Tie Down/Lift Point threads???!!! M20T

[recolimited]

Can someone out there in Mooney land please enlighten me on what the thread pattern is for my M20TN's lift point?  I'm told that ppl generally buy some eye bolts that screw in there to make wing tie downs, but I cannot figure out the thread pattern.  I've spent about $20 on hardware and have yet to figure out the right threads.  I guess I can take my metric & standard tap & die sets out and eventually hit the right one, but I didn't think it would be this difficult.  

Also what is everyone doing for gust locks on this model (and others)?  I'm not a seat belt across the yoke kind of guy & the flap/aileron system that I have been using externally made the paint look like it could become a problem if used long term (a week out in the sun in Mexico made me nervous about that).  I'm thinking about fabricating something that attaches to the bottom of the yokes, but haven't finish the design on that yet.  THANKS for any quality input.

[Hank]

Here's a previous discussion about the tie downs:

New Mooneys are generally delivered with the tie down rings in a bag of loose parts. Are you sure you done have any?

For control locks,I also don't like the seatbelt through the yoke, it's too awkward to do and undo kneeling in the wing. I bought two wide, flat bungee cords with generously padded hooks, and just wrap them between the yokes. Hook onto left yoke, run through right yoke, back to left yoke and hook to right yoke. Generally only one is required; I use both when storms are forecast.

For the elevator, I use a long bungee from the bar on front if the seat to the right yoke and back down again. Two when bad weather is forecast. But I have just left the plane many times, too, without anything but a canopy cover (from Plane Covers) and a pitot cover. But then again, my elevator is horizontal when parked and yours is Full Down, so not sure how well that would work for you.

I have pictures if you want, need to get them off my camera--I made sure to take pre-storm pictures at Sun n Fun, laughing with my buddy about "for the insurance company." The storm the next day was a tornado . . . No damage for me, but I do have the pictures.

[Ron McBride]

I have the Gust lock that is available at Aircraft Spruce. Pricey but.   This will grab the control yoke and rudder pedals.  I have not tried this out with my new leather covered yokes though.  Some thing else to do today during the annual.

Ron

[jrwilson]

Lasar (lake aero styling) has some combo jack point/tie down rings.  Not very pricey

[TheTurtle]

28 minutes ago, jrwilson said:

Lasar (lake aero styling) has some combo jack point/tie down rings.  Not very pricey

for some reason they dont list them seperately on the website.  they come with some hubcaps of all things... for over $100.  Just call and ask for the tiedowns only and they are $45..

[BradB]

On September 2, 2016 at 7:53 AM, recolimited said:

Can someone out there in Mooney land please enlighten me on what the thread pattern is for my M20TN's lift point?  I'm told that ppl generally buy some eye bolts that screw in there to make wing tie downs, but I cannot figure out the thread pattern.  I've spent about $20 on hardware and have yet to figure out the right threads.  I guess I can take my metric & standard tap & die sets out and eventually hit the right one, but I didn't think it would be this difficult.  

Also what is everyone doing for gust locks on this model (and others)?  I'm not a seat belt across the yoke kind of guy & the flap/aileron system that I have been using externally made the paint look like it could become a problem if used long term (a week out in the sun in Mexico made me nervous about that).  I'm thinking about fabricating something that attaches to the bottom of the yokes, but haven't finish the design on that yet.  THANKS for any quality input.

 

My m20tn has them in a bag of parts.   I can snap a close-up picture of them in a day or two if that will help you in any way.  

[Guest]

On September 2, 2016 at 10:53 AM, recolimited said:

Can someone out there in Mooney land please enlighten me on what the thread pattern is for my M20TN's lift point?  I'm told that ppl generally buy some eye bolts that screw in there to make wing tie downs, but I cannot figure out the thread pattern.  I've spent about $20 on hardware and have yet to figure out the right threads.  I guess I can take my metric & standard tap & die sets out and eventually hit the right one, but I didn't think it would be this difficult.  

Also what is everyone doing for gust locks on this model (and others)?  I'm not a seat belt across the yoke kind of guy & the flap/aileron system that I have been using externally made the paint look like it could become a problem if used long term (a week out in the sun in Mexico made me nervous about that).  I'm thinking about fabricating something that attaches to the bottom of the yokes, but haven't finish the design on that yet.  THANKS for any quality input.

The standard thread for the tie down rings is 5/16-18NC.  You should be able to buy a forged steel ring to replace the missing Mooney ones.

Clarence

[N201MKTurbo]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#3014t252/=140whbl

 

[M20F-1968]

I also have the York gust lock.  See http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/yorkgustlok.php?clickkey=333540

$259.00.  The Mooney version is a bit different than the picture as the rudder end has horizontal hooks that hook the vertical rods on the rudder pedals. 

It works well and is sold when installed.  I use a small towel to cover the leather covered yokes before installing it.

John Breda

[gsxrpilot]

On September 2, 2016 at 0:25 PM, TheTurtle said:

for some reason they dont list them seperately on the website.  they come with some hubcaps of all things... for over $100.  Just call and ask for the tiedowns only and they are $45..

I bought some last week and was told they were the last set in stock...  I'm sure they'll make more ;-)

$45.