How to put the plane on a diet?

[Bob_Belville]

I was just looking at my W&B sheets for my former E model and my current F model and the E model with lower max weight 2575LBS vs. 2740LBS for the F, my E had 3 more pounds of useful load than my current F model.  

Really? Or net of full fuel?  

[1964-M20E]

useful load without fuel for my current 67F 968LBS

useful load without fuel for my former 64E 971lbs

 

 

On my F I have the 54 gallon bladders.

 

I was surprised to some extent but from Mooney’s perspective they wanted to keep the useful load relatively the same when they extended the fuselage so from that stand point I’m not too surprised by the numbers.

 

What useful load numbers are others using for their planes from the planes official W&B sheet?

[Shadrach]

I was just looking at my W&B sheets for my former E model and my current F model and the E model with lower max weight 2575LBS vs. 2740LBS for the F, my E had 3 more pounds of useful load than my current F model.  

They're not often that far apart! However, your F sounds a little portly. My 67 has 1059lbs useful.  What does yours weigh...ahem...what does your W&B say it weighs?

[1964-M20E]

They're not often that far apart! However, your F sounds a little portly. My 67 has 1059lbs useful.  What does yours weigh...ahem...what does your W&B say it weighs?

1771lbs empty

[Shadrach]

useful load without fuel for my current 67F 968LBS

 

useful load without fuel for my former 64E 971lbs

 

 

 

 

 

On my F I have the 54 gallon bladders.

 

 

 

I was surprised to some extent but from Mooney’s perspective they wanted to keep the useful load relatively the same when they extended the fuselage so from that stand point I’m not too surprised by the numbers.

 

 

 

What useful load numbers are others using for their planes from the planes official W&B sheet?

Manual gear and flaps?

[1964-M20E]

Manual gear and flaps most 201 speed mods and S-tec 30 AP.

[Bob_Belville]

My E now is 1675 & 900.

From the factory with minimal panel (Brittain PC, Narco Mk12a) and before one piece belly, speed brakes and bladders was 1611 & 964

lighter weight starter and alternator offset the numerous radios, gadgets and antennae. 

[Bob_Belville]

 

 

useful load without fuel for my former 64E 971lbs

 

That's more than my '66E right out of the factory! Pretty amazing.

 

 

 

 

[1964-M20E]

I guess our babies were getting heavier before they were born.  Maybe the factory workers began to smoke less as time progressed into the later 60's and 70's.

[Bob - S50]

We have not done it yet, but another way to cut the basic aircraft weight would be to replace the stock position lights and strobes.  The stock system uses transformers to build voltage.  I've been told they weigh up to 6 pounds total.  If you replace the lights with LED combination Nav/Position/Strobe units they to not need the transformers and you can maybe save up to 5 pounds or so.  You can buy the units for about $1000.

 

Definitely pull out equipment you don't need.  We pulled out the ADF, Radar Altimeter, and Telephony that came with the plane.

[fantom]

Nav/Position/Strobe units they to not need the transformers and you can maybe save up to 5 pounds or so.  You can buy the units for about $1000.

 

 

Third time I've posted this in the last ten days. Besides the pounds, save yourself at least $700:

 

"This NavStrobe LED kit, just approved as a drop in plug replacement, was getting a lot of attention at the AOPA Summit Spruce desk last week.

 

Turns Nav position lights into bright LED recognition/strobe lights, at low cost. What's not to like?

 

http://www.navstrobe...robes,-30w.html

 

Kinda cool, IMO."

[N601RX]

Gary,

 

Did you see these flashing?  How bright is the flash compared to a strobe?  I've saw a video on their website and they didn't seem very bright, but it wasn't dark either so it was kind of hard to tell.

 

Mike

[fantom]

Gary,

 

Did you see these flashing?  How bright is the flash compared to a strobe?  I've saw a video on their website and they didn't seem very bright, but it wasn't dark either so it was kind of hard to tell.

 

Mike

 

They were strobe like in brightness, Mike. Using your existing recognition light switch, one click nomal light; two clicks strong blinking strobe lights.

[N601RX]

Good to know.  I had saw your original post and had been interested.  I only have wingtip recognition lights no stobes on the tips.  I had been looking at the LED ones, but $1200 was a little steep.

[Jamie]

Bookmarked. Definitely asking about this at the annual. I have two different strobes apparently. I forget the names (again) but one is no longer made (Hoskins?).

 

I had serious envy for another mooneyspacer's plane with LED everything (he posted a video months ago), but got sticker shock (I know, I know... I'll get used to airplane prices at some point) and forgot about it.

[Mooneymite]

Turns Nav position lights into bright LED recognition/strobe lights, at low cost. What's not to like?

http://www.navstrobe...robes,-30w.html

Kinda cool, IMO."

Looks like they have a system for experimental planes at $116.

(For those of us who also fly "on the dark side").

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/navstrobesextant1.php?clickkey=961319

[N601RX]

It looks like it is a 7.5 watt setup and the one Gary mentioned is 30 watt

[aaronk25]

After replacing all carpeted surfaces in my 77j I can see how newer manufacturer planes got fat. The carpet that came our was thin and light and the stuff from SCS interiors is very tightly webbed and much more of a premium carpet, but combined with the aircraft 1/2 wool padding (at least I think it's wool) holy moly I bet I just put 15lbs of extra weight in the plane, but I noticed it absorbs more noise and the padding makes it so plush it like you sink into it

[kmyfm20s]

They were strobe like in brightness, Mike. Using your existing recognition light switch, one click nomal light; two clicks strong blinking strobe lights.

Just order it, thanks for the suggestion! Are people removing the strobes after they install these?

[kmyfm20s]

After replacing all carpeted surfaces in my 77j I can see how newer manufacturer planes got fat. The carpet that came our was thin and light and the stuff from SCS interiors is very tightly webbed and much more of a premium carpet, but combined with the aircraft 1/2 wool padding (at least I think it's wool) holy moly I bet I just put 15lbs of extra weight in the plane, but I noticed it absorbs more noise and the padding makes it so plush it like you sink into it

I wish I weighed my carpet when I replaced it but I thought mine was lighter. All the old kick panels had that dense cardboard backing and was replace with new kick panels made of corrugated plastic. I don't miss the old stained, rust colored shag carpet.

[fantom]

Just order it, thanks for the suggestion! Are people removing the strobes after they install these?

 

You can, but it's not mandatory....

 

When I install mine, I can compare how the strobes work in conjunction with them before deciding.

[mike_elliott]

You can, but it's not mandatory....

 

When I install mine, I can compare how the strobes work in conjunction with them before deciding.

 

Mine should arrive today. Ill post later today or tomorrow when I put the new jewelry on both my sweetie and my aluminum mistress.

[kmyfm20s]

Mine should arrive today. Ill post later today or tomorrow when I put the new jewelry on both my sweetie and my aluminum mistress.

Mine got here yesterday!

[mike_elliott]

I just installed mine and they are very very nice!. Much brighter than the stock Grimes bulb and the strobe works wonderfully well. Highly recommend! I hope my sweetiepie likes her new jewelry as much as my aluminum mistress likes hers!

[N601RX]

I just installed mine and they are very very nice!. Much brighter than the stock Grimes bulb and the strobe works wonderfully well. Highly recommend! I hope my sweetiepie likes her new jewelry as much as my aluminum mistress likes hers!

Can you post a video?