markm20b

I just wait until I have positive climb and try and raise my gear around 85mph. From time to time I will forget and realize it when climbing out at 120mph - not often but it happens a few times per year. Then I pitch up until I'm at 100mph and then bring it up. I've also learned to brief my passenger not to let something fall between the seats (like cords) and to be ready to refasten their seatbelt if I happen to undo it while landing.

Like everyone else I fly my M20B as fast on x-country flights. I plan on 140k at 9gph and usually go just a little faster. Lately though I have been flying around at 140k when just screwing around. I find 140k feels fast and I can save $10+ on a 45 minute flight. I had a Cessna 170 before the Mooney so anything over 115mph feels fast to me. I can't get myself to fly slow on x-countries even if I'm not in a hurry. It is just too much fun to fly fast.

My M20B has an O-360 A1D

Back when I was racing I used nitrogen but for trail/street riding I use good old air. I run around 15psi while trail riding. I find if I go lower I end up with pinch flats. I run between 23 and 28 while running in the twisties and 32 to 35 while running on the freeway. The higher presures will help your tires last longer while on the pavement. I have a small electric pump that I carry in my pack. Just a second.... this is the Mooney forum, not the offorad riding forum I also read I use air and 35 for the rears and 45 for the front on my M20B. Mark

Great video!

Here is a cheap stand I use to take weight off my biscuits while the plane is parked. They are trailer leveling jacks that cost around $45 for the set. I welded a small piece of pipe to the top that holds the hard point under the wing. Although they are rated to 7,500lbs, they feel a bit flimsy when extended far enough to get the wheels well off the ground – probably due to the small base. They are perfect for taking weight off the biscuits or for working on a wheel though.

I have a “B” that had the panel redone about ten years before I got the plane. I’m really happy with it. I have thought about doing something to the right side but have better things to spend my money on so far. I’ve been working on my IFR and the layout seems to work well. Following are some pictures:

+1 for Goof Off and a plastic scrapper.

I have an M20B (180hp) and had my engine rebuilt earlier in the year. Since the overhaul I have been stressed with CHTs of 440-450 on initial climb out. They settle down in cruise and are lower if I do touch and goes. Before my overhaul I would see 425 on climb out. My mechanic (and everyone else I talk with) tells me to quit stressing. My temps have come down just a little – I now have 16 hours on it. I’m seeing FF of 16gph on climb out. All I have is a single CHT and EGT gauge so I have less information and therefore less to worry about.

I've had my M20B serviced at Twin Oaks 7S3 (mentioned above) since purchasing it in 2010 and have been happy.

I believe another reason for the tail design was due to the pivot point of the trim system. A swept back vertical fin would put more stress on the pivot point and require a stronger (heavier) design.

Thanks for the comments. I have been changing my RPM every 50 minutes or so. I'll try changing it a bit more on the next few flights. The GoPro does not do the NW justice. I'm flying between the Coast Range and the Cascades. I could clearly see Mt. Rainer, St. Helens, Adams, Hood, Jefferson, and the Three Sisters. The GoPro just flattens everything out though.

Breaking in the engine in my M20B

I took this video several years ago.

I installed one on my M20B this past summer. I would say my cylinder head temps dropped from 5 to 10 degrees. I also gained the advertised 3kt increase in speed. Mark

I don't know anything about that Mooney although I park my M20B at an airport 7 miles from KHIO. I could recommend a few A&Ps for a prebuy. Mark

I received my Mooney training in the Portland area (not that close to Bend) from Rom Magnus, He as also been working with me on my IFR. Let me know if you want his contact info. Mark

I just had one installed on my M20B last month and was charged for three hours of labor. It looks like a four hour job to me so the five hour LASAR estimate is probably more than reasonable. My A&P spent about a month looking at other insulations before starting so that may have helped to reduce his time. I only have about five local flights on the plane since the mod. Looks like my cylinder temps are down by about 15f on climb out (my main reason for doing it) and I may have gained around 3k in speed. I’ll be making my first out of state x-country since the mod this weekend which should give a true test of any speed improvements. I have noticed an improvement of from 2-5k on full power local flights at around 4,000 feet. It also looks much better. Mark

I love the video. I’m slowly working on my IFR in an M20B. My goal is not heavy IFR flying but not needing to worry so much about returning home after a layer has come in. I’m also looking forward to flying my wife into the sun as in the video. Mark

I purchase mine from Chief Aircraft http://www.chiefaircraft.com/ I'm located in Oregon and usually receive my package the day following my order with standard shipping. Mark