Fuselage Mods

Aero Resources, Inc. is marketing fuselage modifications from three manufacturers: Knots2U, Ltd., Lake Aero Styling and Repair (LASAR), and Southwest Texas Aviation (SWTA), Inc. Knots2U produces fuselage mods for Beech and Piper aircraft. LASAR and SWTA produces fuselage mods for Mooney aircraft.

The only fuselage modification that Knots2U has for Beech is a Luggage Door Strut Kit. The Knots2U utility door strut holds the door open even in windy conditions. It will let the door open slowly and prevent wind gusts from catching it and dinging the wing. It also holds the door open while loading. To close simply push the door shut. There is no holder or latch to worry about. It also tucks up out of the way when the door is closed. It attaches easily and is fully FAA/PMA'd and STC'd for the Beech 33/35/55/56 Models that have the extended utility doors. The kit includes the strut, brackets, STC, and installation instructions. It installs in about 2 hours.

The fuselage modifications produced by LASAR include a Mooney 201 1/4" Windshield Aluminum Retrofit Kit, a One-Piece Windshield for Pre-1967 Mooneys, a Smooth Belly Long Body Kit, and a Smooth Belly Short Body Kit. The Mooney 201 windshield retrofit kit installs a 201 style windshield to the older models. It improves visibility, increases speed and reduces cabin noise. The kit comes complete with 1/4" green tint windshield (other tints and thicknesses are available), cowl deck, retainer, glareshield, two small side doors, upper windshield molding, and installation kit. LASAR estimates a speed increase of 3 mph. It is approved for the M20C through M20G Mooneys. It installs in about 50 hours. The One-Piece Windshield Kit replaces the existing two-piece windshield of Pre-1967 Mooneys with a 1/4" thick single piece green tinted windshield. It improves strength and sound proofing effects. It installs in about 15 hours.

The LASAR Smooth Belly Kits are designed as a replacement of the multi-semented belly skins with a smooth aerodynamically contoured one-piece fairing. It eliminates the needless hours of removing screws and can conceal various antennas. The long body version is approved for the M20F, G, J and K Models. The short body version is approved for the M20C and M20E Models. The long body version installs in about 70 hours and LASAR estimates a speed increase of 6 mph. The short body version installs in about 35 hours and LASAR estimates a speed increase of 3 mph.

The fuselage modifications produced by SWTA include a Mooney 201-Style One-Piece Windshield, a New Style Smooth Belly, and Fresh Air Vent. The SWTA 201-Style One-Piece Windshield Kit (green or grey tint) includes two side doors, interior and exterior trim strips, and glare shield pad. It is approved for the M20A through M20G Models. It provides 40% more visibility, improves speed and appearance, and reduces cabin noise. It installs in about 30 hours. The New Style Smooth Belly includes air flow fins which afford a speed increase and protection of the aircraft underside in the event of a wheels-up landing. It installs in about 35 hours. It is approved for the M20A through M2K Models. The Mooney Fresh Air Vent is installed on the right side of the cabin. It is approved for the M20C through M20G Models. It installs in about 2 hours.

The Piper fuselage modifications produced by Knots2U are all designed for the Piper PA-24/30/39 single engine and twin Comanches. The Piper Comanche mods include the following: a 1/4" Windshield Retrofit Kit, a Windshield Cowler Kit, an Arapaho Dorsal Fin Kit, a hidden antenna for the Dorsal Fin Kit, and a Luggage Door Strut Kit.

The Arapaho windshield was derived from the last Comanche built but never sold - the Arapaho. It removes a section of the roof and replaces it with 1/4 inch glass making a cleaner profile and adding improved visibility over the original. Cruise speed increase is 1-3 mph with the singles showing slightly more improvement than the twins. Its modern appearance has made it an all time favorite of Comanche owners. The Arapaho windshield comes with everything necessary to install including visors, hardware, step-by-step instructions and STC. It installs in about 26 hours.

The Knots2U windshield "Cowler" wraps around the bottom of the windshield blending it cleanly into the airframe. It covers the existing retainer and its exposed hardware for a slight speed increase and stunning aestetics. It fits the stock Piper two piece, the STC'd one piece, or the Arapaho one piece windshield. It is made of hand laid fjiberglass with a glossy gel-coat finish. The Cowler comes complete with everything necessary to install including hardware, step-by-step instructions and STC. It installs in about 4 hours.

The Arapaho Dorsal Fin Kit was derived from the last Comanche ever built, the Arapaho PA-40. It was designed by Piper for two reasons: to add more directional stability in cruise and to lower Vmc. Knots2U has used the Piper design and added a hidden antenna feature that allows the COM antennas and the ELT antenna to be located under the fin for further drag reduction. For cabin air, the newly designed more efficient NACA duct pushes air into a plenum built right into the fin. The plenum then uses the aircraft's existing vent system to distribute the air through the cabin. This new system provides up to 20% more air than the original. The Dorsal Fin Kit installs in about 10 hours and adds 2-3 mph to cruise speed. The hidden antenna kit for the Dorsal Fin installs in about 8 hours.

The Luggage Door Strut Kit for the six window Comanche aircraft is a new fix for an old problem. It eliminates the old slide track and in minutes replaces it with a pneumatic strut. The door will never fall on you again! The kit comes complete with everything necessary to install including all hardware, step-by-step instructions and STC. It installs in about one hour.