Sabremech

Anyone know the air inlet dimensions on an O? David

Good question. As soon as I can get it modified and fit to my other cowling set, I'll install it for more fitting and finishing and some preliminary photos. David

I've made the decision to go ahead with my cowling mod. I'm starting with a front section from James Aircraft and his Holy Cowl. It's going to take probably a good years time to get this to an approved STC with other projects I have to complete. David

Hi Bob, You definitely have more space between the Johnson bar and the wheel well. I barely had enough room for one layer of leather let alone folded over and hemmed. Also when I glued mine to the floor, it pulled the boot off of the floor when I went to the gear up and locked. I posted here last year about my experience with the boot and others posted pictures of theirs installed low or under the floor. I'm glad that yours worked, mine didn't. It does now with the boot made of leather and flexible spandex type fabric. David

I too installed the all leather bioot from Aero Comfort and couldn't get my gear to lock in the down position or all the way up as the leather would not flex. The gear would not lock down because of the folded over seam at the top of the boot interfering with the bar and the wheel well cover. The gear wouldn't go up and lock either because the boot wouldn't give enough or flex enough when glued to the floor. I was able to make it work when I cut the seams and stiching apart and removed the double layer of leather at the top of the boot around the bar. I worked with Hector to revise his boot to make it work as advertised with little or no chance of it interfering with gear down and locking. So maybe you got a differnt boot than those of us who had issues or maybe you have different clearances between your johnson bar and nose wheel well. Maybe your johnson bar doesn't pivot aft almost 4 inches as mine does. Just because their all made by Mooney doesn't mean they are exactly alike. I would highly recommend Aero Comfort products and from what I've heard his new Johnson Bar boot. David

The medical is all about the perception of "safety" for the non flying public. It's used far to often as a way to justify actions that defy common sense. David

Thanks jpjp. Sounds like Aero Comfrot made the modifications needed to work properly. Good to hear. David

+1 for John, I too purchased the leather boot from Aero comfort last year and it did not fit without major surgery. I talked with Hector a number of times and sent him one that I modified with flexible material for the part that wraps around the bar. I haven't heard if Aero Comfort changed their design and material since. If it's still made fully from leather, good luck making it work properly. David

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Are there any specific parts for the vintage Mooney's that are nearly impossible to get or have a very long lead time for delivery? I'm researching more parts projects for my company to possibly manufacture and certify if there truly is a need for them. Thank you. David

I'm a non AOPA member flyer. That wasn't one of your choices but most accurately reflects my current status! David

Hi Jeff, In relation to my thread topic, legislative advocacy, I'd say I'm pretty close to having it right. If this is their most important function, then why is so little about the successes and failures known? Two people posted good information on the legislative affairs, the rest was good general information both positive and negative for AOPA. I'm satisfied with the information that was posted. Thank you for the posts. David

Thanks everyone for your responses. They all are good and relevant. What I've learned by the 3rd page is that AOPA has a communication and reality problem. They are out of touch with their members. Am I wrong in this observation from this thread? Thanks again, David

I have the ARI enclosure on my C. I like it generally and I will preface what I am about to say that mine is an old one. The fiberglass will crack. I have to repair mine at least every 2 years. I can't speak for his new sandwiched method cowl enclosure, but I think it is much better than his early style. It's a pretty good price for what you get and the looks are far better than stock. David

How about the heck with the Acclaim and Ovation all together and just build the J? Better to build the middle of the line for the masses instead of the top of the line for the few! Just my .02. David

What legislative efforts? Thank you Hank for bringing up what you did.

In light of the recent discussion of whether to be an AOPA member or not, what has the organization accomplished in regards to advocating for aviation in Washington DC? There's plenty of ideas and things they have been talking about for years, but what problem has been solved or can be directly linked to them and their efforts? Thanks, David

Hi Jgreen, I'll answer those two questions. It's not at all that I can't afford $45. I just spent $58 on Mooney S/B 202. It's about getting something tangible for that money. For me, it was about getting aircraft financing from who else than the group who advertises as the advocate for all things aviation. I was sadly disappointed not once, but twice. It wasn't from bad credit, but from the age of the aircraft and the amount requesting to be financed. I bet that if I was financing a $1.5 million P-51 and could make the payments, age wouldn't matter and it would be all about the money. In regards to who to have promote GA, simple, I'm a member of EAA and NBAA.

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Dave, It's usually the small things that will taint a persons feelings toward an organization. For me, it was applying for aircraft financing through AOPA and being told twice that my loan request was too small and to look elsewhere. I didn't see that anywhere in their advertising that there was a minimum loan amount required to get a loan. It sure seemed to me that they weren't about supporting all aspects of aviation, but only those aspects with the deep pockets. I felt at that time that they didn't care about the little guy, the guy looking for a $30K loan to buy a Cherokee or years later, the very Mooney that I now own no thanks to AOPA financing. This is where AOPA failed me, this is where they lost me as a supporter. Maybe I'll change my mind some day, but for now I give my support to the EAA (who I feel represents the little guy) and the NBAA to be my voice in DC. David

Hi Rob47v, The problem I see with using the Mooney recommended checklist is that it pertains to all their models and it's setting you up for failure or overlooking something as so many items do not pertain to all models. I use the checklist in the inspection section of the maintenance manual for my specific model of Mooney (66 C). It may be the minimum, but I don't have to N/A a bunch of items and worry that I N/A'd an item that does pertain to my model. Do you worry that you may have missed an item becasue of using the one checklist for all models? David

Hi Rob47v, From Mooney's checklist: NOTE: This sheet is a guide only -- refer to the specific model’s Service & Maintenance Manual for airframe, engine and propeller inspections Huh? Where's the requirement to use this checklist? Here's my point and I'l let it rest, If you choose to check the flight control rigging, that's great, but it is not a requirement. David

Hi Cliff, I'm also an A&P/IA, pilot and aircraft owner. I'm not going to get into how many years I've been doing this as that's part of what I see as the issue with your approach on sharing information. I question you simply because you're not fully explaining what maint is required and why. We all want to be safe and perform the best maintenance we can and yes we want to improve. You addressed exactly in your recent post how you should have in your first post, explaining what is required and the extra steps you take and why. Thank you for that. I certainly don't want you to leave, but simply change your approach from authoritative to more explanative. I'm no guru and have plenty to learn. I do strive to be accurate in what I post. If you'd like more specifics of my background, send me a PM and I'll expand on it for you. Thanks again, David

Hi Cliff, You referenced exactly what I thought you would for your mandatory rigging check at 100 hour/annual inspection. If you look at the note right below item 7, you'll find an interesting little statement that contradicts what you're trying to impress upon us. I use my maint manual checklist which has no requirement for checking the rigging of the flight controls every 100 hours or annual inspection. This checklist from my specific model of Mooney is what I am required to follow, not the checklist you referenced. In regards to your concerns with elevator rigging after paint, is this really an issue worthy of more than one post? It's nice to know information for someone contemplating paint, but since it's not raining Mooney's after a new paint jobs, I think it's time for the next topic. It's great that you want to help owners with maint and hopefully you'll continue to offer relevant information. Thank you, David