Mooney parts availability

[IndyTim]

I've been considering buying a Mooney for some months, but wonder about parts and service availability in the future.

 

I haven't owned one so I'm not tuned into the history, trends and dynamics of the Mooney parts/service ecosystem.  I'd appreciated perspective from current owners - what are your thoughts on ownership and parts availability 5 years down the road?

 

If it matters I'm looking at post '86 birds.

 

 

[1964-M20E]

Some parts are and will be harder to find than others.

Engine, propeller, wheels no problems getting parts.

Airframe could be challenging depending on what you may need in the future

Control rod ends that thread in are easy to get and replace  the ones that are welded in or have pins are a little more difficult

Landing gear most wear parts (bushings, links) are readily available

 

Essentially anything that is not Mooney produced is easy to get.  There are some salvage parts available as well.

 

You always have an ace up your sleeve if you cannot find a part to go “owner supplied part”  Do a search on this to educate yourself on this option however, it is not necessary for most things you will do on the plane.

[Becca]

When we bought our airplane (ironically just before factory shut down!), one of the trades we were making in terms of long term ownership cost was more reasonably priced parts than a Beech.  I think right now the whole thing is a wash.  The factory certainly has some parts, though some are long lead time (which could result in a long grounding) and some just don't exist (elevators).  As for something like rudder pedal extensions, you'd have to have your own made.   Salvage fills part of this gap.  You should ask yourself what kind of person you are -- will you spend time to scour the intertubes looking for parts, if so, you'll probably be fine.  If you are the kind that wants to hire a mechanic who calls an 800-number and asks for Part X, you could find things hard going.

 

  And I think over time, there will be enough demand for some parts that there will be a bustling after market, there are certainly enough Mooneys flying to support that kind of business, its just too soon.  I hate to speculate on the status of the factory, I think they'd like to start producing airframes again, I think that's a losing proposition, but they could term themselves into quite a profitable parts business, but that doesn't discount the possibility of them raising prices to keep that business model going.  Frankly, I'd consider lack/expense of airframe parts a disadvantage to buying a Mooney at least for the near term, but not a deal killing disadvantage.  In our two years of ownership, the only serious issue we've had is replacing hail damaged elevators, but we were able to find two (we've talked to other mooney's with hail damage who just flipped their elevators over, etc.). 

 

(Obviously, no problem on engine parts, Lycoming isn't an issue )...

[jetdriven]

There seem to be far more salvaged Beech's for parts. Mooneys are not as common, and get stripped as soon as they arrive. Must be all those doctors crashing Bonanzas regularly or something

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

I recently had a bad experience with trying to find an Airflow Systems Intercooler for my M20K 231. The company doesn't make them anymore (lack of demand) and I was trying to locate a used one which the company said they could rebuild for me.  No luck with finding that part anywhere. So if anyone knows of one somewhere I would love to purchase it

[DaV8or]

According to Dan at LASAR, MAC is now producing anything you want and has lots of stuff in stock. The parts shortage is over for now and they now have a small full time crew making parts. Parts availability is not a concern for Mooney ownership.

[jetdriven]

So how long is the lead time for m20j elevators?

[Becca]

We are calling this week to order ailerons, I am expecting minimum 6 weeks. Every time we've checked MAC won't sell you elevators for any price, period

[KSMooniac]

I should've put a higher price on them then!  

 

Good luck with the ailerons... I might need to do that myself at some point.

[DaV8or]

We are calling this week to order ailerons, I am expecting minimum 6 weeks. Every time we've checked MAC won't sell you elevators for any price, period

 

I was told they would do them. How long it takes, who knows. Keep in mind that LASAR can reskin your existing ones as long as the frame work underneath is good.

[IndyTim]

I appreciate the feedback. The possible downtime waiting for airframe parts is an issue, for an airplane that's used for business.

Is there better availability for some models vs others?

M20J

M20K 252

Ovation

TLS/Bravo.

[Becca]

I was told they would do them. How long it takes, who knows. Keep in mind that LASAR can reskin your existing ones as long as the frame work underneath is good.

