Vintage Mooney cowling mod completion pictures!

[Sabremech]

We unveiled the completed cowling today at the Mooney Summit III. It was great getting to meet many of you who've followed the project here as well meeting those who just saw it today. I'll start flying with it on my airplane in the next couple of weeks. Thanks to all who stopped by and gave me feedback. 

 

 

[kmyfm20s]

Looks fantastic!!

[DXB]

Amazing.  Can't wait to hear about performance and cooling comparisons!

 

[jamesm]

What is diameter of the air cooling inlets?

 

[Sabremech]

Hi Jamesm, the cooling inlets are 5 inches in diameter.

David

[bonal]

WOW! What I like best is how much easier engine access looks to be. Lopresti, who's that. No disrespect meant. Just kidding...

[MyNameIsNobody]

Yowza!  Me likey a lot.

[MyNameIsNobody]

O.K. Cover her up. One can only view Mooney porn so much.  Transformation.  C-inderella lost her chin and is the belle of the ball.  Home run David. Hope it flies as well as it looks...NOT as hot as it looks:)

Edited October 3, 2015 by MyNameIsNobody

[Shadrach]

David,

It looks great! Have you done any Cd calculations? Has the flat plate area been reduced?  

Thanks!!!

[francisg]

Looks FANTASTIC, I cant wait for the early M20C version....

[cctsurf]

Ugh, now I have drool all over my keyboard    as above ^^^, looking forward to the early m20c version!

[ryoder]

Looks nice.  Still looking forward to the FAQ.

[JKJacobiSr]

David. Nice job, looks amazing. When do you expect to have performance numbers? I think most of us fly Mooneys because we can go fast for cheap. With that in mind, I can afford to spend some money to go faster yet, especially if the dolling issues go away!

Jim

[JKJacobiSr]

Cooling issues. Sometimes auto correct is my worst enema. 

[Sabremech]

Hi Shadrach,

I didn't do any drag calculations or flat plate area analysis on my prototype. I suspect that may be asked for during certification or might not be. If needed, I'll enlist the DER on my project to assist on the data. 

Hi Ryan, 

I know the FAQ has been brought up before and I'm having a hard time just thinking of questions someone would really want to know for this mod. Would you be willing to give me a list of questions you have to start it off and I can use them on my website and after the certification is complete for someone who isn't following the mod?

Hi Jim,

I'm hoping to gather some performance data in the next couple of weeks. I'm setting up my test flight plan and data collection as I type this. I'll post data as I get good numbers that have been confirmed on several flights.

Thank you,

David

[carl]

Performance aside, how do you measure beauty.

Nicely done. 

 

[ryoder]

Hi Shadrach,

I didn't do any drag calculations or flat plate area analysis on my prototype. I suspect that may be asked for during certification or might not be. If needed, I'll enlist the DER on my project to assist on the data. 

Hi Ryan, 

I know the FAQ has been brought up before and I'm having a hard time just thinking of questions someone would really want to know for this mod. Would you be willing to give me a list of questions you have to start it off and I can use them on my website and after the certification is complete for someone who isn't following the mod?

Hi Jim,

I'm hoping to gather some performance data in the next couple of weeks. I'm setting up my test flight plan and data collection as I type this. I'll post data as I get good numbers that have been confirmed on several flights.

Thank you,

David

how much does it cost

how long to get one made

which models does it fit

what does it weigh compared to original

is it a major alteration

 do you have a pma

stc?

how long to install it

any cutting necessary or is it just bolt in

does it come with everything I need to install

how many knots will I get

how many degrees lower are chts on takeoff and climb

what is it made of

is there a warranty

 do you need a core

does it make it easier to preflight, to remove the cowl

can I get a flush light cover

when will the 65c be ready

does it replace avionics access panels too

will it work with 201 windshield mods

 

[bradp]

Wow looks great. Can you send a zoomed out picture too... Would be nice to see how it improves the lines of the aircraft.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[carusoam]

From a sales point of view, a picture of my mid 60’s C was much uglier than your 'before' picture.  It had the giant guppy mouth.  I left out the exact year to not insult somebody's girl...

As far as flat plate data goes, it may not be different than the original. Both are mounting up to the same large flat plate called the fire wall.  Flat plate is a rough method of describing drag.  It misses the finer details like the sloped windshield vs the more vertical standard.

I hope the data gods are with you through the test flights.  Cooler, more evenly distributed temperatures would be helpful. Faster A/S will drive people in your direction.

JPI and GPS derived data would really tell your story.  Photographs will tell the rest.

If the data doesn't come through, She sure looks like a small Acclaim. 

Best regards,

-a-

Edited October 4, 2015 by carusoam

[Sabremech]

Hi Ryan,

Thank you for the questions. I can answer about half of them at this time. I will post those questions with answers when I return home from the Mooney Summit III. 

Per Bradp's request, here's a zoomed out picture. 

Thank you again,

David

 

[Shadrach]

I'm sure everyone is interested in a profile shot as well. Aesthetically, that's were the old cowlings leave the most to be desired!

[carusoam]

There may be a question or two regarding the prop, spinner and clearances.

Ross supplied a pretty complete list.  I am hoping to come up with something useful.

Trying to help,

-a-

[Sabremech]

Here's here's the only profile photo I have with me. 

Thanks,

David

[ryoder]

You need a pic with it paint matched at some point too obviously.

Thanks for engineering new products for the old birds.

[Danb]

That looks absolutely beautiful!