Gear Rigging Day

[Marauder]

On March 24, 2016 at 5:55 AM, 1964-M20E said: I would next take on the flight controls since they may be suffering the same fate of the same mechanic.  If everything is correct it shouldn't take more than 4 to 6 hours to carefully check all the key points to make sure they are properly aligned and within specified limits.  You will need travel boards to do this.

The boards get you a start but it will fly like crap afterwards. Then its a series of 5-6 flights of flying, tweaking, repeat. If it flys straight I wouldn't open the Pandora's box     -Robert

We have been steadily working on the rigging for the last six months. She was way out of whack. So far, the speed has increased 9KTAS. Getting closer to perfection. What is your true airspeed now?147 at 4500ft. Have not had a chance to get her up higher yet. That's about +5KTAS. This is at 65% power.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Let me know your power settings. I will duplicate them and see what I get. I don't remember Matt what mods you may have. I have the 201 windshield, lower cowl enclosure, flap and aileron gaps seals and no step.

24/24 @ 4500ft. Leaned to just ROP.

Brake caliper rotation and lower cowl closure. That's it!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Got it. I'm flying Saturday to another of Stinky Pant's fly-ins to Reading (KRDG) and will give it a try on the flight over.

[Guitarmaster]

On March 24, 2016 at 5:55 AM, 1964-M20E said: I would next take on the flight controls since they may be suffering the same fate of the same mechanic.  If everything is correct it shouldn't take more than 4 to 6 hours to carefully check all the key points to make sure they are properly aligned and within specified limits.  You will need travel boards to do this.

The boards get you a start but it will fly like crap afterwards. Then its a series of 5-6 flights of flying, tweaking, repeat. If it flys straight I wouldn't open the Pandora's box     -Robert

We have been steadily working on the rigging for the last six months. She was way out of whack. So far, the speed has increased 9KTAS. Getting closer to perfection. What is your true airspeed now?147 at 4500ft. Have not had a chance to get her up higher yet. That's about +5KTAS. This is at 65% power. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Let me know your power settings. I will duplicate them and see what I get. I don't remember Matt what mods you may have. I have the 201 windshield, lower cowl enclosure, flap and aileron gaps seals and no step.

24/24 @ 4500ft. Leaned to just ROP. Brake caliper rotation and lower cowl closure. That's it!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Got it. I'm flying Saturday to another of Stinky Pant's fly-ins to Reading (KRDG) and will give it a try on the flight over.

Sweet! I'll be interested to know how much faster the "super mod" Mooney goes!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Marauder]

On April 21, 2016 at 6:59 PM, Guitarmaster said:

 

We have been steadily working on the rigging for the last six months. She was way out of whack. So far, the speed has increased 9KTAS. Getting closer to perfection. What is your true airspeed now?147 at 4500ft. Have not had a chance to get her up higher yet. That's about +5KTAS.

This is at 65% power.

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

Let me know your power settings. I will duplicate them and see what I get. I don't remember Matt what mods you may have. I have the 201 windshield, lower cowl enclosure, flap and aileron gaps seals and no step.

 

 

24/24 @ 4500ft. Leaned to just ROP. Oat about 17c

 

Brake caliper rotation and lower cowl closure. That's it!

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Sorry this took so long. Was able to get out tonight. 24/2400, 50 ROP.

Looks like 152 KTAS

[Guitarmaster]

11 hours ago, Marauder said:

Sorry this took so long. Was able to get out tonight. 24/2400, 50 ROP.

Looks like 152 KTAS

Cool!  Thanks for doing that!  

It looks like I have some more tweaking (not twerking ) to do.  I am sure the 201 windshield adds a few knots.  I still have to hold some right rudder to track straight.  There is no roll tenancy now, so I am thinking the engine may need to be shimmed to the right slightly.  With the maintenance track record this plane has, it wouldn't surprise me find the engine slightly off alignment.  That being said, it looks to be where it is supposed to be in the cowl.  

The good news is, the trim works nice and easy now!  

 

[Marauder]

11 hours ago, Marauder said: Sorry this took so long. Was able to get out tonight. 24/2400, 50 ROP.

Looks like 152 KTAS

Cool!  Thanks for doing that!  

It looks like I have some more tweaking (not twerking ) to do.  I am sure the 201 windshield adds a few knots.  I still have to hold some right rudder to track straight.  There is no roll tenancy now, so I am thinking the engine may need to be shimmed to the right slightly.  With the maintenance track record this plane has, it wouldn't surprise me find the engine slightly off alignment.  That being said, it looks to be where it is supposed to be in the cowl.  

The good news is, the trim works nice and easy now!  

 

Matt -- one thing about my plane and probably the reason Phil Smith developed Aerotrim for the Mooney fleet, when I reach cruise speeds, I could use some left rudder. You can see it in the photo on the turn coordinator. When I get closer to 155 KTAS I may be a half ball out.

[Bob_Belville]

32 minutes ago, Marauder said:

Matt -- one thing about my plane and probably the reason Phil Smith developed Aerotrim for the Mooney fleet, when I reach cruise speeds, I could use some left rudder. You can see it in the photo on the turn coordinator. When I get closer to 155 KTAS I may be a half ball out.

Chris, this is from yesterday. At cruise, feet on the floor. To center the ball (on the Aspen display) on my E I have to put slight pressure on the right rudder. (When I first got the plane we did a lot of trim tweaking including the trailing edge on the short rudder. But that was 4 years ago.)