Can a plane be flown without a spinner? | FerrariChat
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Can a plane be flown without a spinner?

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by expresscat39, Mar 27, 2006.

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  1. expresscat39

    expresscat39 Karting

    Nov 6, 2005
    115
    Bonita Beach,FL
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    #1 expresscat39, Mar 27, 2006
    My 2003 Mooney's spinner has a cracked bulkhead plate. I removed the spinner and the bulkhead plate is completely seperated in two. Replacing this is a big job and requires removal of the propeller. Getting the parts from Mooney is even a bigger task and may take weeks.

    My question is, besides aerodynamics, there is no issue flying without a spinner, but what about the bulkhead plate?
     
  2. MarkPDX

    MarkPDX F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Apr 21, 2003
    15,111
    Gulf Coast
    #2 MarkPDX, Mar 27, 2006
    Please excuse my ignorance on the subject but a flight instructor once told me that the spinner helped airflow into the engine for cooling. Is that correct?
     
  3. expresscat39

    expresscat39 Karting

    Nov 6, 2005
    115
    Bonita Beach,FL
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    #3 expresscat39, Mar 27, 2006
    That may be logical because it would produce a cleaner air stream to and through the prop. However, it would not prevent the plane from being flown.
     
  4. SWITCHESOFF

    SWITCHESOFF Formula Junior

    Nov 9, 2005
    582
    #4 SWITCHESOFF, Mar 27, 2006
    Gumpss, I have to agree with Mark PDX on improved airflow to the engine intakes with a spinner. Sometimes the intakes are designed to operate with the in place, ie. smaller area of the openings to account for the increase in air flow or the better directed airflow off the spinner. BUT, the propeller will still produce plenty of flow into the intake openings. If I was young and a bit experimental I would try a flight to see if there was a rise in cylinderhead temp. But that would be up to you at this point. The best thing to do, I think, would be to chat with a Mooney rep guy......if there are any around still. I keep thinking of accelerated flow with the spinner to feed the rear cylinders properly but I'm not the best source of advice now since I have been out of active flying for a while. I DO love the Mooney, though.
    Switches
     
  5. expresscat39

    expresscat39 Karting

    Nov 6, 2005
    115
    Bonita Beach,FL
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    #5 expresscat39, Mar 28, 2006
    The general opinion of several experts is that the plan could be flown without the spinner but the CHT would have to be watched carefully. Switches, you were right on the money. The problem is that the bulkhead assembly plate may disintegrate and result in extreme damage.

    So "no" flying in it's current state.

    Now the delimma is to find the assembly. My mechanic has called Mooney and from our last conversation has not had a returned call. It is a McCauley prop so I am leaning toward the assembly be available through McCauley. I e-mailed their through their web site this evening and hoping for some direction tomorrow.

    Any comments/advice would be appreciated.
     
  6. expresscat39

    expresscat39 Karting

    Nov 6, 2005
    115
    Bonita Beach,FL
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    #6 expresscat39, Mar 30, 2006
    Mccauley ended up have the bulkhead and spinner combo. However, when Mooney got their little hands on it they added some holes and the alcohol heads (tubes) for the TKS. This is something my mechanics had do themselves. It should be back together and flyable by Monday.
     

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