mooneyflyfast Posted May 21, 2020 Report Posted May 21, 2020 My 81 J model came without a step. I recently added one and it makes loading and unloading much easier. I can't tell any difference in cruise speed. 3 Quote
RLCarter Posted May 22, 2020 Report Posted May 22, 2020 Did a previous owner remove it, or did Mooney not install steps on that model? Quote
steingar Posted May 22, 2020 Report Posted May 22, 2020 Mine is busted. Manual crank one. My plan is, once it's fixed, retract it and never use it again. What a pain. Stepstools are easier. 1 Quote
MooneyMitch Posted May 22, 2020 Report Posted May 22, 2020 My experience........ the good ......obviously the step is an excellent convenience....... the bad ...... my vacuum (or lack thereof) step destroyed the baggage area bulkhead during the gear up landing on my ‘67 F years ago. That very strong piece of extended aluminum caused the most expensive part of airframe repairs. It might be a myth......... I’ve come to believe the later permanently extended steel steps are breakaways in the event of a landing without wheels extended. Fortuntely I never found that out on the Ovation. On my current D/C model, I keep the step retracted ....... just in case P.S..... my gear up was induced by a linkage failure ...... so, I’m not immune to the “those that have and those that will” category...... GUMP is my friend! Quote
MooneyMitch Posted May 22, 2020 Report Posted May 22, 2020 19 hours ago, mooneyflyfast said: My 81 J model came without a step. I recently added one and it makes loading and unloading much easier. I can't tell any difference in cruise speed. May I ask please, how is the step assembly attached to the air frame? Any photos perhaps internally? Thank you. I should have looked on the Big O, but was afraid to............. LOL!! Quote
MooneyMitch Posted May 22, 2020 Report Posted May 22, 2020 2 minutes ago, bluehighwayflyer said: I think Mitch’s manual step might be the best of all worlds. At least for me when the step is so rarely needed. I do extend the step occasionally on the ground for passengers, and even for myself..............RARELY Quote
mooneyflyfast Posted May 22, 2020 Author Report Posted May 22, 2020 1 hour ago, MooneyMitch said: May I ask please, how is the step assembly attached to the air frame? Any photos perhaps internally? Thank you. I should have looked on the Big O, but was afraid to............. LOL!! Sorry, I didn't get involved in installing it. My mechanic did say that whatever the step attaches to was there already. Maybe 2-3 hours labor if I recall correctly. 1 Quote
EricJ Posted May 22, 2020 Report Posted May 22, 2020 22 hours ago, mooneyflyfast said: My 81 J model came without a step. I recently added one and it makes loading and unloading much easier. I can't tell any difference in cruise speed. Did you make the fairing for the tube or buy that? I've been thinking of adding something similar. Quote
mooneyflyfast Posted May 22, 2020 Author Report Posted May 22, 2020 1 hour ago, EricJ said: Did you make the fairing for the tube or buy that? I've been thinking of adding something similar. It came with the step off another J model factory original im pretty sure. 1 Quote
Yetti Posted May 23, 2020 Report Posted May 23, 2020 I believe there are two bolts on the rear of the baggage storage compartment. Accessible from the battery hatch. Quote
takair Posted May 25, 2020 Report Posted May 25, 2020 On 5/22/2020 at 10:38 AM, steingar said: Mine is busted. Manual crank one. My plan is, once it's fixed, retract it and never use it again. What a pain. Stepstools are easier. Shameless plug. For about the same labor as fixing the crank, you can convert to electric and then you don’t have to worry about remembering to put it up or down. Save a little weight in the process. 1 Quote
MoonFlyer68 Posted May 26, 2020 Report Posted May 26, 2020 11 hours ago, takair said: Shameless plug. For about the same labor as fixing the crank, you can convert to electric and then you don’t have to worry about remembering to put it up or down. Save a little weight in the process. Shameless plug or not, I have your electric step conversion in my F model and love it. I am debating trying the Auto-Lean device but have not fully decided yet. Seems a very interesting concept. 2 Quote
takair Posted May 26, 2020 Report Posted May 26, 2020 4 hours ago, MilitaryAV8R said: Shameless plug or not, I have your electric step conversion in my F model and love it. I am debating trying the Auto-Lean device but have not fully decided yet. Seems a very interesting concept. Glad you like it. Feel free to call about Auto-Lean. Have really struggled to put together a good video and we also have some upgrades in work. Quote
Ibra Posted May 26, 2020 Report Posted May 26, 2020 On 5/21/2020 at 10:32 PM, mooneyflyfast said: My 81 J model came without a step. I recently added one and it makes loading and unloading much easier. I can't tell any difference in cruise speed. Don’t think it make much difference to cruise speed? if yes, then you can use it slowdown for landing and you will need less right rudder, so still win-win Quote
Flyin Brian Posted June 20, 2020 Report Posted June 20, 2020 Just added a step to my 79 J. SOOOOO happy now! Quote
MooneyMitch Posted June 20, 2020 Report Posted June 20, 2020 12 minutes ago, Flyin Brian said: Just added a step to my 79 J. SOOOOO happy now! So great you've stepped up in the world........... 2 Quote
McMooney Posted June 20, 2020 Report Posted June 20, 2020 Next hangar day, that steps coming off and going into the never to be used again pile. only reason i put it back on the plane was due to my CFII being somewhat elderly. It def makes about a 2kt difference Quote
Bob - S50 Posted June 20, 2020 Report Posted June 20, 2020 We just carry a 2 step folding ladder. Quote
carusoam Posted June 20, 2020 Report Posted June 20, 2020 Welcome aboard a Brian! McM, That was an incredible act of kindness... giving up two kias to allow some comfort for your CFI... he must be good! PP thoughts only, with a hint of some playful facetiousness added on... Best regards, -a- 1 Quote
Flyin Brian Posted June 20, 2020 Report Posted June 20, 2020 Thanks Carusoam. Have been silently observing for quite some time. Just got through my first annual as an owner. I was on a mission to get a step installed since I bought it. 1 Quote
EricJ Posted June 20, 2020 Report Posted June 20, 2020 Just now, Flyin Brian said: Thanks Carusoam. Have been silently observing for quite some time. Just got through my first annual as an owner. I was on a mission to get a step installed since I bought it. For owner projects that's a good first step! ...runs away... 7 Quote
steingar Posted June 29, 2021 Report Posted June 29, 2021 Step got fixed, I actually used it the other day for Mrs. Steingar. Quote
ArtVandelay Posted June 29, 2021 Report Posted June 29, 2021 Anyone have a picture of how it’s installed? I’m wondering if I can do this with my aftermarket one piece belly? Quote
Ethan Posted June 29, 2021 Report Posted June 29, 2021 I installed a step in my 81 M20K. I love it for Angel Flights. In my experience loading hundreds of people in an out of my Mooney, I have learned that most people over 40 have enough orthopedic trouble that Mooneys become a special multi-step torture tool. It’s true that once inside all is good, but getting there is like playing Twister and Tetris simultaneously. The step (or step-ladder) eases this struggle somewhat. The step is easy because it doesn’t take up baggage space and it is always there. My CFI also thanked me for it the other day. 1 Quote
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