Articulating seat frame

[HopePilot]

Please post the drawings if you get them...

[Bennett]

I've sent off an email to Mooney requesting the drawings by which others could manufacture the articulating seat frames, or at least to supply the name of the outside supplier (if any).  I will post any information received to this tread.  Frankly I doubt that they will even answer me, but it can't hurt to try.

[N601RX]

Quote: Bennett

I've sent off an email to Mooney requesting the drawings by which others could manufacture the articulating seat frames, or at least to supply the name of the outside supplier (if any).  I will post any information received to this tread.  Frankly I doubt that they will even answer me, but it can't hurt to try.

[aviatoreb]

Quote: Bennett

New to the fotum, but not Mooneys. I recently purchased a 1983 Mooney M20J after previously owing a M20K (231 converted to a 261/262) for about 18 years -with various Pipers, Cessnas, and an LSA in between.  Love the "new" airplane.  I had her painted by ArtCraft in Santa Maria - great job, and uphostered by Tim Thallock (Aviation Design, Inc.) at Pine Mountain Lake - again a great job, but for some reason only the pilot's seat is articulating, and the co-pilot seat is far too low for any of my pilot friends,  I am looking for one articulating front seat - uphostery doesn't matter so long as the seat mechanism is intact.  I understand that these are very difficult to find, but I am prepared to pay a fair price for one.  Suggestions (other than add a cushion) would be appreciated.  Thank you.

 

It is a beautiful 201 Bennet.  Just gorgeous.  But I am curious what motivated your decision to sell your 262 and get a 201?

[aviatoreb]

Quote: Bennett

For those who wanted to see interior shots:

 

I am drooling - that is absolutely the nicest 201 on the planet.

[Bennett]

Thank you for the kind words.  This M20J project has been great fun (although a bit frustrating at times), and I still have the panel to modernize.  The questions was asked about why I am now flying a 201 instead of my former 231/261/262.  She was (and probably still is) a great airplane.  I flew her many, many times across the country,(I'm based in San Carlos, CA) to Alaska, to most of the islands in the Caribbean, and Mexico - mainland and Baja.  I was involved in Columbus landfalll research in the early 90s, and flew her a number of times to the British West Indies, mostly to Grand Turk.  I owned her for about 1700 hours, and three engines - the original 231 engine, the replacement in the 262 conversion, and after Mobil One destroyed that engine (long misserable story), a very custom engine built up by LASAR.  With all my mods she was a one person airplane with 115 gallons usable, and the rear seats removed to hold all sorts of rafts and survival equipment.  When I experienced (ultimately good) lifestye changes, this airplane no longer fit my flying needs - moved from business flying to purely recreational flying.  In fact I stopped actively flying for a few years, and then started up again with Cessnas; a 172, and then a 140 to restore to better than new condition, two Pipers, and then a Czech Republic built LSA with all the bells and whistles. But none of them was a Mooney. I missed Mooneys.  I'm 76 now, and I really don't want to fly hard IFR as I did in the past. I just want to fly for fun, when the weather is good, and when I feel like going somewhere just because I want to.  I intend to fly, provided my heath remains good, until my 80th year, and then "hang up the keys".  A M20J fits my goals. Do I miss the turbo? Yes, but I know me, and I would soon be heading back into the flight levels, and doing many of the nutsy things I did when younger, (and immortal).  I do miss the speed of the 262 - she had every speed mod known to the Mod Squad, the Mod Works, and Lasar. In fact I raced her in the Columbus 500 and won - 500 miles of WOT from Freeport to Provo, with a dog leg around Stella Maris, and also won the production class at Sun and Fun in the 90s.  She also won Best of Class at the Mooney Homecoming in Kerrville one year. But the expenses -fuel and upkeep of the 262 was very high, and I want something that I can enjoy without thinking too much about operating costs.  Hope this makes some sense.  

[Bennett]

