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Recovering useful load in M20C

DXB

By DXB
in Vintage Mooneys (pre-J models)

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DXB Grand Master

DXB

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My still fairly new to me  '68C started life with an impressive useful load of 1050 lbs but is now old and obese, with only 888 lb officially (though the accounting is sketchy in parts).  Previous additions that are here to stay are bladders, 201 wing tips, and cowl closure.  I figure there's a good amount of added weight behind the panel , and it's about to get the panel redone this summer (STEC-30, G650, Aspen PFD among other stuff).  I'd like to hear ideas and experience on how to maximize the useful load gains before it gets reweighed at the end of this.  My current thoughts are:

 

1. removing all Brittain wing leveler components (nonfunctional) will help

2. obviously removing the rest of the old engine gauges and panel components, along with any orphaned wiring  

3. headrests from the front/rear seats (these aren't all that comfortable anyway)

4. Maybe get rid of the overhead speaker and handheld mic input?  Will I ever actually use these for anything??

5. I should try to drop 10lbs myself- seems only fair given what I'm asking of my plane.    

 

Anything else likely to be hiding in this plane that should be torn out?  

Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

Lightweight Sky Tec starter, Plane power Alternator will shave some out of the engine compartment. Wash the dirt out of the wheel wells and the belly panels before the re weigh.

Clarence

rbridges Grand Master

rbridges

Posted
Posted

I don't know how much $$ you want to spend on aspen stuff, but you could get rid of the vacuum and standby.  That would save quite a few pounds.

1964-M20E Grand Master

1964-M20E

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Posted

Maybe not the vacuum if he has the vacuum step unless you get rid of the step as well.  Of course i have been contemplating how I could keep the step without a vacuum pump.

rbridges Grand Master

rbridges

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  On 5/11/2015 at 3:34 PM, 1964-M20E said:

Maybe not the vacuum if he has the vacuum step unless you get rid of the step as well.  Of course i have been contemplating how I could keep the step without a vacuum pump.

 

I've thought about that, too.  I figured I would just have the step "permanently" pulled into the fuselage.

DXB Grand Master

DXB

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Posted
  On 5/11/2015 at 1:32 PM, Shadrach said:

I am interested in your Brittain stuff, when you're ready.

Sure- will let you know- not sure why it's inop when I bought it but servos were overhauled in 2011 so might be in decent shape.   

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DXB Grand Master

DXB

Posted
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  On 5/11/2015 at 3:06 PM, rbridges said:

I don't know how much $$ you want to spend on aspen stuff, but you could get rid of the vacuum and standby.  That would save quite a few pounds.

Yeah I considered doing this and then getting a TSO'd digital AI to stay IFR cert., but I'm in it for too much money already.  The unit cost plus $400 mandatory battery replacements every two years end up being much more than maintaining the vac for now, even though it will just drive the AI, which is recently overhauled.  Maybe after the part 23 rewrite...

DXB Grand Master

DXB

Posted
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Posted
  On 5/11/2015 at 3:34 PM, 1964-M20E said:

Maybe not the vacuum if he has the vacuum step unless you get rid of the step as well.  Of course i have been contemplating how I could keep the step without a vacuum pump.

Getting rid of the step is an interesting idea, given how low our planes sit.  Mine has a fixed step.   Has anyone done this and how do they like it?  Also must be good for at least 10 kts I bet :)

Hank Grand Master

Hank

Posted
Posted

I know people with stepless Mooneys. Try boarding yours without using it to get a feel for what it's like. It is especially nice to have for passengers more so than for myself.

orionflt Veteran

orionflt

Posted
Posted

Even sitting low my wife likes having the step to climb up, that being said I leave mine up unless some one really needs it..... then I will forget I put it back up and wonder why I'm 3 knots slower and not flying straight. getting rid of the fixed step is easy, just unbolt it and put it on the shelf in case you want it back on some day, one of my friends did that on his F.

 

Brian

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1964-M20E Grand Master

1964-M20E

Posted
Posted
  On 5/11/2015 at 3:55 PM, rbridges said:

I've thought about that, too.  I figured I would just have the step "permanently" pulled into the fuselage.

In that case remove it and gain the useful load maybe 5 lbs but a gain.

lamont337 Community Regular

lamont337

Posted
Posted
  On 5/11/2015 at 1:38 AM, M20Doc said:

Lightweight Sky Tec starter, Plane power Alternator will shave some out of the engine compartment. Wash the dirt out of the wheel wells and the belly panels before the re weigh.

Clarence

 

...and the access panels outside of the main wheel wells. You wouldn't believe how much dirt/sand I found in there...

jlunseth Grand Master

jlunseth

Posted
Posted

Has it been weighed before?  I see you are talking about re-weighing.  You can save yourself a lot of useful load by not doing that to begin with.  Another fairly significant way to reduce the weight of the aircraft is to have your A&P clean all the dust and dirt out of the wings and tail section during the next annual.  It collects more than you might think.

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Andy95W Grand Master

Andy95W

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Posted
  On 5/12/2015 at 7:05 PM, jlunseth said:

Has it been weighed before?  I see you are talking about re-weighing.  You can save yourself a lot of useful load by not doing that to begin with.  Another fairly significant way to reduce the weight of the aircraft is to have your A&P clean all the dust and dirt out of the wings and tail section during the next annual.  It collects more than you might think.

Normally I'd agree, but the OP has lost over 160 pounds from his useful load and doesn't have an extra 160 pounds of stuff.

Decent possibility of miscalculation of W&B somewhere along the way by a mathematically challenged A&P.

DXB Grand Master

DXB

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 5/12/2015 at 7:05 PM, jlunseth said:

Has it been weighed before?  I see you are talking about re-weighing.  You can save yourself a lot of useful load by not doing that to begin with.  Another fairly significant way to reduce the weight of the aircraft is to have your A&P clean all the dust and dirt out of the wings and tail section during the next annual.  It collects more than you might think.

Yes luckily it was weighed previously in '97 and came out at 935 (2 lb better than the calculated 933 up to that point).  I agree I'd be scared to reweigh otherwise.  It subsequently had a major overhaul, and bladders were added last year before I bought it. It was also subsequently repainted and had the interior redone without any W&B adjustment for this.  I've been under all the panels during pre-buy in December, and the airframe was very clean of accumulated grime.  

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