Finally found a plane...'65 M20E

[Pictreed]

2 hours ago, bonal said:

Congrats on your E sounds like you are planning on lots of upgrades which could keep it grounded for quite some time. If it were me being the CB I am I would just fly it and enjoy what's there and then decide what to do down the road a bit. Based on the hours vs years you indicate that engine needs to get run. Good luck and don't worry there will be plenty of things to give you anxiety as an owner don't need to create any yourself. Look forward to some more pics.

That's exactly right.  It will be a couple years before I upgrade the instruments.  The only reason I'm bringing it up now is to find out if there's limitations but after seeing these panels I'm good to go.

The tank seal will be first and that is in the fall so that gives me time to decide how I'll use it. 

The next possibility is the WAAS upgrade but I'm even doubting that idea. Time in the seat will tell what I need. 

[Bob_Belville]

22 minutes ago, Pictreed said:

I need to order a Sidewinder tow today.  There is a lip in front of my hangar. 

My Nose Dragger Dragger is perfect for a Mooney.

http://dragger.com/Nose-Dragger-DRAGGER/

I use 2 12V batteries in series for their 24V model.

[Browncbr1]

Congrats.  If I were you, I would put your money into autopilot before waas upgrade.  The brittain stuff is cheap, and cool!   Your insurance premium should also drop a tad if you put in an autopilot.  Atleast mine did, before I raised the hull value that is!   

But, if you do decide to sell your 430, let me know  

 

[ArtVandelay]

22 minutes ago, Pictreed said: I need to order a Sidewinder tow today.  There is a lip in front of my hangar. 

My Nose Dragger Dragger is perfect for a Mooney.

http://dragger.com/Nose-Dragger-DRAGGER/

I use 2 12V batteries in series for their 24V model.

Wow, $2000 tow, I guess I'm a CB because I'll keep doing it the old fashion way.

[Pictreed]

I already tried the uphill push with a Cessna I rented and stored in my hangar over night because I was headed to a job site early the next day.  

After almost hitting a wing on the door pushing it 'up-hell' ( ha, I crack myself up), I figured the sidewinder is cheaper than repairing an aileron. 

[Raptor05121]

Craigslist- $200 mower with a broken deck and/or electric power chair.

[1524J]

1 hour ago, Browncbr1 said:

Congrats.  If I were you, I would put your money into autopilot before waas upgrade.  The brittain stuff is cheap, and cool!   Your insurance premium should also drop a tad if you put in an autopilot.  Atleast mine did, before I raised the hull value that is!   

But, if you do decide to sell your 430, let me know  

 

+1 on the autopilot. I can't think of a single upgrade that'll reduce your workload more. 

[Marauder]

Craigslist- $200 mower with a broken deck and/or electric power chair.

Just finishing up my lawn err, airplane tug.

[Raptor05121]

Where did you get the towbar?
 

[roglaws]

congrats.  hope to join you soon.   

[Pictreed]

I just got back from flying right seat in it.  Good times. 

The portability of the sidewinder is needed for my mission so it's on it's way.  Thanks for the ideas though. 

[Guitarmaster]

Craigslist- $200 mower with a broken deck and/or electric power chair.

Just finishing up my lawn err, airplane tug.

I thought about doing this very thing. I think I would want to make the towbar two sections held together with some fairly stiff Springs just in case I turn too sharp. Kind of, "breakaway towbar" if you will.

[Bob_Belville]

14 hours ago, teejayevans said:

Wow, $2000 tow, I guess I'm a CB because I'll keep doing it the old fashion way.

Well, I didn't pay $700,000 for a new Mooney and I did not pay $2000 for a new tug. I paid $300 to a local pilot who had sold his plane. (That's why I'm using 2 old batteries - the 24V on the tug was bad after sitting a couple of years.) 

But the tug is great. 

[Marauder]

Where did you get the towbar?

 

Aircraft Spruce sells them.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/ps/towbars_brackett.html

[Marauder]

Craigslist- $200 mower with a broken deck and/or electric power chair.

