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We talk about our different Mooney models but I had an experience with Mooney modeling. A few weeks ago a friend who works for a clothing company asked if she could use our plane in a modeling shoot. Why not? You usually see models next to private jets, why not a 53-year-old Mooney? A professional photographer, wardrobe and makeup artist and a professional model all showed up at the airport and we headed to my hangar. Unfortunately the manager, my friend, had to stay in her car outside the gate because my AOA badge only allows me to escort four other humans. The photo shoot took about a couple hours and the sun was blazing. She was modeling winter clothing. Her pointy heels kept sticking in the new crack sealant just put down on the ramp. They took a couple hundred pictures and ended up putting a few of them online and in their catalog. That's not something you see every day so I thought I'd share it with you. You can find the website at https://www.evystree.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-audrey-in-caramel. If you scroll down you can see more pictures. -Sven Mooney Model 1.tiff Mooney Model 2.tiff Mooney Model 3.tiff Mooney Model 4.tiff Mooney Model 5.tiff Mooney Model 6.tiff

Just got my instrument rating this morning. I have had my ppl and the mooney for 3 years and I have really learned a lot from this forum that no doubt helped with the ir. I wanted to say thanks to everyone here for the advice. I will be making a donation to the site but keep in mind that most of my money lately has been going to the plane, gas and instructors. Thanks

Going to lock this one up guys - please remember we don't allow political discussions at Mooneyspace.

Yeah, and let's hope this one does as good a job as the last celeb who was elected to that office!

This thread is in danger of sliding into Timothy territory. But I can't help myself. I live in a tiny little town in way upstate NY, 15 miles from the Canadian border. I'm feeling pretty good right now about the fact that I am not near any large cities or downwind from any large cities in case of, you know, a nuclear temper tantrum. And if need be and things get bad, I think of the Van Trapp family walking out of Nazi territory. Actually that story in the sound of music is true. They left and settled near Stowe NY. There is a really nice ski lodge there run in the name of the family still. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for someplace fun to fly to - land at Stowe, VT. I remember about 10 years ago when Walmart wanted to move to town. Our little town had a nice downtown, it still does, but many of the shops have closed. Its hard to compete against cheap stuff imported from abroad, from China etc. I voted and spoke out then against letting Walmart come. I was part of the elitist resistance to Walmart. I was big on supporting the small local shops. We were booed out and blamed for being elitist then. I still supported the small local shops but some of them closed and now I pretty much need to go to the walmart for certain things that simply are not available locally otherwise anymore. Now this election one thing is how its China's fault and Mexico's fault for cheap good and bad trade deals and it is the current president's fault. I feel like the people who wanted a Walmart 10 years ago should take some blame too. I bet they voted for the change because they blame the president that they lost their job at mom and pop hardware store 5 years ago. All I am saying is we all did it...and the president can't fix anything whomever it might be if we don't all take some personal responsibility. Shop local. Support your neighbor. I'm still considered elitist for saying that. That's the word of the day. Elitist.

The most salient circumstance was one that occurred shortly after I had ABS-B (GDL-88, and the GTNS, remote transponder, etc.,) installed. In fact I was returning to San Carlos from the avionics shop in Scottsdale that did the installation and new panel. Beautiful clear VFR weather so I opted for Flight Following. I was playing with the TIS-B traffic display north of Palmdale when I noticed an aircraft at my altitude on the exact opposite heading. I changed scale on the GTN 650 display to 6 miles, and then 2 miles, and the other aircraft was still at my altitude 8,500', but he should have been at 7,500' or 9,500' based on the hemispheric rule. I expected ATC to point out the traffic (very light ATC radio work), but they didn't call the traffic. At the one mile range the the other aircraft had me boresighted, and so I dove down 500' and watched a RV go overhead right where I would have been. I had my super bright landing light on (LoPresti Boom light), and my LED strobes, and wingtip landing lights on; alternating, but apparently the RV pilot didn't ever see me. I called ATC, and they told me they didn't see any other aircraft near me. Maybe he didn't have his transponder on, and the skin paint radar didn't register. No matter what, he was shown on TIS-B. Anyway I am a great enthusiast for TIS-B, and ADS-B in general. Since then, and because of TIS-B , I now "see" far more traffic than I thought was out there. Once I see the target on the screen it is far easier to spot another aircraft visually. With my current setup, both GTNs show TRAFFIC ALERT on their screens that are impossible to ignore. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

after 8 years of deligitimizing that "secret Muslim", the birther madness (trump was the biggest mouth" and the endless stream of racist memes and outrage about "that N-----" and the republican obstructionism and their sole goal to "deny Obama a second term".... NOW it's time to respect the office of the president, NOW it's time to mend the divide, NOW it's time to get over it. Well, I didnt like Romney, but because he was an elitist out of touch rich guy. Not because he wanted to round up brown people and deport them, say degrading things about Mexicans, including federal judges, stiff hundreds of contractors, blow up invest,nets and leave investors with debt, laugh about "grabbing women by the pussy" and all the other revolting things he has said and done. And the 20% of america that voted for him, you are just as revolting for supporting him. *redacted this part* That is not America. It's racist zenophobic trash. They won this time.

