Cowl plugs

[FastTex]

Hello!

My Mooney M20F didn't come with cowl plugs so I have to buy or make them. The only thing I found so far that doesn't cost $150 (!) is this https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/cowlunivseralkit.php

Any ideas or recommendations? Can I just buy some foam at Lowes and make them? Not sure about the right material, though.

Thanks!

[Marauder]

Hello!
My Mooney M20F didn't come with cowl plugs so I have to buy or make them. The only thing I found so far that doesn't cost $150 (!) is this https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/cowlunivseralkit.php
Any ideas or recommendations? Can I just buy some foam at Lowes and make them? Not sure about the right material, though.
Thanks!

I made a set out of foam. When I do visit places in the Spring where bird activity is high, I made enough small foam inserts that I put in plastic baggies and stuck them in the Mooney’s nooks and crannies. Especially the tail area. Think that appears to be a hotel for birds.

You will need to be careful with what you use for the cowl opening. You will want a material that is flame or melt resistant over the foam or use a foam like Solimide HT-340 that is resistant to heat.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[carusoam]

Consider ways to keep from causing hazards... when the plugs inevitably get left in place...

It happens...

-a-

[EricJ]

Bruce's makes good plugs that aren't overly expensive, and have the flags so that you can see when they're installed from the cockpit.

https://www.aircraftcovers.com/

Click on Engine Inlet Plugs.

I got a set for my J and they're quite nice and fit well.

[jaylw314]

1 hour ago, EricJ said:

Bruce's makes good plugs that aren't overly expensive, and have the flags so that you can see when they're installed from the cockpit.

https://www.aircraftcovers.com/

Click on Engine Inlet Plugs.

I got a set for my J and they're quite nice and fit well.

Bruce's plugs are connected by a nylon strap, which you can run over the pilot-side prop blade.  That way, if you forget, the prop will pull the plugs out in a flurry of red which will be hard not to notice.

[Ragsf15e]

 Funny you should say that... I once picked up my F at the FBO after they finished my ADSB upgrade and drug it over to the fuel pump to top off.  While getting gas noticed a family looking through the fence with young kids.  Asked if they’d like to check out the airplane.  Showed them in /out.  Said goodbye, hopped in and cranked for taxi to hangar.  Saw the bright red Bruces plugs with flags and strap go flying across the ramp.  Shut down, picked up plugs and pride off ramp, waved to kids still watching, got back in, crawled into my hole to hide.

Edited October 21, 2018 by Ragsf15e

[Drumstick]

19 hours ago, EricJ said:

Bruce's makes good plugs that aren't overly expensive, and have the flags so that you can see when they're installed from the cockpit.

https://www.aircraftcovers.com/

Click on Engine Inlet Plugs.

I got a set for my J and they're quite nice and fit well.

I would say the custom plugs are not expensive at all relative to the quality of the product.  They are basically made to fit your plane, have N-number attached and are very durable.  It takes nearly 2 months from the time you order them til delivery.  They will also ask for pictures after your order to verify the pattern they need to make. 

[bradp]

Have some sort of way to visualize their presence as a safety check.

I made mine out of green neon duct tape and pipe insulators (closed cell foam doesn't adsorb water).

Have fun.  Cost was about $6.

 

[milotron]

My cowl plugs have little flags that stick up in the front and can be seen from the cockpit.

Also, I always pass the cord UNDER to the prop as the cord can fall between the spinner and cowl and has gotten caught and bent the TKS nozzle.

 

[Stephen]

On 10/20/2018 at 12:55 PM, EricJ said:

Bruce's makes good plugs that aren't overly expensive, and have the flags so that you can see when they're installed from the cockpit.

https://www.aircraftcovers.com/

Click on Engine Inlet Plugs.

I got a set for my J and they're quite nice and fit well.

    ^^  These ^^

[FastTex]

Thanks everybody. I have decided to order Bruce's. One of the reason is that most of the times I install them when the engine is still warm and I need to make sure nothing crazy happens! IYKWIM (If you know what I mean!)