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I've been helping a friend looking to do some carbon fiber work on his experimental airplane (guess he thinks I can do carbon fiber?). Anyway, he decided to send me some pictures of his Kitfox flying adventures this winter. These were taken on Lake Superior, two on the ice and one just after the ice broke. I really like the last one of the light house. Tom

A hangar wench to help you pull your planes in?

Phones work great with the right app. Scanner Pro https://readdle.com/scannerpro I've scanned logs back to day one in less than an hour. It scans, crops, and uploads to DropBox for you with almost no input.

List of signed-ups so far: yvesg + Diane Junkman + Glennie Bob_Belville + Nancy gsxrpilot Danb DanM20C FlyChickie + @autopatch + 3 BDPeterson M20F-1968 John Breda steingar jasona900 Dan at Ful L Trotter, S Trotter, R Trotter Tom Sullivan, Cheryle Sullivan, Steve Phillips Bryan Brannon, Lee Brannon StevenL757 + 1 Amillet

I think I've got it....... This button engages the "Turbo Encaburator" installed in the early 60's by Rockwell to prohibit sinusoidal repleneration on certain C models. For a further explanation:

Hello MS'ers, Wanted to take this time to commemorate the 1 year anniversary of my first flight in my Mooney. Picked up N231CK from the shop a year ago, after some post purchase work and upgrades, and have been flying every chance I get. I logged 276 hours with 160 landings in those 12 months and have enjoyed the heck out of it. I've learned that I don't like flying at night; it is really dark out there and any off airport landing will likely hit something very hard. And my night landings are usually my worst..but hey, I can usually get my night currency in one trip down the runway (3 bounces count, right?). Conversely, I got my IFR and really enjoy flying in IMC and the utility that it brings. It is still nerve racking and exciting. But, my actual IMC has all been departures and en route with no approaches yet. This past year, I traveled to Denver (~20x), Chicago Area (2x), Kansas (3x), Nebraska (2x), Arizona (3x), Nevada (4x), Texas (3x), and Utah (2x), as well as a host of other places across NM and CO too numerous to mention. I've scrubbed a couple flights, delayed a couple, but have benefited from a remarkably good dispatch record, considering. These Mooney's are travelling machines for sure. I have an opportunity to fly to Orlando (~1,400NM) for a conference in 2 weeks, but after my last trip back from Chicago where I was bucking headwinds the whole way, I'm rethinking that potential 10 hour (probably 2 day) return trip from Orlando. While I'd love to say I did it, I may sit in the back and have a drink for that trip. I've benefited tremendously from the knowledge and resources provided by the community here at MS and for that, I am very thankful. I hope to be able to collect enough in the experience bucket to be able to contribute meaningfully some day. Thanks again for everything! Vance ps. Attaching a photo of the panel and of the family. The family trip was last September on the way to Salt Lake City for labor day. My wife hates flying, but she was a trooper and the trip up was super smooth. Not so on the way back and it was the last time she's been in the plane. Glad a took a photo as proof.

First time I did it I budgeted two based off what I had heard. It only took about 10 minutes to remove it and examine it, thankful to find that it was clean. Thinking it was proceeding well in my mind I revised my initial time estimate... It went back in fairly easily, safety wire was put on the bolt, then it took about an hour to get it down through that stupid little hole in the bottom of the case so I could finish the job... Had I not revised my initial time estimate it my frustration level would have stayed fairly low. There was a number of breaks during that hour that I was trying to get the wire through but when I finally did I had learned some things. Next time I think I can get the whole job done in 45 minutes to an hour.

So everyone knows, Cecilia Henderson of the former Brittain Industries sent me a Accutrak II maintenance manual today after I asked if I could buy a troubleshooting guide. She did not charge me. Even post-Brittain the support continues to be the best!

Ba-da-boom. S. T. Nelson N231JG Just Go

Noooooo! he said Pitot drain, not pilot drain! Can I get a snare drum for that.... -a-

