cliffy Posted February 4 Report Posted February 4 I am setting up a seminar dealing with Mooney maintenance designed to pass along information to airplane OWNERS who may not be A&Ps but who want to know more about what makes a Mooney tick and what maintenance is required for those who don't know. I've got it pretty well "in the can" but I want input from the brain trust here on what YOU would like to have covered if YOU were at the seminar. What would YOU like to see explained or covered in such a seminar? Not going to get into Garmin vs Aspen, etc Electronics is not on the list- just airframe and engine subjects or issues. Please add your ideas so I can check and see if I have already covered the subjects that YOU the audience want Thanks 2
00-Negative Posted February 4 Report Posted February 4 Lubrication. I've read the threads here and often refer back to them when going over my plane. More specifics on how to apply lubrication to areas such as universal joints and tubes where they pass through guide blocks. Should we remove previous lubricants? Where to look for signs and symptoms of wear? -David 12
ProtoFly Posted February 4 Report Posted February 4 As a relatively new owner, and one that is very involved in the maintenance (under A&P supervision), lubrication (see above post), typical weak points, and 'things that are important but might be overlooked during annual'. 1
PT20J Posted February 4 Report Posted February 4 How to use the IPC and S&MM. How to find part numbers for electrical components. List of important SBs and SIs that seem to get ignored. 3
47U Posted February 4 Report Posted February 4 45 minutes ago, cliffy said: Please add your ideas so I can check and see if I have already covered the subjects that YOU the audience want Hydraulic systems, brake and flaps bleeding best practices. Landing gear preloads. Theory of operation and bushings/hardware replacement. Nose gear steering. What’s normal ‘looseness’ and how to repair. Flight control rigging. What to look for when changing the oil and the cowling is off… chaffing, chaffing, and chaffing. When does my prop need to be overhauled… or is an IRAN sufficient? 3
Yetti Posted February 4 Report Posted February 4 best approach for the AD List, New Plane, Existing plane. Where to focus, FAA list of ADs or Commercial package FAA AD list vs. Mooney SB Is there a way to incorporate the FAA list of 337s CD into the AD list?
hammdo Posted February 4 Report Posted February 4 Manual Gear workings/lube, gear horn adjustments, compression testing (I know YouTube has some but…), even tire rnr would be good to review… -Don
Justin Schmidt Posted February 4 Report Posted February 4 Already mentioned but flight control rigging and touch on stall strip ensuring they are correct
varlajo Posted February 4 Report Posted February 4 4 hours ago, 00-Negative said: Lubrication. I've read the threads here and often refer back to them when going over my plane. More specifics on how to apply lubrication to areas such as universal joints and tubes where they pass through guide blocks. Should we remove previous lubricants? Where to look for signs and symptoms of wear? -David I love this one. A step by step, joint by joint, lube by lube guide for dummies would be awesome. Also, a contortionist's guide to a Mooney, a.k.a. the impossible tasks. Replacing the air duct without losing faith in humanity. Removing magnetos without full disassembly of the entire plane. Safety wiring the finger screen without leaving behind a square foot of skin. Review of special tools, perhaps even home-made, for those tasks. 1
cliffy Posted February 5 Author Report Posted February 5 3 hours ago, Paul Thomas said: Yes this is a follow on to see if I've missed anything :-) This will be more of a "how does it work" "what does it look like if its wrong" "what to look for " "what does the mechanic do to fix it" etc - rather than trying to teach how to be a mechanic and do it yourself - FOR THIS PARTICULAR SEMINAR. Make a more "informed" owner rather than trying to make an owner who has never lifted a wrench into an A&P 1
Scooter Posted February 5 Report Posted February 5 Has a time and place been determined yet? Like to plan ahead and attend. It definitely sounds like an interesting class with a lot of good item’s being covered. 1
cliffy Posted February 5 Author Report Posted February 5 Unfortunately in won't be in the USA Its being done overseas 1
cliffy Posted February 5 Author Report Posted February 5 12 hours ago, PT20J said: How to find part numbers for electrical components. Like in the back of the manual? :-) Using the manuals is in the presentation
Bartman Posted February 5 Report Posted February 5 11 hours ago, cliffy said: Yes this is a follow on to see if I've missed anything :-) This will be more of a "how does it work" "what does it look like if its wrong" "what to look for " "what does the mechanic do to fix it" etc - rather than trying to teach how to be a mechanic and do it yourself - FOR THIS PARTICULAR SEMINAR. Make a more "informed" owner rather than trying to make an owner who has never lifted a wrench into an A&P I like the concept and I like the responses. To answer the question “what does the mechanic need to do to fix it” the owner needs to understand how to research. I have learned a lot here on Mooneyspace, but an owner can do a lot of work just by researching the maintenance manual and the IPC, resourcing parts, and planning the maintenance for the person who does the work. Research it, plan it, print off the Service Bulliten, mark it in manual and IPC for the maintainer, the get the parts, and discuss the plan. Done respectfully, this creates a collaborative approach with the maintenance professional , and over time the owner becomes more knowledgeable and more involved. 1
PT20J Posted February 5 Report Posted February 5 2 hours ago, Bartman said: I have learned a lot here on Mooneyspace, but an owner can do a lot of work just by researching the maintenance manual and the IPC, resourcing parts, and planning the maintenance for the person who does the work. Research it, plan it, print off the Service Bulliten, mark it in manual and IPC for the maintainer, the get the parts, and discuss the plan. Done respectfully, this creates a collaborative approach with the maintenance professional , and over time the owner becomes more knowledgeable and more involved. EXACTLY. Good mechanics are really busy. When I need one to do some work that is beyond my skill level, or that I cannot legally perform, I do the research, gather the appropriate documentation and procure the materials. They always appreciate it.
