V1VRV2 Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Getting on the ground to sump the tanks on a summer day sucks with a bad back. On a winter day when the ground is covered in ice and it’s snowing or raining it’s an absolute MFer! No graceful way to do it. Nice clothes? Not an option! I’m new to Mooney. Maybe I’m missing something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-SLOT Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 You have my sympathies. Kneepads and a pair of gloves can be helpful and I used those at first but have found that squatting with my feet flat on the ground gets me enough access and reach without having to touch the ground with anything else. Just watch out for any TKS fluid that might still be seeping. Don't want to find out what that stuff does to my favourite flying jacket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, V1VRV2 said: Getting on the ground to sump the tanks on a summer day sucks with a bad back. On a winter day when the ground is covered in ice and it’s snowing or raining it’s an absolute MFer! No graceful way to do it. Nice clothes? Not an option! I’m new to Mooney. Maybe I’m missing something? The factory tow bar has or had a red plastic cup riveted to the handle, into the cup you inserted you fuel sample cup. Now you just bend over or squat down and use the tow bar to extend your reach. Clarence Edited November 29, 2020 by M20Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danb Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 4 hours ago, V1VRV2 said: Getting on the ground to sump the tanks on a summer day sucks with a bad back. On a winter day when the ground is covered in ice and it’s snowing or raining it’s an absolute MFer! No graceful way to do it. Nice clothes? Not an option! I’m new to Mooney. Maybe I’m missing something? I feel your pain V1, I’ve had over 10 spine surgeries including one a month ago, I decided yesterday if I could sump the tanks I’ll fly an hour to help the plane, I did it. Heres what I do to get the job done, I carry a beach towel and fold it a few times and kneel on it to get a cushion and keep my clothes clean then get on my knees to limit pressure on my back kinda get under the wing and lift my arm up and sump, repeat on other side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danb Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 I’ve tried that doc, hurts like hell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtVandelay Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Try a welcome mat. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowflyin Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 I keep a small piece of 2” closed cell foam in the AC. Weighs nothing and is easy in the knees. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDPetersen Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 There are so many Mooney related tasks those darn hangar elves could do for us . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elliott Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 4 hours ago, M20Doc said: The factory tow bar has or had a red plastic cup riveted to the handle, into the cup you inserted you fuel sample cup. Now you just bend over or squat down and use the tow bar to extend your reach. Clarence Some of us have trouble hitting the hole with our long poles and the leverage to get full penetration isnt for the young or weak. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Outdoors... real pain in the butt... for a guy with good flexibility... Indoors... I’m sitting on the floor... (lots of up and down) Its multiple steps... get sample review for color and sediment check the valve is closed, may require wiping the drip left behind... get rid of sample repeat on the other side... Levis blue jeans... more stains = more character... The act of getting a sample... Arms length away under the wing... pressing against a spring that is pretty strong... getting eyes where they can see what is going on... Holding onto the wing for balance... lots of back strain possibilities... Add in slushy snow and icy water for sport... I’ll have to try staying on my feet to do this... It is similar to how to enter the cabin... lots of steps, not easy to remember exactly how it is done.... it just happens... Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missile=Awesome Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Getting old sucks. I am, sadly, starting to pick up what is being laid down. FIDO everyone. No one gives a crap about others aches and pains. I have learned to be stoic with my family... Sumping, Climbing in and out, towing in and out, changing fuel selector (on vintage), reaching over seats to grab something... Joints remind us that the reaper lurks ahead and the road is not as long as it was 10-20 years ago... Alternative to pain and discomfort is not good. No Mooney and... Gulp... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exM20K Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Still less of a pain than positioning a ladder and climbing up to fuel a high wing. GATS Jar = more fuel in the cup and less on my hand -Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffy Posted November 29, 2020 Report Share Posted November 29, 2020 Of course you are assuming that the shoulders can reach out that far AND the knees haven't been replaced!!! A couple of bucks to the lineman solves all things!! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertGary1 Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 Could be worse. Ever try climbing up on a 210 with a fuel hose in your hand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaMan Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 I just have my girlfriend do it for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetti Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 Meh talk to me after you have pulled the 10,000 panel screws out for an annual inspection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffy Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 On 11/29/2020 at 12:05 PM, Missile=Awesome said: Getting old sucks. I am, sadly, starting to pick up what is being laid down. FIDO everyone. No one gives a crap about others aches and pains. I have learned to be stoic with my family... Sumping, Climbing in and out, towing in and out, changing fuel selector (on vintage), reaching over seats to grab something... Joints remind us that the reaper lurks ahead and the road is not as long as it was 10-20 years ago... Alternative to pain and discomfort is not good. No Mooney and... Gulp... Couldn't have been said better Exactly on point. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Pilot Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 I use a mechanic creepers and creeper and sump while I am still in the hanger. Not too bad, at least no wind and dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missile=Awesome Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 31 minutes ago, Rusty Pilot said: I use a mechanic creepers and creeper and sump while I am still in the hanger. Not too bad, at least no wind and dry. Getting up off a creeper on the floor is no picnic... 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwnel Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 You all have seen the video of Harry Moyer here flying his Mooney on his 100th birthday, right? Stop complaining 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertGary1 Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 3 hours ago, Yetti said: Meh talk to me after you have pulled the 10,000 panel screws out for an annual inspection. At least there you get on your back and stay on your back. But if you get down there and realize you forgot a tool it’s a bummer. -Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetti Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 2 hours ago, RobertGary1 said: At least there you get on your back and stay on your back. But if you get down there and realize you forgot a tool it’s a bummer. -Robert I think it's all the rolling around and packaging things up and whatnot. My arms are still sore at the end of the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Link Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 I keep a couple of my wife and daughters yoga mats on the hangar floor. Works well enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooney in Oz Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 On 11/29/2020 at 10:57 PM, M20Doc said: Now you just bend over...... That happens when you pay the cost of the tow bar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlunseth Posted December 2, 2020 Report Share Posted December 2, 2020 The gascolator sump in my aircraft is a problem. The wing tank sumps work well with the typical sump cup with a small metal rod that you stick into the sump. You can do that with the gascolator sump also, but unfortunately it is not stable in that use and is prone to jamming in an open position, in which case fuel will pour out until you can clear the jam. It is meant to be pulled up with the ring inside the cockpit and when used in that manner it is stable and does not jam, but that requires putting some kind of catch basin under the sump while you climb in the aircraft. I have just quit using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.