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Had occasional nose shimmy. Appeared fixed after 2020 annual. Shimmy came back and fixed at 2021 annual (with new shop). At 2022 annual, gear made an odd noise when plane lifted and actuated. Got a second opinion with an MSC: push pull rods are bent and the spring tension is beyond limits. Can send pics. As you know, things are intricately connected, so likely more to discover/fix. The shop has seen this issue only once before, which was another long-body Mooney (a '98 O?). That led to a left gear collapse, damaging the wing and tail. That was my likely fate, which was thankfully avoided. Have we bounced before? Sure, a couple of mild ones. Teeth rattling landings or any skidding? No. Had a flat tire once in 2019. Otherwise, no issues. No over-weight landings. I fly final at 80kts, and often lower when light. Routinely land softly and short. I would think a shop would see bent rods more often if this were a landing issue. I know of no prior damage. I heard a motor actuate once before when turning on batt. That was odd. It occurred after the annual that discovered the gear noise, however. If it was the gear motor at some point, which should be inspected at 1,000 hours, could the jack screw bend the rods while the plane is on ground? Has anyone else, especially you MX folks, seen bent push pull rods and a cause? Is it rare and could it be a manufacturing defect? Commentary, thoughts, or experience welcome... She'll be down for a while. ==== Other stuff. 2006 Ovation 3. G1000 WAAS, GFC 700, TKS. Purchased 2019. Thorough Pre-buy that turned into an Annual. We have been meticulous with mx, preventive care, and upgrades. Made a number of repairs/upgrades on purchase, including latest G1000 update, ADSB in/out, fixed a minor hangar rash, serviced AmSafe belts. Happy with that work. MX since included TKS repair, new starter, baffles, GAMIjectors, landing height system. Cylinder #5 heat solved! All this may not be relevant. Other gremlins: Recently, elec up trim stopped working after the G1000 booted, or was inconsistent, starting in 2021. Auto pilot was fine. Down trim was fine. After latest database update, trim started working again.

I understand this may only target a small crowd, but Brian - my mechanic in Texas - is having a new pilot's side sun visor made up for me with the Ovation3 Cruise Power Schedule on it (see photo). This is essentially the same data found on the 2500rpm 280HP Ovations, but has the 2550, 2600, and 2700rpm Best Power and Best Econ cruise numbers on it. I'm guessing those of you who own a 2008'ish Ovation3 from the factory should already have this. Those with earlier Ovation1, Ovation2-DX, Ovation2-GX, or Eagle aircraft who had 310HP/2700RPM conversions probably have visors with the "old" data. Anyone interested in ordering one? They are (cough, cough) $330 each and take roughly 2 weeks to arrive once ordered. I asked about them last year when my new engine and prop were being done, and was told they were hard to come by. For me, it "completes the picture" as far as my 310HP upgrade went, so although I see it as a rather expensive piece of plastic, it falls under "nice-to-have". If anyone is interested in one, please let me know and I'll put you in touch with Brian. He'll take your specific information and get back to you individually with logistics to complete the order. Regards, Steve

Hey all, I've dropped subtle hints lately about my move from the J to an Ovation. Last weekend was the closing, and since a couple of folks have asked, here's the big reveal. I brought the plane home from Florida on Friday, and of course we had a crappy weather weekend in Atlanta so there it has stayed but I'm looking forward to getting it out this week some more. Details are that it's an Ovation 3 GX...with a bit of a history! Anybody who was patrolling Controller undoubtedly saw her sitting there forlornly but in full splendor, waiting for somebody to come along who could accept that her prior owner never really got the hang of flying her. After two prop dings and a gear-up he called it quits. But the damage repair has been fully vetted and is rock solid, and with only 390 hours she's practically brand new. And at a price that couldn't be beat. So, now I REALLY have to sell the J...any takers!?