5854Q

Hi All...if work doesn't interfer I'd like to attend at Flagler. I'll be driving since 5854Q is up for annual. Based in Daytona Beach.

Just a thought..... the sharp inside corner formed by the router bit may be a stress inducer & therefore promote an increased risk of cracks there.

The Dukes for my '65 M20C was replaced a short time ago. New retail was $700. Mechanics cost $565. I know this because his credit card did not have sufficient credit remaining so we used mine.

I have a 65 M20C. Not sure which bolts you are speaking of. Possible you could take a photo? Just replaced the shock absorber biscuits & all bolts there. Thanks.

Just to reiterate what has been said; there are a lot of smart and experienced people here. Flying is much more than take-off, landing and flying around the patch. Not only is there all the "book learning" but all the experiences you should handle first in a lesser complex aircraft. Noticed you have children. You wouldn't have them learn a two wheel bicycle without training wheels before riding anything, would you? Give yourself the same opportunities to learn in spite of the emotional desires. By the time you earn your PPL and Instrument Rating, hopefully you will have survived a sufficent number of in-flight emergencies due to weather, mechanical and personal factors. Once you have those experiences behind you, step up to a complex aircraft and go through those experiences again. They will still be a handful the second time around, but you have a better chance of survivng them. As far as flying across the Sierras; I don't not know specifically. I have flown (both ways) across the lower Rockies in New Mexico & Arizona. There I saw vertical speeds in excess of 2000 fpm (3000 ft above the ridges). Also experienced winds so strong I could not climb above the ridge on departure from Calsbad, NM. Waited for a day and half under clear blue skies for the winds to calm. Found out later that a 727 at 28000 experienced severe turbulence that day and made an emergency landing. A flight attendant was severly injured. I bought my first plane, 1958 C-172 in 1975.

803 hours for me. Thats equal to 28 years, a 1958 172, 1965 C - 310, Cherokee 180 and a host of rentals. Had only flown in one once and that was a long time ago. Bought this one sight unseen but not unknown. Although it was a rough and basic 1965 C (low time engine & prop), it does what its meant to do: 170 mph IAS at 10 gph avg. These days its slowly being cleaned up, up graded and modified. Hoping the numbers will get better with time / effort.

So much for it turning nice today. Glad no one was seriously hurt.

Its supposed to quit raining today (Thursday) and be nice the rest of the week.

I received a quote the other day to clean & seal the tanks on my M20C... $6400 plus material freight, taxes, fuel for leak test. He is offering a $400 discount.

Thanks to all for thoughts & suggestions. Even though there is no shimmy on rollout (landing nor takeoff), I'll be disassembling the gear & inspecting linkage joints for any wear.

Hello All, Just replaced the biscuits on my 1965 M20C. All went well. While I had it off the tarmac, I noticed the nose gear has about 2-3 degrees (in both directions) of play; that is movement until the rudder linkage provided some resistance. Anyone know if this is normal? Thanks!

Oh if a new panel is in your thoughts, figure about $75 per side including material. I have all the basic shapes (panel outline & cutouts) on cad & a water-jet vendor in Orlando. Just work with your IA.

Same here on the income being in the midst of a mid-life crises career change & student. I put in Narco Mk 12D navcoms. Work well, schematics are easily attainable & therefore wireharness can be made without too much effort / cost and the price is still reasonable. Leather is a great material for seats since it doesn't support a flame. Have a resource in CA & and aircraft ulpulsterer (sp?) in Orlando. If your plastic trim parts are mostly there but cracked/broken, a layer of fiberglass cloth & resin on the backside & a lot af labor can make them look new. If replacement is neccesary there is a website (have to find it again) that sells replacements.

Hi, The bearing number is usually found on the face between the od & id. Once you have that, a Google search should render a supplier. Aircraft Spruce & Skygeek carry some. If no luck, let me know; may be able to find them.

Congratulations! Can't tell if you are wee bit north or south of me (DAB). Bought my '65 in vintage form. Been going through it little by little; new panel (no glass), new leather seats (slowly reworking remainder of interior) and an extensive annual this year. Can offer some resources, ideas if interested. Thanks for serving and keeping another old but great Mooney flying!

Well.... I was hoping he would be done & have taxied away so that I could go looking for any wayward quarters..

troy, how did it go?

Oh, I forgot... The SB (service bulletin) identifies all the hardware needed. AC 43.13 gives the torque values for the hardware. You are right: don't over torque.

Hello. I am a newbie here also & happen to be taking on the replacement of the old Firsetone biscuits with Lord biscuits on my 1965 M20C. Here is what I have found so far (in addition to what has already been offered here). Mooney SB M20-139A covers this in detail. http://www.mooney.com/servicepdf/1967.html Also SWTA sells the lord biscuits as well as LASAR (in CA.). Both rent the tool needed for this task. Another source for the tool is www.hangartoolbox.com. Everyone reccommends replacing all the hardware. The tower should be replaced if pitted or having more than very slight surface rust. The bushings can be re-used if they look good & are within specs dimensionally. I am not certain if the spacer & collar can be re-used... still checking. SWTA has a better price on the biscuits than LASAR but LASAR can make the other parts if needed (may be handy since the Mooney factory is not operating). Hope this helps.