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Gross Weight Increase 2,740 to 2,900

RoundTwo

By RoundTwo
in Modern Mooney Discussion

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RoundTwo Mentor

RoundTwo

Posted
Posted

I’ve seen several references to 2,900# GW for J’s but I don’t fully understand the in’s and out’s. 
Can someone offer a quick primer on the subject?

TIA,

R2

toto Grand Master

toto

Posted
Posted

Mooney updated the type certificate to 2900# GW for the MSE, which involved some minor changes to the landing gear.

Many J models after 1987 have already had the structural improvements, and are already eligible for the 2900# gross weight. If you have a J model in the right serial number range, there’s a simple SB that involves verifying rudder balance and remarking the airspeed indicator. You get an AFM supplement, and you’re good to go. 

It’s not an STC, and doesn’t involve any alteration to the aircraft aside from the AI marks. The aircraft is already eligible for 2900# per the original type certificate if it’s in the right serial range. 

toto Grand Master

toto

Posted
Posted
16 minutes ago, RoundTwo said:

So, according to the Mooney chronology, the retrofit kit will work on 1989 and up.

Great info. Thanks!

R2

There are definitely some 88s that fall into the serial number range. It’s a little bit hit and miss, because the model year and the date of manufacture don’t necessarily always agree. If you’re looking for a 2900# J, you’ll just want to get the serial and check it against the SB. 

PT20J Grand Master

PT20J

Posted
Posted

If you check the IPC you’ll see that the serial numbers that are eligible for the increased gross weight correspond to a change in the thickness of a tube in the tubular structure. There was no change to the landing gear.

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  • Like 1
toto Grand Master

toto

Posted
Posted
7 minutes ago, PT20J said:

If you check the IPC you’ll see that the serial numbers that are eligible for the increased gross weight correspond to a change in the thickness of a tube in the tubular structure. There was no change to the landing gear.

Skip

 

I’ll stand corrected. I knew it was a structural change, thought it was to the gear - happy to defer :)

  • Like 1
IFLYIFR Enthusiast

IFLYIFR

Posted
Posted

For a M20J with an applicable serial number that has a Garmin G5 Attitude Indicator (secondary for airspeed) and the original Mooney airspeed indicator (primary for airspeed), is it necessary to make any changes to the G5 for the 2,900 GW increase?


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ArtVandelay Grand Master

ArtVandelay

Posted
Posted
For a M20J with an applicable serial number that has a Garmin G5 Attitude Indicator (secondary for airspeed) and the original Mooney airspeed indicator (primary for airspeed), is it necessary to make any changes to the G5 for the 2,900 GW increase?


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The speeds are taken from the POH, so no, since any changes to GW/speeds should be reflected in the POH.
IFLYIFR Enthusiast

IFLYIFR

Posted
Posted

My understanding is the original Mooney airspeed indicator gets a new face plate with new markings on the face plate to ensure consistency with new airspeeds in the new pages in the POH. So I then also assume the airspeed tape and/or limits in the G5 have to change. Are you saying there are no G5 airspeed marking changes. Thanks.


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EricJ Grand Master

EricJ

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, IFLYIFR said:

My understanding is the original Mooney airspeed indicator gets a new face plate with new markings on the face plate to ensure consistency with new airspeeds in the new pages in the POH. So I then also assume the airspeed tape and/or limits in the G5 have to change. Are you saying there are no G5 airspeed marking changes. Thanks.


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The G5 is not the primary airspeed instrument, and it isn't required to set the V speeds in the G5.   If they're set, however, I think they should be set correctly.   FWIW, it's very easy to adjust them in the setup menu in the G5.

EricJ Grand Master

EricJ

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, gacoon said:

So its all there.  Does that mean if your airframe fits the eligibility list your local IA can make the changes and sign it off?

Yup.

gacoon Community Regular

gacoon

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, IFLYIFR said:

For a M20J with an applicable serial number that has a Garmin G5 Attitude Indicator (secondary for airspeed) and the original Mooney airspeed indicator (primary for airspeed), is it necessary to make any changes to the G5 for the 2,900 GW increase?


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Yes if airspeeds and IAS color bars change, would be SW config change not hardware

  • 2 years later...
DC_Brasil Contributor

DC_Brasil

Posted
Posted

I am a new owner of a 1990 M20J and the serial number falls within the approved models for the GW increase. However, the Service Letter (and the M20J Type Certificate Data Sheet) tell that the GW increase is approved when in compliance with Mooney drawing number 940071. I tried to find it online without success. 

Then I emailed Mooney. This was their response:

Thank you for the Inquiry – Yes, Mooney does not send out drawings, unless they are purchased as the kit.  For lead times, availability, pricing and to purchase parts (including technical manuals), you must order through an Authorized Mooney Service Center (must be a Mooney Service Center), click here for a listing of MSC’s https://www.mooney.com/contact-2/#map

Does anyone here have this Drawing? From what I have read (including this forum) there is actually nothing more than these steps for the GW increase:

  1. Reconfigure the airspeed indicator's markings to reflect the new limitations (should be easy as I am installing a G3X+G5 right now)
  2. Substitute pages in POH with AFMS
  3. Comply with Service Bulletin  SB M20-252

Any of you actually did this GW increase on your plane?

Slick Nick Collaborator

Slick Nick

Posted
Posted

You have a 1990 and it didn't come with the increased GW already? That's strange, I thought all MSE's had it from the factory? For reference, my 1991 is 2900lb max gross.

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Pinecone Grand Master

Pinecone

Posted
Posted

Airplanes used to have model years, that like for autos, did not align with calendar years.  

So a plane or car, built in the latter part of 1989, will likely be a 1990 model.

PT20J Grand Master

PT20J

Posted
Posted

Mine was built in 1994, but it has a "40th Anniversary" fin logo, seat embroidery, and control wheel medallions. Mooney was founded in 1953. Maybe they over ordered. :)

  • Haha 2
PT20J Grand Master

PT20J

Posted
Posted

You definitely don't want to order the kit because Mooney included a whole new airspeed indicator with it. They probably don't have any and if they did it would be expensive. The "drawing" probably just has instructions for installing it. 

I'd just get the POH updated, have the ASI overhauled and remarked by an instrument repair station, get a pitot static test done, and check the rudder balance. This assumes that you can find a A&P willing to sign it off. I would think a MSC that's been around a while would be familiar with it and willing to do the work and sign it off. 

  • Like 1

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