Ovation Charlie tail weights

[Ovation II DX]

Does anyone have any information on where I could purchase tail Charlie weights at a reasonable price for a Mooney Ovation. Had recent major Avionics update that includes removing the vacuum system and the standby vacuum pump and motor. Still within the CG limits but start to run out of trim during landing with full flap extension and only the pilot as an occupant.

[amillet]

Store something like this in the baggage compartment instead of the dead weight 

[LANCECASPER]

11 hours ago, Ovation II DX said:

Does anyone have any information on where I could purchase tail Charlie weights at a reasonable price for a Mooney Ovation. Had recent major Avionics update that includes removing the vacuum system and the standby vacuum pump and motor. Still within the CG limits but start to run out of trim during landing with full flap extension and only the pilot as an occupant.

Any Mooney Service Center can get them for you.

[Bolter]

On 7/21/2024 at 5:50 PM, Ovation II DX said:

Does anyone have any information on where I could purchase tail Charlie weights at a reasonable price for a Mooney Ovation. Had recent major Avionics update that includes removing the vacuum system and the standby vacuum pump and motor. Still within the CG limits but start to run out of trim during landing with full flap extension and only the pilot as an occupant.

Where did your weight and balance end up?  I had the vacuum removed, including the rear mounted backup pump.  My current (by calcs) is 2275.59 lbs at 44.35 inches.  I have no landing issues with a single pilot.  I typically have 10-20 lbs of stuff in the cargo area (extra oil, chocks, tow bar).

[NickG]

I have complete glass - no vacuum systems etc. My empty is 2267.15 at 43.34. I keep around 60lbs of stuff (cooler, waters, cover, tools etc). No issues single pilot, more backpressure with a right seater, and back to normal if there's a third person int he back seat.

[Ovation II DX]

Im at an empty weight of 2311 with a CG at 44.0. I f I have a 150-200 lbs person in the back seat I have plenty of trim available with full flaps. Previously, I owned a 2001 Ovation I and had no issues with full flaps with plenty of trim and just the pilot. It did have O2, standby vacuum and a 2 blade prop.

[Fritz1]

Check the cg, think there are 3 Charlie weights max, typically cg rather moves aft when vac equipment is removed, something in the elevator and trim rigging may be off

[Bolter]

20 minutes ago, Fritz1 said:

Check the cg, think there are 3 Charlie weights max, typically cg rather moves aft when vac equipment is removed, something in the elevator and trim rigging may be off

The electric backup vacuum pump is in the tail section, moving the CG forward.  However, removing some panel components that use the vacuum would typically be associated with the removal, making it a wash or less dramatic change.  

@Ovation II DXIf the elevator travel is not centered within the control travel, this could give the impression of a lack of trim, but really be a lack of control travel.  I think you verify by making sure the elevators are resting on the stops rather than the controls bottoming out.  

-dan

[William Munney]

I’m all glass as well.  No vacuum system.  I keep TKS fluid back there….. or…….a 30lb weight.  I find my cg gets almost out of limit forward if I have 2 men up front.

[Aerodon]

I had a C172N amphibious floatplane that was impossible to fill up and takeoff with pilot without exceeding the forward limit.  We carried 2x25 lb water bottles in the baggage area - big advantage is that once we had burned off fuel we could dump the water and return from the lake a whole lot lighter.  Wheel takeoffs at 2550 lbs were OK, on water you want to be as light as possible.

My Seneca is much nicer to fly (land) with an aft CoG, it tends to run out of control authority at forward CoG limits.

There is a chart in the maintenance or parts manual that shows the recommended Charlie weights with your particular empty weight and CoG.   I  took out the standby vacuum in my 252 and my thinking was to put 'remote avionics' in the aft avionics bay (vs. Panel avionics). I also got two used Charlie weights so I put those in.  And I did the Encore upgrade.

 

Aerodon

 

 

 

 

 

 

[William Munney]

I use a 30 lb dumbbell or two in the baggage compartment.  It makes a difference.

 

[NickG]

On 8/8/2024 at 12:52 PM, William Munney said:

I’m all glass as well.  No vacuum system.  I keep TKS fluid back there….. or…….a 30lb weight.  I find my cg gets almost out of limit forward if I have 2 men up front.

Me too. I have a 5-gallon container of TKS fluid back there - 45 lbs.