Transporting Mooney by Truck Looking for Experiences/Costs

[TonyPynes]

I am in the unfortunate situation where I need to move my M20F from where it was torn down to assess a gear up (dont ask - too painful right now) to where I want it worked on. Why? Needless to say where it sits cost to much to repair.

So moving on.

 

Anyone remove the tailcone and transport? Advice? Costs?

I have talked to John B offline about this but wondered if anyone else has done this. Especially if you hired someone to do so.

 

thanks

 

 

[jetdriven]

What do they want for a TDI inspection and repairs to the airplane?

[TonyPynes]

The adjuster said this plane took the award for least damaged from a gear up he has seen in his 30plus years.(no wing damage, etc)

With that said....put your coffee cup down you don't want to spill it....60k

[N601RX]

Is there any possible to replace the front gear and prop and then ferry it?  You are going to have to replace these anyway and they labor to remove and reinstall the tailcone is going to be expensive. Not to mention it is going to require paint touch up.

[TonyPynes]

N601RX

 

It will cost me a few thousand in labor - as in 3-5k to get the engine back in and prop and nose gear ready for ferry. I am not saying that is reasonable costs but it is what it is where it sits.

 

 

I am looking for others experience with what taking a tailcone off and trucking it 50 miles would cost? do you know?

[TonyPynes]

Well, actually JimR it is a matter of the shop. it happens to be at a shop that focuses on big corporate contracts. I have used them under different leadership and had a great experience...new managers and a nightmare for the SEL owner.  I figure this will be less than 45k at another shop...I have gone over parts costs and labor and the costs I am being quoted are way out of line.

 

With that said...I am looking for the cheapest way to get it to a safe haven shop to get the work done. Engine it out..prop trusses need replacement...prop is toast.

 

I spilled my coffee anyway.  Holy cow!  That means that pretty much every vintage Mooney that is ever geared up in the future is going to be totaled by the insurance company.  Very few of the vintage birds are worth more than that.  My '78 J isn't, for that matter.  Of course, some are probably overinsured and might not be totaled out.

 

Jim 

[jetdriven]

The adjuster said this plane took the award for least damaged from a gear up he has seen in his 30plus years.(no wing damage, etc)

With that said....put your coffee cup down you don't want to spill it....60k

Engine TDI inspection, 8K max.

New prop, 6K.

R&R engine labor, parts, 4K

 

so what's the other 40 grand for?

[TonyPynes]

I just checked on many of these prices:

TDI - about 8500 Triad(direct) and PennYan(from a MSC) -(current repair shop who uses Triad charges me 12300 for Triads subwork - yes that is a mark up.)

new prop 8800-Hartzel

R&R engine and prop about 4500

both trusses retracting and nose: about 1500

Fixed Step new: 800

repair skin and step area needed

nose gear doors

 

Labor to do the work above: apparently priceless .....around 200 hours(excl engine and prop labor)

 

and yes it is depressing......need to move the ship and get someone else to fix it

[TonyPynes]

I think the 40 grand was a Stupid Fee.They saw me coming I guess.

Engine TDI inspection, 8K max.

New prop, 6K.

R&R engine labor, parts, 4K

so what's the other 40 grand for?

[jetdriven]

I just checked on many of these prices:

TDI - about 8500 Triad(direct) and PennYan(from a MSC) -(current repair shop who uses Triad charges me 12300 for Triads subwork - yes that is a mark up.)

new prop 8800-Hartzel

R&R engine and prop about 4500

both trusses retracting and nose: about 1500

Fixed Step new: 800

repair skin and step area needed

nose gear doors

 

Labor to do the work above: apparently priceless .....around 200 hours(excl engine and prop labor)

 

and yes it is depressing......need to move the ship and get someone else to fix it

So, adding up all that work above is still 35K short of the 60K quote.   WTF?

[TonyPynes]

now you know why 1) I dont want to invest anymore in this shop and 2) I am asking about cost to take off the tailcone and trailer it out.

[N601RX]

Check with Atlanta air exchange.  They have a special trailer that will tilt sideways at about a 45 deg angle. I've saw them move a wide plane with it that would have otherwise been unmovable on the road  With the engine and tailfeathers removed, and the tail sticking up at a 45 deg angle the tailcone might not have to be removed.  I think they have some pictures on their website.  I saw them bring a plane in on it a few years ago while I was there getting some parts.

