Removing entry step

[KSMooniac]

I concur that it looks like a 201 step.  My '77 had one, and I cut it off and sent it to LASAR to make it removable and reinstallable with a nifty little mod using an additional tube nested inside.  They also added a fairing to the tube (like the later models).  I leave it off, and couldn't really detect a speed improvement without it, unfortunately.

[Bennett]

I had the step taken off on my M20K, and a panel placed over the hole. No attempt to add a tube or other device to re-install it. Saved a couple of pounds, but in all candor, I didn't notice a speed change.  To be fair, I had so many speed mods on that airplane that I lost track of which mods were effective, and which were cosmetic.  There is a certain convenience in having the step, and I have no plans to remove it from my M20J.

[jetdriven]

I bought this to use to get into and out of the plane.  Pefect height. It folds up to take with.  Available at Lowe's for 11$

[KSMooniac]

How do you retrieve the step stools after boarding the plane?

[Vref]

Quote: KSMooniac

How do you retrieve the step stools after boarding the plane?

[jetdriven]

a 6 foot fish gaff

[Seth]

My 1983 Mooney M20J Missile 300 has no step.  My guess is it was part of the Missile conversion.  It may have been an option not installed originally.

My former 1967 Mooney M20F had a step that automatically retracted due to vacum pressure when the engine was running.

I have a small plastic step that I keep at my hanger to help people on or off or to help me pack the airplane (I'm short 5'6").  I bring it with me unless I have too much cargo (volume) when traveling with people and instruct the person in the co-pilot seat when muletiple people are on board as to not step on the wing flap.  It is only an issue with people that have a mobility problem of some sort (age, injury, height, weight, balance, etc . . . ).  Most of the time, I just take a "big" step from the ground to the wing.

-Seth

 

[Piloto]

Quote: jetdriven

I bought this to use to get into and out of the plane.  Pefect height. It folds up to take with.  Available at Lowe's for 11$

[jetdriven]

Acutally it comes in handy working on the plane, I get in and out 50 times. It also helps for short or old people. I fold it up, stick it in the bag compartment, then get in.

[richardheitzman]

1-2 knots of speed is all you see between step / no step. Proven at the factory.

No step = fall off aircraft as I did because I am used to having a step. Almost broke my nose.

Step = not falling off aircraft and having an enjoyable lunch with your buddy who took you flying, instead of cursing his name and his decision to remove a step that at most saved him a knot of speed.

I'm just saying it is there for a reason.

[Vref]

Getting in is the most easy part however when having flown four hours you need to pay attention when jumping of a step-less wing.The knee/leg muscles are stiff and this may cause injury when not paying attention....Having a small fold able stairway may help though... Why Mooney didn't introduce this like in certain 737's electrically actuated of course

[Piloto]

Quote: richardheitzman

1-2 knots of speed is all you see between step / no step. Proven at the factory.

No step = fall off aircraft as I did because I am used to having a step. Almost broke my nose.

Step = not falling off aircraft and having an enjoyable lunch with your buddy who took you flying, instead of cursing his name and his decision to remove a step that at most saved him a knot of speed.

I'm just saying it is there for a reason.

[jetdriven]

Its 22" to the ground. It never was  a problem in our ship until I had a 74 year old passenger.  Lets not make this a big deal

[Steve Dawson]

If I had the step back on my 201 I wouldn't get any exersize at all.

 

[Piloto]

Quote: jetdriven

Its 22" to the ground. It never was  a problem in our ship until I had a 74 year old passenger.  Lets not make this a big deal

[jbs007]

Quote: Piloto

 

Falls are no trivial, they are one of the major causes of death among seniors read http://seniorliving.about.com/od/healthnutrition/a/fallstudy.htm And from what I have seen (gray hair) many of us are in this group.

José 

[M20E-1964]

My A&P is looking into removing it - I want my 2 kts

[Newmooneyguy]

My 66M20E has a retractable step on which I just discovered a broken fairing on the trailing edge.  The rivet holes don't line up and it might be cumbersome to fix it.  Is removing one of these difficult?

[M20F-1968]

I have a 1968 F model.  It has the vacuum retractable step and lots of avionics in the tail avionics bay (see pictures).  A question  was raised to me a month ago asking if water might be a threat to the avionics given the hole in the tail into which the step retracts.  There is an outer skin that overlaps the tailcone when the step retracts.  I asked the factory personnel who did not think it was an issue.  Just wanted to put the question out there to see if anyone had any related experience.  The alternative would be to replace the step with a modern fixed step.  Not sure I want to do that if it the vacuum step is a non-issue.

John Breda

[Newmooneyguy]

My 66E model has an entry step that won't retract all the way, and doesn't always extend fully.  I was considering securing it in the up position.  Anyone ever done that? 

[Newmooneyguy]

Yes.  The housing and the step have residue from white lithium lubricant that may have to be removed.  Lubing worked but didn't completely solve the problem.

[MARZ]

Quote: Newmooneyguy

Yes.  The housing and the step have residue from white lithium lubricant that may have to be removed.  Lubing worked but didn't completely solve the problem.

[carusoam]

Careful with the spring.  It wants to wind wildly while you are cleaning it.  Possible breaking issue.

-a-