Lost keys, any ideas?

[wombat]

So I lost the keys to my plane.  Luckily it's unlocked in the hangar so I can at least get inside it.  Yes, I had a spare set of keys at the shop, so I asked them to mail the keys to me.  The spare set never showed up.  

Now I'm trying to figure out how to get a replacement set of keys for the plane.  Does anyone have any good ideas?

[1964-M20E]

Short of changing the locks.

You could have a lock smith come out and make new ones for you or you could remove the door lock cylinder and and bring it to the lock smith to make a key.

Were the doors and ignitions on the same key?

P.S. I used to own a 64E model 6943U S/N 313  three panes before yours.

 

 

 

Edited October 8, 2015 by 1964-M20E

[wombat]

I had three keys previously, all different.     The door and baggage door I can get replaced without too much problem, but the ignition is an issue.

[N201MKTurbo]

A good locksmith should know how to remove the cylinder from the ignition switch. Then he can make a key to fit, or replace the cylinder. The worst case scenario is a new ignition switch. They aren't that hard to change.

FWIW my Mooney keys have never failed to unlock and start any plane I've tried, with a little shaking. The only thing the stock door locks will stop is the wind from blowing them open.

[Steve65E-NC]

Find co-operative mechanic.  Mark wires carefully and remove switch.  Carry switch to locksmith.  New key.  Reinstall.  If you feel really adventurous you can open up the back and clean the contacts with polishing paper (say 1000 grit).  Do this on a big table with light colored cover and carefully as springs and metal triangles like to get away.    

[Yetti]

Remove one windshield wiper and take the stainless stiffeners out.  Sharpen one end.  Bend the other one into a 90 degrees.   Oh wait I have said too much.

It works pretty well on a 4/5 pin master lock.  just saying

[Brandontwalker]

Ask your buddies at the airport if you can try their keys. There are only a handful of different airplane keys for GA aircraft. For example, when I had a 172, my keys would open 2 flight school planes. I have a friend with a F33A Bonanza and his keys fit the door and ignition of my M20J and vice versa. We use the same mechanic, which makes it easy if the mechanic needs to access one of our planes. 

[Andy95W]

The shop I used to work at had a ring of about 50 old airplane keys on it.  We could unlock and start any airplane on the airfield with that ring of keys, and we usually only had to try about 8 or 10 keys to do so.  Ask your local shop if they have any old keys lying around, they're standard (cheap) cabinet keys.

[wombat]

I've asked my shop to try, they will stop by with their ring of keys sometime.

[Shadrach]

Wow, I did not realize how common the "ring of keys" thing is. I remember years ago, going to pick up our plane thinking that the keys were with it. They were not, but the shop had a large ring of keys that they lent me.

[MyNameIsNobody]

Your incident is why I always have a set of extra keys to plane in my car, my nightstand and hanging on my flight bag.  I also have an ignition key that is hanging separately on my flight bag.  It is what is used to start plane, so other keys don't dangle/block/scratch panel.  Good luck.  Making keys is cheap...Losing/stranding yourself, not so much...

[RobertGary1]

Ask your buddies at the airport if you can try their keys. There are only a handful of different airplane keys for GA aircraft. For example, when I had a 172, my keys would open 2 flight school planes. I have a friend with a F33A Bonanza and his keys fit the door and ignition of my M20J and vice versa. We use the same mechanic, which makes it easy if the mechanic needs to access one of our planes. 

probably more a result of worn down cylinders than originally being the same. 

Id keep it simple go with whatever key comes with the ignition switch and have a locksmith key the cylinders of your other locks to that. Be aware that ignition keys are very slightly longer than the very similar cabinet keys. 

 

-Robert

[geoffb]

I wondered why I never took the key out of my mag switch.  Now remembering the hanger key when I leave the house, that's another matter.

[RobertGary1]

I wondered why I never took the key out of my mag switch.  Now remembering the hanger key when I leave the house, that's another matter.

I keep copies in all my cars. :)

[ArtVandelay]

No one uses a flight bag anymore?

Keys, med, PP cert. A20, glasses, etc all in the flight bag.

[Hank]

No one uses a flight bag anymore?

Keys, med, PP cert. A20, glasses, etc all in the flight bag.

my flight bag lives in the back seat, within arms reach. My wife and I ech have a set of plane & hangar keys, just in case. Yes, I've needed to use hers . . .  

[Guest]

So I lost the keys to my plane.  Luckily it's unlocked in the hangar so I can at least get inside it.  Yes, I had a spare set of keys at the shop, so I asked them to mail the keys to me.  The spare set never showed up.  

Now I'm trying to figure out how to get a replacement set of keys for the plane.  Does anyone have any good ideas?

For $150.00 you can get a new ignition switch complete with 2 new matching door locks at Aircraft Sruce.

Clarence

[Hank]

^^^ ** WINNER!! ** ^^^

[WardHolbrook]

Over the past 50 years I have been collecting aircraft keys. Keys to aircraft that I owned, to club aircraft, to aircraft that that I instructed in, 

Ask your buddies at the airport if you can try their keys. There are only a handful of different airplane keys for GA aircraft. For example, when I had a 172, my keys would open 2 flight school planes. I have a friend with a F33A Bonanza and his keys fit the door and ignition of my M20J and vice versa. We use the same mechanic, which makes it easy if the mechanic needs to access one of our planes. 

Bingo!

I've been slowly collecting aircraft keys for almost 50 years. Keys to aircraft that I have owned, been a partner in or were in flying clubs that I belonged to. Keys to aircraft that I instructed in or to aircraft that I managed. My jar of aircraft isn't vary large - it's in a storage locker or I'd go check to make sure - I'm guessing maybe 25 to 30 keys. In the past 30 years I haven't found one GA aircraft that I didn't have a key to. Key collections like mine aren't unusual, I think every maintenance shop and A&P has one. That aircraft key you have on your key ring probably works in at least one other airplane on your ramp and likely several more. I used to fly for a large corporate flight department. We bought Medeco locks that were cut the same for the cabin, baggage and hell-hole door locks on all 6 airplanes. Much more secure. Personally, I'd do the same for any airplane I owned. I really don't like the idea of 5 or 6 guys at my airport running around with keys to my airplane in their pocket even if they don't realize it.   

[mike_elliott]

For $150.00 you can get a new ignition switch complete with 2 new matching door locks at Aircraft Sruce.

Clarence

Which is less than you can order a Medco Key for a 2000ish  Ovation

[M20F]

Lots of places to fasten a spare key(s) to the airframe safely as well for future needs.  

[DonMuncy]

I have always adhered to the theory that locks only keep out honest people (tongue-in cheek). If one installs medico locks, they run the risk that a determined baddie would ruin the door prying it open, or break out a side window to get in.

[MyNameIsNobody]

I have always adhered to the theory that locks only keep out honest people (tongue-in cheek). If one installs medico locks, they run the risk that a determined baddie would ruin the door prying it open, or break out a side window to get in.

+1

[N601RX]

Speaking of locks keeping honest people out, a few years ago someone posted pictures of a aluminum panel that could be locked over the yokes and cover up the avionics.   Does anyone have a picture of this device?

[ArtVandelay]

Speaking of locks keeping honest people out, a few years ago someone posted pictures of a aluminum panel that could be locked over the yokes and cover up the avionics.   Does anyone have a picture of this device?

IIRC, it was printed with a picture of an old avionics panel. So casual glance would cause somebody to look elsewhere.