 

We have talked about the re-skin option, based on everything we've seen, its not a subsitute for replacement in terms of quality.  Apparently Tejas is now re-skinning elevators too, which I think is even more difficult than the ailerons. 

[OR75]

what kind of commute are you thinking about ?

I am a bit wary of relying on an aircraft for regular commute ( no matter what the brand is)

[KSMooniac]

We have talked about the re-skin option, based on everything we've seen, its not a subsitute for replacement in terms of quality.  Apparently Tejas is now re-skinning elevators too, which I think is even more difficult than the ailerons. 

 

Don Maxwell has a sheet metal guy in the DFW area that built jigs based on factory new ailerons so that they can be reskinned and end up straight.

[jetdriven]

Don Maxwell has a sheet metal guy in the DFW area that built jigs based on factory new ailerons so that they can be reskinned and end up straight.

The other thing is the cost. New ailerons are 3200$.  The shop in TN I called wants 2300$ and 6 weeks turnaround. You save 800-1000$, but don't have an airplane for 2 months (there goes your flat-tappet camshaft) and no guarantee of being straight.

[KSMooniac]

I bet Don's guy is much better on price and turn-time... worth a call at least.

[IndyTim]

what kind of commute are you thinking about ?

I am a bit wary of relying on an aircraft for regular commute ( no matter what the brand is)

For my situation, I commit to relatively long-term projects of 1-2 years' duration. Typical trip is 500nm one-way. I always have commercial air access, but since there is nearly always a connection involved it can be painful. My personal experience on airlines after 2.7 million airmiles is that it's getting worse with each passing year.

So I always have a fallback, and I generally have some flexibility as to trip timing, but I don't want a non-scheduled maintenance event that grounds me for more than 3-4 weeks, if I can avoid that.

I wonder if it would make sense to stockpile high-probability AF items, maybe as an owner's cooperative? It would be hard to predict the likelihood of needing a part for a particular bird, but any well-informed analyst should be able to do that for the fleet or for a reasonably sizeable set of planes.

If the jigs exist, is it conceivable to organize a "self-insurance" group buy?

Just thinking out loud here....

[tony]

If your serious and not just kicking the tires, then it sounds to me like you need to give parker a call.  He has a gorgeous aircraft and I don't think you'll find a much better aircraft for your mission. 

[IndyTim]

If your serious and not just kicking the tires, then it sounds to me like you need to give parker a call.  He has a gorgeous aircraft and I don't think you'll find a much better aircraft for your mission.

I sent you a pm.

[M016576]

The other thing is the cost. New ailerons are 3200$. The shop in TN I called wants 2300$ and 6 weeks turnaround. You save 800-1000$, but don't have an airplane for 2 months (there goes your flat-tappet camshaft) and no guarantee of being straight.

Obviously the aircraft is still airworthy; any reason other than asthetics to replace hail damaged ailerons? Can't imagine much of a drag issue...

[jetdriven]

Aesthetics and aircraft value. A new paint job is going to look horrible with hail dented ailerons. If you have hail damaged ailerons its an automatic 7-8K deduction in value when you go to sell it.

[OR75]

I wonder if it would make sense to stockpile high-probability AF items, maybe as an owner's cooperative? It would be hard to predict the likelihood of needing a part for a particular bird, but any well-informed analyst should be able to do that for the fleet or for a reasonably sizeable set of planes.

If the jigs exist, is it conceivable to organize a "self-insurance" group buy?

Just thinking out loud here....

i believe that's what MSC do or are supposed to do.

They are not doing too bad a job at it considering the overall environment

[stevenvon]

All - I'm in the middle of buying a plane and it's coin toss between a Bonanza vs. Mooney. I want the Mooney more than the Bo... but scared that I can't get parts and must have the plane available every week. I can't afford to have my plane waiting for weeks on end for some part that nobody can find!  Is this really an issue? 

[Hank]

Not in my experience. Parts supply is pretty good, and the factory is making new parts again. That doesn't mean they are low priced, but Mooney parts don't seem to carry the Beech markup.

[stevenvon]

thanks guys for your thoughts. Is there a main supplier with catalog, like I can get with other planes?  Who are they?