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Thank you for sharing this detailed heads-up about the recent changes at the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA) airports—it's always helpful to hear perspectives from fellow pilots and tenants to stay informed. As someone involved with the Mooney Summit, I appreciate the opportunity to provide some additional context, especially since our event is approaching on September 12-13, 2025, at Peter O. Knight Airport (KTPF) and Tampa International Airport. We value the GA community and want to ensure everyone has a positive experience, so I'll address a few of the key points Grant raised in a constructive way. First, regarding the new requirements for outside mechanics and service providers to carry $1 million in liability insurance and name the airport as an additional insured: This is becoming a standard practice at many airports across the country, including those managed by various authorities, to help protect public infrastructure, other users, and the broader aviation ecosystem. It's a measure aimed at ensuring accountability and safety in shared spaces. For the Mooney Summit specifically, we're proud that Mooney Summit, Inc. already meets these requirements through our event liability coverage. Importantly, our focus is solely on education, seminars, and fostering fellowship among Mooney owners and enthusiasts—we're not performing any aircraft maintenance or repairs. This keeps things straightforward and compliant, allowing us to concentrate on what we do best: building connections and sharing knowledge in a supportive environment. On the topic of fuel prices, it's true that avgas tends to run higher at airports in larger metro areas like those under HCAA compared to more outlying fields— this is a common trend driven by factors such as higher operational costs, demand, and location premiums. For instance, self-serve prices at places like Zephyrhills Municipal (KZPH) are often more competitive, as you've noted. However, for attendees flying into KTPF for the Summit, the convenience of being right in the heart of Tampa can outweigh the difference, especially when factoring in alternatives like Uber or ground transport from farther afield (which could easily exceed any fuel savings). To make it even more accessible, our host FBO at KTPF, Atlas Aviation, has generously offered a special fuel discount for Summit participants. This gesture reflects their commitment to supporting GA events and helping keep costs manageable for visitors. Finally, concerning the challenges for mobile mechanics like your trusted contact in renting hangar space to establish a dedicated shop: I completely understand how frustrating it can be when growth opportunities feel limited, and it's disappointing to hear about the difficulties in expanding on-field services. We can't dive into the specifics publicly here on the MooneySpace forum out of respect for ongoing discussions and policies, but Grant, if you (or anyone else) decide to register and attend the Summit, I'd be more than happy to personally introduce you to the appropriate contacts who could explore reasonable options for hangar availability or shop setup. Our event is a great networking opportunity, and we're all about facilitating positive outcomes for the community. Overall, while I recognize the valid frustrations with some aspects of airport management and FBO operations, the Mooney Summit is designed to celebrate the joy of flying and better the breed of Mooney pilots in a welcoming setting. Hillsboro County Aviation Authority, KTPF and Atlas Aviation have been fantastic partners, creating an atmosphere that's pro-GA and focused on education rather than maintenance hurdles. We'd love to see you there—registration is open at www.MooneySummit.com, and it's a fantastic chance to connect, learn, and perhaps even address some of these broader concerns in person. Fly and be safe

They will trespass or ban you. They did ban someone from ever entering all 4 airports but he’s the type of guy that probably shouldn’t have been there. Not the greatest mechanically. I saw him change the engine of a 140 in the middle of the night in one of the shade hangars. He’s the only one though who has ever operated in such a careless manner. After that whole debacle, they deactivated the gate key entry pads. We all had to give them every bit of information besides our ss number to get these newer lanyard type cards that open the gates. People have still supposedly reported items stolen. If they’d just have an overnight security patrol, they could easily eliminate that issue. The HCSO hangar is by me and they do patrol randomly on a utv at night when it’s slow but it not their primary priority.

Thanks everyone for the input! I’ll be getting it done

With age being a concern, without being asked I provided very extensive documentation to USAIG, the company who has insured my aircraft for most of the past 33 years of ownership. I'm not sure if it helped but they renewed with a several hundred dollar increase over last year. Documentation included participation in the Wings Program (Basic 20, Advanced 14), Website showing Instructing for the MAPA Safety Foundation, number of years being a Master Instructor, Recipient of the FAA Master Pilot Award, Participation in the previous Wings Program for 15 years, Copy of 2nd Class Medical, and details of total time in all aircraft flown including all models of Mooneys along with details of all instruction given.

