Gaining Weight

[Bryan1016]

My 83 K started life a lean 1949 lbs empty. Previous owner, "added something every time I scared myself."   119 lbs of neat stuff heavier, I am now an ideal candidate for the tailcone ballast.  Alas, another 13 pounds.  So...at annual I'm pulling the DME, ADF and considering the stormscope at over ten lbs.  I started reading over the original equipment list.  Wow, there is a lot of weight on there. I can pull the clock, parking brake (never use it), dual brakes, shoulder harnesses (8 lbs!), 2nd alternator.  The autopilot weighs 25 lbs..

[carusoam]

Consider Garmin remote equipment that goes from instrument panel to the radio shelf in the back.

Transponder and audio panel, I believe...

Adf and DME become pretty well unused with a pair of GTNs.  Check wich stormscopes integrate with the GTNs... Potentially One less display on the panel...

Best regards,

-a-

[Mcstealth]

Isn't the clock needed for IFR cert?

right side brakes helps when selling?

rambling thoughts.

[DXB]

Ditch ADF and DME. Keep shoulder harness.

 

[Bryan1016]

I'm not really going to pull the a/p, but imagine the performance of a bare bones, interior and all out Mooney.  

[Bob - S50]

I would keep the shoulder harnesses and DME.  There is an approach in Vancouver, WA (KVUO), the LDA-A that is not in the GPS database and never will be.  I understand there are others in the country in the same boat.  For that approach you have to identify fixes either by DME or cross tuning.  In my book, DME is much easier and much more accurate.

[KSMooniac]

K models can really benefit from an MT prop upgrade...significant weight off the nose compared to a metal 2 blade prop, and massive savings compared to a 3 blade metal one. Also more ground clearance. That can eliminate the need for Charlie weights.

Agree with ADF & DME removal if you have GPS installed. I'd keep a working stormscope. (Wish I had one) If budget is flexible, a WX-500 scope displays on many modern GPS/MFD/PFD screens that you might already have, so you lose the older display head on the panel.

Going all-electric would allow removal of the vacuum system for measurable savings, which helps CG since it is up front.

Modern avionics will save weight compared to typical 80's loaded IFR panels.

If you update the interior, cloth and/or ultra-leather versus regular thick leather will save a lot of weight too. Ditto for standard thickness windows versus thicker aftermarket replacements.

I highly value useful load and urge others to protect and improve theirs!!!

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[KSMooniac]

Dang, I wrote the above with paragraphs but tapatalk deletes blank lines... Grrr

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[Oldguy]

From personal experience, pull whatever you want, but keep the shoulder harnesses. 

[mooniac15u]

58 minutes ago, Bob - S50 said:

I would keep the shoulder harnesses and DME.  There is an approach in Vancouver, WA (KVUO), the LDA-A that is not in the GPS database and never will be.  I understand there are others in the country in the same boat.  For that approach you have to identify fixes either by DME or cross tuning.  In my book, DME is much easier and much more accurate.

You can use GPS in lieu of DME on most approaches. If the localizer is in the GPS database then you can set that as the reference point and use the GPS distance. If the localizer isn't in your database then the intersections probably are. 

[Jerry 5TJ]

In the quest for lighter and faster: Strip out 100% of existing avionics, pull all the unused coax and wiring, install G500, one GTX750 (with all remote boxes aft) an ESI500, and a primary engine monitor like a JPI930.  Then remove vacuum system, remove all "round" instruments, get rid of excess antennas, machine a new light weight panel.  You'll be 2020 ADS-B compliant, WAAS approach capable, CG will move aft, and your 231 will be at least 50 pounds lighter.  Your wallet will be somewhat lighter, too. 

Or trade in the 231 and get a T210 and gain a lot of useful load. 

[Bob_Belville]

IMHO some upgrades are worth the weight. Shoulder belts, Stormscope & Autopilot would stay in my plane @ twice their weight. I'm not adding right side brakes and I don't know what they weight but I doubt I would pull them or the parking brake which can't weight much and is on both my pre-start and pre-takeoff checklists.

[mooniac15u]

The parking brake is just a small valve that holds hydraulic pressure in the brake lines.  It can't weigh very much.

[jetdriven]

The parking brake valve weights About 3 oz. 

i added dual brakes and it's worth the 13lb. 

For the cost of the  previously suggested avionics upgrade, you can sell the 231 and buy a A36 Bonanza, which has plenty more useful load. 

Edited September 21, 2016 by jetdriven

[Bryan1016]

I appreciate all the replies. As my last plane, it will be fun to keep updating for the better. For now the nose wheel stays.

[Bryan1016]

The parking brake valve weights About 3 oz. 

i added dual brakes and it's worth the 13lb. 

For the cost of the  previously suggested avionics upgrade, you can sell the 231 and buy a A36 Bonanza, which has plenty more useful load. 

Don't really need the useful load. I'm just looking for a little more performance. Recently got out of an A36 for something less SUV that flies higher, faster and funner.

[Bryan1016]

From personal experience, pull whatever you want, but keep the shoulder harnesses. 

Ouch!

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