Gross Weight Increase STC for J's

[Jeff_S]

I seem to recall seeing someone discussing a gross weight increase STC for certain models of the J series.  I've scoured the STC listings at the FAA and I can't seem to find this mentioned anywhere. The only one I saw was part of the STC Rocket conversion.

Can someone point me to the appropriate STC to get a J up to the 2900 gross weight?

Thanks!

[Magnum]

It is for SN 24-3201, 24-3218 thru 24-3256 excluding 24-3239 & 24-3251.

Do we have a uploadsection on the forum where we can upload such things?

[KSMooniac]

It is not an STC per se, but simply some paperwork and ASI changes *if* your plane falls in the correct serial number range.  If you read thru the M20J portion of the TC on the FAA website, you'll see a distinct break in the serial numbers...going from memory I think it is something like 24-16xx+ that are eligible for the increase, which begins in the '88 or '89 model year time frame.  Parker Woodruff was able to get this done on his 1990 model.

Also FYI, doing the increase will result in useful loads very similar to those of the early J's like mine.  It makes up for most of the weight-gain over the production run as more features and avionics were added.

[KSMooniac]

I went ahead and dug up the link and here is the pertinent info:

S/N 24-0001 thru 24-3200, 24-3202 thru 24-3217  --  2740 lbs. gross weight.
  C.G. Range   (+45.0) to (+50.1) at 2740 lbs.
  (Landing gear extended)  (+41.8) to (+50.1) at 2470 lbs.
    (+41.0) to (+50.1) at 2250 lbs. or less
    (Straight line variation between points given).
    Retraction moment 615 in. -lbs.
  S/N 24-3201, 24-3218 thru 24-TBA, and 24-1686 thru 24-3200, 24-3202 thru 24-3217 when c/w MAC dwg. No. 940071 
  and insertion of applicable AFM supplement  -  2900 lbs. gross weight.

Bottom line, the latest models (S/N24-3201, 3218+) came from Kerrville with 2900 lb GW, and the others -1686 thru -3200, -3202 thru -3217 can be modified in accordance with the Mooney drawing No. 940071 and have the AFM updated to get the 2900 lb. GW.

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/60107bc8954c93a686256c24005b5075/$FILE/2A3.pdf

[Magnum]

You are right with the serial numbers - I accidently took them from SB M20-252. This SB has to be done when the gross weight increase was performed.

[sellis]

Go to www.mooney.com and under the Service/Support tab a menu will drop down. Click on retrofit kits and the kits and applicable s/n's are listed. Mooney Special Letter 92-1 addresses the weight increase.

[Jeff_S]

Awesome...thanks everyone. This is exactly what I was looking for. I see the info in the Type Certificate and I saw the listing for the SL-92 on the Mooney site, except that has no link to anything. So is that MAC drawing available for viewing online, or is this something I have to purchase from Mooney and work with an A/P to install?

[RJBrown]

My 1990 MSE has had the weight increase done. I have the paperwork in my logs. I can send copies of the paperwork.

The paperwork states:

Compliance with this document allows operation of the included M20J S/N 24-1686 through 24-3217 at 2900 lbs. gross wt.

Instructions

1. Remove airspeed indicator

2. Install new airspeed indicator.

3. Conduct static/airspeed system leak check per F.A.R. 91.171.

4. Verification of rudder balance is required. Refer to Mooney Aircraft Corp. S.B. M20-252 for rudder balance weight inspection.

5. Insert new pages in applicable pilots operating handbook.

Pretty simple and as stated not an STC but a retofit by Mooney themselves.

[Parker_Woodruff]

Yup...just make sure the people who re-mark your airspeed indicator actually care or else your plane could be sitting in the shop for 3 weeks.

Whole thing cost me less than $700 or $800 in parts, labor, log entires, POH info and guys like Jimmy Garrison claim it's $3000 in value to the airframe...

