Sabremech

Finally was able to get the paint work completed and put the cowlings on today.

Hi Bob, I don't think there's going to be a revision to the Service Instructions, I would proceed with caution going outside of the published instructions, but at a minimum check the tie down hardware. Thanks, David

A little birdie told me the concern is the hardware that bolts the tail tie down to the aircraft. I was advised to inspect or replace the hardware if I wanted to use the tail tie down. It is easier and faster to use the tail tie down, but I still use a strap and engine hoist if I'm leaving my airplane on jacks for more than a few hours. David

Hi Matt, I agree with you that I don't know how any shop can complete the annual in 20 hours or so. I'm way over your 50 hours on my annuals and am making mine better every year. I kept track the first year I did it and no longer even count it. I can be working on my annual for a month or more! David

Looks like ARI.

I painted my new modified cowling recently and didn't make a logbook entry for it because it's not maintenance related, purely cosmetic. That could explain why you don't see touch up or partial paint work in the logbooks unless it involves painting of flight controls, etc.

None of them!

It seems as thought the manufacturer of the paddle bulb could get FAA/PMA on their LED lights if they meet what they say they meet on their logbook sign off. You don't necessarily need an STC to install the lights.

How many sellers are willing to let the buyer open up the fuel tanks and remove the sealant along the spar to check for corrosion on these no damage aircraft? A no damage aircraft can have the same effect to your pocket book if this is found. I'm going to open up both of my tanks and do this prior to traveling to have the tanks resealed or getting my airplane painted as it's a game changer. Is corrosion damage history then?

I haven't found that yet!

The word damaged should be removed from aviation language. An airplane is either repaired correctly or not. As far as affecting value, what's to say that airplane that hasn't been geared up in the last 12 years isn't full of corrosion? Is it worth more than the repaired airplane? An airplane is either airworthy or not, been repaired correctly or not, but not damaged or not. I happen to have an airplane that's been repaired twice from gear ups and has the dreaded one piece belly with all that torn up sheet metal exposed when it's removed. Funny thing is that I can't find that torn up sheet metal yet as it was repaired correctly by an STC. Does my airplane have damage history or repair history?

I spoke with Kyle at the last MAPA convention and he flew it out to Terrell Texas as the weather kept him from getting into Kerrville. I was hoping to see it but the timing didn't work out. Nice to know it's flying.

I decided to put the stripes on the cowling since I had the paint and it's going to be a while before I get the whole airplane painted. Here's a couple of photos of taping the stripes. David

The tail was off when I did the pre buy and I saw the two bolts and they were not straight. It must have been one heck of a jolt or two! Everything has been tight since and I intend on it staying that way. David

The two pivot bolts were what got bent on mine as a result of a severe turbulence encounter. David

When I purchased my Mooney the tail was off to replace both of the bolts that hold the tail on as they were bent from encountering severe turbulence. Since then, I don't accept any play in the horizontal stabilizers, my personal choice. David

Since the key word is recommend and not mandatory, not very often for me. David

Hi Cliff, Thanks for your reference. Since it's an Advisory Circular, it's only a document offering guidance but is not regulatory in nature in regards to returning a part to service. A key example of the guidance is in the reference statement, d. Sellers Designation. The seller MAY be able to provide documentation not the seller WILL provide documentation. Traceability is nice to have, but in regards to the flap in this topic not required. Thanks, David

Hi Raptor05121, I'll be out at the airport on Sunday and will get a photo of the access door open and the oil dipstick location in relation to the door. Thank you, David

Hi Cliff, Not to be overly particular, but why would you include the n number the replacement part came off of if it's the same part number in the IPC in the logbook sign off? Thanks, David

I met Houman at Oshkosh this past year and sold him a set of gear tools. Extremely sad to hear about this today. David

Thanks guys for the compliments on my cowling. I think I have a pretty good compromise working with a price constraint as I certainly could have done a completely new cowling, but then few people would want it at what it would cost. I have the 66 and up C & G cowling mod pretty complete and can proceed to building the STC package and get that submitted. The 66 and up E & F models, I still have the baffling to work out and the adapter to the air filter to make. I'm hoping to find an E or F near me to take some measurements then I can get that package going. I'll have some performance numbers for my airplane soon and will share that data, but I think the best comparison will be getting data on a stock airplane then install my kit and run the performance again for real gains. I expect some, but I already had an ARI enclosure on mine, so my numbers are going to be compared to that and not stock. Thanks again, David

Hi Nicholas, My BFR is now out of date, so I'm getting that handled and then back on to doing a performance run or two to see what I've gained if any over my original cowling enclosure which was an ARI mod. I'm not sure what I expect over my old enclosure, but I'm certain I'll see some speed gain. I'll have to get another cowling mod done on an airplane with a completely stock cowling to get a real comparison from stock to my cowling mod. Not sure if the weather will cooperate this time of year in Southeastern Wi, so it might be a while before some data will be able to be shared. Thank you, David

Being an aircraft mechanic, I wouldn't own my airplane if I couldn't have it in a hangar. Every one of us has a different situation, so do what's best for you.

Thanks guys for the support. Even though I'd like to know a number of people interested, I won't do a preorder or deposit for the reason that if I promise a delivery date and can't make it for any reason, it only makes for tough questions and upset or lost customers. I do plan to update as the project progresses and once I get to and through conformity, I'll then look to publish an availability date. Thanks again, David