This thread sort of reminds me about an old pilot union negotiation tale that went something like this: A union rep holds a meeting with the pilots he represents to give them the details of a tentative settlement with the airline. He tells them we got you a 40% pay raise, an extra 2 weeks of paid vacation, free medical insurance, double pay for redeyes, only 5 star hotels for the layover, and an extra $30/day per diem. All we have to do is fly every Wednesday. From the back of the room, someone yells, "every Wednesday?" Take what we get and choose to be happy. I always like to say that unhappy people don't live any longer than the rest of us, they just FEEL like they've lived longer.

The 540 is a very good upgrade to a 530W owner. I've seen it in person and it's fantastic, not terribly expensive either.

I typed too fast...I meant east, thx for correction.

Buying something from a distance.... get to know the plane. Get to know the owner. Get to know the person selling the plane. Know everything you can... go see it first. If going to see it is too expensive, know that your risks of getting really expensive goes up.... 1) it helps to be able to see it in person. Or have somebody see it in person for you... trust in that person's skills is good. 2) it helps to have a known person selling it... trust in that person is good. There are a few people that sell Mooneys that we know... 3) it helps to have a list of what could possibly go wrong... self reliance is good. Corrosion, tanks, cams 4) it helps to go see it and meet the person selling it... 5) a PPI at an MSC is a great idea. How do you think that is going to happen? Ask the guy selling it. 6) planes that are not exercised regularly have a way of decaying slowly... 7) are you looking to fly or are you looking to pick up a project? 8) If you have two AMU to throw at this, would you spend it on traveling to see it or blindly start a PPI or annual... 9) It's a real craps shoot doing it this way with a high probability of coming up empty handed. I only bought one plane from across the country. I went to see it first. Everything else was done remotely using the best services I could find. The seller is well known, the Texas MSC is well known, the plane was not ancient, It's provenance was well known... Tell us more about your buying skills, mechanical skill, and what you want to do. flying fast and efficiently is good. Having to overhaul an engine or re-seal some tanks is good if you are interested in that kind of project. all it takes is money, time and skill.... Best regards, -a-

The placard of max manifold pressure allowable by altitude is required to be installed with a precise flight svs system.

I have done a purchase from a distance. It can be done and is not hard. First accept that it is going to cost some money, but it is nothing compared to the cost of owning the aircraft in the long run. Start with a good purchase agreement on who will pay what costs and how issues in the PPI will be handled. Critical will be who pays for repairs, what repairs are required versus would be nice to do. Who pays to get the plane back to the owner if the deal falls apart? The distance to Don Maxwell is nothing for a Mooney and the fact that the tanks were repaired there is a good reason to go there for the PPI. The logbooks and lack of flying for the last few years affect the price and you have to decide your risk level and value of each of those to you. Remember that when you sell the plane the buyer will be merciless about the missing logs. The engine will be a risk, but the PPI should include assessments of the engine. When you arrange the PPI, specifically have the shop assess that as much as possible. My plane did not fly for several years before I purchased it and I have not had any issues.

I'm probably going to make my first Bahamas trip in the upcoming year, so a PLB would be a benefit. To those who use a PLB - what are the pluses and minuses of spot vs the 406/121 MHz units. Seems like minus of the 406/121 is the ability to track and send text message, those 121/406 units are more suited to my needs as something akin to an ELT. Although the unit price is higher with those units, lack of subscription makes it cheaper after a year or two. Fwiw I still have a 121 ELT- so something portable, GPS driven and operating on both frequencies seems like it would be the right choice for an infrequent user who doesn't want additional features. Did I answer my own question? edit: this might be more like one that would suit my needs. $230 no tax free shipping with a $50 mail in rebate until 12/31/16. http://www.hodgesmarine.com/Acr-2881-Resqlink-Plb-Floats-W-O-Pouch-Usa-Can-p/acr2881.htm?gclid=CjwKEAiAmJvBBRDKpP724LigwngSJAAYRJXBydN87ypiPGiD3IwDXxLyAouUIKjwcLqxs8CxD-9ytRoC_Yvw_wcB&ppcstrkid=1565162769&click=19&ppcsclkid=CnYR6LWQ0NEy&ppcsu=xhg7f5djqeniramsegdoh As always input is appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

our pitot tube would clog in the lightest of rain or after washing. After drying out it would resume normal function. No safety wire or such would clean it out. Finally we removed the nylaflow connector inside the wing and blasted it out with 120 PSI shop air. A fair bit of bug debris came out, and since then, it works fantastic. I'd suggest maybe trying that.

