We'll find out soon enough... I can always make it longer or put it closer to the ground if I have to. I want avoid longer if possible.

It may end up being too steep, I won't know until I try it. You've got to remember that as the weight moves onto the plate, it's going to tilt back down and lift the plane so you're not really pulling it up that angle.

Yes, the platform is already on a hinge just past the middle so that it naturally sits in the support but it tilts as soon as there's any weight put on the front. I might have to make the plate a little longer so the angle isn't as extreme. I modeled this after a tug I saw in use, it had a much longer plate. I've played with the idea of mounting the wheels up higher to put the plate lower but, I'm worried about not having enough ground clearance to get into a hanger over door rails and a concrete lip.

OK, so it's not completely Mooney related, although it would move a Mooney around just fine. I wanted to share my early progress on a portable tug that would be universal and work on planes with wheel pants and probably tail wheel aircraft as well. I think I'm going to call it The Keep Your Pants On Tug. I'm most of the way there, I just need to get the handle and wiring done. It's going to break down into 3 pieces, the longest being 36" which could be split into 2 separate pieces, and should weigh in at about 30 pounds with batteries. What do you guys think? There was lots of good input on the Mooney tow bar, I'm hoping that will be the case here as well.

If I'm around, I'd be happy to show you mine,, just send me a message. If not, they have one at Dugosh that JD likes to show off.

Integrity and credibility is important, I'm far from perfect but I try to keep my promises. Anyone that has the skills to do this would be able to figure it all out on their own eventually so I don't see any reason not to help.

This guy is constantly giving the "Meow" on guard. I can't stop him, no matter what. He's solid on his comms otherwise though.

Back when I first started building my powered tow bar, I promised to make a how to video for those that just wanted to try this themselves. I'm sorry it's taken so long but, here it finally is. If you want to tackle this, I'm selling the parts other than the steel for the tow bar on my website, https://mooneymover.com, to make it easier. Happy to answer any questions about it. This doesn't show you how to weld, powder coat, design in CAD, etc but, if you already have the skills needed to do something like this, it's everything you need to know to get it done. https://youtu.be/PVRgs2k5qc0

That makes sense. I fly into T82 often, I'll be there tomorrow in fact, and thought I was going crazy for a minute when I first looked at the photo.

I can't tell you for a mid-body. My C touches down at 65MPH, give or take, the way I like it configured for landing. I'm usually 80 over the fence, 75 over the threshold and then pull power and hold it off as close the runway as I can until the speed bleeds off and it lands. Usually puts me at the 1,000' markers. The POH should have some guidance, most planes I've flown like to land at whatever stall speed is for the current configuration. I usually only put in 15 degrees of flap so my stall speed is higher than if I was full flaps.

What airport is this? It's not T82 or ERV. This is T82 for those not familiar.

Your biggest learning curves will be energy management and realizing that although they fly fast, they land as slow as any other GA airplane. Don't try to put it on the runway until it's done flying or it'll object. Also, the descent is much flatter than you're probably used to. When I get into something else, I fell like I'm dive bombing the runway on final. Welcome to the club!

I replaced that hose last year. We used a pressure pot on the reservoir and bled to the valve in the belly on the right side near the back of the wing, or just behind it. Then pumped and released, pumped and released, pumped and left overnight. They didn't release any so we had the air out. Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

The one pictured is 24" long but, I can scale it up to whatever size you'd want. I can't really go any smaller, the lines get too thin and the plasma either burns through them or they deform. I think it looks best at 30" or bigger.

I'll swing by while you're in, I don't go in until Nov this year since it took so long for the last one. Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

My daughter brought me a pregnant stray cat not long ago, she had kittens about 10 weeks ago. This one has been riding around the ranch in the RTV with me without complaint and is pretty good in a car so, I'm going to get him used to a harness, leash training him and see if he'll fly. Today was his first trip to the airplane, he's still not thrilled about the harness, it's only his 3rd time wearing it. I think he's going to get there though. Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

I'm sure we could work something out if you'd like one. I'm working on a different silhouette right now though, you may want to wait and see if you like it better. Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

I know Mooney Max is just around the corner and they're both very close this year but, who is going to the Summit next month? I'll be there for the first time and I've donated a tow bar for the silent auction. I've been playing around with my new plasma table and will probably bring one of these wire frame Mooney models as well. I'm looking forward to it and hoping to meet some of you there. Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

I had AD 73-21-01 done today, or did it under supervision. It's just lubricating flight controls and gear, which is something a Private Pilot is allowed to do under Part 43 so, I got to wondering... If an AD consists solely of work that Part 43 allows a pilot to complete, can the pilot perform the work and log the AD as complied with? We discussed it in the shop and came to our own conclusion but, I'm curious to see if MS comes to the same conclusion and how we get there.

Don, I'll be at FTW and RBD tomorrow, if either are convenient for you. I'd be happy to take care of the switch for you while I'm there, it's a 10 second fix with the right tools. If not, I'll get a video soon Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk