M20F-1968

10 years ago: Turbo overhaul $1000 Scavenger pump overhaul: $500 John Breda

I bought a number of PTT switches that fit into the Mooney J-model yoke. They came in a low of 10 or so. If you need me to look for them I will. They work well and have a good feel to them. John Breda

I have a compass that came out of a 1998 Ovation with 400 hrs total time. I bought a flat-card compass. The Ovation compass has been in my stash of parts meant to be put on E-bay but never got around to it. You may want to mount it to the edge your your glareshield with a fiberglass housing that would be easy to make. John Breda

The tight space in our planes between the outbound side of the seats and the side panels is a particular concern for Mooneys. I am planning to but a fur sewing machine to enable making sheepskin seat covers for myself. I have Ovation seats so the seat bottom is velcroed to the bottom seat pan, and the back is as normally attached. I plan to make covers that have a sheepskin face on the seat bottom and seat back, and then have regular leather elsewhere. They will be made so the seat bottom slides into the bottom cover which is made like a pouch, and the back seat cover slides over the back from the top (headrest removed before installing). They will be tailored to the seat without any straps, and there will be an opening in the back to access the seat pockets. I am now retired from medicine and am willing to take on some projects. The other two people have contacted me about are 1) making travel boards, and 2) teflon seals for vintage flap pumps. I have some deadlines lurking for the next couple of months, but have not forgotten about these requests. I would be interested in doing sheepskin seat covers for people interested. The easiest would be Ovation owners as those are the seats I have (1998 model) and will have the patterns made, but I am up for requests. John Breda

Is there a 12 V LED version? John Breda

Call me at (617) 877-0025. John Breda

I will throw in my two cents. There were three aftermarket turbo systems applied to the IO-360 Mooneys. (Models E, F and J). The original RaJay Turbo system had a manual wastegate and no intercooler. Next in line was the Rocket Engineering turbo-boosted system for the J which is the one that was involved in breaking crankshafts and was taken out of production. M20 Turbos took the Rocket Engineering system exactly as it was designed except configured it on an IO-360 engine as a turbo normalized system with a pop-off valve set at 31 inches of manifold pressure, an intercooler, and keeps the original high compression pistons. It has a fixed wastegate. In that configuration with operating manifold pressure limited to 30 inches, it is a very good system. The STC's for both the original RaJay system and the M20 Turbo system are orphaned STC's. A turbonormalized E, F or J increases the capability of these planes considerably. The original E or F can only use the original RaJay system if it has the original cowling. The M20 Turbo system has STC's for the F or J only. The F cowling must be converted to a 201 cowling to be covered under the STC. John Breda

Also, when done, leave all screws 1 turn loose. Work very slowly with the sander to fit the lenses. The hardest part is to see that the lenses fit the curvature in all aspects of the compound curves without any stresses when fitted in place. John Breda

Allow about 8 hours to fit both lenses (sounds like yours are wing-mounted lights). You will need a combination disk/belt sander bench-mounted machine - The Harbor Freight version will work. Also get countersinks from Aircraft Tools Co. They have fluteless countersinks that have a single hole in the side. The cutting edge is the single hole. They do not chatter and will safely cut without cracking. Work slowly with the sander to fit the lens in place, with sufficient play. It should not fit tightly. The holes for the screws will also be oversized. The screw heads will use couner-sinked washers. Do not use the aluminum frame. John Breda

It doesn't matter as long as the thread type is proper, ande the screw (or likely machine screw) in long enough to easily reach the threds. What I dis, and the reason for my posting, his realize that the slot of the screw had is a PITA to access and engage with the 201 windshield and the height of my panel (which is an inch and a half higher than standard), I used a machine screw with a head that can be turned with either a socket wrench or ratcheting box wrench. This makes it a whole lot easier to take screws in and out and tighten them.. John Breda

I have some paperwork relative to the 201 conversion. John Breda

All you need to do is build the panel supports with 1/4" aluminum bars into which screws could be placed to hold the trays, etc... in place. When you need to get back there, just disassemble what you need to gain access. That is how my panel was designed. The panel itself uses an instrument panel bow taken from an Ovation. John Breda

