Must have accessoy for a "new to me" 1966 M20E?

[N9405V]

Ok, it has been awhile since I owned an airplane.  What is something that you found really helped make taking care of and flying your Mooney easier and more enjoyable?  I've got an iPad with Foreflight and a Stratus is on the list.  What else???

[chrisk]

a screwdriver

a headlamp for night time operations.

a hanger

an air compressor /  portable tank

[N9405V]

On a wait list for a hangar.........

[Houman]

yeah, Money... sad to say, but it takes $$$ to buy, fuel, fly and maintain such a performance bird..

[DonMuncy]

ANR  units (from Headsets Inc.) installed in headset.

Sun visors from Lasar.

Battery Minder

Timer installed in cabin light circuit (to avoid running down battery)

Tow unit to move plane into hangar

[jrwilson]

A creeper . One of those wheely, lay on your back n polish the belly/remove screws things

[jrwilson]

This thing

[jrwilson]

If your on hangar wait list, Bruce's custom cover...for the cockpit and wings

[Bob_Belville]

Not for everyone but changing your own oil is a nice money saver and reasonably easy to do. You'll need a few tools to replace the spin on filter if your E has one. (torque wrench, safety wire and pliers, drain pan & hose, a supply of oil and filters. CamGuard and oil analysis are options.

 

A small vacuum cleaner and other supplies for washing, waxing and window cleaning.

 

A can of Tri-Flow. 

 

I have a '66E that is pretty dolled up. Check out my gallery for more expensive ideas.

[Wakeup]

Extra stainless screws Troy

[KSMooniac]

This thingimage.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Whiteside-WHI2UP-Either-Adjustable-Creeper/dp/B000T91X62/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409944514&sr=8-2&keywords=creeper+adjustable

 

This is the BEST creeper for Mooney work IMO.  Adjustable to work easily on the under-wing panels, empennage, etc.  Flat for working on the belly when needed.

 

Of course you need a hangar first.    good luck finding one soon...after that, the real fun begins adding lights, tool boxes, workbenches, beer fridges, air compressor, radio, etc.

[N9405V]

I do feel a little bit like I'm cheating.  The cowling and battery access panel have dzus fasteners....

 

Great suggestions, thank you!  Are the solar battery minders worth it?  Fortunately the plane has a cabin cover.

[urbanti]

A 1/4" drive speeder wrench with a #2 phillips bit attached to it for removing all the #8 Phillips head screws retaining the access panels underneath the wings.

A small allen head wrench to tighten the yoke as necessary.

Spare rubber bands to secure the PC button on the yoke.

Also, containers of Tri-Flo and LPS-2 lubricants; Corrosion-X; Rejex polish; and a bucket with Pledge furniture spray and microfiber towels for cleaning the windshield.

Good luck!

Tim

[bonal]

Not sure what model it is but a Dewalt cordless driver. Mine goes with on our trips worst place to be removing cowlings with a screw driver is on some ramp away from your hangar as night approaches.

[jrwilson]

The most important accessory?  The need for speed.  Yep, that's right.  It is 0Dorkthirty on the west coast, apparently. 

[stevesm20b]

An autopilot would be nice.

[N9405V]

An autopilot would be nice.

Well, yeah, but that will be in version 2.0...

[rbridges]

as much as I love my foreflight/stratus, I think I'd go without them before I'd give up my engine monitor.  I'd get one installed if I didn't already have one.

[carusoam]

Aircraft specific training...

As much as you can get.

Cover as many areas as you can.

Get current in...

- night flight

- emergency procedures

- IFR

- mooney PPP

Know the effects of, and how to handle/avoid....

- high OAT on performance of your plane

- icing

- thunder storms

- full power combined with full flaps. There may be a time when you want both...

Get membership in local flying club. With a Mooney, local may be in the state next to yours... Joining a group like NJ Mooney pilots is pretty cool!

These come from a list of things that can get a Mooney pilot in trouble....(including joining the NJMP)

Best regards,

-a-

[N9405V]

I've got 10 hours scheduled with my CFI who is very familiar with Mooneys.

Anything else? The batter minder has my attention since jumping a mooney is an exercise...