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Update: I purchased an 1970 “F” model and brought it home last week! I couldn’t be happier with whole process. I purchased the aircraft from All American Aircraft, Jimmy and David were great to work with! Ron Fisher did the prebuy, he was very helpful in explaining the process, maintenance, and nuances of the aircraft to a newbie like me. And a “thank you” goes out to all of you who took the time to write a response to my questions! Happy flying!

Hook up with @Hyett6420 He’s a respected regular here with a beautiful J model and a ton of GA experience in Europe. He’ll point you in the right direction! Tom

Yep, definitely an engineer drove the train. My Dad was a Conductor on the railroad but he didn’t play a musical instrument

Worse, than that... you can have a Degree in Engineering.. but If you have not passed the state PE (Professional Engineering) test you can't call yourself an Engineer in that state. TX was notorious for this. Usually only Engineering disciplines that were required to sign government paperwork would get the PE... therefore almost all Electrical Engineers don't have it.. Some MechE and ChemE have it.. and Almost all Civil Engineers have one..

Humans. Never cease to amaze and confound me. Mooneyspace, a place where humans go out of their way to be friendly until they are not. I have to ask: (because no one else will) “Seller, you have a human interested in your plane and you completely ignore his query.” Why would you do that? You are looking to sell your plane and reach out. A human communicates he is an interested buyer and you ignore him. Face palm. Ya, A broker is definitely the way you should go Sam.

Some more color on this issue- I performed about 12 high speed taxis. Issue reproduced the first couple of taxis. Third time around, the engine stayed alive but was surging from 38"mp to about 33, and it seemed to need more throttle than usual. Fourth time around and now we're getting somewhere, I ran the high speed with the low boost on. fuel flow seemed a little low but the surging was gone. it seemed to almost hold 36 as per normal. Throughout all of this, the fuel flow seemed too low- about 18-19GPH whereas it's normally about 23 GPH at 36". So, I suspect it's the mechanical pump is going (or has gone) bad. It's going in to the shop tomorrow to find out for sure, I'll report back to hopefully help someone out in the future. Related, who runs their M20K's with the low boost on for TO and landing? The POH says not to, but this experience gives me pause during those critical phases of flight.

I concur that a Rocket is very likely too big of a jump right now... If you truly have a year off, I'd look for a nice J and fly it as much as you can, get the instrument rating, and take your bride on some fun trips after you get a bit more experience. You might find a J fits your needs just fine, or you could move up from there. Sent from my LG-US996 using Tapatalk

@SAMFOX, I think @MATTS875 is interested in talking to you about you plane

What if you pilot a train,I thought they were engineers

This is definitely the case in Canada. When Microsoft first came out with their 'Microsoft Systems Engineer' title, there was issues as they are not 'engineers' in the legal sense and do not have an engineering degree. Plus they didn't know the secret hand shake.... iain

Further update to keep you all in the loop. On replacing the pucks (if you recall i replaced them as part of the paint, but since we had had a heavy landing I was advised by Aeroskill to replace all the bolts in the landing gear, so took the opportunity to replace the pucks again as well. I will now know i have new bolts etc in the gear. On replacing the base plate in the pucks they removed the bushel and found a crack. So a quick phone call and order to our friends in Kerrville and the parts are already here. This was discovered on Thursday, Way to go Mooney. Speedy service. These are now being installed and apart form a new stall warner, she should be ready to fly tail end of next week. Obviously i will have to play politics a bit with the Engineers at Elstree but that's one of the hassles that I have had to deal with in this horrible saga of the prop strike. I was not allowed to have Aeroskill come across and inspect the plane and remove engine etc, so i was forced to use the only engineers on the airfield, who quoted at me regularly the famous line "you are not actually a customer of ours so you go to the back of the queue", hence it took til December 2017 for them to inspect the aircraft, and we lost three months. Now everything is being done sequentially, when to our mind, while the engine was being rebuilt, the landing gear could have been looked at, stall warner changed, then engine back on and ready to fly. Sorry just venting a little frustration... She is also out of Annual now so will have to be run in, flown to aeroskill for the annual and we waste a few more weeks. I might actually get to fly this year, but possible not! Good new is that i am writing an article for a flying magazine about how to choose a paint shop and what to make sure happens in a paint refresh. Andrew

manually follow a glide slope but its never been an issue as I rarely fly in low IMC if ever. The altitude hold is as good as anything I have flown in Boeings. It holds it to the foot smoothly.

