Airleron play

[Cole]

C-GLKD M20F

I have 1/4 inch of play on the right aileron and about 1/8 inch on the left.  I'm getting different messages from local Mooney "experts" as to the safety issue with this with respect to turbulence.   Can I wait until my next annual in october to deal with this or is it a must do now issue?

Thanks, Cole

Perth Ontario, Canada

http://www.cysh.ca/gldk.html

 

[1964-M20E]

One thing you need to be concerned with is flutter.  As I understand it as you are flying along the control surfaces experinece a small amount of flutter.  The more play you have in the system the more it can beat itself to death.

I assume it is in one or more of the heim joints between the yolk and the aileron.  Some of the rod ends are easy to repalce just un-screw the old one and install the new one.  Others are actually machined and driled with roll pins to keep them in place. I'd isolate that control rod end or ends that are causing the prblems and order the part well in advance of when you take the plane apart.  It could also be in the bell cranks.  Ask the mechanic to specifically state what control rod ends, bell cranks and or aileron pivot bearings need to be repalced.

I repalced a number of rod ends and gear bushings on my last annual.  Some of them appear to have some play this year.  I'm not sure if it is me aor the rapmp guys anyway that is another topic.

[MooneyMitch]

Cole, you may have something loose on the bell cranck or in the push rods hardware. I would check the cause before next flight. If the aileron becomes loose it may flutter and create more damage with possibility of loss of controllability.

José

Sorry Mitch, another identity swap

[aerobat95]

On my aircraft the heim bearing that connects to the aileron is starting to wear.  My A&P told me it will need to be replaced in the near future.  The problem that you might run into is that if your plane is like mine and it probably is....the rod end and bearing that connect to the aileron is no longer manufactured.  Mooney upgraded the part and instead of pinning the heim bearing it is now screwed on or welded to the tube.  Those parts are around 300 per side.  Currently no MSC has them in stock.  Before I moved back in Sep there were 5 avail.  I spoke with Lasar and Dugoush and they said it will be awhile before any are back in stock.  Dugoush said if you can find the Heim bearing your A&P might be able to remove the old and pin in the new.  I have had no luck finding the exact Heim bearing that Mooney has used.  I tried aircraft supply.  They have one that is close but not the same.   I would though have your A&P figure out where exactly the slop is.  But like I said mine is starting to wear where the rod end connect to the aileron.

[Cole]

Thank you all for your prompt responses to my aileron flutter problem.  I am taking the plane to my AME tomorrow, a 25 minute flight,  and will take a copy of your replies to him.

It is nice that so many people took the time to answer my question and your responses are much appreciated, particularly since I am new to this Mooney stuff.  I bought the plane a year ago and have had a s**t load of problems including a new engine.  This aileron thing was just one more in a long list, to which I hope a conclusion is coming soon.

Thanks again,

Cole

[co2bruce]

Besides the engine, these nagging problems are common for a new (to you) plane. Before selling the previous owner was probably flying less and less and fixing things as they came up less and less. You will get it sorted out, and then keep up with the maintenance. She will be fine and serve you well. 

[Ned Gravel]

Cole:

Are you keeping it at YSH?  I think there is a D model in one of the hangers there.  

Come visit us at Rockcliffe. We have a C, two E's, and a J on the field now. After June, we should have a Bravo as well.  And Barrie has a C model in Cornwall.

Good luck with the repairs. 

[Cole]

Yes, it is at CYSH.  There are two other Mooneys here as well, neither in flying condition.  Is that significant ?    Nice to think, as the previous post from CO2Bruce, indicated that there will be an end to my "troubles'.  I own it with a partner and so at least everything is half price.   I think we are going to put an Aspen in it in the next few months.  We were going to combine it with a GTN 650 Garmin at the same time but the $48,000 for the engine etc., etc., etc., sort of put a stop to that idea.  So will struggle along with a 496 and a crappy GS60 for a while more.

We have an S-Tec 60-2 which works OK with the heading bug, but not with the NAV feature.   That also requires a look-see.

You have probably all heard this one, but I just heard it recently.  "Owning an ariplane is like standing naked in a shower trying to light a cigar with $100 dollar bills."

[jetdriven]

40K in optional avionics upgrades adds a lot more 100$ bills to the fire.  We have visited, revisited, and resisted the urge to upgrade to all the fancy avionics. It still goes 150 knots through the same air, and our cost per hour didnt double.

[Cole]

Well said, Byron.  Unfortunatlely, it could probably be said that my partner and I are a bit too enchanted with gadgets.  The good side of that at least is that we are on the same page with our "partnership" so far.

[KSMooniac]

Quote: Cole

Well said, Byron.  Unfortunatlely, it could probably be said that my partner and I are a bit too enchanted with gadgets.  The good side of that at least is that we are on the same page with our "partnership" so far.

[Cole]

Byron,

No, I do the investment thing and I know the proper definition.   New stuff for the aeroplane is definitely unretrievable money down the drain.    And if there was any doubt about that one need only ask my wife!

Cole

[Ned Gravel]

Cole:

Once I get back from Bangldesh, I may take the 20 minute jaunt over to see you folks.  Has the restaurant been rebuilt?