rbridges

dropped it off and handed the keys over this morning. O&N is supposed to be shipping the bladders directly to Cole. Hopefully have the plane back in 3 weeks or so.

Quote: WardHolbrook Just plan on landing with minimum fuel. You'd be talking 8 to 10 gallons and it would probably be more hassle than it's worth.

Quote: Hank Joey provides full bladders as part of the install. But the out-the-door bladder price is almost two strip-and-reseals . . .

Quote: maropers Is there a reason not to siphon fuel? Other than the fact it tastes bad.... sorry flashback to my younger days....

That was basically it. He mentioned stuff at the bottom of the tanks. I figured it would be safe to take out remaining fuel from the top, but I don't want to take any risks to save a few bucks.

Quote: rahawk Another option is going with the chemical stripping and sealing with the stc'd polyurethane process at Midwest Mooney. 9.5 years since the sealed and no issues so far.

When I take my plane up to Rome, Ga for the bladders, they're going to drain my tanks. He said he doesn't like to save the fuel. That means that >$150 worth of fuel gets tossed. Is there any reason I couldn't siphon the fuel into gas cans and transfer it to another plane (like the one following me to drop off mine)?

If Paul were closer, I'd definitely consider him. He's ~3K cheaper than the bladders, but I just couldn't find a feasible way to get my plane there and back, especially with the 2 week turnaround. Anyway, I ordered the bladders from O&N. They gave me a 300 Oshkosh show discount but hit me with 100 to ship. It saved me a few bucks since I didn't have to pay sales tax. Cole said he'd have to tax me, and even with his discount, it'd be higher for him to buy it. I am bummed about the 30 lbs, but honestly, the rear seats in a C model are too small for adults to consider for any length of time. At most, I'd have a 3rd person. As I said, I'd do the reseal at Willmar if it were easier to arrange, but the bladders will be fine for my mission profiles. In fact, it will give me a little more range.

another point. 900 miles is huge. Going VFR would be very tricky. You're more than likely going to become instrument rated to fly that distance on a regular basis.

Quote: ToddDPT I would much prefer to rent during training, or at least some of the training, and let someone else's plane take the abuses. I had about 120 hours, mostly in a Cherokee 180, some in a 172 before purchasing my Mooney. that's exactly what I did. I must admit, I had some pretty @#$! landings in the 172. I'm still not great, but I'm light years ahead of my 172 days. With the stiffer landing gear, it would have been very hard on the mooney. I agree, bang someone's rental up and not your personal plane.

Quote: Seth No pressurized twin for me anytime soon!

I'm going to Cole on Friday to have Joey take a look at my plane. I don't think I can do Willmar. Paul was very nice and quick with the emails, but the distance is pretty substantial, and the turnaround is 2 weeks. Therefore, I can't just "hang out" for a day or 2 to wait for the job to get done. The closest airline is in Minneapolis, and I'd have to drive to Atlanta, (x2). The 30 lbs for the bladders is a negative, but most of my flying is 1 or 2 people. I know nothing is permanent, but from what I've read, the bladders should be predictable and take care of the problem for me.

Quote: jetdriven Never in the history of mankind has a group of individuals made more fuss over 33 lbs (bladders) or 12 knots (M20F vs. J)

Quote: N601RX I've spoken with Cole on the phone a few times and thought Joey was very straight foward and gave good advice. On the Bladders I would also get O&N to quote the install also. That way if anything goes wrong there is no pointing fingers.

Quote: N4352H RE: O&N .......I have been researching this for a while.... I have a hangar neighbor who paid a Mooney Service Center just under $16,000 parts and labor for a 64 gallon O&N bladder system in a legacy 201. In steep contrast, I got a direct install quote from O&N for a 64 gallon system.....$9850, parts, labor, test flight, STC, exclud. tax and ferry help (they have a ferry pilot on staff). Point being...O&N dealers need to be kept somewhat in line. I have had minor patch jobs done by Freeway, Hagerstown, Weber and Lonestar...all great Mooney shops. They ranged in price (since 1998) from $500 to $1100. The latter patch was extensive and starbaord right in the exhaust flow, so it required full resolution. My tanks have never been resealed, ever, since 1979. I have decided I will invest in a sure-resolution. O&N is 50 mins air time from my home base. One gentleman on Mooneyspace (can't rmember who, Hank, dan, Cruiser, Jim R...?) mentioned he put the screws to O&N and got his install done in 3 days. They told me two weeks. I will undoubtedly get bladders at my next weep.. Incidentally, I believe strongly in Willmar's process, but it is geographically undesireable.

Quote: Parker_Woodruff Bladders wear out, too. Get it resealed by someone who has a good process. Willmar, Don Maxwell, etc...

The weep in my right wing is getting worse. I've actually got some bleed through the wing walk by the passenger door. I'm also noticing some blue in the left wing. I originally planned to have a strip/reseal, but the more I think about it, I may go with the bladders. I'm already at a paltry 590lbs useable load with full fuel. I guess another 30lbs won't make a difference b/c I'll probably never have rear passengers. I spoke with someone at Cole Aviation in Rome, GA. He really turned me off of a patch job. He said it's a losing battle, and at $1K/attempt, I want something a little more dependable. Anyone near north GA have much experience with these guys?

which kit did you use? I saw a few at autozone that were in the 20-25 dollar range.

Quote: Shadrach Just landed in St Simons Island GA this afternoon. KFDK to KSSI, 533nm in 3:20, under 40 gals burned. Perfect day!

Quote: JimR

between the 2 of you, I believe you've named 90% of the market. You may try a google search to see what may turn up. anyway, good luck with your search. I transitioned from a cherokee 180 to a m20c. Couldn't be happier.

Quote: KSMooniac Such a silly statement? Research this "Community Reinvestment Act" It is a silly little law to help minorities overcome the discrimination. It forced banks to loan money to un credit worthy minorities. It was the foundation of the subprime debacle. A prime example of government interference in private sector. The attempt by Carter help the disadvantaged and strengthened by Clinton. See how Fannie Mae and Freddie mac enabled the whole deal. The Law Of Unintended Consequences strikes again!

Quote: KSMooniac All of those are bad. The gov't interfering with free markets always leads to bad & unintended consequences.

great news. thanks.

Quote: Parker_Woodruff Most everything about airplanes is fun.