M20S actual fuel capacity

[Cruiser]

There is a Mooney supplement that allows 108 gallons total (102 gallons useable) for the M20M, M20R and M20TN. Sorry the M20S is not listed.

 

It is attached, it contains a weight and balance form

 

Your POH includes fuel limitations in Section 2, While it is possible to fill, it probably is not legal.

 

NOTE: The MAXIMUM landing weight on the Ovation and Eagle is 3200#, you can easily exceed this by having too much fuel in the tanks. 

51_GALLON.pdf

[carusoam]

Tom,

That is an interesting update.

How often do people update their POHs properly?

The first page of my POH indicates

Orig issue 6-94

Rev F 9-96

Rev G 3-00

Where did you find that, mooney.com?

[PMcClure]

But, is this update applicable to all M20Rs? Or only with ones with the 51 gallon capacity tank configuration installed. My Serial #$ is 29-285. Mooney told me more. Am I missing something? Should I look into this more?

[Cruiser]

Tom,

That is an interesting update.

How often do people update their POHs properly?

The first page of my POH indicates

Orig issue 6-94

Rev F 9-96

Rev G 3-00

Where did you find that, mooney.com?

To be clear what I attached is a supplement , not an update or revision.

 

I would be very careful updating your POH. There may be something added that you will not be happy with in terms of limitations and/or mandatory compliance.

[Cruiser]

But, is this update applicable to all M20Rs? Or only with ones with the 51 gallon capacity tank configuration installed. My Serial #$ is 29-285. Mooney told me more. Am I missing something? Should I look into this more?

It is a supplement, not an update. The cover page requires a serial number for approval. Since there are no serial number limitations in the supplement it would appear to not be limited although the documentation states Ovation 2. I have seen other supplements that include an Effective Note that lists applicable models by serial numbers 

[kortopates]

You all do realize that in order to use the 51 gal supplement you must have have the filler neck modified per a Mooney drawing - basically adding vent holes as well as add the updated placards. It might be more helpful to look at a newer supplement I've attached since it provides more details on where to fill to. 50gal_useable_fuel-rtn.pdf

 

The required modification should also answer the question on legality as well. Without the added vent holes its very difficult to get the extra gas in consistently because of the air. It can be done yet it takes time to settle out as Jose pointed out. So unless are being super careful to the take the time or you start with a dry tank, you won't be able to be sure just how much fuel you really have. Otherwise the factory wouldn't of added the vent holes to make it easy.

[Cris]

I never read or heard that it was not, I also don't see any reason it would be.

Not sure about the level of the fuel in your tank but in mine it is always to the top of the wing skin in order to get a fuel load of 100 gals. The POH or AFM specifies 75 gals. The STC increases that to 89 gals same as the Ovation so I would think that is a limitation. With that said there is a Mooney drawing for 100/102 gals for the R so maybe you can make an argument that since the STC allows the same fuel load as an R you can add the additional fuel if you have the Mooney drawing in the POH/AFM. If not I'd suspect it is not legal. Otherwise why would you need a drawing from Mooney to fill to 100 gals.? I'd be curious to see how the Monroy STC for long range tanks on the Mooney treats this issue.

[carusoam]

Cris, we're back to the where we were three years ago!

Happy to be here,

-a-

[GeorgePerry]

As someone who just purchased an S this question seems to still be unanswered.  I understand the bottom of the tabs is 75, but is the max capacity 89 or 102 or 108 if filled to the brim?

[carusoam]

The basic wing structure for the S, is the same as the R. The following can be considered R data...

Expect 102 gal filled up to the skin. Usable.

The 108 figure probably includes 3 gal per side unusable. Also in the book.

Usable according to the book is 95.

Numbers less than these are most likely caused by long, unvented, fuel necks.

130 gal is typical of a visit with José, for a person who doesn't want a fuel stop in the middle of his favorite trip.

How is your UL?

Check your vents and cap seals for proper operation. Poor seals will result in blue stripes. Plugged vents will result in reshaped sheet metal and poor engine running.

As always, don't rely on these numbers until you can prove them for yourself. I am still not a mechanic.

Best regards,

-a-

[Cris]

As someone who just purchased an S this question seems to still be unanswered. I understand the bottom of the tabs is 75, but is the max capacity 89 or 102 or 108 if filled to the brim?[/quote

The S has a fuel limitation of 75 gals. and a gross weight limitation of 3200 lbs. If you add the 310 STC it allows the fuel to be increased to 89 gals and 3368 lbs same as the R. There is then the POH supplement for 50/51 gals which is for the R and not the S. However an argument can be made that since the 310 STC specifies that one use the limitations of the R that one can use that supplement if you have the 310 hp STC. In any event the S and R airframes are identical and will carry the exact same amount of fuel. You must however have the correct weight and balance forms for whatever fuel load you are carrying to be legal not to mention safe and that is the conundrum due to the fuel limitations in the POH.

