AlanA Posted September 16, 2012 Report Posted September 16, 2012 My 1979 M20J has a step. I am thinking of removing it. I don't need it because I fly by myself 95% of the time. I'd rather have more speed. Has anyone removed their step? How do you do it? Did it increase your speed at all and if so how much? Quote
Steve Dawson Posted September 16, 2012 Report Posted September 16, 2012 I removed mine before I had taken any TAS readings . I'd suggest you take some before you remove it and see afterwards if it makes any difference. Quote
Cris Posted September 16, 2012 Report Posted September 16, 2012 Years ago I removed the step from my 78 M20J for a transatlantic flight. I do not recall if there was any speed differance but I would assume that there is. The step on the J is more aerodynamic than on the earlier models so the pickup might be minimal. If memory serves me right it was cut off and an insert welded inside the pipe so that it could be reattached with a bolt on my return. In my Eagle it is already attached with a bolt inside of the fiberglas belly panal. I'd check inside the fairing to see how yours is attached. I would assume it would be easy to remove with either a hacksaw or a wrench. Quote
aaronk25 Posted September 16, 2012 Report Posted September 16, 2012 I removed the step on my m20j and haven't been able to note any appreciable difference in speed, but I'm guessing it's worth 1/2 a knot maybe 1 knot but no more. Quote
Piloto Posted September 16, 2012 Report Posted September 16, 2012 There is no speed benefit by removing it but there is a lot benefits by having it. The step facilitates getting on board for those unfamiliar or short of stature (kids). It helps on preventing any accidents after that greased landing you made. It keeps you from being sued by someone that fell and broke a hip. In court you may be found liable for removing a safety device. If you do not mind passengers stepping on the flaps when boarding go ahead and remove it. And if someone heavy step on the flaps be ready to readjust it to fix the left roll tendency. You may be very careful on dealing with passenger but when you leave your plane at a tie down there is that curios guy that step on the wing to look inside. José 2 Quote
aaronk25 Posted September 16, 2012 Report Posted September 16, 2012 Well like anything there s middle ground somewhere and I havent had any issues with anyone stepping on the flaps as I instruct them how to board and deboard just as I instruct them nt to slam the door ECT..... I've removed the strobe underneath and only have min antennas, had all the control surfaces rigged and can cruse at peak egr a 8000 2600 rpm full throttle at 157-158kts so I think with all the clean up its probably added a couple knots but a coupe knots doesn't make much of a difference except to the ego maybe Quote
KSMooniac Posted September 17, 2012 Report Posted September 17, 2012 There isn't much of a measurable difference, I'm afraid. If you want to remove it, you can cut it off with a die grinder or dremel tool. LASAR modified mine so that I could plug it back into the hole when I choose, which has been never so far. Quote
fantom Posted September 19, 2012 Report Posted September 19, 2012 I see no logical reason to remove the step, and it sure makes it easier to get on and off the wing. If one is unluckly enough to have a gear up, that step absorbs a lot of the punishment, minimizing some damage. Plus having a step increases the ability to fly LOP Quote
jetdriven Posted September 19, 2012 Report Posted September 19, 2012 gary, I think the belly damage saved is offset by bulkhead damage of a 2900 lb plane sitting on the step. That's another type of "getting her on the step" but is not worth an extra 15 miles-an-hour in speed. 1 Quote
fantom Posted September 19, 2012 Report Posted September 19, 2012 gary, I think the belly damage saved is offset by bulkhead damage of a 2900 lb plane sitting on the step. That's another type of "getting her on the step" but is not worth an extra 15 miles-an-hour in speed. May no one here ever find out, one way or the other....just leave my step alone. Quote
Hank Posted September 19, 2012 Report Posted September 19, 2012 . . . . Plus having a step increases the ability to fly LOP How can you fly "on the step" if you cut it off??? 1 Quote
fantom Posted September 19, 2012 Report Posted September 19, 2012 If I ever cut the step off, my wife might cut me off Quote
AlanA Posted September 21, 2012 Author Report Posted September 21, 2012 Scott, I liked your idea about cutting off the step but modifying the step with a hole to put it back on when/if you need to. You're are going to preflight the plane anyway usually before you passengers ever climb aboard. It would be easy to do then. The other 95% of the time I will leave it off and enjoy a mile or two an hour difference. Hey every little bit of speed helps right? Quote