And here I was being polite, sending your call out to Mikey so he'd see it and be able to answer with real information. To say nothin of my leaving out the adjective between "New York" and "City" . . . . . Those two cab rides convinced me that place ain't for me. Not that I had any doubt before that.

"I could have answered it for him"??? What I know about NYC could be written inside a matchbook with a grease pencil. Although last summer, I did take the airlines into LaGuardia and out of Kennedy, with non-terrifying cab rides over to the cruise ship pier. Why bkth airports? Ask Delta and the cruise line, the reservations were made for me . . . NYC ain't my style. Ask me about flying where you can file and receive Direct to Destination, and I can probably help. Where to base a plane around NYC? No freakin' idea . . . .

Thanks all for the comments and inputs...think I will make my way back to AAA at the EOM....just makes the most sense do to me having to travel, etc...

Update on the Mooney Book. Unfortunately, life intervened and my new job is eating up all my spare time. I am still working on it though and it will get done . . . eventually. Thanks and stay tuned, Tracy Ball

Its to bad a buyer does not care about this stuff.....unless of course he is selling an airplane...... You would think there is at least one buyer out there that understands how many months of downtime and labor time spent researching and $$ it takes to make a plane safe and sound. They all want the 30,000 dollar acclaim and then try to make you feel like they are doing you favor for buying it.

Steve, It isn’t the aircraft.... Mooney, Beech, or Cirri... Its the ability to cross multiple time zones in a single flight... using the flight levels The more powerful and complex the aircraft is, the more the pilot has to be experienced about sifting through the reams of data that are being thrown at you... continuously... The newbie pilot errors are typically VFR flight into IMC and running out of fuel... The experienced pilot runs into thunderstorms and icing conditions... Its the level of experience needed to avoid running into these situations. Read up on the accident reports to see where the pilots got into situations and became overwhelmed... The tragedies are usually a chain of events. The good news.... Breaking a single link, the chain stops... Examples of taking too many steps at one time... (are you familiar with baseball?) Catfish hunter, a low time pilot moved up to a private jet. Ended in tragedy... Cory Lidel, a low time pilot. Stalled a plane that had a safety parachute and flight instructor on board. Ended in tragedy... Roy Haladay, low time pilot. Crashed a plane that was designed to be stall resistant. Ended in tragedy... many accident reports have the last conversation with air traffic control recorded... you can literally hear the voice of the pilot in trouble. It takes more than following instructions. It takes Knowing when following instructions will lead to tragedy... a recent cirrus tragedy occurred when a Cirrus pilot followed the control tower’s advice to keep within a boundary... too much bank, too little speed... fatal accident... Around here, many people have reported starting with their private pilot license, near 100hrs experience, and then acquiring an M20C, F or J... then move up to their preferred next level... A few have purchased a Mooney to train in for their PPL. This skips some of the broader experience that is afforded by a trainer. At least one has purchased a Long body to train in... Everyone finds a level where the fun of flying gets removed... a powerful traveling machine can get you to that level quicker than anything else.... As a younger guy... I looked out with dissapointment... It looked like it would take ten years to get to the level I wanted to be at right then... Now, it’s been 20years... Went from renting Cessnas to owning an M20C for a decade... now an Ovation... To avoid getting overwhelmed... take it in steps... keep both eyes open... be ready to turn 180° Using a low bank angle, and get more fuel... check the weather again... practice telling people you are unable to be there until tomorrow... PP thoughts only. Sharing only a single life of experience. Not a CFI or statistician... Best regards, -a-

Summary... 1) A Rocket is a great Long distance, traveling, bird, in the right hands... 2) A PPI is the best protection for your wallet... writing a purchase agreement is a great way to organize the deal... 3A) With low time, the Transition Training is incredibly important... 3B) With High time, the Transition Training is very important... 4) Have you asked for an insurance quote yet? Insurance companies are notable for putting the kai-bosh on purchases like this. 5) We have seen a few accidents over the years... the most painful memories are the young guys that worked really hard, but didn’t fill the experience bucket before the luck bucket ran low... 6) Is this a pro-pilot familiar with Transition Training moving up the ladder stepwise to the next level...? 7) Familiar with the training required to get to this level? 8) Ever hand the keys of a Mustang 5.0 to a responsible 17yr old? 9) Buying a plane the first time... you can be 50 years old with a lot of life experience... and the behavior Of a 17yr old with the keys to a new mustang... will be on your back for some time... 10) Anything Worth Doing is Worth Doing right. 11) If money is important to you... To Skip half of the training time and money.... start with an entry level Mooney... 12) If your pockets are full up... expect the first year to include some heavy expensive training... 13) There isn’t much sense to have a 252 and no place to go... 14) There is plenty of sense to have a 252, an IR, be fully trained and fly internationally in the FLs 15) Doing it safely is going to take time, money, and training to get the experience... 16) Ask Andrew @Hyett6420 what it’s like flying a Mooney around the UK and the rest of Europe... he does it in a killer M20J! 17) Expect a very steep learning curve. Great, if you really like to learn.... This list was built from the people above.... a flight instructor, a military pilot, a plane builder, and few private pilots... Aside from all that....Now, go get the ball in motion.... proceed with caution. Get to know some Mooney people. Do some Mooney reading. How is that for motivation, with a side of seriousness? Best regards, -a-