UPDATE !!!!!!!!!!! HEY EVERYBODY, HAPPY FRIDAY !!! The sun is shining again in the world of Mooney !!! Can you guess why I'm so happy ???? FOUND IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I quit last night at 10pm after a 12 hours day on it, in it, under it and inside it. Not sure how it all works but.... the ground wire from the gear warning horn goes through a large mating plug below the panel and after it comes down from the pilots left A post under the headliner. The ground wire pin had pulled out of the plug. Fixed the pin flare tabs and reinserted it. Tug tested good. Before that I had found that the power was back feeding from the Gear Over Ride switch on the WE31D22 wire (with the diode-it checked bad once I had cut that wire ahead of it and isolated it-replaced it with a new one). maybe the lack of a ground did something to the diode? dunno. Once I reconnected the ground wire I swung the gear and tried the throttle. Walaaaa, no buzzer noise off idle with the throttle ! Fixed. IA inspects it today, sign off logbooks, go flying this afternoon !! IPC and Biannual later! Guys I can't thank you enough for all the technical help!! Your suggestions helped me to know which wires to chase down and what to look for. NEVER could've done it without you ! We areplanning on going to the Kerrville hooah this year some hopefully I can meet some of you guys there, or at Oshkosh if I get to go, or... If you're close to Oklahoma City after August 1..relocating for work there. ... I need a hanger there too !

I remember one of those flights back in 1990. Took my mother-in-law in a rented Cessna through the "plane wash". Unfortunately the vent on her side of the plane let a shower in. To this day I still get reminded of "the flight". I really wasn't trying to drown her, honest.

Im thinking a couple of these!

Hi guys! I wanted to thank you all for supporting me with making my t-shirts this last year. It is so much fun, and I love the community here that encouraged me. I have gotten literally hundreds of requests from all social media for custom t-shirts since I began and I wish I could get to them all! That being said, with the goal of owning my own airplane and being a true entrepreneur and supporting myself instead of working for others, I decided to re-invest in myself to get me closer to my goals. And thats what I've done! Over the last month I've been working on creating a simple and easy to use online marketplace to post classified listings and wanted ads for aircraft! The site is called WingSwap.com, and it went live about an hour ago! As for the goal of my new business, Think of it like a replacement for the old and outdated barnstormers. Barnstormers is the most widely used marketplace for GA aircraft, and it is stuck in 1999. It has a lot of problems on many browsers and I think you'll agree is clumsy and hard to navigate. Controller is aimed at a more executive level of aircraft, so I think there's a great opportunity in this GA niche for me to come in with something modern and simple to use It's free, easy to use, mobile friendly, and built to make listings aircraft for sale simple and easy. I am aiming to become the one stop venue everyone goes to for aircraft sales! http://www.wingswap.comI'm also happy to be able to support the forum here by becoming an official sponsor! So if you, or anyone you know, is selling an airplane, it would mean a lot if you could make a listing on my new website! Its totally free, and I think you guys will like it! I hope you do! *edit: I will manually verify all accounts for the time being if you do not get a verification email either in your inbox or spam folder. Thank you! *edit: FYI "popular brands" works by counting the top number of Brands posted on the site. Once Mooney's get posted, it will appear in the "most popular" section If this is in the wrong area, admins, please move it to a more appropriate area! Also I understand I'm a vendor for the website, but if that doesn't cover posts like these, I'd like to upgrade to the necessary status. Thanks guys!!

August 2016 I was delivering my Mooney M20c to my mechanic, Bobby Norman, at the Parr airport (42I) in Zanesville Ohio. I had interaction with Bobby years ago, and he came highly recommended by a number of local Mooney owners. I had thought the field was about 2300 feet (wrong, more on that later) so coming in over the trees I pulled the power to idle, put it in a forward slip and came down. 75mph over the numbers, flared and BANG!. Hardest landing I'd ever done in anything. At the top of the bounce I had a choice, and decided to ride it out. I was uncomfortable trying to go around at a short strip in that predicament. The aircraft bounced a couple more times and stopped, and I taxied back. I had struck the prop in that landing, quite badly. The prop was bent asymmetrically, and the craskshaft busted. I hit hard enough that the force went through the gear into the Johnson bar, wrecking the mechanism that holds it in place (Bobby only figured that part out when he started taxiing. He said it was quite exciting). It took 9 months for the tear down, prop repair, and everything else. The engine repairs were done by a very reputable shop, and the aircraft is now back in service. I just did the first oil change after the teardown. I would have overhauled the engine at this juncture, but it only had 700 hours, and I didn't have the money. What I did wrong: The first thing is entirely insidious. I should have checked the length of the field, since it is now a very comfortable 3k feet. Why didn't I? Because the last time I was there it was 2300 feet! Hardest thing in the world is to override personal experience, but sometimes we really have to. Of course, the other big thing was pulling the power over the trees. Once I got into the runway environment the aircraft didn't have the energy to overcome the sink. Why pull power? Normally in this situation I maintain 12-13" manifold pressure, and use a forward slip. Indeed, most of my landings done this way are well within 2K feet. So why did I change? Worry about a field that I thought (incorrectly) was short. Even if it was 2300, I could have landed the Mooney in it just following my normal procedures. Talk about rubbing salt in the wound. What I did right: riding it out and letting it settle turned out to be the perfect move. I had an asymmetric prop, a badly damaged engine, and I was at a somewhat short and very narrow strip surrounded by hills and mountains. I don't know what would have happened had I put in the power, but it wouldn't have been good. Sometimes its just better not to add extra energy to a bad situation. Perhaps if you don't you'll prang the airplane, but if you do you get to be the one pranged. I recall a fatal TBM accident nearly identical to mine, the aircraft landed hard and struck the prop. The only difference is that guy put in the power at the top of the bounce, and now he's dead. I can't put into words what this did to me. If you noticed me gone for an extended period, its because I couldn't show my face after this. I think one thing might give you an idea, today is the first day I'm thinking I'll actually stick with this aviation thing. I've sort of been on the fence thinking about bailing for the last year. With any luck this will help someone not make the mistake I did. At least it had one silver lining. Hopefully I'll never say I landed worse.

