M20F-1968

I think the interior of the Ovation in Europe has been sold. Certainly can e-mail the seller to confirm. I would try to get the cost of the center ceiling part from the factory. John Breda

When I installed the Rosen Visors I thought I would cut them down to a smaller size. Then I realized that all I need to do is store them longitudinally against the roof. That way, you get maximum shade coverage, and they store quite nicely with no modifications needed. John Breda

V1VrV2 - sent you a PM. John Breda

I know the general wisdom is that forward of the aft end of the steel cage, the steel cage and wing are structural, and everything else is there to keep the wind out. However, the windshield is exposed to significant pressure and is supported by the cowl deck. I am not saying it can not be done, but I am saying that someone may look at it a more than a minor alteration and ask that a DER be involved working through the numbers. I do not see where opening it up further would make it seal better. Placing a better flange and better seal is a different story. John Breda

Hello. I am a senior AME located in the Boston, MA area and also a Mooney owner. I am a board certified internist for over twenty years and have been an AME since 2005. I do work to assist pilots through the SI process, and recognized the angst the process and instill when the pilot is a first class airline pilot whose livelihood is on the line. It sounds like you have done a good job getting your ducks in line. The good news is that the FAA really does not want to pull your medical. You and society have made a large investment to get you to where you are. You need to provide the FAA everything they have asked for. Focus on the process you need to follow to get your medical. Unless you have a choice to move elsewhere, focusing on what is done elsewhere is an exercise in futility. If you need AME assistance, my cell phone is (617) 877-0025 and my e-mail is john.breda@gmail.com. John Breda

I am doing some cleaning up of my F and the rat socks were torn and unusable. I have been looking for what would be appropriate to replace them with. One problem seems to be that the material gets pulled past the hole in the sheet metal when the gear is retracted, tearing-up the rat sock. LASAR makes them out of lighter material - gaberdine cloth Aero Comfort makes them out of leather, and says Mooney makes them from leather, but I have never heard of Mooney doing so. It also would seem that leather would get wet and subsequently get hard. I have a set that are thicker cloth. I have had them apparently for over 15 years and do not remember how I got them. The newer Mooneys have an inner cage with a much more complex arrangement. I have the wheel well liners, so I question whether I even need them. If I do need them, now are they glued in? 3M yellow trim adhesive has been recommended by LASAR and 3M Black super adhesive was recommended by my mechanic. The black stuff is probably better, but probably a PITA to get off. Recommendations please......... John Breda

I also have a Powertow EZ I bought from a guy who was parting out an F. I started it once or twice, bought a new belt for the pulleys underneath the deck, but never used it. Perhaps you can give me a sense of how you us and its details in operation. I may take the time to det mine working. Generally I think the Sidewinder is easier to use, but then there is ice and snow in NE when the Powertow may be better. John Breda

Three words, Digital Progressive lenses. John Breda

I have owned and used both the Robotow and the Sidewinder. The Sidewinder seems to have more power, can be folded and carried in the plane, and is well made. The traction of the Sidewinder is better, even in snow. I got rid of the Robotow and now just have the sidewinder. I would go that route even given the price difference. John Breda

Which is helpful in turbulence and when you want to make sure the plane is doing what the autopilot wants to do in a reliable and responsive manner. Hand flying is faster, more decisive and more reliable than complete autopilot control when it is clear what should be done. John Breda

When I rebuilt my 1968 F, the jackscrew was replaced with a new one taken from one of the unfinished Ovations on the factory line from when the factory closed in 2009. I bought it through Russel Stallings shop in about 2010. Any idea if my vintage jackscrew has the pictured lubrication plugs and uses oil and not grease. Did I interpret this correctly? John Breda

There are more and more scams that impersonate websites. When dealing with websites, always check the URL to confirm that it makes sense. If making a donation to Mooneyspace or anywhere else, pay directly through a process you originate. Do not accept a process originated by someone else. John Breda

The link I just posted is for the solder terminal version. The screw terminal version is V3-1. I bought that switch on e-bay for $5.70. Same part No. as the damaged one I removed. Here is a couple of links for that part number: https://www.ebay.com/itm/MICRO-SWITCH-P-N-V3-1-NS-COND-13259-5/293660124362?hash=item445f81e4ca:g:0nwAAOSwu5BfGefx https://www.ebay.com/itm/Piper-487-925-Switch-V3-1/324407862726?hash=item4b883725c6:g:0b4AAOSwJgxeYQ4m John Breda

Try this e-bay link. I have seen them priced under $10.00 for several. https://www.ebay.com/itm/AIRCRAFT-MICROSWITCH-BY-Honeywell-V3-19-New/264065502211?hash=item3d7b87cc03:g:X4oAAOSwe~lcAUe9 John Breda

When I place my plane on jacks, it is always on 4 points. Two Meyers jacks with locking pins on each, a hydraulic engine hoist with a locking collar and a cement tail weight on wheels made for the aircraft. In that configuration it is quite stable. John Breda

I have the P2 system, and the gentlemen who states once, "Gear is down for landing" can fade into the background. It is harder to ignore the female voice nagging, "Check Gear...Check Gear...Check Gear...Check Gear........" John Breda

As with most things regarding aviation, and particularly if you expect to own the plane for many years, but the proper tools to avoid injury to yourself and damage to the plane. John Breda

This may be of interest: I have a firewall from my 1968 F model. When I did my rebuild, I installed a virgin new F model firewall I found. The footwells are in good shape. I have many times thought that I would remove the footwells on my plane and attach them so they could be removable with threaded fasteners. This would provide access and work space that I do not have currently (for things like changing the fuel pump or inspecting the dreaded oil screen). But, my airplane is now together and I do not plan on removing the engine for a very long time. I would be willing to sell the firewall if you were interested. Removing the firewall is not something you take lightly. The firewall flange is likely wet shot with PRC and would be a pain to remove, and also would give rise to some needed exterior painting. John Breda

What does that data link look like of the Ipad and how do you access it? Or, is it incorporated into ForeFlight. I have both an ipad mini-3 and an Ipad Pro 7. The Ipad pro has OS 14.1 and a faster processor. But it is much larger (which may be a downside). Should I be using the Ipad Pro because of more capability? John Breda

I have a G600 and GTX345. I do not have the Flightstream. How does the bluetooth backup work? John Breda

It seems like MT has improved over the years. When I did my rebuilt I considered the MT. I spoke with a Power plant DER who had been working on seaplanes that had MT props and were experiencing a delamination problem. I was also told that the STC for my turbonormalizer was issued with the Hartzell, and if I changed the prop I would likely have to prove to the FAA that it worked well with the turbonormalized engine. That would likely require high altitude vibration testing. I decided to stay with what was already certified and not make the project more difficult. That seemed to be the right decision in 2006. Is it still likely to be the correct decision in 2021? John Breda

Also, O took some ABS plastic and made about a 2" circle, and ground the back to fit the contour of the interior panel and so the aluminum end has a flat space to sit on. John Breda

I used a leather belt for strength, wrapped in in the same leather as the seats (Hand sewn along one side) and machined a new set (lathe and milling machine to make a real slot that fits the belt) and now have parts that look like they were made for the application with a real handle that will not break. John Breda

The retracted gear should not be sitting that low. Please see pictures of my 1968 F on jacks with gear retracted. I also have the STC for the brake caliper reversal. Note, you can not see the tire. John Breda

For those who want electroluminescent panels made (I did the overhead and circuit breaker panels), the company I used was Air Capitol Dial, Wichita, KS. Great company to work with My circuit breaker panel is light colored. They made it so the lettering appears black in daylight, and backlit white at night. John Breda