20J hinge covers

[kommers]

My 1978 Money 20J is in the paintshop for the fresh paint. Their mechanic examined my bird and found that flaps hinge covers are all but destroyed and need to be replaced. Lasar supposedly had it but I received a message from paintshop that they have problems finding covers. Aside from poking through junkyard material, does anyone have any suggestions where these covers can be obtained? Thank you in advance

[kommers]

6 minutes ago, bluehighwayflyer said:

Have you considered just leaving them off? I couldn’t help noticing that Mooney did just that when they developed the Acclaim Type S.  

No, my mechanic didn't recommend this option

Edited September 27, 2023 by kommers

[Fritz1]

I took my outboard covers off when I bought the airplane exactly for that reason, type S Acclaim does not have them, you need the inboard covers though, otherwise there is a hole in the fuselage - wing transition, if the inboard covers are damaged repair them with fiberglass and epoxy essentially using the left over fragments as a mold

[Fly Boomer]

1 hour ago, kommers said:

My 1978 Money 20J is in the paintshop for the fresh paint. Their mechanic examined my bird and found that flaps hinge covers are all but destroyed and need to be replaced. Lasar supposedly had it but I received a message from paintshop that they have problems finding covers. Aside from poking through junkyard material, does anyone have any suggestions where these covers can be obtained? Thank you in advance

The covers on my K came from LASAR via STC SA4443NM, so new ones will probably have to come from them.  Best bet is probably salvage or repair.

[ArtVandelay]

You can always just leave them off and log the removal of the STC.

I did this with a couple of STCs.

[PT20J]

A quick Google search for mooney flap hinge covers turns up several at salvage places.

[1980Mooney]

8 hours ago, PT20J said:

A quick Google search for mooney flap hinge covers turns up several at salvage places.

@PT20J is right - there are quite a few salvage out there because the J and K used the same mid and outboard "Flap Hinge Fairings".  A pristine set of 4 mid flap hinge fairings just sold yesterday by BAS Parts on ebay.  

From Section 53-50-00 in the Parts Manual

• 210379-009  Left wing - mid hinge fairings (2)
• 210379-010  Right wing - mid hinge fairings (2)
• 210379-011  Left wing - outboard hinge fairing (1)
• 210379-012  Right wing - outboard hinge fairing (1)

The inboard hinge fairings vary depending upon serial number in both J and K but there is overlap between models.

• There are 2 different sets of inboard hinge fairings depending upon serial number
  • 210398-001 and -002
  • 210398-003 and -004

[PT20J]

I’m guessing the inboards are harder to find because they get ground up in gear up landings.