Sabremech

Time for final fitting of the new cowling pieces, then on to riveting the parts together. David

Hi N601RX, I looked at Cummins Spinners and they look great. I'm hesitant to use a company outside of the U.S. other than Canada. It complicates the whole FAA certification process. Thank you, David

Hi Clarence, I did check with TCB and didn't find the diameter that I need for my mod. Hi Browncbr1, I've looked at it a little and I don't think I can work the round inlets in and I know I can't get the air filter in the left cylinder air inlet without the cowl moved forward a bit. It could be done if I made a whole new cowling but the air filter would have to remain where it is. I'll look at it some more when I get further along in the current mod. Thank you, David

Hi Flyntgr1, That is correct. If you have the old style spinner and backing plate, then the prop would need to be removed to change the backing plates out. Thanks, David

Hi Yves, I stumbled across them yesterday. From what I understand, they hold the STC for our 4 cylinder Mooneys. The fuel is available at some locations in Indiana and Michigan for about $1.00 per gallon less than Avgas. I have one of their flyers they asked me to give to the airport manager at my home airport (UGN). David

Just spent some time with Catto Propeller talking spinners. I may have a way to solve the high price spinner by having carbon fiber spinners made. David

Hi Bob, If you didn't have to modify anything on the ARI enclosure when you changed the prop and spinner, then my cowling mod will fit. Thanks, David

Hi Browncbr1, I'm looking at all the options for the spinner. I'm quite sensitive to cost and am watching for improvements or processes to control those costs. Thanks, David

Thanks guys for all of the comments and questions. I've researched the ram air on the E & F models and talked with some very knowledgeable Mooney folks and the consensus is that by moving the filtered air into the left cylinder air inlet, the same boost to mp can be achieved. if I do this, I can use most of the same parts except for the air inlet for the fuel injection on the 66 C, E, F & G models. This will keep the costs down if I can do this under one STC. It will do away with all the ram air rubber seals and the air filter on the above models and make them more in line with the J model. I'd like to find an option for the spinner, but if it's not already certified and fits certain dimensions, it can add 100 hours of test flights to get it certified as part of the STC. That would delay the project and raise costs, so it's a matter of where's a good balance in the cost vs benefit in the project. It was great meeting and talking with Ned, Clarence, Yves, Andy, Johnathon, Vincent and many more. Thanks again, David

Hi Ned It was great meeting you and more Mooneyspace members. I appreciate the comments and feedback. I have a ways to go but I think I'll have a good product with good enhancements to cooling, speed and aesthetics. I'm here until Saturday and would like Clarence to see the parts and get his thoughts on the project. Give me a call or send me a text at 847-227-7008 and I'll meet with you guys. Thank you, David Staffeldt

I just drove around the end of 27 and there's not a lot of room there for Mooney's. The Bonanza and Cessna groups appear to be quite large and there's only a few rows left before parking starts on the other side of 27. David

Hi Daver328, Thank you. Some days I wonder what I was thinking when I started the project, but it's coming together nicely. Thanks again, David

Just got into Oshkosh and setting up the camper. Let the fun begin. David

Hi Ryan, Now I see what you're looking for. I can work on that. Thank you, David

Hi David, I do plan on incorporating a lens for the landing light. I had one on mine for the last four years and it had a little distortion from heat. It fits between the cowling and landing light housing. I'm planning on having it cut around the edge where it will be flush with the cowling. I haven't made the new one for mine yet. Thank you, David

Hi Mike, looking forward to the Summitt and meeting you. Thanks for all your generosity. Carusoam, I was really hoping to have some performance numbers by Osh to share with everyone who is interested, but delays in getting parts kept me from completing it. I'll show anyone who's interested in seeing the main parts what they look like and listen to any suggestions offered to improve my project. Thanks, David

Hi Mike, It looks like it was meant to be that it debuts at the Mooney Summitt and not Oshkosh after all. Looking forward to the trip and hoping no other issues jump up. Thanks, David

Hi Clarence, That is an option if anyone is interested. Thank you, David

Hi Ryoder, Are you thinking of the questions I'm asked at Airventure? To post them in an FAQ format? Thanks, David

I'll be there this Thursday through the following Saturday. Unfortunately, I ran out of time to get my cowling completed so the airplane won't make it this year. I'll be bringing up the components for my kit if anyone wants to see what they look like. Thanks, David

It looks like I've run out of time for my Mooney to make Oshkosh. Too much to finish and can not rush it. With that, I plan on bringing the major parts that will make up a kit and have them as well as pictures available at the Mooneyspace gathering Monday night. I'm also available during the week if anyone can't attend the gathering to go over the parts and pictures and can be reached on my cell. My cell and e-mail are available on my website gdsaero.com. Thank you, David

I listened to the Concorde battery rep at the MAPA convention and he recommends letting the battery take all the amperage it wants and control the voltage. You might go to Concordes website and download the manual for your battery. It will tell you what the best method for bringing your battery back to life.

You're going to have a blast Tony. David

Hi Brian, PM sent.

I'll repost the picture of fitting the cowling to the airplane from this past weekend. Work continues on fitting of the cowling and the new baffling. Thanks, David