Spares provisioning

[Scott Ashton]

I’m closing on my 201 in a few weeks and starting to build a provisioning kit for spare parts.  Looking for suggestions….things like a spare main and nose tire, a few oil filters, etc to keep in a cabinet in the shop so I have them on-hand if needed.  I have LED lights, so I will have to figure out what bulbs I need if any.   What else should I have on-hand?

[alextstone]

I’m closing on my 201 in a few weeks and starting to build a provisioning kit for spare parts.  Looking for suggestions….things like a spare main and nose tire, a few oil filters, etc to keep in a cabinet in the shop so I have them on-hand if needed.  I have LED lights, so I will have to figure out what bulbs I need if any.   What else should I have on-hand?

Spare tire tubes, spark plugs, cowl fasteners, cleaning supplies, tire pressure gauge, basic tools.

Here's the most important one: a savings account that is loaded every month with at least $1000 to establish a prudent reserve for unexpected maintenance items ( keep it separate, do not use to pay for fuel, etc).

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[Pinecone]

A nose and main tube.

A spark plug or two or a set.

Oil.

Assorted machine screws, nuts, etc.

If your lights are all LED, you should not need replacement bulbs in your lifetime.

Do you have basic tools?  There are some threads on MS about suggestions.

 

[Browncbr1]

Intake riser gaskets, spark plugs and copper washers

[GeeBee]

Make sure you have plenty of Cam-loc type fasteners as well as traditional screws, washers and nuts. Nothing worse than canceling a flight for a cowling fastener that costs so little. I keep a complete set of fasteners types for my cowl and belly panels as well as screws for inspection panels. Bulbs, oil filters, oil, a spark plug and spark plug washers. Intake and exhaust gasket. Don't waste your money on tires or tubes. If you have a bad one at your home base you're not going anywhere that day anyway and you can order one in overnight, plus they don't age well on the shelf.

 

[Pinecone]

Has someone compiled a list of fasteners that would be good to have?  Such as which size camlocks.

 

[kortopates]

8 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

Has someone compiled a list of fasteners that would be good to have?  Such as which size camlocks.

 

All your hardware and parts are listed in your Mooney Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) as a new owner wanting to participate in your maintenance one of the first thing you'll want to get is a copy of the current IPC and the Mooney Maintenance manual for your plane.

Just like having LED lightning will largely eliminate the need to ever replace a light, upgrading to fine wire plugs and having your mags opened up and inspected at every annual has virtually eliminated having any ignition issues away from home for me in over 20 years of ownership. For me, flying in the US anyway, a credit card is all I have ever needed for the unexpected issue away from home base. I do carry a couple of the camlocs for my cowling and a multi-tip screwdriver. But the only time I've carried a spare plug and light tool kit was flying in Cuba.

If you travel with your plane, flying with a Survival Kit that includes first aid kit, with water and food is far far more important to me.  

[DonMuncy]

Pick any parts you want. The only thing it will guarantee, is that you will never need that particular part. 

[Ragsf15e]

I guarantee I will now need a camlock and a plug, but I’ve had my F for 8 years and never kept spare parts.  Actually I take that back, I do have belly screws and tinnermans but that’s because I replace those with new if they even look at me wrong when I take off a panel.  Look at your ipc and get belly screws (maybe a couple types), inspection panel screws, and possibly cowling screws.  Get a screwdriver with good bits and possibly a 3/8 stubby wrench to leave in the baggage just so you can always remove the cowling easily and look around.  Otherwise put together a survival kit.  Maybe get some proper cleaning products too.  You’ll use them. Wash wax all blue and red.  Microfiber cloths and plexus or novus 1 for your windows.  Maybe some decent wax.  All that stuff you’ll use.  Parts?  Definitely won’t need them if you have them on the shelf.

[EricJ]

1 hour ago, Pinecone said:

Has someone compiled a list of fasteners that would be good to have?  Such as which size camlocks.

One of the better initial investments I made when I got my airplane was the stainless steel screw kit from aircraftspruce.    They put them together for specific airplanes, so you have everything that is needed.   I use that all the time to replace stuff that gets stripped or broken or falls out or whatever.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/hapages/exterwasherkit.php

Don't go by what anybody else does for camlocks, figure out what your airplane has.   These airplanes are all old enough that stuff has been repaired/reworked/aged enough that what's there and works on your airplane may be different than others.   That said, the IPC is a good start to figuring out what should be there.    If your fasteners are all properly captive, you shouldn't need to replace them often.

 

[Will.iam]

Make sure to get a dozen or so crush washers for the oil screen. First time i took that off i though it was a simple washer but no it’s special. Not expensive but you don’t want a leak there because you reused an old one. Get grease gun for aeroshell 55 tubes of grease. No wash blue for leading edge bug removal and No wash red for belly grim, oil, soot removal. Scott’s towels, torque wrench. Claw socket to torque the oil filter properly. Safety wire and safety wire pliers. Battery minder. 

[Pinecone]

2 hours ago, kortopates said:

All your hardware and parts are listed in your Mooney Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) as a new owner wanting to participate in your maintenance one of the first thing you'll want to get is a copy of the current IPC and the Mooney Maintenance manual for your plane.

 

I understand that, just wondering if someone already had compiled a list.

[A64Pilot]

I go with the money in the bank, you can fix almost anything with money.

When I ran Squadron maintenance in the Army (24 helicopters) I was allowed to stock one of everything I used three times in the preceding 90 days.

There is logic in that, so what have you used or have use of on a recurring basis? Tires etc order 90 days or so before you think you will need to replace them due to wear, depending on availability of course. Keep oil and filters, maybe a plug if fine wire, a couple if massive. Keep old tires and tubes as a spare, that way you don’t waste money when they develop cracks in storage

Four months ago I ordered and paid for a no-back spring, I’m being told maybe I’ll get it in Dec., so as much as you can order long lead time items well in advance. Trick is knowing what those items are.

I’ve never not been able to fly for lack of a fastener, sure I’ve had one break or go missing, but I’ve always been able to move one from a non critical area if needed, but I too bought the SS screw kit, and use a few just about anytime I depanel the airplane.

[Marauder]

Pick any parts you want. The only thing it will guarantee, is that you will never need that particular part. 

Oh so true! I’ve got enough stuff stashed away that I could be known as “Aircraft Spruce North”.


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[M20F]

After you get the easy stuff done, keep going.  I have a starter, alternator, cylinder, etc. all on the shelf.  They don’t get cheaper year after year so solid investment and it makes down time a non-factor.  There is another post here about cylinders being 3 months out.  Who wants to be down for 3 months. 

[Mooneymite]

On 8/19/2022 at 2:01 PM, A64Pilot said:

I go with the money in the bank, you can fix almost anything with money.

Truly the voice of experience!

[carusoam]

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