laytonl

My partner and I fly our 1978 M20J a combined 185 hours per year. Our costs are: Hanger $3,000 yr Ins $2,400 Taxes $300 Annual $2,000 (owner assisted) Misc maintenance $2,000 (our plane is a former hanger queen and we are still working thru issues. Previous years mx has been higher. Total Fixed: $9,700 Fuel 185 hrs @ 12 gals/hr * $4.25 gal = $9,435 Total cost $19,135 Cost/hr = $103

My partner and I fly our 1978 M20J a combined 185 hours per year. Our costs are: Hanger $3,000 yr Ins $2,400 Taxes $300 Annual $2,000 (owner assisted) Misc maintenance $2,000 (our plane is a former hanger queen and we are still working thru issues. Previous years mx has been higher. Total Fixed: $9,700 Fuel 185 hrs @ 12 gals/hr * $4.25 gal = $9,435 Total cost $19,135 Cost/hr = $103

In addition to an M20J, I also own a Piper Warrior that was damaged in a hail storm 20-years ago. I repainted the airplane a few years ago and the we bondo'd the worst of the dimples (on the wing and fuse, not the control surfaces) but it is still very noticeable in the new paint shine. Doesn't bother me a bit. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase an aircraft with hail damage. My insurance company de-valued the airplane about 15% because I didn't re-skin the control surfaces. Lee

A good way to know how much to "crack" the throttle is to leave at the idle position it is at on shut down (i.e., with the engine at idle, pull the mixture to idle cut-off and don't touch the throttle until after the engine is started again.) That seems to be about the correct amount to crack the throttle. Lee

I experience hail damage many years ago in a Cherokee. Insurance company was great. They offered to replace the control surfaces, bond the fuselage and wings and repaint, or pay me the equivalent amount - and reduce the insured value accordingly. If I recall the insurance quote was about $7k in 1982. I took the money. The Cherokee now has a nice panel even if it does look like a golf ball on the outside! I still own the Cherokee along with a Mooney. Lee

A bearing failure in the alternator can cause a similar reaction. Lee

I get them from Spruce. For my '78 J it is a F391-53S, 7/16x20. Lee

On my 1978 M20J, I remove the front panel of the annuciator and replace the lamp. Mine uses a GE 330, 12v bayonet lamp. They cost about $1 at spruce, probably less at NAPA. Lee

On our 1978 M20J, it is out a couple of feet on the right wind in the center of an inspection cover. Lee

Anyone have experience with the new electronic attitude indicator from RC Allen? I'm considering adding an RCA-2600 as a backup. Lee

Quote: KSMooniac Dave, my only advice would be to buy the best example you can find, and that will minimize the surprises down the road. You probably already realize that thanks to your Cherokee experience, though. Find one that was cared-for with timely maintenance and upgrades by the owner, and not one that was simply "used up" just to be passed down the line. I'm at my 2 year anniversary this weekend, and the only surprise I've had was a landing gear motor that gave up the ghost ($1000 rebuild and labor) as I was about to land at Willmar for fuel tank rehab ($8000). Other than that, I've added an HID landing light ($450 + my labor), replaced the balky OAT gauge with a Davtron M655 ($200 + my labor), and Garmin WAAS upgrade x2 ($3400 total). Minor stuff at annual like filters, strobe light lenses, baffle seals, plugs etc don't really count in my opinion. My annual is due in February, and I'm debating about replacing the tach with a Horizon electronic model and/or sending my yokes off for a leather covering at Aero Comfort. Paint and a LoPresti cowl are high on the wish list for later in the spring.

That stuff is what I was thinking about too. Let us know how it goes. Lee

I would spray a can of Corrosion X per wing while it's open. It's a rather cheap fix and it works. Lee

155 kts with WOT at 8,000', 2600 RPM, 10.5 GPH, 35C ROP. 1978 M20J. Lee

I have an M20 on my M20J and can't tell any difference. I don't think it works. We supposedly did all the right things, mounted high, careful with the routing, etc. I would not install an M20 again. Lee

I have finally got a process that minimizes the oil filter mess. I do the "split an old oil container in half" routine. Then I add a 1/4" plastic drain line to the bottom of the container and place that rig under the oil filter. Once loosen the filter, the oil drains into the oil can and thru the tube to bucket. I also stuff several newspapers under the filter to catch any drips. Mooney maintenance is a pain, but worth the effort. Lee

Has anybody replaced the insulation in the sidewalls during an SB208 inspection? If so, what insulation product did you use? Lee

I did a Cherokee several years ago and it was not too difficult. I did take the seats to a local hot-rod car shop. Just make sure they order fire-retardant material. They actually new they needed to do this and had a supplier.

I've answered my own question. For anyone who needs to know, http://www.avind.com/

Anyone have a source for panel lighting fuses such as the Buss FM01A125V5A fuse in a 1978 Mooney M20J? Lee