Thank you for the kind words.  This M20J project has been great fun (although a bit frustrating at times), and I still have the panel to modernize.  The questions was asked about why I am now flying a 201 instead of my former 231/261/262.  She was (and probably still is) a great airplane.  I flew her many, many times across the country,(I'm based in San Carlos, CA) to Alaska, to most of the islands in the Caribbean, and Mexico - mainland and Baja.  I was involved in Columbus landfalll research in the early 90s, and flew her a number of times to the British West Indies, mostly to Grand Turk.  I owned her for about 1700 hours, and three engines - the original 231 engine, the replacement in the 262 conversion, and after Mobil One destroyed that engine (long misserable story), a very custom engine built up by LASAR.  With all my mods she was a one person airplane with 115 gallons usable, and the rear seats removed to hold all sorts of rafts and survival equipment.  When I experienced (ultimately good) lifestye changes, this airplane no longer fit my flying needs - moved from business flying to purely recreational flying.  In fact I stopped actively flying for a few years, and then started up again with Cessnas; a 172, and then a 140 to restore to better than new condition, two Pipers, and then a Czech Republic built LSA with all the bells and whistles. But none of them was a Mooney. I missed Mooneys.  I'm 76 now, and I really don't want to fly hard IFR as I did in the past. I just want to fly for fun, when the weather is good, and when I feel like going somewhere just because I want to.  I intend to fly, provided my heath remains good, until my 80th year, and then "hang up the keys".  A M20J fits my goals. Do I miss the turbo? Yes, but I know me, and I would soon be heading back into the flight levels, and doing many of the nutsy things I did when younger, (and immortal).  I do miss the speed of the 262 - she had every speed mod known to the Mod Squad, the Mod Works, and Lasar. In fact I raced her in the Columbus 500 and won - 500 miles of WOT from Freeport to Provo, with a dog leg around Stella Maris, and also won the production class at Sun and Fun in the 90s.  She also won Best of Class at the Mooney Homecoming in Kerrville one year. But the expenses -fuel and upkeep of the 262 was very high, and I want something that I can enjoy without thinking too much about operating costs.  Hope this makes some sense.  

[Bennett]

Thank you for the kind words.  This M20J project has been great fun (although a bit frustrating at times), and I still have the panel to modernize.  The questions was asked about why I am now flying a 201 instead of my former 231/261/262.  She was (and probably still is) a great airplane.  I flew her many, many times across the country,(I'm based in San Carlos, CA) to Alaska, to most of the islands in the Caribbean, and Mexico - mainland and Baja.  I was involved in Columbus landfalll research in the early 90s, and flew her a number of times to the British West Indies, mostly to Grand Turk.  I owned her for about 1700 hours, and three engines - the original 231 engine, the replacement in the 262 conversion, and after Mobil One destroyed that engine (long misserable story), a very custom engine built up by LASAR.  With all my mods she was a one person airplane with 115 gallons usable, and the rear seats removed to hold all sorts of rafts and survival equipment.  When I experienced (ultimately good) lifestye changes, this airplane no longer fit my flying needs - moved from business flying to purely recreational flying.  In fact I stopped actively flying for a few years, and then started up again with Cessnas; a 172, and then a 140 to restore to better than new condition, two Pipers, and then a Czech Republic built LSA with all the bells and whistles. But none of them was a Mooney. I missed Mooneys.  I'm 76 now, and I really don't want to fly hard IFR as I did in the past. I just want to fly for fun, when the weather is good, and when I feel like going somewhere just because I want to.  I intend to fly, provided my heath remains good, until my 80th year, and then "hang up the keys".  A M20J fits my goals. Do I miss the turbo? Yes, but I know me, and I would soon be heading back into the flight levels, and doing many of the nutsy things I did when younger, (and immortal).  I do miss the speed of the 262 - she had every speed mod known to the Mod Squad, the Mod Works, and Lasar. In fact I raced her in the Columbus 500 and won - 500 miles of WOT from Freeport to Provo, with a dog leg around Stella Maris, and also won the production class at Sun and Fun in the 90s.  She also won Best of Class at the Mooney Homecoming in Kerrville one year. But the expenses -fuel and upkeep of the 262 was very high, and I want something that I can enjoy without thinking too much about operating costs.  Hope this makes some sense.  

[Bennett]

Thank you for the kind words.  This M20J project has been great fun (although a bit frustrating at times), and I still have the panel to modernize.  The questions was asked about why I am now flying a 201 instead of my former 231/261/262.  She was (and probably still is) a great airplane.  I flew her many, many times across the country,(I'm based in San Carlos, CA) to Alaska, to most of the islands in the Caribbean, and Mexico - mainland and Baja.  I was involved in Columbus landfalll research in the early 90s, and flew her a number of times to the British West Indies, mostly to Grand Turk.  I owned her for about 1700 hours, and three engines - the original 231 engine, the replacement in the 262 conversion, and after Mobil One destroyed that engine (long misserable story), a very custom engine built up by LASAR.  With all my mods she was a one person airplane with 115 gallons usable, and the rear seats removed to hold all sorts of rafts and survival equipment.  When I experienced (ultimately good) lifestye changes, this airplane no longer fit my flying needs - moved from business flying to purely recreational flying.  In fact I stopped actively flying for a few years, and then started up again with Cessnas; a 172, and then a 140 to restore to better than new condition, two Pipers, and then a Czech Republic built LSA with all the bells and whistles. But none of them was a Mooney. I missed Mooneys.  I'm 76 now, and I really don't want to fly hard IFR as I did in the past. I just want to fly for fun, when the weather is good, and when I feel like going somewhere just because I want to.  I intend to fly, provided my heath remains good, until my 80th year, and then "hang up the keys".  A M20J fits my goals. Do I miss the turbo? Yes, but I know me, and I would soon be heading back into the flight levels, and doing many of the nutsy things I did when younger, (and immortal).  I do miss the speed of the 262 - she had every speed mod known to the Mod Squad, the Mod Works, and Lasar. In fact I raced her in the Columbus 500 and won - 500 miles of WOT from Freeport to Provo, with a dog leg around Stella Maris, and also won the production class at Sun and Fun in the 90s.  She also won Best of Class at the Mooney Homecoming in Kerrville one year. But the expenses -fuel and upkeep of the 262 was very high, and I want something that I can enjoy without thinking too much about operating costs.  Hope this makes some sense.  

