M20A, will an aluminum M20B/C/D/E wing fit a M20A?

[Mooneycruiser]

Can anyone confirm if a wing change is possible, (20A to 20B/C/D/E ).

Is there a STC, or?

are any flying examples. 

 

Thanks!

MC

[outermarker]

I believe the M20A had a wood wing and 180hp engine. If so, then yes, you can get a metal wing. If you have the 150hp engine(M20), then no, you have to stay with the wood wing. If you need a wood wing I know a guy who bought a wood wing Mooney just for the engine. It's sitting inside collecting dust.

[Mooneycruiser]

This is a similar story, found an A-model with delam across the rear spar, and the walk area is rotten. So the wood is in bad shape. . I honestly know nothing about wood and am thinking of a purchase and looking for a metal wing, especially if the wood wing can be unbolted, and a metal installed it place. 

The engine needs an overhaul, has some internal rust.. and yes it is a 360-A1A. 

 

Thanks!

[KSMooniac]

Even if you were gifted a rotten M20A with a rusty engine for free, I think you would be financially upside-down before it ever got in the air.  

[Fly Boomer]

  On 4/24/2023 at 9:55 PM, KSMooniac said:

Even if you were gifted a rotten M20A with a rusty engine for free, I think you would be financially upside-down before it ever got in the air.  

Expand  

Somebody here was gifted a free M20E (I think) a few years ago.  He was finally comfortable flying it $85,000 later.

[kerry]

You can hire a cabinet maker to rebuild the wing.  I'm pretty sure there would be a of fabrication work involved trying to install a metal wing.  If you're going to convert to a metal wing, then you would want a M20B wing.  Both A and B share manual flaps.

[Mooneycruiser]

Thanks everyone, Everyone talks about an STC, but I have not found one.. ie metal wing on a M20A. 

[outermarker]

a very long time ago our family had a 1957 M20. We wanted to put a metal wing on it. Called Mooney and was told if it were a M20A with the 180hp engine we could, but not with the 150hp engine. I would put a call into Mooney to verify or ask about the STC.

[Mooneycruiser]

This is a 59A Model with the O-360 A1A, and I found a C model metal wing.. Hopefully, it is a plug and play. I'm still looking for a B metal wing, Per Kerry's note, but have not found one. 

Last, I thought Mooney was out of business, but if they are taking calls, I'll try. 

[Fly Boomer]

  On 4/26/2023 at 9:21 PM, Mooneycruiser said:

This is a 59A Model with the O-360 A1A, and I found a C model metal wing.. Hopefully, it is a plug and play. I'm still looking for a B metal wing, Per Kerry's note, but have not found one. 

Last, I thought Mooney was out of business, but if they are taking calls, I'll try. 

Expand  

They are at least providing parts through the MSC network.  Not sure about taking calls from "civilians".

[EricJ]

  On 4/26/2023 at 9:21 PM, Mooneycruiser said:

This is a 59A Model with the O-360 A1A, and I found a C model metal wing.. Hopefully, it is a plug and play. I'm still looking for a B metal wing, Per Kerry's note, but have not found one. 

Last, I thought Mooney was out of business, but if they are taking calls, I'll try. 

Expand  

You'll definitely need either some approval basis (e.g., STC) to install a wing from a different model or a field approval.    Neither may be trivial.  

[cliffy]

Don't spend money until you verify the legality with "Mother"  the FAA!

[carusoam]

Some people have interesting ideas…

1) Why they want to take on a major refit of a flying machine….

2) They have to have a serious driving reason to do so… like the plane has been in the family for 50 years or so…

3) Sometimes they are mechanics or machine shop owners in their professional lives…

4) Maybe they are familiar with wood working, and are EAA members already…

5) As far as costs go… there have been a few M20As listed for sale around here… and a few wings being sold…

6) Seriously… know that Mooney is still in business. And supports their customers given enough time…

7) There is a process for updating one M20 with more recent parts from a similar M20… it is more simple than the STC process… is more TC than STC…

8) Start becoming familiar with who at the Mooney factory can be helpful for your project…

9) Start collecting the details that exist for your project… maintenance manuals and parts catalogs…

10) One serious challenge… documentation has improved significantly over the years… 1958 was before the advent of CAD/Cam… and electric typewriters… 

What do you have to support your project?

what do you need to support your project?

We have a few suppliers pre-flown Mooney parts around here as well… finding a metal wing from an M20B probably isn’t that hard to do… 

The M20A is one of the first Mooneys to use natural composite materials to produce really aerodynamic airplane parts…

Go Mooney!

 

PP thoughts only,

-a-