Bad News from the FAA regarding Landing Gear Actuator (Gear Set)

[MikeOH]

39 minutes ago, Grant_Waite said:

I don’t mean converting to manual gear, I mean doing the Eaton swap. Converting to manual gear would most definitely be more difficult for parts and getting someone to do it 

Ah, my bad. I confused yours with another poster.

[DRH4249]

I know this was touched on briefly by a DER for gears post but not specifically the path I took . My gears were not quite on their last leg but well used as the actuator motor was as well; so my A&P and I asked the engineers at Mooney if it was possible to engineer or draw engineering plans to install the whole electric gear retraction assembly including emergency gear extension from a model J/K or later for my F model. In our thought process this would eliminate the emergency hand crank and clutch, the inevitable gear replacement issue and the frequent inspection requirements of my F model. Similar to a DER this is not a group endeavor because it is based on each model type and is assigned to each aircraft serial number. The FAA had to approve and reissue the emergency extension section my of my specific Operators Manual. But having said that the ground work has been laid for a "better" retract system for our "vintage" Mooneys by Mooney. The process did take a bit of time and of course money, I did purchase a very nice entire gear retraction system out of K model and had to pay for Mooney's time and effort as well. So I'm not sure if this an answer to everyone's issues but I really think it will work well for we Vintage Mooney owners moving forward. I have to thank my A&P and the two gentlemen in Engineering at Mooney that helped us get things moving forward and through the finish line of Mooney and FAA approval.  Now it is out with the old and in with the newer system.

[Matthew P]

1 hour ago, DRH4249 said:

I know this was touched on briefly by a DER for gears post but not specifically the path I took . My gears were not quite on their last leg but well used as the actuator motor was as well; so my A&P and I asked the engineers at Mooney if it was possible to engineer or draw engineering plans to install the whole electric gear retraction assembly including emergency gear extension from a model J/K or later for my F model. In our thought process this would eliminate the emergency hand crank and clutch, the inevitable gear replacement issue and the frequent inspection requirements of my F model. Similar to a DER this is not a group endeavor because it is based on each model type and is assigned to each aircraft serial number. The FAA had to approve and reissue the emergency extension section my of my specific Operators Manual. But having said that the ground work has been laid for a "better" retract system for our "vintage" Mooneys by Mooney. The process did take a bit of time and of course money, I did purchase a very nice entire gear retraction system out of K model and had to pay for Mooney's time and effort as well. So I'm not sure if this an answer to everyone's issues but I really think it will work well for we Vintage Mooney owners moving forward. I have to thank my A&P and the two gentlemen in Engineering at Mooney that helped us get things moving forward and through the finish line of Mooney and FAA approval.  Now it is out with the old and in with the newer system.

Can you send more specific info cause I asked Mooney about something similar and they didn't want to be bothered...if you don't mind, can you throw a ballpark price as to how much it cost?  TIA

[Yetti]

11 hours ago, DRH4249 said:

I know this was touched on briefly by a DER for gears post but not specifically the path I took . My gears were not quite on their last leg but well used as the actuator motor was as well; so my A&P and I asked the engineers at Mooney if it was possible to engineer or draw engineering plans to install the whole electric gear retraction assembly including emergency gear extension from a model J/K or later for my F model. In our thought process this would eliminate the emergency hand crank and clutch, the inevitable gear replacement issue and the frequent inspection requirements of my F model. Similar to a DER this is not a group endeavor because it is based on each model type and is assigned to each aircraft serial number. The FAA had to approve and reissue the emergency extension section my of my specific Operators Manual. But having said that the ground work has been laid for a "better" retract system for our "vintage" Mooneys by Mooney. The process did take a bit of time and of course money, I did purchase a very nice entire gear retraction system out of K model and had to pay for Mooney's time and effort as well. So I'm not sure if this an answer to everyone's issues but I really think it will work well for we Vintage Mooney owners moving forward. I have to thank my A&P and the two gentlemen in Engineering at Mooney that helped us get things moving forward and through the finish line of Mooney and FAA approval.  Now it is out with the old and in with the newer system.

I thought this was an option all along with the newer actuator being a $5000.00 price tag.

[Justin Schmidt]

4 hours ago, Yetti said:

I thought this was an option all along with the newer actuator being a $5000.00 price tag.

The Eaton is 40k new, so says LASAR. Eaton said to me they will not discuss with an individual.

[Matthew P]

2 hours ago, Justin Schmidt said:

The Eaton is 40k new, so says LASAR. Eaton said to me they will not discuss with an individual.

That's 1/2 the value of the plane...$40K

[201Steve]

@Grant_Waite has all the si’s for the change out. He’s posted it here before

[DRH4249]

Well, I sure didn't buy brand new; I bought everything associated with the retract system that could be unbolted, from a K model from BAS in Greeley CO, it was a bit more than $5K delivered but has everything associated electronically and mechanically. Plus pay Mooney for engineering documents and review, plus pay my A&P to install. The install isn't finished yet so there is not a final number at this point. 

 

 

[Yetti]

Does it look something like this?   https://lasar.com/actuators/gear-actuator-eaton-102000-3-sn-414

[DRH4249]

Yes, it does.  Plus there are a few other parts you might need. As I said we are not finished yet but there is hope for those who choose to go this route. I can see the light growing larger at the end of the tunnel. 

[Grant_Waite]

On 2/13/2025 at 8:48 PM, DRH4249 said:

Well, I sure didn't buy brand new; I bought everything associated with the retract system that could be unbolted, from a K model from BAS in Greeley CO, it was a bit more than $5K delivered but has everything associated electronically and mechanically. Plus pay Mooney for engineering documents and review, plus pay my A&P to install. The install isn't finished yet so there is not a final number at this point. 

 

 

Yeah I basically did the same thing but I got my Eaton from Lasar but the brackets from bas and all new hardware from aircraft spruce. I also have the 3 brackets that’d you need in cad since you’re not always going to be as blessed as I was to find all 3. You would just need to get the bushings off McMaster Carr or if you find all 3, that’s your best option. I sandblasted all the brackets and spray painted them with some zinc chromate. New hardware and they were basically brand new. Once they get installed, they ain’t ever coming out so take the time and make them like new. I did not however get Mooney or any DER involved because to me and my installer, it’s completely unnecessary. But as I’ve learned every mechanic and person is different it can be as easy or difficult as you make it. I’ve had zero issues with the new system. It’s a more powerful actuator so it doesn’t strain at all. You can really feel the floor torque underneath you when you swing the gear on the ground.