[Bennett]

Thank you for the kind words.  This M20J project has been great fun (although a bit frustrating at times), and I still have the panel to modernize.  The questions was asked about why I am now flying a 201 instead of my former 231/261/262.  She was (and probably still is) a great airplane.  I flew her many, many times across the country,(I'm based in San Carlos, CA) to Alaska, to most of the islands in the Caribbean, and Mexico - mainland and Baja.  I was involved in Columbus landfalll research in the early 90s, and flew her a number of times to the British West Indies, mostly to Grand Turk.  I owned her for about 1700 hours, and three engines - the original 231 engine, the replacement in the 262 conversion, and after Mobil One destroyed that engine (long misserable story), a very custom engine built up by LASAR.  With all my mods she was a one person airplane with 115 gallons usable, and the rear seats removed to hold all sorts of rafts and survival equipment.  When I experienced (ultimately good) lifestye changes, this airplane no longer fit my flying needs - moved from business flying to purely recreational flying.  In fact I stopped actively flying for a few years, and then started up again with Cessnas; a 172, and then a 140 to restore to better than new condition, two Pipers, and then a Czech Republic built LSA with all the bells and whistles. But none of them was a Mooney. I missed Mooneys.  I'm 76 now, and I really don't want to fly hard IFR as I did in the past. I just want to fly for fun, when the weather is good, and when I feel like going somewhere just because I want to.  I intend to fly, provided my heath remains good, until my 80th year, and then "hang up the keys".  A M20J fits my goals. Do I miss the turbo? Yes, but I know me, and I would soon be heading back into the flight levels, and doing many of the nutsy things I did when younger, (and immortal).  I do miss the speed of the 262 - she had every speed mod known to the Mod Squad, the Mod Works, and Lasar. In fact I raced her in the Columbus 500 and won - 500 miles of WOT from Freeport to Provo, with a dog leg around Stella Maris, and also won the production class at Sun and Fun in the 90s.  She also won Best of Class at the Mooney Homecoming in Kerrville one year. But the expenses -fuel and upkeep of the 262 was very high, and I want something that I can enjoy without thinking too much about operating costs.  Hope this makes some sense.  

[Bennett]

Thank you for the kind words.  This M20J project has been great fun (although a bit frustrating at times), and I still have the panel to modernize.  The questions was asked about why I am now flying a 201 instead of my former 231/261/262.  She was (and probably still is) a great airplane.  I flew her many, many times across the country,(I'm based in San Carlos, CA) to Alaska, to most of the islands in the Caribbean, and Mexico - mainland and Baja.  I was involved in Columbus landfalll research in the early 90s, and flew her a number of times to the British West Indies, mostly to Grand Turk.  I owned her for about 1700 hours, and three engines - the original 231 engine, the replacement in the 262 conversion, and after Mobil One destroyed that engine (long misserable story), a very custom engine built up by LASAR.  With all my mods she was a one person airplane with 115 gallons usable, and the rear seats removed to hold all sorts of rafts and survival equipment.  When I experienced (ultimately good) lifestye changes, this airplane no longer fit my flying needs - moved from business flying to purely recreational flying.  In fact I stopped actively flying for a few years, and then started up again with Cessnas; a 172, and then a 140 to restore to better than new condition, two Pipers, and then a Czech Republic built LSA with all the bells and whistles. But none of them was a Mooney. I missed Mooneys.  I'm 76 now, and I really don't want to fly hard IFR as I did in the past. I just want to fly for fun, when the weather is good, and when I feel like going somewhere just because I want to.  I intend to fly, provided my heath remains good, until my 80th year, and then "hang up the keys".  A M20J fits my goals. Do I miss the turbo? Yes, but I know me, and I would soon be heading back into the flight levels, and doing many of the nutsy things I did when younger, (and immortal).  I do miss the speed of the 262 - she had every speed mod known to the Mod Squad, the Mod Works, and Lasar. In fact I raced her in the Columbus 500 and won - 500 miles of WOT from Freeport to Provo, with a dog leg around Stella Maris, and also won the production class at Sun and Fun in the 90s.  She also won Best of Class at the Mooney Homecoming in Kerrville one year. But the expenses -fuel and upkeep of the 262 was very high, and I want something that I can enjoy without thinking too much about operating costs.  Hope this makes some sense.  