Just finishing up my lawn err, airplane tug.

I thought about doing this very thing. I think I would want to make the towbar two sections held together with some fairly stiff Springs just in case I turn too sharp. Kind of, "breakaway towbar" if you will.

I would be interested in seeing that. I do worry about the turning limitation on the Mooney and will gingerly start using it. I put hitch balls on the front and rear of the tractor so I can pull it out in reverse and watch my turning.

The ball on the back will be when I haul it along the ramp to the wash station.

Amazon is your friend when it comes to the mounting plate. Seems most of these lawn tractors already have holes pre-drilled for attachment plates.

[Marauder]

22 minutes ago, Pictreed said: I need to order a Sidewinder tow today.  There is a lip in front of my hangar. 

My Nose Dragger Dragger is perfect for a Mooney. http://dragger.com/Nose-Dragger-DRAGGER/

I use 2 12V batteries in series for their 24V model.

Wow, $2000 tow, I guess I'm a CB because I'll keep doing it the old fashion way.

No, you're doing it the old way because you haven't found a cheap deal yet!

[Hank]

56 minutes ago, Marauder said:

No, you're doing it the old way because you haven't found a cheap deal yet!

I'm doing it the old way because it's my workout regimen. Who needs a gym? Just pull the plane out of the hangar and push it back in a few times. At my old base, I would pull it to the gas pumps, maybe 40 yards; putting it away after a fill up was always more difficult.

[Marauder]

56 minutes ago, Marauder said: No, you're doing it the old way because you haven't found a cheap deal yet!

I'm doing it the old way because it's my workout regimen. Who needs a gym? Just pull the plane out of the hangar and push it back in a few times. At my old base, I would pull it to the gas pumps, maybe 40 yards; putting it away after a fill up was always more difficult.

You southerners and your warm weather! I am usually contending with ice around the door and a lip that would give Mount Everest a run for the claim of most insurmountable hump.

On top of all that, my college football beaten back is catching up with me. Now where did I leave that Geritol?

[Hank]

That was along the Ohio River. When I moved south it was to a full-service-only field . . . Now I'm at a no-fuel field . . .

[Marauder]

It's great when you can feel like Dr. Frankenstein isn't it?!

It's ALIVE!!!!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Pictreed]

That's cool.  If I could load it in my plane I'd be set. 

[Pictreed]

I don't have a problem with the CB methods but when time = money you've got to ask yourself how much money are you loosing trying to rig something. 

 

[Marauder]

I don't have a problem with the CB methods but when time = money you've got to ask yourself how much money are you loosing trying to rig something. 

 

Absolutely agree. Although I have a hard time spending big bucks for something that I use for 1 minute at a time.

[carusoam]

let me know the secret of navigating the plane into the hangar using the front ball.  I've got it to work going straight in. Navigating a turn, not so much...

you can't fit the tractor in the Tahoe without taking the steering wheel off.

Rule of thumb.  If it fits in the Tahoe, it will fit in the O.... (Wise Mooney sales guy told me this...)

now I have a Tahoe to go with my Mooney.

CB tractor source: it used to mow my lawn.  It got a new engine from eBay. The mower part rusted all the way through after 20 years. Perfect for driving around the airport...

The home made tractor bar wasn't strong enough. it would flex and steer on it's own...

to put a time frame on it...  Three or four years to get it to almost work...

my hangar is up hill and has a lip on it.  If the tanks are under half full, I can push it in the hangar by myself.

visiting the gym a few days per week helps. The physical part of Mooney therapy.

Best regards,

-a-

 

 

[Pictreed]

On April 23, 2016 at 8:07 PM, Godfather said:

450 hrs in 35 years... Please go fly the wings off that thing!

On the flight yesterday I noticed all the buttons on the 430 were really 'stiff'.  I had to press them really hard to get some of them to work the first time. 

Comm 2 is an old King unit.  I noticed I could not get reception from an airport about 30 miles away so I'm not sure if this is normal or if I should research it.  The 430 picked it up fine.