Barneyw

Hi All Does anyone know if there were any modifications or new seats with better backrest adjusters. Are there seats out there with a more progressive adjuster rather than the cam style of adjustment I have that keeps slipping off to a more reclined position. Cheers Barney

I guess that's what I want to explore if the increase speed (VLo VLe) was coincidental with the actuator change and a paperwork exercise and if there is any structural difference between the F and the J given, as you alluded to, it all appears to be the same. Not sure where the thread took a turn and starting talking brakes but if there is anyone out there who could answer the questions that would be helpful. Cheers

I'd like to extend this conversation further to earlier aircraft in particular aircraft fitted with Johnson bars. Having now done a few gear cycles I can now understand the strain on, most likely, undersized motors - something that is not necessarily limited to the Mooney. What caught my eye was the speed change occurring with what I assume was a more powerful actuator. From what I read in the service bulletin a placard change is all that is required and you are good to go no change to the undercarriage etc. So my question is, is there any structural differences between the undercarriages, and I guess the wing mounting, of the "J" and in my case the "F" I recently purchased 2 x spindle assy, one off a J and the other unsure, but they are the same part numbers and would imagine if I were to dig a little deeper the whole assy would most likely be the same PNo. I think you can see where I am going with this so I would like to know if there is any information or experience on a VLe and VLo for the "F" because at the moment all I have is one speed and that's 105KIAS in a rather light on flight manual and POH. If the answer is in the negative can they please explain why. Cheers Barney

True but I am not asking for certification just a point of reference as a guide. Having said that I'm sure that the companies providing such a service are doing so at a high standard.

Thanks Scott I get the same comment about the engine all the time. I have the original logbooks and can pinpoint the date it was changed from an A1A to the C1D6. That was back in 1977 so that particular engine has been installed for the better part of 50 years. Other than the one line "Engine change carried out" and the recorded model and serial number I cannot answer the question about how it was approved, probably lost in time. Given what I have read about the A1A I'm happy that it was changed for a different model. In any event from what I can glean from your comments I would need to compare to like model for like model, however, I would have thought that I could just compare, hopefully exercising some common sense here, an IO-360 with other IO-360s irrespective of model as they are essentially the same engines. Surely, within reason, the core of the engine would wear similarly and for the purpose of comparison and serve as good reference. One last comment - the amount of different IO-360 (and O-360s) models out there, and I know they all serve different purposes and applications, seems to me to be a confusing mess. Before I close I am now curious about the engine and the possible STC/approval. I have had limited success at discovering approved STCs from official channels, and we do not do field approvals here in Australia, can someone please direct me to a site where I might be able to discover all the approved STCs for my aircraft or will it be a bit of a wild goose chase given the time that has passed. Cheers Barney

Hi All I just completed my first SOAP sample on an IO-360 C1D6. The engine is 518 SMOH, was bulk stripped at 417 hrs due to a leaking through stud and at that point the cam shaft "oil fed lobe" mod was incorporated. The engine is well past its calendar life and is currently running on condition. The report came back clean but as you can appreciate I have nothing to compare it to and even with the next report two points does not make a trend. I did read of one provider keeping a database of all engines and can provide a fleet average so you can compare and benchmark where your engine sits with other operator's engines. AOA out of Phoenix does not have such records. Furthermore, is there a chart that shows what the normal range should be. I have the Lycoming doc but it's quite blurry and that's from the Lycoming website. I'm curious how many of you participate in the SOAP? Does anyone have such a fleet wide record and a chart showing a normal range for the various metals or contaminates. Is anyone willing to share a few of their reports. Look forward to your replies Cheers Barney

Thanks

I think there is a good article at Pelican's Perch on this noting that the one hour mark is the critical point. Generally speaking the engine should fire up easily within a hour after shutdown. After an hour it's time to use the fuel pump to purge the fuel lines. But like everything hot engines, it's not always that simple. Lately I have been have good success with cranking the engine and if it fires all good and well but if it fires and then dies I will crank the engine and give it a momentary blip of fuel on the pump while cranking and that has worked every time. Takes a little coordination but quite doable. Cheers