She is coming home Monday!

That must have been a unique experience! And you even received credit for your plane. Wish my plane was ever that clean, shiny and photo-ready. You,sir, put in some work getting ready!!

Hey Anthony just tap on it and send it to your email address, I was able to get it that way

David, That is a great explanation for how the technology works, and what is involved...! I am always amazed by how my KAP150 does the magic behind the scenes without displaying the math that it is going through. It is better to know what these boxes are actually doing. Bracketing a course without the associated trial and error over time... You didn't by chance get a pic you can post? Best regards, -a-

Nice flight to Nut Tree under solid overcast. Lots of traffic and as sometimes happens when I visit there I get runway dyslexia with runways 2 and 20 I always seem to get them backwards well no problem as I enter the 45 for the left downwind to 2 not 20 was right where I was supposed to be made the correction on my approach call with apologies for the stupid pilot trick. I always enjoy a high solid ceiling 12000ft flying at 5500 made for an interesting sky to take in.

Thanks for that info. Can't say I was aware of that issue! Tom

I had my vacuum pump fail twice last year. The first time I put a new coupling in it. The second time I got a new pump. Looking up the cost, it was $378 for a new pump. About an hour to put it in. I think the wet pumps are closer to $1500, and who knows if it requires a 337? For me, I have an Aspen as a primary and a standard attitude gyro as a backup, (and a precise flight standby since it was already on the plane). --I still am amazed a STC was approved for a turbo that uses manifold pressure to work as your vacuum backup. I really wonder how many folks know they need to reduce the manifold pressure (and power) to make the thing work. Got to love the supplement. The Mooney 231 is equipped with a turbocharger and when taking off utilizing a power setting of 40 in Hg., the intake manifold is pressurized to provide additional power to the engine. Once the aircraft is at cruise speed and power at 8000 ft to 10,000 ft altitude the power setting is reduced to 27 in. Hg. and the engine intake manifold is pressurized by the turbocharger. The Precise Flight Standby Vacuum System relies on the difference between the outside ambient air pressure and the intake manifold pressure, power settings on a turbocharged engine will have to be reduced to allow proper Standby Vacuum System operation Once a turbocharged aircraft is at altitude, and has a vacuum pump failure, a slow and safe descent to landing, using low power settings, will be necessary to effectively operate the SVS system. In the Mooney 231 you can cruise with 18.5 in. Hg. at 8,000 ft. MSL, which will provide the required vacuum to maintain primary gyro instruments. On final approach you will have the best possible vacuum. The aircraft engine, turbocharged or not, is developing more vacuum than the primary gyro instruments need and the vacuum regulator will keep the system within limits.

Congrats! Now comes the fun part and the hard part - staying proficient. Don't loose those partial panel skills you worked so hard to get - your life could depend on them. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow, I think I will leave this site for a while. I thought it was about flying Mooneys. Bye

Ouch. I don't like the guy, but I'm willing to give him a chance to see how it all plays out and would like all Americans to stand behind their president. For better or worse.

There is talk of him living in NYC full time and not moving into the Whitehouse. Get used to it. It's only going to get worse, along with everything else.

Tony the service bulletin TAT SB11-05.9-23-2011 dated.. I was referring to from Cirrus to remove all fine wire plugs, the Tempest man explained it was the Champs with the poor design that had the cracked insulators and associated piston damage.

I may have forgotten to say this a few times. Memory gets better with age.... Thanks again to our veterans for the freedoms we enjoy. Happy Veterans' Day! Best regards, -a-

With a republican house and senate, and soon a Supreme Court, they are going to roll back every social program and law since Roosevelt. I'm afraid we are in for a long, expensive, and painful lesson.

Are you sure is the stall alarm and not the gear alarm? José

If all the mechanical checks out with those mods I would say $45k-$50k. It's a really nice plane so thats why I shot a bit high. Make sure the fuel tanks have been completely stripped and re-sealed or bladders installed within the last 5 years. Otherwise you'll need to add about $8k once you buy it. Plan on it being out of service for a month. You're going to be around $25k-$30k for new avionics soon (GPS, NAV/COM 1 & 2, transponder, audio panel) and you will have to deal with the plane being down a month or more for that. Unless you just repair as things go out then you could get out for $10k. I don't see the OP so maybe I'll stop there. He might have moved on. Tim

CONGRATS! really glad you achieved a succesful outcome and saw it through. As someone who also had to spend quite a lot to get mine back into shape we might have to compare notes but I definetly did not have the set backs you encountered mine was more like this is need fixed and we can do right now just provide lots of AMU's. Now dont worry about plaid panels get out and enjoy YOUR new airplane.