[Parker_Woodruff]

For what it's worth, I flew at 2850 lbs today with myself and 2 CFI friends who were evaluating me for my pending CFI ride Friday.  Temp 10 dC, altimeter 30.04.  Was getting 900 feet/minute wide open throttle, 2700 RPM passing through 1500' MSL.

2900 lbs can be a dog at 100dF in the summer.  It's useful when you need it though.  At a 5000'-7000' density altitude I was lucky to keep 500-600'/minute fully loaded.

[jmills]

Couple of questions. I have my local mechanic looking into this for me. But he can't seem to find an Mooney print out with regard to what exactly is the change on the airspeed indicator for remasking. Also, as for the page insert into the POH, is that data also contained somewhere on a Mooney bulletin?

Thanks!

[RJBrown]

The 2900# weight increase was done to my MSE before I bought it. The letter from Mooney on the subject is photographed below.

I believe you buy the proper "kit" from Mooney based on serial #.

The kit includes a New airspeed indicator.

Pic #1 front of letter

#2 back of letter

#3 SB M20-252

[Parker_Woodruff]

It's just paperwork you put in the POH.  Your markings will correspond.

Talk to Mooney or Don Maxwell.  He did mine.

[RJBrown]

More pictures.

These pictures had trouble loading so I shot them smaller and they loaded.

#1 Page from service manual

These 6 photos should help answer your questions

[Jeff_S]

If you send an email to Stacy Ellis at Mooney, he'll send you the appropriate information on the kit that needs to be ordered. You do need to purchase the kit from Mooney, which contains all the necessary documentation and instructions. At least, that's how I understand it.

Stacey's email: sellis@mooney.com

[FlyDave]

Does anyone know what the differences in airframe & powerplant are that dictate which serial numbers are eligible?

[jmills]

Quote: FlyDave

Does anyone know what the differences in airframe & powerplant are that dictate which serial numbers are eligible?

[RJBrown]

The eligible airframes are:

Serial# 24-1686 through 24-3200 and 24-3202 through 24-3217

[Awqward]

Does anyone know if it's possible to comply with SL92-1 by having new markings put on your ASI (along with the AFM inserts and rudder balance check) or does it need to be replaced?

 

AQ

[KSMooniac]

Yes, you can remove your ASI and have it remarked appropriately and re-certified, and then reinstall it.  

[marks]

I happen to own 24-1686.  She was the cover girl on the Jan. 1990 issue AOPA Magazine.  N900AT was built in 1989.  So the short answer is that if you own a 1988 or older J you do not qualify for the gross weight increase.

[Awqward]

Well 24-3035 was built in 1987 and according to SL92-1 (which covers SNs 3000 to 3056 it qualifies

[Awqward]

But you're right in that 24-1686 is the very first SN to be eligible in that series....my 205 is in the 3000 series of M20J....which started in 1987

[marks]

OK - Not really doubting you, but if 24-3000 through 24-3056 were actually built before 24-1686 can you tell me what they had in common?  Were those planes all 205's?  I'm also wondering about the planes built in 1988.  Were any of them outside the 3000 series or with other SN's higher than 1686 that was built after them?

[Awqward]

There is a good link here: www.mooneyevents.com/chrono.htm

According to that list 24-1686 was the only M20J 201AT built in 1989...

24-3000 to 24-3078 were 205s...the differences to the 201 are 24v, rounded windows and a few cowling and belly improvements from the 252 that presumably gave it 4mph extra!...they stopped calling it the 205 in 1988 and reverted to calling it the 201 from 1989 (SNs 24-3079 to 24-3245...after that they called it the MSE (from 1992)... The 1987 205 had a GW of 2740lb but 2900 was standard from 1988....remembering that these are "model years" which may or may not coincide exactly with calendar years of manufacture

And to answer your question, yes it seems they concurrently built 1000 series and 3000 series M20Js for a couple of years...24-1706 was the last of the 1000s in 1990