Anyway here was the purpose of my night flying (this is two for two that was born while I was out of town and Dee Dee the Mooney was able to safely get me to be with...). I must confess I deviated from standard procedure and ran 75 ROP 162 ktas at 11.8 GPH and 8000ft.

video of my STEC 30 holding altitude the other day on way to Key West from Daytona. There is a powered off stratus there just in case. This was my first real trip with the Garmin magic and I do not trust it yet. IMG_8556.mov

I think they did, turn up the volume; you can hear the branches breaking

Bravo is tough if both upper and lower cowls removed...leaving scat attached ncaa intercooler scoop w/duct unsupported,ft air filter intake scoop flopping arround...both are large and difficult to safety...total removal leaves Turbo intake completely open...

I'm not sure that would be a good idea. I took a Florida "F" model owner up for a ride in my Rocket, which will be on the market in the next 4 months, who wanted first purchase option on mine. He couldn't wait after the ride and is in the middle of a PPI right now on one. But.....he's up near or over (can't remember) 1,000 hours TT as a PP with an IFR rating. His transition will be much more comfortable. Tom

Call your bank and order a bunch of new checks. Not kidding or joking....

Yep, no need to sell it to @MATTS875, who has expressed interest at least twice in this thread . . . . .

Shoot, I would be very happy with a nice J!! But I am content with a nice C.

We are actually being quite nice to him at the moment as he is playing the good cop to my bad cop with the engineers. We are looking to get a permit to fly so we can run the engine in at least and then next day take her to Aeroskill for them to do the Annual. It is driving gently crazy, after all I've got a wedding to plan, as well as try to run a company. Once we get her out of these engineers hands ill be a lot happier and hopefully that is literally a few days away. Ive attached an image of the crack in the landing gear puck retaining plate. When did anyone last check theirs? I reckon there will be a few cracks out there.

Thanks a lot Marauder, I really appreciate it!

Yes AP is real nice I like the STEC 30. GPSS will be even nicer I do not have it and when a course change is greater than about 10* I will set the DG bug for the new course switch to DG mode for the turn and then back the track mode. Not a big deal I can live with that. I just wish Avydine would have built in some GPSS into the CDI output of the 540 so it would anticipate the turn some.

Lovely picture, lucky kid. Happy Mothers Day.

You must be busy, Sam. Best regards, -a-

A few weeks ago I took my Ovation to my avionics shop for what turned out to be a faulty magnetometer. They replaced it and didn't realize they needed a new bootblock software update from Mooney (per a published SB). Next thing they knew they had "bricked" the new magnetometer. They sheepishly admitted it, got a new one from Garmin and installed it (correctly this time) and didn't charge me a penny for the extra work or materials or GMU44. That's one of the reasons this shop has a good reputation in this area. Humans make mistakes. You've been getting good advice on the merits of using a reasonable approach in resolving this I know I would follow it. If your's doesn't hold you harmless for a rookie mistake then I agree with those who've suggested finding a new shop after this is all done with.

I removed the drain valves with the tanks full after taxing off the runway with the momentum to the taxiway. There was no engine sputtering and fuel pressure was normal. If you are parking your plane outside I would recommend that occasionally remove the drain valve and check for water if using the F391-53S drain valve. No need to remove it for F391-72 drain valve. José

Here is the flyer Pankey made for the picnic. Brian memorial day picnic.pdf

My CFI would say check the POH. Here's what my owner's manual says: "The yellow arc indicates speeds at which the pilot must exercise caution when encountering rough air or severe gusts. Rough air is considered to be a condition uncomfortable to pilot and passengers. Therefore, under these conditions, do not operate at airspeeds within the yellow arc." Sounds like they are saying, if you can take it, the plane can take it. On the other hand, I've had passengers who were uncomfortable with the bump of the landing gear coming up.