While I believe the entire insurance industry is broken from top to bottom, I don’t see a $1,000,000 liability policy as a high bar, it cannot possibly be that expensive, and owners should demand it as well. I would not want someone uninsured doing repairs to my plane. add on…. adding a specific certificate holder for a hangar or owner is usually provided at no charge, or a nominal Protects owners. the onerous nature of airports in Florida is no lost on me. The city that owns our airport property is earnestly trying to close the airport. a hyper vocal minority is driving the case, but no one shows up for the other side of the argument so it moves forward. they have put a moratorium on all development on the field and have voted to immediately cease accepting FAA grants. they are also proposing to eliminate base tenant fuel discounts, and to start charging landing fees. The future does not look bright for GA.

Thank you, Toto! The discussion thread Mosaic Mooneys is great.

I doubt full membership will stop anything because if they can pay $2, they can typically pay significant amounts. You'd be shocked at how much credit card data is out there that bad actors use... and law enforcement does very little about it. My wife card was being used at a bar, the thief was still there, but Miami-Dade refused to send someone over when I called or another agency asked. I wish there was more of an appetite to stop credit card fraud, it's almost something that has become an accepted cost of doing business.

In FL, the airport will threaten you with trespassing. Some cops may even arrest you for it but the charges won't hold because you were invited by a tenant... so they'll kick out the tenant. My airport writes it in my lease that I'm not allowed to have non-approved contractors on the field, that even include things such as someone to wash my airplane, not just mechanics.

It's all FAA stuff, but the FAA has maintained that equal access for airports that accept FAA dollars. What's the penalty for non compliance with the policy? It's kind of hard to penalize someone that does not have a relationship. Not a lawyer did not stay at Holiday Inn ever. Mostly Hilton products.

Interested to find out if these charges end up being reversed at some point due to fraud. but if that continues I think it would need to go to full membership to post. I don’t understand what value of these spam posts. I’m sure the spammer is getting paid, but this kind of site has to be a pretty low yield.

A big thumbs up foe Joe Cole a Cole aviation. He is the salt of the earth, a really good guy. Wouldnt hesitate for a moment to bring my plane back to him.

@jcolgan Three Mooney Service Centers within Mooney distance around you: AGL Aviation (KMRN) 2 hrs Cole Aviation (KDNN) 45 min Don Maxwell Aviation (KGGG) 2.5 hrs Plenty of comments here: But if you're just wanting to do an owner assisted annual in your hangar then you'll have to ask around locally for a qualified AP/IA. If you're someone who normally likes to get all squawks addressed at annual and looking for a Mooney shop to help, then flying 1-2 hours away for annual isn't too bad. Especially if you can get a Mooney buddy to help out for some fuel or a burger!

Two words…Yikes!

Do you still have the tach?

Most/all of these passes are certainly due to pilot age on a new business risk. Some of them would have written if they showed up in the 65-69 age range...maybe 70-72 in one or two cases. There are still many insurance companies writing Mooneys.

Another one that paid the $2 fee to validate and spam. Who would have thought...

The shop on the field I have used for over 10 years has changed hands. The new shop may well turn out to be fine, but it is un-nerving to put my plane in for an annual as they have told me they have limited Mooney experience. I am in north Alabama, just about dead center. Airport is KDCU. Anyone know of Mooney savvy shops or individuals near me? My annual is not due for 9 months, but it is never to early to start worrying about the next one. I am in a private hangar and have jacks and tools, will just need a qualified inspector.

Yep reported

Could be. Maybe Mooney knows?

Thanks, hopefully he can get you resorted soon

Just started a few minutes ago when I logged on. @mooniac58

Make a reasonable offer

I just renewed my aircraft insurance with D R Cox & Company (broker) and my insurance went up $1,800 this year. I’ve insured my 2005 M20R for the past several years with W. Brown and the only thing that’s changed is I’m a year older 73. I have approximately 6,400 hrs with commercial, instrument, single & multi land and have been flying Mooney’s for over 40 yrs. without an accident or incident. The carrier seemed to be responsible only requiring an IPC each year. After speaking with my broker I was informed that there are limited markets offering coverage for Mooney aircraft. Here’s a list of carriers that my broker received a response from: Aerospace - $2,000 higher than W. Brown Old Republic- declined Global Aerospace-declined Starr Aviation -declined USAIG - declined USSIC - pass Here’s the kicker a friend of mine has a 77 Beech A36 with approximately the same coverage and he’s a year older and less hrs and he just renewed his insurance for $2,000 less than me thru Global Aerospace.

And the pictures of clamps with issues that were the basis of the AD were visually in VERY BAD shape.

And how were everyone's ears?