[jezzie]

Quote: Bennett

Great idea about pursuing the Mooney drawings.  I think it might be difficult with Mooney being essentially shut down, but I will try.

In response to the request for more Lopresti cowl photos:

[Bennett]

Weird!  I only hit submit once, but my message seems to have posted multiple times, and somehow merged with another topic and thread. I hope I didn't cause the problem.  My apologies if I did.

[scottfromiowa]

Bennett:

Inside and out perhaps the finest interior and exterior combination (custom) that I have seen.  Amazing and beautiful!  You should start a gallery and put some old photos of your trophy up.  I would love to see the over water rig you had.  I can see in my minds eye, but would love to see a couple of pics.  The perforated leather in seats and yokes as well as the side cut-outs and accents are exquisite.  Made me want to do the touch and smell test  Like a fine italion sports car, I just enjoyed looking at your plane.  Thanks,

Scott

[Bennett]

-originally posted by parker woodruff

[Parker_Woodruff]

Nice plane and nice Green and Gold

[Bennett]

As expected, Mooney will not release the drawings for the articulating seats.  They say these drawings and design are proprietary to Mooney. They did say that they were in the regular parts supply for Mooney, and available through Mooney Service Centers.  I was surprised to hear that, as I had been told otherwise. In response, I ordered and paid for one of two then available.  Should have it in a few days, and I will have the co-pilot uphostery transfered to the new frame. Not inexpensive, (I cant't beleive how much mark-up there must be in this unit), but for a variety of reasons I do not want unauthorized parts in my aircraft . I know that others have had local weldments made to raise the seat, but its not for me. Mooney engineered some safety factors for pilots and passengers in the seat design and construction, and I would not feel comfortable in bypassing these safeguards.   

[Piloto]

I don't thinks these seats were designed for people weighting 300 pounds. I had to repair mine and used 4130 steel tubing instead of the original aluminum. The actuating arm has a tendency to crack when the seat adjustment is between the fully raised or fully retracted positions with someone heavy on them. If you have someone heavy make sure the seat is fully retracted to avoid cracking the arm.

José 

[N601RX]

Quote: Bennett

As expected, Mooney will not release the drawings for the articulating seats.  They say these drawings and design are proprietary to Mooney. They did say that they were in the regular parts supply for Mooney, and available through Mooney Service Centers.  I was surprised to hear that, as I had been told otherwise. In response, I ordered and paid for one of two then available.  Should have it in a few days, and I will have the co-pilot uphostery transfered to the new frame. Not inexpensive, (I cant't beleive how much mark-up there must be in this unit), but for a variety of reasons I do not want unauthorized parts in my aircraft . I know that others have had local weldments made to raise the seat, but its not for me. Mooney engineered some safety factors for pilots and passengers in the seat design and construction, and I would not feel comfortable in bypassing these safeguards.   

[flyboy0681]

I'm curious about the AMU's as well. But it you don't want to divulge it, that's OK too.

[Bennett]

Way too many AMUs!  The list price is $3,035.00, and that is just for the seat bottom assembly. The seat backs are the same as the regular co-pilot seat, and can be easily mated to the new bottom.  Of course I will now have to have the uphosteror do some work in removing the seat and changing the seat bottom assembly.  This is a minor task as compared with all the other work he has done.  When I receive the assembly I will phtograph it, top, side, and bottom, and post the photos to this thread. 

[flyboy0681]

Wow, that's a lot.

 

Could buy a lifetime of seat cushions for that price but I fully understand the need for it.

[Bennett]

I promised to post photos of the infamous articulating seat bottom mechanism when I received it. It was due a couple of days ago, but (surprise) Mooney's factory inventory is wrong. I have now received an email from Mooney to that effect. They really don't have two of them in stock in spite of their electronic records. They did agree, however, to build one for me, and said they will send it to me in 3 to 4 weeks.  We shall see. Nothing easy (or inexpensive, except for free advice) in aviation.

[flyboy0681]

With what they charge, the part is worth its weight in gold. Sounds like somebody made it into the warehouse and made off with two seat frames.

[Kwixdraw]

You know I read the letters in MAPA Log about Mooney being shut down because they tried to over produce them and they are made like Rolls Royce or Ferrari and should be marketed like them and to the same clientel. Pure Bovine Scatology.  Mooney makes those damned seat frames for well under $200 dollars and if they priced them at $750 they'd still sell probably 50 of them to those of us who just want to upgrade our airplane a bit.  I might buy two so mine would match but not at 6k for a pair.  It's not like they pay the employees a fortune. Last time I saw they were hiring they were looking for welders and A&Ps at something like $17.50 an hour. Simply astounding. I say we should band together and buy the company. Make Jolie the marketing director and bring back the 201.