Jsavage3 Posted September 27, 2012 Report Posted September 27, 2012 If you were ever to concern yourself with 'passenger liability' that you assume command of...I'd suggest leave the step in place. Have you ever 'missed the step' when climbing down? I just don't want to give the attorneys any more fuel than they already have... Quote
Piloto Posted August 29, 2018 Report Posted August 29, 2018 On 9/16/2012 at 12:42 AM, AlanA said: My 1979 M20J has a step. I am thinking of removing it. I don't need it because I fly by myself 95% of the time. I'd rather have more speed. Has anyone removed their step? How do you do it? Did it increase your speed at all and if so how much? Wait until you get sciatica, arthritis or a stroke and you will beg for that step. José Quote
Jeev Posted August 30, 2018 Report Posted August 30, 2018 On 9/16/2012 at 2:09 PM, Piloto said: There is no speed benefit by removing it but there is a lot benefits by having it. The step facilitates getting on board for those unfamiliar or short of stature (kids). It helps on preventing any accidents after that greased landing you made. It keeps you from being sued by someone that fell and broke a hip. In court you may be found liable for removing a safety device. If you do not mind passengers stepping on the flaps when boarding go ahead and remove it. And if someone heavy step on the flaps be ready to readjust it to fix the left roll tendency. You may be very careful on dealing with passenger but when you leave your plane at a tie down there is that curios guy that step on the wing to look inside. José Agreed, keep it. Mine was removed by a previous owner and my father fell getting out of the Mooney and doesn't want to fly in it any more. I have considered adding a step but since its usually just my wife and I on the Mooney its not a big deal. Quote
ArtVandelay Posted August 30, 2018 Report Posted August 30, 2018 Wait until you get sciatica, arthritis or a stroke and you will beg for that step. The step only solves half the problem, with above getting in/out of the cabin would be a challenge. Quote
1964-M20E Posted August 30, 2018 Report Posted August 30, 2018 On 9/16/2012 at 4:09 PM, Piloto said: There is no speed benefit by removing it but there is a lot benefits by having it. The step facilitates getting on board for those unfamiliar or short of stature (kids). It helps on preventing any accidents after that greased landing you made. It keeps you from being sued by someone that fell and broke a hip. In court you may be found liable for removing a safety device. If you do not mind passengers stepping on the flaps when boarding go ahead and remove it. And if someone heavy step on the flaps be ready to readjust it to fix the left roll tendency. You may be very careful on dealing with passenger but when you leave your plane at a tie down there is that curios guy that step on the wing to look inside. José Leave the step or convert to the retractable step the the older models have. However, I don't think conversion is possible. As for lookie loos I have been quite curious of the interior of many planes but I guess being an owner and pilot I will not step on a plane and generally not even touch the windows to get a better view unless invited. I used to go to many cars shows in the past same rules apply. 1 Quote
ArtVandelay Posted August 30, 2018 Report Posted August 30, 2018 BTW, I always leave flaps down , usually in takeoff position, this prevents people from accidentally stepping on it, or clipping it with their shoe. Quote
Oldguy Posted August 30, 2018 Report Posted August 30, 2018 1 hour ago, 1964-M20E said: As for lookie loos I have been quite curious of the interior of many planes but I guess being an owner and pilot I will not step on a plane and generally not even touch the windows to get a better view unless invited. I used to go to many cars shows in the past same rules apply. When I had my Healey 100/4, it was a constant battle to keep people from bracing themselves on the trunk/rear surround so they could look inside from behind it.Being as it was aluminum, it would dent and bend just by the slightest pressure. like you, I would prefer to look with my eyes unless specifically invited to do otherwise by the owner. 34 minutes ago, teejayevans said: BTW, I always leave flaps down , usually in takeoff position, this prevents people from accidentally stepping on it, or clipping it with their shoe. Learned this from my transition training instructor. Seems to work fairly well. Quote
EricJ Posted August 30, 2018 Report Posted August 30, 2018 A hangar neighbor has a 1977 M20J that's about twenty or so serial numbers ahead of mine and didn't have a step from the factory. So apparently they put them on again after deciding that deleting them wasn't so great after all. Quote
McMooney Posted September 6, 2018 Report Posted September 6, 2018 removed my step after the weld broke from some fatty stepping on it <---- haven't bothered to put it back. Strangely enough, it was only held in by 1 bolt. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.