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M20C ignition key replacement

Don Gates

By Don Gates
in Vintage Mooneys (pre-J models)

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Don Gates Enthusiast

Don Gates

Posted
Posted

Thankfully I have a “not a problem now” situation.  I have a key, 1ea only, for my plane. The mag key is different than the door and baggage hatch key.  I have tried several local hardware store key duplicates cutters and while they could do it, they can’t find a matching key blank. 
 

Am I just having bad luck?  Has anyone else had a hard time getting airplane keys copied?

 

My fear is that I’ll be in BFE somewhere and lose the only key I have for the plane and thus be stuck.

 

Thanks!

A64Pilot Grand Master

A64Pilot

Posted
Posted

I imagine a MSC could supply a blank, but I’d call or better visit a Locksmith. I’ve seen them modify a blank that was close to fit perfectly. Cost more than the hardware store though

LANCECASPER Grand Master

LANCECASPER

Posted
Posted
25 minutes ago, Don Gates said:

Thankfully I have a “not a problem now” situation.  I have a key, 1ea only, for my plane. The mag key is different than the door and baggage hatch key.  I have tried several local hardware store key duplicates cutters and while they could do it, they can’t find a matching key blank. 
 

Am I just having bad luck?  Has anyone else had a hard time getting airplane keys copied?

 

My fear is that I’ll be in BFE somewhere and lose the only key I have for the plane and thus be stuck.

 

Thanks!

I went on Ebay and did a search for "Bendix Aircraft Magneto Ignition Switch" and then blew up the pictures. It looks like this key blank  would be worth trying. https://www.dropbox.com/s/9466w6eftyoiema/Bendix key blank.jpg?dl=0

or an Ilco o1122 key blank 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jskbwhkb8hmjfl8/bendix ilco key blank.jpg?dl=0

 

 

Fly Boomer Grand Master

Fly Boomer

Posted
Posted
41 minutes ago, Apcoleman said:

My new to me Mooney had the same situation. Went to a local locksmith and had extra copies of all keys made. He took one look, new the blank and had plenty in stock.

Many of those blanks don’t have the interlock that prevents removal except in the “off” position.

  • Like 1
kortopates Grand Master

kortopates

Posted
Posted (edited)
9 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

Many of those blanks don’t have the interlock that prevents removal except in the “off” position.

Which is something to be taken seriously as it resulted in a pilot death at my home field a few years ago. Easy to test with whatever key your using now, just try to remove it any position besides Off. 

Edited by kortopates
  • Like 1
Hank Grand Master

Hank

Posted
Posted

Go to a locksmith. I had two sets made when I first bought my Mooney, and several more made later. One for me, one for my wife, one to leave with my IA, one to keep in each car. And I always need a spare set . . . .

Some have color on the key heads, some I bought rubber rings to go around them, color-coded as:

  • Blue for bags (baggage door)
  • Green for go (people door)
  • Red for fire (ignition)

All sets use the same colors. One set has a tag with my N-number. Seems the keys were $1.50 -- $2.00 each.

20200324_061149.jpg.bea2de8329213db5d6555a961d125fcf.jpg

RLCarter Grand Master

RLCarter

Posted
Posted

I had my door and baggage door rekeyed to match the ignition switch (I hated needing 3 keys), didn’t have an issue having several copies made

M20F Grand Master

M20F

Posted
Posted
On 9/13/2022 at 12:25 PM, A64Pilot said:

I have three keys too, longest is ignition, shortest is fuel caps, leaves the middle for the door.

I’ve never locked the fuel caps, I assume it works

If I was going to steal gas I would just unscrew the fuel drains.  I have never understood the point of locking caps myself. 

  • Haha 1
RobertGary1 Grand Master

RobertGary1

Posted
Posted
On 9/12/2022 at 12:35 PM, kortopates said:

Which is something to be taken seriously as it resulted in a pilot death at my home field a few years ago. Easy to test with whatever key your using now, just try to remove it any position besides Off. 

there used to be a bendix ignition to test this every 100 hours until the newer models ride this 

Pinecone Grand Master

Pinecone

Posted
Posted

I was able to get door keys for my 252 from a Minute Key, automated kiosk at my local Walmart.

Home Depot was unable to cut either door or ignition key.

FBO sent me to a local locksmith.  They were able to do both.  Strangely, both keys were Y11 blanks.  Not sure why the Minute Key IDed and cut one, but not the other.

PT20J Grand Master

PT20J

Posted
Posted

There is AD 76-07-12 for failure to shut off the right magneto when the key is rotated past the OFF position. Compliance is required at 100 hour intervals. I seem to recall that this AD is unique in that the inspection may be performed and logged by the pilot. (Generally, required inspections, per Part 43, are maintenance (as opposed to preventive maintenance) and must be performed by licensed mechanic. 

Skip

A64Pilot Grand Master

A64Pilot

Posted
Posted
On 9/18/2022 at 12:30 PM, M20F said:

If I was going to steal gas I would just unscrew the fuel drains.  I have never understood the point of locking caps myself. 

Keeps them from dropping grenades in :)

I’ve never locked mine, if I do I know what will happen, I’ll be standing there hundreds of miles from home at a closed little airport unable to refuel.

Whole lot easier to drain fuel from a high wing anyway, I’d assume they would steal from a Cessna first.

20 years ago I would have laughed as there was no crime on small Rural airports, now it seems once in a great while a thief will fly in and break into airplanes and steal avionics.

Utah20Gflyer Experienced

Utah20Gflyer

Posted
Posted
On 9/12/2022 at 7:45 AM, Fly Boomer said:

Made me laugh.  Thanks!  :lol:

I’d be laughing to except this happened to me.  I flew up to Logan Utah with my wife for her friends wedding.  Everything is wrapped up and we get back to the plane and no key (this is before I had extras made).  We went and grabbed the crew car again and retraced out steps, eventually we ended up at a grocery store I had stopped at and they had it at customer service. Apparently it had fallen out of my pocket when I took my wallet out to pay.  That was a big relief but next on the to do list was getting 3 extra keys made.  Now I keep one in my flight bag, one in my car, one on my key ring with all my other keys and one at home.  Never again! 

Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

I’d be laughing to except this happened to me.  I flew up to Logan Utah with my wife for her friends wedding.  Everything is wrapped up and we get back to the plane and no key (this is before I had extras made).  We went and grabbed the crew car again and retraced out steps, eventually we ended up at a grocery store I had stopped at and they had it at customer service. Apparently it had fallen out of my pocket when I took my wallet out to pay.  That was a big relief but next on the to do list was getting 3 extra keys made.  Now I keep one in my flight bag, one in my car, one on my key ring with all my other keys and one at home.  Never again! 

And one in your wife’s purse?

Fly Boomer Grand Master

Fly Boomer

Posted
Posted
46 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

I tape a set of extra keys on the inside of an inspection panel so if I lose my keys all I need is a screwdriver.

That's the aviation version of those magnetic key holders they used to sell.  :)

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