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It's probably overkill, but I started using one of these with my arctic air cooler. It will run the unit for about 6 hours, which is a LOT longer than the ice will last!

Ready to fly smarter, safer, and together? Right Seat Ready! + Pilot Plus One are coming to Lakeland, FL and San Luis Obispo, CA! Pilot + Co-pilot education Redbird Flight Sim training Seminars you’ll enjoy together Limited spots — register today: https://jolielucas.com/pilot-plus-one.html We just wrapped up a Pilot Plus One event at AOPA Headquarters in Frederick Maryland. Of the 15 couples who attended, 5 were Mooney flyers. We had a blast with seminars, social events, and of course, time in the Redbird simulator. The event at the end of September [26-27] is at the ACE Center [ near Sun n Fun grounds]. This will be our last Pilot Plus One event of the year-- left seat and right seat education. Here are some fun photos from our time at AOPA, their facilities were awesome.

I was just curious what folks are doing these days regarding engine overhauls for IO-550s on Ovations. Air Power shows a price of $69K for a new engine and about $62K for an overhauled unit. Both on back order, of course. Has anyone used them recently, and if so, what was the experience like? Also curious what the overhaul shops are charging and how long that's taking these days. Last, how have costs been to actually get a new engine installed labor wise and for a firewall forward kit (hoses, mounts, etc)?

Unless Mooney is sold to someone with very deep pockets that isn't going to happen. It requires designing and testing and certifying a new landing gear.

I've been shopping for an E model, so I got some insurance quotes. I'd heard to stay away from Avemco, but on another forum others were swearing by them, so I thought I'd give them a shot. $3850/yr for a hull value of $125K. I have an ATP and over 3,000 hours Mooney time. I laughed at the guy. And then he tried to tell me how much better Avemco was than the others....

Mine is an 81 I think and has the upswept tips if that’s what you mean, factory equipped not added. Other than appearance, I’m nearly certain they have no effect, although I’ve heard some say they increase aileron effectiveness. I’ve done a lot of Certification flight testing, it’s not as cut and dried as we want to think, meaning there is some variance from one aircraft to another and frankly pilot technique, if I approach the stall slightly more aggressively, I’ll get a lower number, then those numbers are “corrected” to standard day, and the correction factors aren’t perfect, usually they are conservative, meaning you will get better numbers if your flight condition isn’t corrected. I bet for some reason the aircraft was reflown, a flight test report sent to the FAA and the POH corrected, maybe the cause was an increase in gross weight or something ?

Weren’t the winglets added at that time?

Refer to the attached 1996 M20J POH Stall Speed Chart for VS1 (Clean Stall) speeds at 2900 lbs, 2740 lbs, 2500 lbs, and 2300 lbs, respectively. Mooney M20J POH Stall Speed Chart.pdf

mhrivnak & 1980mooney, The Sport Pilot speed limitation is 59 KCAS, not 59 KIAS. In my experience as a Flight Engineer, the difference between KCAS and KIAS on the four jets I flew was two knots at sea-level standard day temperature and zero humidity. That said, 59 KCAS is equivalent to 61 KIAS. This is why, in my 1965 M20E, the bottom of the green arc (VS1) is 70 MPH (indicated) or 68 MPH (calibrated), which, when converted to Knots, corresponds to 61 KIAS and 59 KCAS, respectively. TangoTango, I agree with you, many people have been unable to obtain a license to fly legally due to medical conditions that are, frankly, benign and yet prevent them from legally operating an airplane. Now, they won't be criminals if they want to pursue their passion for flying. Also, I have had many friends who have suffered deep depression, and some have decided to leave us early because they could not fly due to medical conditions (very sad).

Hi Justin, You can send me a PM. I am based in Germany (German citizen) and operate an Acclaim, N-registered. Regards Peter

I've owned my '65 M20C for almost 40 years. Straight-stem tubes resulted in numerous flat tires, often on landing. About 20 years ago I switched to 90 degree bent stem tubes on both nose and main gears and have had zero problems since. Specs that work for me: Nose gear tube: Aero Classic Leak-Guard Tube 500 x 5 90 deg stem, part # 06-00755: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/leakguard_06-00755.php Main gear tubes: Aero Classic Tube 600-6.5, part # GL-6067N: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/aero_tube_600_6_67a.php If you want to change the tires and tubes yourself, I recommend Harbor Freight's mini tire changer: https://www.harborfreight.com/mini-tire-changer-58920.html. Very easy to use. You'll need tire talc. Don't use baby powder; it's now corn starch and has no talcum powder. Amazon as the correct stuff: https://www.amazon.com/mGanna-Natural-Make-up-Cosmetic-formulations/dp/B0BM4PKJ8K/ BTW most people recommend getting new tubes with each tire change. I agree, but frankly the old tubes fit so well they are perfectly serviceable, so I save them and keep one of each (nose and main) in the baggage area as spares. They weigh almost nothing. If I have to replace a tube, I'll take a used bent-stem over a new straight-stem any day.