Weight is always a concern. Old wiring complicates future repairs. Unneeded wiring and equipment, should always be pulled before adding new stuff. It does make more work but it is proper to keep the plane current without complications. John Breda

And flap actuator. John Breda

What kind of fuel selector does it have? Is it an H&E. I am interested in it and the flap pump. John Breda

As I recall, the Magic Arm came in two lengths. It has a threaded end which threads into the Super Clamp. Just but what seems right from a source that accepts returns (returnable e-bay merchant, Amazon, etc...) John Breda

If you keep your eye out, you can find a USB panel mount unit in the $100-200 range. I found a used Stratus, 2 USB-B ports for $100 on ebay. The stratus needs only a proper hole size for the unit itself, no additional mounting holes (unit and face place hare sandwich the panel). Has worked fine. Prior to that, I had a cigarette lighter with an adapter which also worked without any radio interference. John Breda

I retrofitted Ovation rear seats into my 1968 F model. In fact my entire interior came from a 1998 Ovation. John Breda

Buy a bottle of machinist's dye, a new, sharp machinist's scriber. Trace the old parts, make heavy paper or poster-board weight cardboard templates. Leave a bit of extra material for and fitting with files and a dremel tool, and go at it. It is time consuming but you will get a better fit it you work slowly, and it will just cost you for the aluminum. Make it a bit heavier than the ones made commercially, probably 0.090". John Breda

I promised pictures of the installation I use currently of my I-pad. After auditioning a bunch of Magic flexible arms, I settled on the Manfrotto Magic arm and super clamp. They are Italian made, and expensive, but much much better than their Chinese knock-offs. Also pictured is a cooling base which I just added. It needs the My-Go-Flight adapted. John Breda

This is how my AOA is positioned. The post is just to the right, and the G600 is in the center of my vision straight out. Still need to shift my eyes to see the AOA. Alpha Systems wants it right in the straight-ahead visual field. How many of you have it straighht-ahead, and how many have it similarly placed to mine. What seems to be preferable? John Breda

Recognize the teflon seals you have are likely 60 years old. I am expecting to make some soon. I have been quite busy with some pressing deadlines. If you would like to be put on the list for some, PM me with your request, name, address, phone and e-mail. John Breda Cell (617) 877-0025

I am looking for a group response to this one. I installed the Alpha One with the HUD display just to the left of the steel tube, and slightly to the right of the forward straight-ahead visual path. It is turned very slightly so that the image (reflection of the unit itself) is centered in the HUD with only a small movement of the eyes needed to view it. I have a high panel (1 1/2" higher than most Ovations which was also used in the Bravo's for 2-3 years) so my visibility over the panel is less than most Mooneys. My parts were removed from a 1998 Ovation. I did not want to obstruct the straight-ahead view any further. Alpha Systems states that they install these units dead center in the forward view so you are forced to look through the unit. In what positions have others installed these units, how did it work out, and what is the consensus of the best installation in a Mooney? I have posted a picture of my installation below. I will try to get a couple of pictures from the pilot's seat. John Breda

There is an STC that I almost installed when I did my modifications. Not sure I have it in my documentation. I'm sure it would take some time to fined, but such a modification does exist. John Breda

Fur is not sewn with a typical sewing machine. A fur sewing machine is a small industrial sewing machine that make a running overlock stitch. The machines have an open architecture where the leather is placed together, fur facing fur, and held between two knurled disks that turn and advance the leather toward the next stitch. The machines are made in different models to accommodate the various thickness of hides to be sewn. Do a google search for Fur Sewing Machine and you will find some videos, used and new machines for sale. The older and quite viable machines were made in the 1930's - 1950's and were made in Germany, England, US, and elsewhere. Like with airplanes, you need to know what project you plan to do, since industrial sewing machines are made usually to make one type os stitch only, in one type or weight of fabric or leather. John Breda