Alex's M20D (continuous thread)

[Raptor05121]

 I ordered the fuel selector rebuild kit itself from LASAR, and took us about 45 minutes from removal, rebuild, and reinstallation. Its simple to do, and function check is perfect. No more gas in the cockpit.

We then reweighed the airplane per the Service Manual. My empty weight went down by 12 pounds. New useful load 1,015lbs

 

Then we pulled the wheels off and sent them off to the shop. The tires were paper thin. Good thing I got them out of there when I did.





We're about 25 hours in so far. Small shopping list of odds and ends to get, might be signed off by this weekend.

[Raptor05121]

14 minutes ago, Hyett6420 said:

I love the guy sitting in the chair.  I hope you look after him well.  

He's my IA. Amazing guy and book of knowledge. He spent 30 years wrenching on radials in Alaska and I spent the better part of the work day just listening to some truly amazing stories.

[RLCarter]

12 minutes ago, Raptor05121 said:

We then reweighed the airplane per the Service Manual. My empty weight went down by 12 pounds. New useful load 1,015lbs

My E is a fat ass, 899# doesn't leave much room for push-o-line, butts & baggagre 

[Raptor05121]

2 hours ago, RLCarter said:

My E is a fat ass, 899# doesn't leave much room for push-o-line, butts & baggagre 

I'm sure your panel sure than enough makes up for it. 

In all reality, anything over 1,000lbs is excessive for a short body. I've taken my airplane camping and with 3 people, full tanks, and a cooler, 10-man tent, sleeping bags, etc filling the baggage compartment to the roof, I was still under gross. I'd gladly give up a few pounds to have a nicer panel. But that's a few years from now when I can retire and emulate you guys

[RLCarter]

Just now, Raptor05121 said:

I'm sure your panel sure than enough makes up for it. 

Nope, just as ugly as when it left the factory, I did add a digital OAT and a Shadin fuel flow. Only thing I can come up with is leather seats and thicker plastics

[gsxrpilot]

Don't worry, no picture... My panel upgrade was all in an effort to increase the useful load by removing heavy items and replacing with multi-function glass items.

[tigers2007]

Now you need two LED beacons to replace the belly & dorsal strobes, sync’d of course. Then add two LED “logo” lights to illuminate the tail just like the fancy jets.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hank]

18 minutes ago, tigers2007 said:

Now you need two LED beacons to replace the belly & dorsal strobes, sync’d of course. Then add two LED “logo” lights to illuminate the tail just like the fancy jets.
 

 

With all of that, can't he get rid of the belly flasher?

Oh, whose Mooney has a flasher on top as well as on the bottom? I replaced my huge Whelen belly blinker with a Whelen LED that's less than half the size, because the old high voltage flasher became highly erratic.

[MB65E]

Looks great Alex!!

-Matt

[Raptor05121]

11 hours ago, Hank said:

With all of that, can't he get rid of the belly flasher?

Oh, whose Mooney has a flasher on top as well as on the bottom? I replaced my huge Whelen belly blinker with a Whelen LED that's less than half the size, because the old high voltage flasher became highly erratic.

Mine. I have a 337 on file for the one on top, added in the 80s. I don't like it. There is a massive doubler with about 50 rivets just aft of my air scoop. It looks ridiculous.

Do you have pics of your new belly beacon?

[RLCarter]

24 minutes ago, Raptor05121 said:

There is a massive doubler with about 50 rivets just aft of my air scoop. It looks ridiculous.

Someone removed the beacon on the belly of mine and installed a new one in the same place as yours on top, looks like crap and at certain angles from the rear the rudder blanks it out

[Hank]

3 hours ago, Raptor05121 said:

Mine. I have a 337 on file for the one on top, added in the 80s. I don't like it. There is a massive doubler with about 50 rivets just aft of my air scoop. It looks ridiculous.

Do you have pics of your new belly beacon?

Here's a side-by-side comparison during install: 

You won't need to scroll very far . . .

[Raptor05121]

Got it, I remember reading that now. Maybe next year

[Raptor05121]

Finally got the wheels back from powdercoat:

Before:

 

After:

 

 

 

[Raptor05121]

And since I'm getting so much flak on Facebook:

The valve stem is seated properly, I had to push it cockeyed so it wouldn't push over the dust cap when I took pics.

[Yetti]

I asked the grumpy IA about powder coat on the wheels.  He said no, Hides too much corrosion.  He also said he was "doing some plating at home"   

I wonder if you can parkerize mag wheels

[RLCarter]

I've been thinking about Cerakote, durable and isn't as think as powder coating and more durable than paint

[Raptor05121]

Just crossed 300 hours total, of which 155 hours was in 2017 , all sans 1.5 in the Mooney alone. My goal this year is 500 hours total time, along with IFR and Commercial done, and hopefully a job getting paid to fly SOMETHING by December

In the meantime, new brakes for the Mooney:

 

 

[Andy95W]

Nicely done!  Good luck to you in 2017.

You'll always remember your first flying job when, for the first time, you didn't have to pay to fly.  Cherish the memory when it happens!

(Mine was flying a traffic airplane around Richmond, VA with an AM radio reporter in the back.  C-172 with a 180 HP conversion.  Great times!)

[N6758N]

10 hours ago, Raptor05121 said:

Just crossed 300 hours total, of which 155 hours was in 2017 , all sans 1.5 in the Mooney alone. My goal this year is 500 hours total time, along with IFR and Commercial done, and hopefully a job getting paid to fly SOMETHING by December

In the meantime, new brakes for the Mooney:

Hey Alex,

Send me a message once you get the IFR and commercial done, I know a guy who will hire you to fly survey in a 172, no multi necessary. Just as long as you don't mind being away from home a little bit. 

[Raptor05121]

12 hours ago, N6758N said:

Hey Alex,

Send me a message once you get the IFR and commercial done, I know a guy who will hire you to fly survey in a 172, no multi necessary. Just as long as you don't mind being away from home a little bit. 

Wilco, Terry. Where abouts is it? AK?

[Raptor05121]

My mechanic showed me how to punch pads off and rivet on new ones. I don't see why the FAA says we can't do this. 

It didn't take long to get the hang of it:

Old pads were wearing only on the edges (look at the old rotors) so I was only getting about 1/3rd of braking power. I never really use my brakes except for turning while taxiing but its nice knowing I have full power now if I need it:

After a few high-speed taxi stops and a few stop-and-goes, they are worn in and I am amazed at how effective they are! Actually pushes me forward when I stomp on them! Not bad for $225.

My friend also got a video of my departure

 

 

[carusoam]

Great being able to work with a mechanic like that!

Thanks for the photos and descriptions.

Hmmmm... Is he helping you log the time working on these things?  Helpful if you go on towards earning your A&P?

Best regards,

-a-

[Raptor05121]

Yes he is a godsend. Only charged me $20 for watching me and signing it off. I need to surprise him with a bottle of Jack one of these days.

He did make that comment as tounge-in-cheek. I'm not going to be living around here too much longer to make it worthwhile. Isn't it 2,000hrs for A&P??

[carusoam]

Something like that... when you get near the end, each next hour seems to take forever.  Great if you have logged a few weeks doing all your annuals and other maintenance work.  Your mechanic can probably show you that too... a bottle of wine to go with that Bottle of Jack...

Best regards,

-a-