We arrived Tuesday morning bright and early where we affixed the two front seats. Buttoned up the cowling and did an extensive ground run to test fuel feed from both tanks. So far they are both holding fuel, no leaks. They circled the airport for about 10 minutes, wrote down a couple discrepancies and came back in. The short list includes a slow-to-respond MP gauge, flap and trim indicators not hooked up, and some various fuses and wiring that aren't hooked up that need to be terminated. All-in-all, its been a long journey, I'm hoping the invoice isn't too painful but I AM READY TO GO FLYING!

The cold hard facts of life. A C will never be an E or F. An E or F will never be a J. The price of one is limited by the price of the next step up model. Once a C gets above $45k you start asking why not go with a E or F. Once these get above about $65-70k you ask why not just buy a J.

69's were the first year of the quadrant, 6 pack instrument layout, electric gear and flaps. This C model is the original layout. Same as my F. Ron

The JPI700 I have now does that as well. It tells me GPH, gallons remaining, gallons used and gallons required to reach destination. But like I mentioned, adding fuel is a bit clumsy.

Someone at work shared this with me today thought I would pass it along: https://earth.nullschool.net/ It's got some pretty cool functionality. Zero warranty on my part, I have no clue where they pull this data from.

You didn't mention how far back your missing the engine log...over 10 years / 10 annuals not that big a deal since you got the airframe log for total time

At least you wore that classy Mooney shirt for your checkride. Congrats on that! I think autogyros look like a lot of fun!

Ok got it back, - here's an early pirep on the intstall results of the LASAR 201 windshield: -Imroved Visibility - a spectacular improvement on my '68C. This was a motivator to put it in, and I am not disappointed. It turns out I'd been missing out on part of the flying experience. My plane had the factory one piece windshield that was used '68-77, which was shorter in height than the prior years' two piece windshields. Visibility improvement on the older planes may be less vs. going to a simple one piece mod. But there must be a bit of a safety dividend with this mod. -Improved interior comfort- It's more than just the subtle improvement I expected. It feels much less tight and claustrophobic when the windshield is no longer in your face, particularly since the panel is so close. This is a big dividend, particularly for skittish or claustrophobic passengers. Also you can put stuff on the glare shield now. -Much less interior noise- My C was loud as heck even with its updated sound insulation. Improving noise was not a motivator for me because I really didn't think it would work. To my very pleasant surprise, it produced a clear, immediately noticeable improvement in all phases of flight! I'm not sure how it is so effective at cutting engine noise, but sound physics is not my strong suit. After not having flown for 3 weeks, I felt incredibly relaxed coming home to a bit of a traffic mess at my home field, and I'm sure the reduced noise level had something to do with it. This will make a big difference for passengers as well, particularly with their cheaper headsets. -Speed - Don't know yet, only flew a short hop down low to get it home. This was a motivator to put it in, but at this point I would be happy even if it was minimal, but I'd be surprised if I didn't pick up at least a couple knots. -Aesthetics- Meh - I think it looks a little bit better, but this is in the eye of the beholder. I didn't think it looked bad before, so this was not a motivator. See before and after pix below and decide for yourself. -Cost / Installation/ Shop experience - It's expensive. LASAR kit is ~2500. I was charged a full 50hrs for the install, plus a couple hundred bucks to paint the new metal and make a new headliner piece when the one in the kit wouldn't fit my non-original interior. AirMods in Robbinsville NJ did the work. I was too busy while it was in the shop to keep an eye on the progress. But this is an area of expertise for them, and their workmanship seems very good. They did the job on time and close to budget as promised, without me hounding them. I would certainly recommend them for this work. Overall, I think the scale of the benefit in multiple areas does provide good value for the mod, and I doubt anyone choosing to do it would be disappointed. TOP: before BOTTOM: after

From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; -Shakespeare A great many thanks to my Brothers and Sisters that have served or are currently serving. To those currently in harms way, "Give em Hell" and come home safe!

God bless all who served in the past and who stand watch now to keep us free, along with their families. Last year's date, but you get the idea.

My Father in Law is retired Air Force. Flew B-52s most of his career. He would haul Nukes around the world on a typical mission. They would take off from N Carolina cross the Atlantic fly around waiting for orders that never came then fly home. Multiple refueling were required to make the flights. Later flying missions over N Vietnam. He and men like him are and were the point of the spear. I respect and honor him along with the young men assuming those responsibilities today. Thank God there are those that risk all to defend this great country. Freedom isn't FREE.

Ditto back. Thank you to all our Vets who sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for our many blessings we sometimes take for granted.

To those that have and to those that are serving our country, thank you!