On my way from KJKA to KDYR. Some pretty serious storms brewing. Fortunately, I was able to divert around them all. "One guy on the radio told ATC, I just want to get this thing on the ground as soon as possible".. I have XM weather and ADSB. I noticed the ADSB is getting better. It was running pretty accurate with the XM on my 796 portable. -Tom

Make sure you keep both engines well maintained. 3700 pounds on 160 HP on single engine operation is not the same performance as a Mooney (2700lb/200hp) on takeoff, specially at altitude and hot. José

If my 14yo son is with me he sumps the tanks as part of pre-flight. He checks it then brings it to me to verify. No kneeling or rolling required... I keep a pair of leather work gloves in the hat rack to keep my hands from getting black from the hose when fueling the plane. If he isn't with me I will toss one of them on the ground and put a knee on it to sump the tanks, easy enough and keeps my pants clean.

Don't worry about gear up's that happened 30+ years ago unless the pre buy shows unrepaired damage which is very unlikely. Mooney gear ups are generally repaired good as new when funded by insurance. But these days most new owners don't insure the vintage Mooneys enough to cover such damage. Savvy will help with a pre-buy shop after the initial assessment looks favorable enough to continue. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And is pretty handy with a beer keg

Let me also jump on the anniversary band wagon....i have owned my mooney for a bit over a year. In that time frame We traveled to Houston for the birth of my 8th grandchild, was able to visit again for his 40 day blessing, then again before we left the country for the summer. We traveled to Virginia Beach, twice, to watch over our grand daughter for a week while parents attended a Naval reunion in San Diego. We traveled North to see teh eclipse A quick op to the Embrey Riddle graduation Took a friend to Sarasota for a job interview, then flew her to Savanna to meet with her husband Many local trips for lunch (Mobile Alabama is local now) Fantastic year!!!! Best decision I have made in a long time.

Lol, you probably won’t be thanking Mooney Space after you pull the filter:) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have the LS on mine currently. No issues. I’ve had issues with the back half motor of the NLs come loose. I believe they changed the attachment hardware by now and it’s not an issue. My LS came from another project so it was a deal. If I was buying new I’d go NL. Some of the baffling will change but it’s not major, anyone attempting to install a starter can handle the baffling. Shoot the cowl takes more work than the starter change. If a deal or cost was an issue I wouldn’t be afraid of an LS. -Matt

I promise - as SOON as a Mooney rolls in my shop (next week) it'll get done and posted! Bob Belville can can verify! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Man, I thought I was on top of everything with my plane until this thread. I put a light down on the safety wire on the bolt holding the screen and sure enough it doesn’t look touched for quite some time. Hmmm, next oil change it’ll get done. Thanks MS

Bart, as I mentioned above, I am using a 149 NL on my E.

I expect to be there +1, and happy to contribute. First Oshkosh for me. :-)

To me, the annoying/frustrating thing is the difference between how long you think it should take vs. how long the job actually is. One bolt, one piece of safety wire, flush the screen- should be about 5-10 minutes. When I started budgeting 1 hour my frustration level went way down (and it really only takes about 20-30 minutes).

I should be there, hopefully with Steve Phillips, my hangar partner and a Mooney pilot, and my sis (Cheryle Sullivan) from Port Angeles, WA, a pilot as well. Tom Sullivan

I replaced my original Prestolite starter with a Skyteck 149NL a few years back and it was almost a perfect fit and lighter. It is powerful and, along with my Concorde RG35AXC battery, it really improves cold weather starts and hot starts,. Just don't go with the 149LS which isn't powerful enough.

