Gross Weight Increase 2,740 to 2,900

[RoundTwo]

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]

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. 

[RoundTwo]

Roger that. Off to Google…

Thanks!

[toto]

3 minutes ago, RoundTwo said:

Roger that. Off to Google…

Thanks!

 

SL92-1_SN24_1686-2999.pdf

[RoundTwo]

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

Great info. Thanks!

R2

[toto]

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]

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

 

[toto]

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

[IFLYIFR]

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]

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]

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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[ArtVandelay]

Are you saying there are no G5 airspeed marking changes. Thanks.

No, I’m saying the airspeeds must match what’s in the POH.
You change the POH, you must change the G5s.

[jetdriven]

 Keystone instruments of Lockhaven will also re-mark your airspeed indicator to the proper values. They did one for me. 

[EricJ]

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.

[gacoon]

On 10/23/2021 at 6:54 AM, toto said:

 

SL92-1_SN24_1686-2999.pdf 2.62 MB · 24 downloads

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?

[EricJ]

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]

1 minute ago, EricJ said:

Yup.

I,m going to check that out, several years ago MSC quoted me $3K for kit from Mooney to do it.  

[gacoon]

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

[DC_Brasil]

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]

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.

[DC_Brasil]

My Serial Number actually shows it as being manufactured in 1989, but the documents were stamped 1990. Perhaps it rolled out the assembly line late 1989.

[Pinecone]

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]

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. 

[PT20J]

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. 

[redbaron1982]

What's different in the newer J models vs the older ones that are not allowed to get the GW increase? I have a 1985 which is not included and I'm curious from a structural point of view what is the difference.