MB65E Posted February 6 Report Posted February 6 Hi Cliff! As a Tech I’ve been stumped by the elevator trim system rigging. It’s vague in the manual. Additional rigging explanation could be helpful for other techs. Setting neutral or adjusting the bungees Inspect the trim tube at rear avionics racks Each time the aft door is open. I’ve had 2-3 customers this year that have needed new trim tubes. This is partially due to the way the new GFC500 autopilots are installed. The new sprocket and motors attach in a way that load the trim tube down and push it into the bulkhead damaging the tube. Fleet wide this will only get worse due to age and more Autopilot installs. Be careful installing interior side walls they are thin. Avionics ships like to use PK screws through doors and sidewalls. Take a look at your storm window. Lots of seals missing. I’ve seen the lips crack and depart etc. good source for carb air boxes? Many are worn out and complete garbage on the C models. Many Fuel injected owners have no clue on the additional fuel filters in the system. Inline after the fuel pump and then the finger screen at the servo. Also on the fuel servo, I’ve found 2 of them this year that still haven’t had the “g” stamped on the center plug. Come on that AD was 18y ago, really? Gear Motor/Actuator explanations and service. Don’t start the airplane or shutdown with the Door open. Changing a main door hing on a J model currently. I don’t know why gear rigging is so hard for people. Use the tools, RTFM, and use common sense. This airplane in the picture was flying for 5y like this. Yoke shaft inspections and cracked yokes on the vintage birds. I’ve found cracked yokes, but never a cracked shaft. Shoulder harness need to be installed on more airplanes. Owners want new Autopilots, avionics, and leather but haven’t pulled the trigger on life saving devices. Hope this helps. Have a great clinic! -Matt 3 1
Bob E Posted February 14 Report Posted February 14 Fuel selector maintenance. Door handle maintenance (to prevent getting trapped inside).
PT20J Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 On 2/5/2026 at 10:53 PM, MB65E said: Inspect the trim tube at rear avionics racks Each time the aft door is open. I’ve had 2-3 customers this year that have needed new trim tubes. This is partially due to the way the new GFC500 autopilots are installed. The new sprocket and motors attach in a way that load the trim tube down and push it into the bulkhead damaging the tube. Fleet wide this will only get worse due to age and more Autopilot installs. Not sure how this happens as there should be adequate clearance and a grommet in the hole, but I don’t doubt you. It might be a good idea to file a SDR. The other common problem with Mooney GFC 500 installs is missetting the trim. This happens when the torque tubes are rotated while disconnected to install the trim servo and then not returned to their original position before reconnecting. 1
Fritz1 Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 think in person class is a starting point, another part are instructional videos and online shop classes with Q&A ability with a worldwide audience. With the piston maintenance and support infrastructure degrading owners have a vested interest in acquiring expert knowledge and will be ready to pay for it
KSMooniac Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 Jerry Manthey used to put on a weekend maintenance seminar under MAPA but I never made one. I believe participants left with a binder full of notes. It might be worth looking at a copy if you can find one to see what used to be covered. There certainly are enough topics to fill a full week!
hammdo Posted February 18 Report Posted February 18 I have Jerry’s manual, I purchased it from him a few years back. Helpful for sure… -Don
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