Jim Peace Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 I was just in Catalina AVX last week and between landing and taxiing around at a very slow pace I thought the gear was going to unlatch and collapse. Has anyone just been there once and said never again in an old Mooney? Also my shocks are about 14 years old.. Would new ones make a little difference? All I kept thinking about is the gear failing and/or the fuel tanks coming apart...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrwilson Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Been there a few times and it is bumpy, but not as bad as you describe. I've got a 63 C and the last time on older shocks. Just got new shocks but haven't been back since then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolter Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Catalina is a short hop from my home airport, so I am there often in a J model. Bumpy, but not jarring or close to damaging anything. That is before and after new disks. Of course, you may have let your disks deteriorate more than I did :-) It used to be worse. It was repaved a few years ago. -dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Sounds like you have some unusual fears.... I am unaware of a situation where the gear would unlatch after they were confirmed to be latched.... Most often, worn parts made the pilot think it was latched when in fact it was not. Followed by a gear collapse... There was a report recently where the j-bar sprung apart... These statements are based on crusty old memories... It would be unusual for gear to collapse by taxiing on rough pavement. Fear of prop strike is what you should be experiencing! Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Peace Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Fear of prop strike is what you should be experiencing! Yeah I thought that as well....hence the slow slow slow taxi..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 I was in there in 2010 in my former 67 F Johnson Bar. Not smooth but not really an issue. -Seth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrwilson Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 If your Johnson bar is clanging around too much, lasar makes an improved down lock latch. Yours might be a bit worn inside allowing movement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffy Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 I guess being there in a Lear Jet years ago doesn't count :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB65E Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Cliff, It does, just as long as your still here to tell the story... I bet it did fine! I've had a M20M, B-55 and Huskey out there, fun place. Do they still do the DC3 flights out of longbeach for the island? -Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Peace Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 If your Johnson bar is clanging around too much, lasar makes an improved down lock latch. Yours might be a bit worn inside allowing movement. The bar is tight....the fillings in my mouth are just loose from the taxi ways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffy Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Lear, C140 C182 Navajo all made in and out:-) Don't know about the the DC-3 as I moved out of LA 20 yrs ago. BTW, a DC-3 was the first airplane I ever flew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevesm20b Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 I flew into Catalina a month ago. I didn't have any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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