One of the problems with winches is that they are no good for pulling the plane out of the hangar. When you taxi the plane in front of the hangar you may need to pull the plane forward a couple of times to line up. I use a Robotow that works very well. José

I bet the green button makes something happen and the yellow makes it stop.

Back on topic, Mooney delivered this beauty today....

What's better than an airplane in a hangar? One in the sky.

Vance, the cool part of the right seat ready is it is taught by two very knowledgeable and approachable women... the topic is brought down to what is important to them at the time... get to the airporort and get out of the plane safely... I have found... For mooniacs, the flight is important... For right seaters, the destination is key... Solution... Go somewhere they are really interested in... You get extra points if it is some place you have absolutely no interest in... and you suck it up without them noticing... Note... always have a solid plan B... they may not understand weather delays or 180s.... or having to leave early as weather approaches... Plan B is always personal... Dinner at the Japanese restaurant, or other place not on your list... My success rate is less than perfect at this... but the more they know the better my success has been... Short flights Smooth air great destinations Eat early on, before departing again Kids are so much easier... walking the boardwalk, getting a soda, eating pizza... blowing chow in a ziplock, can bring a smile.... Even knowing how to avoid airsickness is helpful... I mostly fly alone... me and three people sleeping in the other seats... I take the snoring as a compliment to my smooth flying skills... Best regards, -a-

I love the title

Enjoy! I absolutely loved getting my multi. Of course I still need to go buy one and do my multi-instrument add on. Thanks for sharing your stories. Very interesting.

Landing in trees under control beats a stall spin any day. Just keep going forward and fly it all the way into the crash.

What’s a vacuum pump? [emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I'd love to apply for the test pilot position.

Exactly, just as the AIM describes, GPS is not using a coded magnetic course but a true one with a magnetic variation for the airport. The ILS is in truth course less - it doesn't matter where you leave the dial - it's a directional dual lobe beam. Bigger variations will be seen between VOR airway courses and the the same GPS track because their magnetic variation can not be updated as frequently as the airports because it cost so much to realign the VOR signals. But airports are updated much more frequently. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They're cranky and can be unreliable too.

I have known Richard since the summer of 2002.. He just bought a Mooney and proud of it.. I remember he went up and took a friend of his, as he flew over us about 200 feet, heading north west, the engine started sputtering, he radioed for an emergency landing and made it safely back.. His friend stated it was his first time up and his last. back then we laughed as it was funny.. Things get funny after scary things happens, its our way of a relief from facing something critical.. It turned out it was his Magneto, the one i call the widow Maker.. "Bendix Dual Mag" and it had the right side gear chewed up.. we got a rebuilt one from Sky Ranch, installed it.. ran great.. I believe it was his first trip to Oshkosh, on his way back heading into Nevada, he was going to encounter a storm, the only safe way around it was through Area 51.. He requested permission to cut across it and it was granted and they gave him a heading, not to deviate.. he said the next thing he knew he had a jet escort across Area 51.. all we wanted to know if he got any pictures.. NO!! the way he told us that story we were cracking up, mainly between ATC and him... about 10 years ago he got a new Dynotuned engine he was all happy, it was his new baby. You should have seen him all beaming with joy, if he had cigars he would have passed them out.. Gary the I/A and myself installed his new baby.. Richard put enough hours on it for break in just in time for his annual trip to Oshkosh.. He went to Oshkosh and on the way back, around Vegas the engine started acting weird.. and not running at full capacity, he made it to Sac Exec.. we started poking around the engine to see what was wrong and his luck was with him then, the New Engine's Cam was totally gone.. her called the company he bought from, he got another Engine , with more power.. we installed his 2nd new Engine and again he was like a father with a new born child.. all excited to go up and try it out.. he sold it and got involved with Lance and his Mooney, across from his hanger in Sac.. later they moved to Lincoln where he was the most Happiest.. The joy and energy of him and being around him will be greatly missed..

Dang.me too ..taking sun shots,sun semi diameter and those nav tables based on star shots...my goofs were enormous,not 1/2 nm but hemispherical errors!!My nav training was at Moss Landing Marine Labs,summer of 74

Patty @ east texas flying service thought the engine may be fine, and the amount of metal in my filter may be due to the high humidity and the plane sitting for around 6 weeks. So, she pulled the lower screen (which was clean) and sent an oil sample in for inspection (it had < 10 hrs on it) but it came out completely clean. So ... we are on a filter every 10 hrs watch program but she thinks the engine is likely fine.... trust but verify. I definitely hope that turns out to be the case.

If you guys want something to cool off your cabin just fly around with my ex... that cold hearted B*#&$ could frost your windows on any Texas summer afternoon..... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk