Long Body Gross Weight Increase - Any Updates?

[Rick Junkin]

1 hour ago, alextstone said:

The prototype exists. I've seen it. I wonder how many non refundable deposits for orders it would take to push it to the STC finish line? My WAG is that the mod would cost 60-80k for parts and labor for each install.

What do y'all think? Is my WAG in line with your opinion? 15-20 commitments? More?

Alex

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk
 

@alextstone Where is the prototype located? Who’s the owner and who’s doing the engineering work?

[Schllc]

2 hours ago, alextstone said:

The prototype exists. I've seen it. I wonder how many non refundable deposits for orders it would take to push it to the STC finish line? My WAG is that the mod would cost 60-80k for parts and labor for each install.

What do y'all think? Is my WAG in line with your opinion? 15-20 commitments? More?

Alex

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk
 

I think the acceptability of the price is going to be related to how much UL you can actually gain. 
given what everything costs in aviation I don’t think your guess seems crazy though. 

[exM20K]

14 hours ago, Schllc said:

I think the acceptability of the price is going to be related to how much UL you can actually gain. 
given what everything costs in aviation I don’t think your guess seems crazy though. 

This, and is there any accompanying degradation of performance, such as W&B or  runway performance.

There is a Service Instruction document SIM20-133 with new limits for flying as heavy as 3873#. It is interesting to note the expanded GC envelope limits: 2 fat boys in front  and full full fuel will never work.  
 

the current  3200# MLW means that with PAX and bags, I don’t want to land with more than 20-25 gallons, which is fine, but it requires careful fuel planning. Being able to fill the seats is a “nice-to-have” rather than a “need-to-have”  for me.  Were it not, I would have bought a different plane. I suspect than many LB owners are in a similar spot. However, better load carrying would open up the LB for consideration by the many buyers that “must have” the ability to carry four.  I’d pay $50,000 tomorrow for another 200# UL.

-dan

 

 

[rbp]

The UL increase should be coupled with the LT tanks! 

all in for 4pax bravo with 1000nm range at 75% power (swags, people)

of course you need a 5,000’ runway 

[Mark Cline]

Does anyone have updated information on the Long Body Gross Weight Increase STC?

[Fritz1]

have not heard anything lately and have a hunch that this boat has sailed, neither the engineering resources nor the money are there, as a retrofit the gross weight increase would have been prohibitively expensive, might have made sense for new airplanes of which there are none, simplest way to increase payload is to take rear seats out, that saves about 30 lb, MT prop maybe 15 lb, vacuum system and gyroscopic instruments maybe another 40 lb, think ferry permits can be obtained for up to 300 lb over should the need arise,  with full tanks Bravo is a two person airplane, almost a magic carpet, leaving fuel behind the Bravo will carry 4 people on shorter trips

[IvanP]

28 minutes ago, Fritz1 said:

 with full tanks Bravo is a two person airplane, almost a magic carpet, leaving fuel behind the Bravo will carry 4 people on shorter trips

Yes, Bravo is a great traveling machine and I love it. In my case with Monroy tanks and my rather chunky body, if I fill the tanks, it becomes a one person and small luggage plane . My guess is that the best way to increase payload would be to decrease my own body weight...easier said than done.

[Fritz1]

100 gal is a lot of fuel, don't need that most of the time, in order to carry 4 people I take everything out that is not bolted down, tools, survival stuff, canopy cover, cowl plugs, oil, TKS fluid.... then she will carry 4 people on a short hop, and yes I could probably loose 20 lb

[IvanP]

I could take 118 gal with Monroys. My bladder would not permit such long flight, though. My usual load for XC flights with wife is about 80 gal whcih lets me take a reasonable amount of luggage for the two of us, stay within limits and make 3.5-4 hr legs.

[LANCECASPER]

On 8/25/2025 at 5:07 PM, Mark Cline said:

Does anyone have updated information on the Long Body Gross Weight Increase STC?

Unless Mooney is sold to someone with very deep pockets that isn't going to happen. It requires designing and testing and certifying a new landing gear.