rgaines

I would love to do this modification but there is no reasonably priced STC for this as far as I know. I believe LASAR will modify the bench seat but it is around $1800 as I recall.

The alternator is better than the generator. My battery remains fully charged now where before I always had a problem keeping it charged enough for winter starts.

here are some pictures of the Lasar mod after painting.

I suggest Mosleys in Olathe Kansas at OJC. Excellent price and excellent work. Robert Gaines

Thanks for the positive comments. I am very pleased with the progress of this full modification. It is costly but I have a very updated airplane. I was very happy to find no rust or corrosion during this process - we performed the Mooney 208 service update and inspection. Still waiting for the final interior installation. Once it is completed I will post final pictures.

Final paint - now ready for interior. Very pleased

The paint is 97% done. So I decided to post the recent progress. The Mozley Paint shop in Overland Park Kansas located at OJC did a great job. White, with red and 2 shades of silver. All panels were removed, including the 40 or so access panels, the gear doors, all the bottom panels, and all of the control surfaces were removed and separately sanded and painted with primer and paint. New screws and a new N number. Now for the interior shop next door and maybe by 2/1/2001 the plane will be ready.

I did the 201 Lasar installation. If you move various parts, including the brake fuel reservoir and the vacuum pressure regulator you can create a lot of ease of access. I also did a complete panel modification before the window installation. The instuments are easy to get to. There is no right answer between the lasar and SWTA, however the Lasar installation does look a lot better and there is no potential for water leaks (I had this problem when water got into my instruments with the old panel access).

I was there in May. Fort Pierce FBO had the lowest price gas and rented rafts fairly cheaply. Turks and Caicos is very expensive to fill up so unless you are visiting try to stay away. Bahamas very friendly, so is Monserrat and the lesser known islands.

Mozleys is doing a great job. Here is his phone number 9137824468. Tell him Robert Gaines sent you and ask him what he is charging to paint my Mooney.

I always try to preheat if temps are under 40F. I understand it is recommended for temps under 50F. I also have tanus engine heaters and they really help. Just leave the plane plugged in until needed. Starts now are much better with a alternator (instead of the generator) and a new model starter.

I always try to preheat if temps are under 40F. I understand it is recommended for temps under 50F. I also have tanus engine heaters and they really help. Just leave the plane plugged in until needed. Starts now are much better with a alternator (instead of the generator) and a new model starter.

I just had my airplane modified by Raul Bueno. He has a hanger at East KC Airport about 5 miles east of independence missouri. He worked on my plane for about 3 weeks. He did a great job and essentially installed most every mod available for my airplane, including the belly and 201 window. He has all the tools and is an excellent sheet metal mechanic. I highly recommend him. Please respond and I will give you his information. If you like visit my posting in this forum. It shows his work and progress. At this time my airplane is in the paint shop at Johnson County Executive with Mozley's painting . They also are doing an excellent job. Robert Gaines

I have a 1962C which is substantially the same as the 1965E. 1. I suggest doing a full annual instead of a pre buy. Try to find a mooney experienced mechanic. 2. I have recently done a number of mods and a new paint job + interior replacement and found absolutely no rust. When doing this work we also did a SB208. I suggest in conjunction with the pre buy at least doing a modified SB208 and look for rust under the insulation - especially if you have the old pink factory insulation. Removed the bottom panels and look at the tubing on the underside of the airplane. 3. My mechanic likes using corrosion x . A mooney has a lot of inspection plates and I suggest a corrosion x treatment. If is not very expensive and is good insurance against rust. 4. Fuel re-seal is not complicated but is time consuming. If properly done it will last many years. But it is an issue in Mooneys so look for this problem in your pre buy. 5. No problems with the Johnson bar at all. Never had any issues with control rods. I believe there is an AD issued some time ago on control rods though I am sure your plane has satisfied the AD. 6. I really like the speed mods available for Mooneys and suggest them to you if you can afford it. If you can only do one modification then do the cowl closure. 7. I am not sure about 9 gal per hour. But you should get between 9 and 10. 8. You should have no transition problems to a Mooney. The only thing to look for is excess speed on landings. If you come in too hot you will float. 9. At 5'9' 180 lbs you will fit perfectly. I am 6'3" and have pleanty of leg room, though it is a little tight side to side. But still it is comfortable. 10. Suggestions if not already done: replace the generator with an alternator, make sure the AD hartzell propeller hub is in compliance, install three point seat belts, modify with the cowl closure.

1. I have a 1962 model and the step is manual. I usually just leave it up at all times. 2. I see no way how removing a step could add any speed so long as you fly with the step retracted. The weight gain by removing a step is minimal and I do not see how that could add to any measurable speed.

Mooney is now fully stripped and almost ready for paint. Very happy in finding no rust anywhere either outside or inside.

Paint to be done by Mozles Paint at Johnson County Exec. airport (OJC) in Olathe Kansas. Interior by Stich works at the same airport.

Used the Lasar Window. The window install took about 40 hours. The mechanic Raul Bueno did a great job and did the 201 window, 1 piece belly, flap and aileron gap seals, hinge gap seals, the dorsal fin and verticle fairing and the wing root fairings, we installed the new style ELT, and side air vents for the pilot and co-pilot and reversed the brake calipers. When we did the 201 window install we moved some components so they would be easier to reach including the brake fluid intake and the regulator for the vacuum pump. We pulled out all the interior except for the seats ready for a full redo inside. Also replaced the cowl sheet metal screws with recessed 100 degree machine screws for a far tighter fit. Here is a picture of the plane with all mods installed and ready for the paint and interior shop.

new seats

I also installed a sky-tec starter and it now works great. One issue however. Initially I purchased a rebuilt starter. If looked great on the outside, however after it was installed it did not work. My mechanic said the problem had to be the starter. I found it hard to believe however as usual he was right. When he removed the starter and took it apart the entire inside was corroded and in terrible condition. I called the factory and sent pictures. They replaced the rebuilt starter with a new one at no additional charge, however I had to eat about $300 in cost for my mechanic to instal and replace the starter and to figure out the problem. IN any event, this starter with new solinoids starts that engine immediately with no problems.

Quote: GeorgePerry Looks like it off to a good start. Who's doing the work? Keep us posted!

Here is the window before and after black paint. THe cowling t is now ready to receive the plexiglass. My mechanic Raul Bueno has done a great job.

Below are pictures of the brake caliper reversal - gear up. Also shown is the start of trimming of the area in front of the new 201 window.

I have an M20C with the old style bench seat. It seems to me that the bench seat could fold down and simply hinge on the lower two brackets and be held in in place by some movable latch at the two brackets higher up on the back of the seat.

I am in the middle of a major mod project for my M20C. Did you obtain the field approval on the fold down read seat. I have a M20C and want the seat to fold down. It seems like an easy mod. How did you do this? Thanks RObert Gaines