Replacement parts available: Aft landing gear fairings

[bradp]

Why did I think this would be a good idea?  Factory replacement inner gear doors being molded.  Hope mine are ok under all that tooling gelcoat

I’m trying to figure out if there would be a mechanism by which I could make a mod to the factory inner gear doors and such that they would follow the contour / profile of the original inner gear door but the outer potion would be faired flush at the back/ aft edge and then eliminate the need for the aft fairing spades.  It would also eliminate the need for the brake caliper rotation.  Modworks like but no brake rotation required... I’ll tinker a bit and figure it out.  As I’m not interested in pursuing STCs thrrr might be a way to do this like David is doing for his cowling with a 337.   

The way the factory gear doors are shaped is like an airfoil.  That explains the forces wanting to work against the Johnson bar during retraction.  

[jetdriven]

 There’s not enough room in the back of the gear door to make that curve back down to that wing skin without moving the caliper to the front of the axle . 

[bradp]

7 hours ago, jetdriven said:

 There’s not enough room in the back of the gear door to make that curve back down to that wing skin without moving the caliper to the front of the axle . 

There may (I’m in just saying may at this point) be a way to take the curve back to the wing skin because there’s about an inch of width at the midpoint of the gear door to play with... get rid of the width and perhaps make it back while still respecting the inner contour or adding a slight (like 2-4 inches) of trailing edge.  I’ll play around and see if anything is feasible. 

[GDGR]

On 1/20/2019 at 11:55 AM, bradp said:

Why did I think this would be a good idea?  Factory replacement inner gear doors being molded.  Hope mine are ok under all that tooling gelcoat

I’m trying to figure out if there would be a mechanism by which I could make a mod to the factory inner gear doors and such that they would follow the contour / profile of the original inner gear door but the outer potion would be faired flush at the back/ aft edge and then eliminate the need for the aft fairing spades.  It would also eliminate the need for the brake caliper rotation.  Modworks like but no brake rotation required... I’ll tinker a bit and figure it out.  As I’m not interested in pursuing STCs thrrr might be a way to do this like David is doing for his cowling with a 337.   

The way the factory gear doors are shaped is like an airfoil.  That explains the forces wanting to work against the Johnson bar during retraction.  

I know this is like a year old... But if yo're still in the business of fabricating these, I'd be in for a set of inner fairings and doors. 

[Hillard]

Brad,

The aft gear fairings on my 1995 J model are cracked and broken so I'm keen to replace them - but not at the prices Mooney charge!  Any chance of your making a carbon fiber set for me?

John Hillard

My Beauty, Australia

[jetdriven]

One issue with making these out of rigid composite, is it’s going to wear the heck out of your expensive aluminum gear doors. Fiberglass and carbon fiber will saw right through aluminum.  The factory makes these things from flexible urethane for a reason. They confirm a little to the rear of the lower gear door.  

[EricJ]

Might be able to repair that with some ABS pieces and an appropriate adhesive.  ABS forms pretty easily when heated and is easy to weld.

[Hillard]

Thanks for those ideas.  I will have them removed and take them to a specialist repairer that welded up a crack in my dashboard.  At USD250 (plus freight plus tax) each for new ones, I’d like to find a repair option if possible.  I take the point about the their deliberately being a softer material but think that carbon fiber should not bena problem if the gear is correctly rigged - but I’m interested if others take a different view.

[Hillard]

When the fairings had been removed, they were not in as bad a condition as they looked.  So my A&P used his plastic repair kit and they came up like new.  At 65% power at 7000' they make about a 3-4 knot difference in TAS.

I decided to order a new inner gear door through LASAR and am waiting for Mooney to supply it.

 

[N231BN]

I removed the lower doors, aft fairings, and rotated the brake calipers. The airplane still makes book speed.

[M20F-1968]

On 1/1/2019 at 6:48 AM, jetdriven said:

There does exist a mold for an owner-produced version of that Modworks lower gear door. 

Who has the molds for the ModWorks style lower gear doors?

John Breda

[jetdriven]

Me. A friend has them at the moment.  Perhaps he can stamp out a few extras 

[Devin K.]

Hi Brad,

I need a right side rear fairing (Part # 550060-008) for my 1978 Mooney M20J.  Can I place an order for that part with you still ?  I am OK with any material type.

Devin K. 

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard Devin...

I’ll let @bradp   know you are asking.

Best regards,

-a-

[Aggie Aviator]

I never saw a definitive answer regarding the inner gear doors but I do need the right half part number 550060-002. 

I would be willing to buy a right 550060-002 and a left 550060-001 inner gear door if the price is right. 

 

I do have an F model but as long as you are aware of the additional Johnson bar effort it isn't that big a deal to just swing your gear before you get above 85 mph or so (and you also can do the Mooney dip to give the gear a little momentum). 

[bradp]

Hey @Devin K. thanks for asking - I’m not making them right now because of the Covid. Boo.  Hopefully will get it up and running again when things slow down.  

[Leuzinger]

I need a right side inner gear door for an M20J (sn 24-1470) part number 550060-002.  Can BradP or someone provide the part?

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard Leuzinger!

We have a few pre-flown parts suppliers around here...

Try...

@Alan Fox

@Jerry Pressley

@SheryLoewen

I’m not sure who would be most likely to be able to support your request... but all of them have many Mooney parts...

And of course... the Mooney factory can support you as well....

Best regards,

-a-

[Luke]

Hey @bradp, if you're still making these or have some I'd love to get a 550060-008 right aft gear fairing from you. Let me know!

[larrynimmo]

Finally got some…..

 

see pics

 

[Race14]

Are these still available?  who do I contact to see about purchasing a pair of rear wheel faring's?  

 

Thank you 

Jeff Mead 

N201VV 

jeff@jkmead.com

[PT20J]

9 minutes ago, Race14 said:

Are these still available?  who do I contact to see about purchasing a pair of rear wheel faring's?  

 

Thank you 

Jeff Mead 

N201VV 

jeff@jkmead.com

The last post before yours has a picture of the manufacturer's invoice with the company name and address. Try contacting Aero-Techniques S.E.A.

You could also contact a Mooney Service Center and see if Mooney has stock. Personally, when possible, I'm buying parts from Mooney even if they cost more because parts sales are the main source of income for the company.

[Capt Johnny J]

I need a wheel faring. Mine flew off. its Part#550 066-007. it's on the pilot side. Does anyone have a used one for sale of a reproduction part?

[Slick Nick]

On 8/8/2023 at 9:55 AM, PT20J said:

The last post before yours has a picture of the manufacturer's invoice with the company name and address. Try contacting Aero-Techniques S.E.A.

You could also contact a Mooney Service Center and see if Mooney has stock. Personally, when possible, I'm buying parts from Mooney even if they cost more because parts sales are the main source of income for the company.

I just picked up a set from Mooney. The MFR. date on them was Nov 2024 so maybe they just got a whole batch in. 
 

 

Edited January 23 by Slick Nick

[Larry]

Nick -

Do you recall what you paid for these fairings?