I had exactly the same experience. Suspecting water in the tanks I drained the tanks on the taxiway and found no water. Decided to remove the drain valve and plenty of water drained down. What happens is that when the drain holes on the valve adapter plate get clogged the drain valve then drains from the top of the stem leaving water below. But when the plane accelerates this water is displaced toward the tank fuel pick up getting it sucked by the engine. You can clean the drain holes on the valve adapter plate or switch to the F391-72 drain valve as I did. The F391-72 has the drain holes just above the adapter plate, so it will not get clogged by debris on the bottom of the tank. It is the same valve used on the long range tanks. Also drain the gascolator for possible accumulated water. After replacing the drain valves never had the problem after 33 years. The drain holes on the adapter plate get clogged with old sealant peeling off, resealing oversight or fuel residue. José

waving my hand here. I am interested in the plane.

Many of you have seen the hangar queen at the rear of my hangar on pictures I've posted of my Mooney or the Lancair in the hangar over the years. Steve, my hangar partner and best friend, has put some time into it lately NOW THAT HE CAN GET A MEDICAL! He's the A&P I work under on my certified planes and the reason my first "cross country airplane" became a Mooney. So he repaired and upgraded his Garmin 430 to WAAS, installed an MT 3 blade prop to rid himself of the prop AD, and completed an annual and three flight tests (the last two of an hour or more). This is the first time this plane has flown in several years, me being the last one, taking it to Mankato, MN when My Rocket was down for waste gate repairs. I wrote on a submission last summer, when he flew my Rocket up and back from Houghton for a day of Young Eagle Flights, "When you realize your best friend is a good stick" how impressed I was with how quickly he was back in the saddle after getting his Basic Med. He had been fighting prohibitively expenses medicals for 12 years (getting a 9 month medical about every 4 years due to cost), which meant the nice little E model got lots of hangar time. My posting of his abilities was shared (by him) with his nervous wife and she is now willing to travel with him. Anyway, this afternoon they took off to see their son, daughter-in-law, and grand kids down in the Kansas City area, making a 12+ hour drive in just 3.5 hours (with a head wind). I was pretty excited for him!!! When he texted me after landing, I said to ask Patti (his wife) how she liked 3.5 hours in the plane instead of 12 hours plus in the car. She said "I Like It! Here's a picture of them firing up at the fuel pump for departure and a link to his Flight Aware track. He'll be taking me down in the Rocket to Tennessee late next week to pick up the Lancair with it's new paint and interior. Tom https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N1258X/history/20180510/1700Z/KIMT/KGPH

I am still searching. Very interested

Another flight at twilight. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I’m betting you’re regretting starting this thread .

You guys are so critical. This is why when it comes time to sell I will never ever put this plane on mooneyspace. Whats next, telling me there is a paint chip on the fuel filler cap?

I few Chad, the owner of Kubick Aviation, down to Kenosha, WI (KENW) to purchase a car for his son and then drive it back. Very nice morning to fly and caught some tail winds on the way down. After a several hour delay dealing with a check engine light on the purchase vehicle, I flew out after lunch to Antigo (KAIG) to pick up another Mooney pilot to pick up his recently repaired 252 at Chad's shop. He needed to get it off our airport before it's closed for a couple weeks for runway resurfacing. I ended up buying airline tickets out of Green Bay to New Orleans for a Dealer Meeting Monday through Wednesday for the same reason, couldn't fly back into my home airport on Wednesday. Man I hate flying spam can!! Here's a few photos of the flight. First one is of the one of the 4 local power dams dumping energy over the spillway. I bet the power company cringes when they have to do that. The next one is West Bend on my way back from ENW. Third picture is Lake Winnebago with the ice gone, while the Bay of Green Bay further north is still ice covered. Fourth one is Fondulac Airport and the last one is Oshkosh, quietly waiting for the big July event! Tom

N57 sounds great - I’m a newspaper on the table wooden hammer hard shell kinda guy - I grew up in Maryland and my grandfather used to takes me to crab shacks on the bay. huh here’s a picture of me in a nose dive.

But its a dry cold.....

My mother died in 1971 at age 57 but I did get to take her for a trip from Coatesville PA to Lebanon NH and Biddeford ME in a rented Cardinal in 1969. That was only fair, she had taken flying lessons in VT in the '30s and had taken me and my brother for our first flight, a sight seeing hop from Lake Winnipesaukee, in the late '40s. Sorry, I don't have photos, sure wish I did. Happy Mothers Day!

I have located and purchased two fully articulating seats. Thanks folks for the help.

Got the Dec Aviation Consumer today. The airplane review is the 201 and what do you know G-OBAL was the Scheme Designers line drawing.