Wing Leveler

[mooney27239]

I have had my M20E for about 3 years and the whole time I have had it I always have to lift the left wing in flight. Yesterday's flight is a good example. When I took off I was full of fuel, had my wife in front right seat (135#) and myself piloting (210#), have the roll trim all the way clockwise (Right), wing leveler disengaged, flew on the left tank for 1 hour to try to reduce the pressure on the yoke and even after the one hour I still had to lift the left wing slightly to keep it flying straight. Engaging the wing leveler doesn't help. I have tried bending the end of the aileron slightly and can't see where that helped any either. I have heard other Mooneyacs talk about the wing leveler keeping the wings level in non-turbulent conditions. Has anyone else had a situation like mine? Is it out of rig or is the wing leveler not working properly? I know the wing leveler is working because when it is engaged it takes alot more force to turn the yoke. Just can't keep the darn thing flying straight.

[Ned Gravel]

Quote: mooney27239

I have had my M20E for about 3 years and the whole time I have had it I always have to lift the left wing in flight. ......    ...... Just can't keep the darn thing flying straight.

[Ron McBride]

Have all 4 servo's checked. If any are leaking you will fly out of rig. I had 2 replaced and it worked good for a short while, I evenually put in an STec 30. We found the other 2 servos were going bad, these were the conplaints.

Ron

 

[mooney27239]

Ron

Did yours fly straight and level with the PC disengaged? I am thinking more of a rigging problem than a PC/servo problem because it does it with the PC disengaged.

[Piloto]

Looks like you have a rigging problem. Roll tendencies can be fix by adjusting the flap set screw. This screw is located on the most outboard attach point on the flaps, next to the aileron. In your case you will need to adjust the screw to lower the left flap slightly. Do not try to bend any of the control surfaces. When adjusting the roll make sure you have equal fuel on both wings and the wing leveler disengaged. If you have roll tendencies with flaps extended you need to adjust the flaps inboard link.

José 

[Ron McBride]

With the PC system, mine would wonder. When you push the PC button, you will not get a 100% disconect in the system.

After complete removal of the PC system, My F would fly straight and level.

Ron

[scottfromiowa]

I agree with other posts that the wing leveler is NOT the problem as you cannot have a failure to shut off if you are pushing the disconnect button/dumping vaccum pressure and by-passing the system...and you still have requirement of unusual control pressure required for level flight.  Good luck with resolution...your '66 should track well when trimmed.

[N5MD]

Where does the wing leveler system get its input from? From the Attitude Indicator or the Turn Coordinator, or some other instrument?

[Marauder]

Turn coordinator.

[N601RX]

Its a mechanical valve attached to the rear of the turn cordinator.

[Hector]

I would definitely check aileron rigging again which could be a bit more complicated now that you have bent the aileron trailing edge. Check flap rigging too. I know my recently purchased M20C had similar issues and careful rigging of the ailerons by the book by the previous owner (without the need to bend anything) fixed the problem and now she flies straight as an arrow.

[carusoam]

Depends on the year as well? The TC is the modern source. Some PC systems had an independent source. 1965 and older did not have turn coordinators... Turn and bank indicators? Best regards, -a-

[takair]

Where does the wing leveler system get its input from? From the Attitude Indicator or the Turn Coordinator, or some other instrument?

Older aircraft had an independent gyro in the tail. Basically a blind turn coordinator. At some point they integrated it into the panel mounted turn coordinator. Looks like the original post is quite old.

[dbflyer]

I have owned an M20E for about ten years or so. It was not rigged correctly when I bought it. After I had someone that knew how to rig it correctly it flies straight and improved speed as well, about 150 to 152 knots now straight and level. I think you have a rigging problem. 

[carusoam]

1 hour ago, dbflyer said:

I have owned an M20E for about ten years or so. It was not rigged correctly when I bought it. After I had someone that knew how to rig it correctly it flies straight and improved speed as well, about 150 to 152 knots now straight and level. I think you have a rigging problem. 

Welcome aboard, dbf.

Rigging is a great idea.  Nothing sweeter than a perfectly rigged short body Mooney.

When replying to threads... you may want to take a quick look at their age...

This zombie is seven years old... 
 

Best regards,

-a-

[Wes]

Wing leveler is is just what it says. It simply tries to beep the plane level. In my '66 E, the system gets it's information from the remote gyro. That's the only imput into the system. AI, turn and bank, VSI are not connected in any way. When the remote gyro senses a change in  direction....left, right, up, down, roll......it compensates to maintain straight and level flight. It isn't an autopilot and won't fly a heading, just straight ahead. If there aren't any cross or quartering winds at altitude affecting track vs heading, then it will hold your heading pretty well, but it isn't an autopilot.

[HRM]

2 hours ago, Wes said:

Wing leveler is is just what it says. It simply tries to keep the plane level.

I was doing some IFR training a few years ago with a CFI/I who was not familiar with Mooneys. He had me doing all sorts of (VFR) maneuvers and then commented "You have incredible rudder skills!". Yeah, me and my PC, I rarely touch the rudder pedals 

[Wes]

Right....the system is nice when it's working properly, but if you get a leaky servo or a remote gyro acting up, look out. Ask me how I know! While working on my Instrument ticket, it was like having a little guy under the panel with a different plan than me. Usually seemed like right during short final. Not cool.

[HRM]

1 hour ago, Wes said:

Right....the system is nice when it's working properly, but if you get a leaky servo or a remote gyro acting up, look out. Ask me how I know! While working on my Instrument ticket, it was like having a little guy under the panel with a different plan than me. Usually seemed like right during short final. Not cool.

Your CFI/I probably pulled a hose