What’s with “private pilot” in quotes? I know private pilots who fly jets and do damn well at it. Most of them could get their ATP if they wanted, but would more likely go take a aerobatic course or do a fun fly in vacation instead. I don’t think a Mooney is a fire breathing dragon and wouldn’t have a issue doing initial training for someone in one. I believe the big appeal for this sport pilot thing will be one of the short comments of basic med, where basic required a medical from the bureaucrats in OKC to start out I think this will allow folks who don’t have the time and/or money to burn appeasing OKC over stuff like a old traffic ticket, or a childhood BS ADHD diagnosis etc It will also help the career focused types continue to train and build time and progress, while they get their ducks in a row to apply for that 1/2/3rd class med As far as the sharing the airspace with sport pilots I’m a active ATP/CFI working pilot, wide bodies to old taildraggers, I got zero issue with a sport pilot flying around. Its often the sky admiral in his 182 heavy who will complain about a non standard radio call only to fly through a active drop zone, or land ref+warp speed, the folks who just go up for the joy of flight tend not to be the big offenders in my experience So long as the CFIs and DPEs do their jobs more people who enjoy and end up advocating for flying the better It’s also been proven, unwillingly by the FAA funny enough, that FAA medicals are no more safe than basic.BasicVsMedical.pdf

I have a complete Brittain system in my '65 E model, with altitude hold and pitch control. For 4 years I have tried to keep it working, buying parts Others were selling, rebuilding servos, sending parts to Kevin in Tulsa, and doing extensive testing myself. You probably know there are very few people who will work on them, and even fewer who are FAA certified. The company is essentially out of business. Jimmy Garrison says that it would add $2000 to the value of your airplane, assuming it worked. It probably won't. It would definitely cost more than that to install, troubleshoot, and attempt to repair. I am getting ready to take mine out and install an aerocruze 100 aka trutrak. Cost is about $7,000 for a good autopilot, admittedly not as good as Garmin. If you are so inclined, you can install it yourself under supervision. If it were me, I would not waste money on a Brittain system.

Is there anyone living near Berlin, well anywhere in Germany, that can answer a few questions? Would like to have my plane with me, will be there 2 to 5 years. Really not even sure of questions i need to ask. Would like to keep N registered. Not sure how everything works overthere.

I’m going through this replacement now…

Thanks, other than the flare adapter being incorrect size, it works perfectly.

In avionics section NOT in selling area an owner had listed a complete Brittain system. Not recommending, just pointing out for you to take a look. Photos show all components.

too many OATs !!

Fantastic report for Our Prop Guy! @Cody Stallings thanks for sharing… Best regards, -a-

Here is a 1986 M20J POH. Mysteriously the VS1 is lower at 61 KIAS

Good point. Here is a 1978 M20J POH. 63 KIAS also. So early M20J's are not allowed to be flown by Sport Pilots.

Your fellow instructors are correct on both points. The FAA does not care if you confirm the location of each fix is in the correct location on the current charts (enroute or approach), but then you'd need the new chart or chart information to confirm that. And I believe all of the GPS manufacturer's AFMS prohibit the use of their GPS on an instrument approach. But you can still use it Enroute IF you confirm the location of the Waypoints.... Which brings us back to you having to have the current info to confirm the location. So have fun digging through the current list of all Waypoints to confirm the location of each fix on your Route. And on the Approach if you're going to shoot a VOR, ILS or maybe even an NDB Approach.

I find it hard to believe any aging PPL/CPL/ATP would choose Sport Pilot over Basic Med. The real truth is that Basic Med is already a pretty permissive standard: Basic Med doesn't go through MedXpress and denials aren't reported to the FAA. If a doctor won't sign you off, you can simply keep trying until you find one that will. The new Sport Pilot privileges are more useful to new pilots, because unlike Basic Med it doesn't require you to have ever held a medical. This allows people who didn't want to face denial or the Special Issuance process a pathway to some much more capable airframes. I predict an incoming wave of Sport Pilots with a childhood history of ADHD or other conditions that the FAA has frankly made unnecessarily difficult to get through the regular medical process. They won't have a pathway to ever fly for hire, so it's really only going to attract those that have a passion to fly for fun. I suspect that population is safer than average.

I just follow the line on the iPad but I can’t get it to turn green?

I'm shocked that airplanes have thicker paint than vehicles. I understand why more paint may be better with the speeds we operate at but I've always heard to be careful with how much paint is applied since weight is so important for our application.