BTW does anyone have a drawing that shows where the holes are drilled in the fuel standpipe and their size?

[carusoam]

I did notice an interesting round hole in the photograph posted above...?

See post #15.

Best regards,

-a-

[Cris]

I did notice an interesting round hole in the photograph posted above...?

See post #15.

Best regards,

Anthony Thanks Good point. I did notice that pic but have seen a few posts that reference a mooney drawing that specifies where the holes are drilled. If that drawing exists, I'd like to see it to verify mine have been drilled correctly.

[GeorgePerry]

This opens another interesting topic.  If there is an STC to drill these holes, then who holds it, and what's required when the holes are drilled?  I imagine the tanks have to be empty and there needs to be some method to collect all the filings?  Anyone have actual facts or STC holder information they can share.

[Cruiser]

George, 

 

there is no STC for this. This is Mooney making minor changes to model year production. It is like getting the Garmin G1000 in the 2005 Ovation 2 DX vs the 2004 Ovation 2 DX without the G1000. You can't go back and put the G1000 in the older year planes even though they are the same model.

 

It really has nothing to do with the airplane but everything to do with how the airplane was certified. My 1999 Ovation/Eagle has V notches in the top of the filler tubes. I don't think there is any need to modify (drill holes) in the filler tubes, they may be already in there. Check yours.

[Cris]

George I'd assume this would be considered a minor alteration and loged as such if there is no drawing. Alternatively it might be another example of that mysterios maintenance Pixie that stops by on occasion.

[PMcClure]

My conclusion is that is possible to add 102 gallons on the S and early R's, even with out the modified neck. It is safe too. But there is no way to make this legal. The filler neck was installed to limit weight. The R and S with STC have the increased weight allowed but not the increased fuel capacity allowed. Missing would be the POH information and the decals on the wing and fuel selector and fuel gauges. 

 

Adding the hole will make it easier to fill up to 102 gallons but does not make it legal. 

 

I hope someone can show me my mistake. Even at 89 gallons, I have over 6 hours and 1000 miles range! But jt would be nice to have more capacity if possible. 

[kmyfm20s]

I read through the books that came with my STC last night and it has no drawing or mention of the holes. It does mention the 89 usable gallons. My conclusion is they have to put the hole to safely fill past 75 usable gallons. The only way to have access to drill them is the top of the stand pipe. I would be curious if they drill the holes in the "R" since it already holds 89 usable. This makes possible to put more than 89 gallons and you can easily fill to the skins.

[kmyfm20s]

BTW I rarely put more than 75 gal in my plane for any trip. I would dread a trip that would require 102.

[carusoam]

O1s have a v shaped slot.

Filling to the skins still would require extra time and care with the v-slot.

Best regards,

-a-

[Cris]

My conclusion is that is possible to add 102 gallons on the S and early R's, even with out the modified neck. It is safe too. But there is no way to make this legal. The filler neck was installed to limit weight. The R and S with STC have the increased weight allowed but not the increased fuel capacity allowed. Missing would be the POH information and the decals on the wing and fuel selector and fuel gauges.

Adding the hole will make it easier to fill up to 102 gallons but does not make it legal.

I hope someone can show me my mistake. Even at 89 gallons, I have over 6 hours and 1000 miles range! But jt would be nice to have more capacity if possible.

Go to the Mooney site and download the supplement for the 50 or 51 gal fuel for the R. The supplement contains the weight and balance info. Put this in your POH and add your serial number to the front of the supplement and you are legal. Oh don't forget to add the placards or whatever else is in the supplement. This works for the R and the 310 hp STC S but not for the stock S

[Piloto]

You can actually fill up quicker without drilling the hole on the conduit by just inserting the fuel nozzle deeper then the bottom of the filler conduit. The trap air just bleed out via the tank vent.

 

José

[larryb]

You could also fabricate a J-shaped 1/2" copper tube to vent the air. Hold the long end while the short end is up near the upper wing skin inside the tank.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[carusoam]

Is there a way to accidentally induce a spark with the copper tube j method?

Something to think about before trying it...

Best regards,

-a-

[kmyfm20s]

PVC might be better and easier to make.