Hi All Just wondering if someone can shed some light on the Link Assembly part numbers and the possibility of an interchange between models. The part number for the "F" is 520010 - 1. There is a Link Assembly for sale from a "K" and its part number 520010 - 001 Are these parts the same or does the 001 mean it is different, albeit slightly, or was this just a newly allocated part number? Thanks in advance Cheers Barney

I have a maintenance background albeit a military one but even then it was all about more speed and less haste, measure twice cut once and get the job done right the first time. This smacks of carelessness, pressure from above and lack of training. I presume in their haste to get the job finished and clear hangar space that all the snags you found were fixed on their dime not yours - something to do with false economies etc. Having said that I think their is a general malaise in the system on a global scale more kids interested in becoming influencers or Tour of Duty champions rather than getting a real job. I would imagine, just like here in Oz, the average age of an experienced mechanic is increasing at an alarming rate. Cheers

I didn't think air rage - GA style - was such a thing. Yes the Mooney may have made a bit of an error but the controller was totally unprofessional, the guy behind probably benefited from doing a rare go around but was obviously not concentrating on flying the aircraft making an angry comment and the clown who chimed in with the "they give licences to anyone" remark was totally unnecessary If this is the reaction from all involved when something minor like this happens it begs the question what will the reaction be like when something serious happens. ATC are there to serve and manage the airspace, I don't think "get off the runway" is standard phraseology. All in all the pathways for something more sinister to happen were being nudge closer and closer by the reaction of the pilots and controller ganging up on one person who should have known the rules but hey hands up those of you who have gone through your aviation life without a mistake or error - if you have your hand up then I would say you are being somewhat economic with the truth. Cheers Barneyw

Just thinking out aloud but has Mooney ever tried diversifying their operation into something else other than aviation. I can think of a few examples where the engineering skills were put to other uses other than aviation to keep the company afloat. As I said earlier it takes a requisite imagination and maybe a good old fashion SWOT analysis to be in and, moreover, stay in business. Cheers

Ok i'll try that personally but I was told that it wasn't available. I will give it a go. Thanks Cheers

No. It looks like that there may have been a bearing failure and the brake disc grounded away part of the vertical section of the spindle assy. From what the mechanic told me the tube wall thickness is 0.200 and the damage is close to 50% of the wall thickness. The damage would be akin to someone taking an angle grinder to a piece of tube and touch it and put a sizeable nick in it maybe around 1/2 - 3/4" wide and less than an inch long. My sense, and with limited welding experience, I feel that it can be as simple as building up the thickness again and then heat treating the spindle. Anyhow I'm hoping there is a repair scheme out there. Cheers

Schllc I have never suggested that Mooney should go out of business, quite the contrary I want Mooney and the owners to succeed. I just don't believe, right now, that the right people are in the job. LANCECASPER while I appreciate what you are saying I don't think it is reasonable to conflate the two industries one being highly regulated and specialised and one not so much made for the masses. I hear you about vintage aircraft but from what I can gather those vintage aircraft use a lot of common parts and in any event let's say for the sake of the argument all the pre "Js" were removed from the market - what then!? So I don't really buy that argument. Cubs are widely supported so much so everyone is copying them. I don't know how Beech, Piper and Cessna promote themselves but I would suggest they are in the business of still selling new aircraft whereas Mooney promote themselves as being the great supporters of the group. The point you made about LASAR is valid and I don't know all the ins and outs of anyone's financial position but that doesn't necessarily disqualify them. Just for the record The order for the bellcrank went in 8 weeks ago and I was told there was a 6 week lead time. Last I heard it wasn't arriving any time soon. In the end we resolved the issue and i am becoming quite acquainted with the salvage markets ...not ideal or desirable but workable nontheless. Anyhow I can sense that this argument will start gaining some circular motion. I think the owners deserve better. Cheers Barneyw