[jetdriven]

Id find a new shop and ask them to remove the tailcone and load it up. I'd guess its 20 hours to break it down.   So, 1500$ to break it down, and the rest to load, unload, and the trailer and truck. Maybe 3 grand

[Jerry 5TJ]

I believe Lasar has a trailer and will come fetch disabled Mooney aircraft.  They're at Lakeport  (1o2) in northern CA so if your "F" is anywhere in the far west that might be an option for you. 

[KSMooniac]

I just sent you a PM with a recommend retrieval/transport company.

[OR75]

probably  best and cheaper to bring a mechanic to remove the cone and haul the airplane somewhere. Probably worth a call to several MSCs and other reasonable shops in your area. I am sure many have had the case where they had to bring in a non ferry-able aircraft. 

 

The $60k price tag is a reflection of how much that shop does not want your business. It is not personal and not different from some FBOs charging about +$3 for Avgas vs. average. 

In the case of big busy Class be type of airport, I fully understand.  But for most, with plenty of empty ramp and a quiet tower, I don't. 

 

The aviation community is its own enemy, driven by short term gains, and is cornering itself for a not so bright future.

 

I still enjoy flying and will do it for as long as I can. 

 

My apologies ... I digressed.

[aaronk25]

Id find a new shop and ask them to remove the tailcone and load it up. I'd guess its 20 hours to break it down. So, 1500$ to break it down, and the rest to load, unload, and the trailer and truck. Maybe 3 grand

Willmar charges me 3,500 to drive to Chicago disassemble my bird and truck to Willmar mn...3 people had it appear in 3.5 hours.

[TonyPynes]

aaronk25 gets the golden ticket!

thanks for the input.

[Seth]

Austin-

 

I am so sorry to hear about this mess getting worse and worse.  Hang in there, take your time getting her fixed, and I'm looking forward to the thread where you talk about having her in the air again.

 

You may want to contact a local MSC and rent a hanger on site for the duration of the repair to get it ferriable, and then fly it to that MSC for final repairs - that way the tailcone won't come off, you'll have an MSC or similar type mechanic working the job, and it may come out to a good price.  Believe me, a good A&P equal to good MSC status (as opposed to bad MSCs) will want your business.

 

-Seth

[M20F-1968]

I would not remove the tail cone.  This is the weakest part of the airframe. 

Take off the engine, engine mount and empennage and sit it on a flatbed trailer with the wings aligned with the length of the trailer. 

It will sit on its main geer.  Fold the nose gear so the tailcone is up in the air at an angle.  You can go 50 miles on a highway like that.

Paul Loewen said he drive one through downtown LA that way.

 

John Breda

[JaredDavis]

Did you see the pictures at the bottom of this page? They show a Mooney on a flatbed. http://www.airmodsflightcenter.com/modifications-and-repair/main

[TonyPynes]

Reasonable estimates are coming in ...might just save the plane.

[Bennett]

Austin,  If you are near the West Coast, I would call LASAR, ask for Paul or Mike.  I recently saw them prepare an Ovation for overseas shipping, and they were going to get it into a 40' standard height shipping container.  Beautiful steel cradles.  I know that Paul has recovered many Mooneys from all over the country, and if anyone can put your aircraft back together better than when you had your mishap, they can.  Repairs after a wheels up, or wheel collapse, are normal work for them, and their "boneyard" is full of spare parts, should they be needed. Certainly worth a phone call.  They probably are not the least expensive MSC, but their workmanship more than makes up for price differentials, at least in my opinion. I've been taking my Mooneys to them for over thirty years, and I continue to use them for annuals, oil changes, and general maintenance. I've used other MSCs over the years - the Mod Works and Mod Squad are long gone (for extensive mods, and conversions), and a couple of others just because I was there when something needed to be done, but I trust LASAR more than any other shop I have worked with. Very knowledgeable folk, and the whole staff has been there for years - three hangars full of Mooneys and for parts fabrication. 

[TonyPynes]

I have been talking to LASAR all along...they have given me East coast contacts to help...thanks. I agree. Great people.

[carusoam]

$60k was the historical price for Missle conversion....

Nice if insurance will cover that!

Best regards,

-a-