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We enjoyed some wonderful flying on Christmas day. It's one of my favorite days to fly because there are so few planes in the sky and you have the air all to yourself. Anyone else go flying on xmas?

Justifying the plane to your wife... That's funny right there! [emoji3][emoji3]. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

I got this: 1979 M20K, with a -LB, Airflow intercooler, Merlyn, Aspen, TKS and several other toys (I'm pretty giddy!). It will be based at KEDC. Should suit my usual mission of Angel Flights and statewide search of the best BBQ in Texas. I'm new to the board, but I've been flying about 5 years and 400 hours. IR to get the most from this bird, and planning to knock out my commercial in the next few months. David

Hello all. I have worked in a VFR tower, the ARTCC (Center), and I currently work as a air traffic controller in a Tower/TRACON. Let me just start by saying, you don't know how many near mid-airs I see on the radar scope between 2 VFR (1200) targets. It happens more frequently than you think. Usually when I vector a VFR on FF it's because you are going to be really really close to converging or opposite direction traffic that you may not be able to see until it's too late. We don't do it for airspace unless it's restricted, prohibited, or a TFR is active. When you choose to not be on flight following, your mode C is not verified. This is why when we call traffic on an unverified target (1200) we always say "altitude indicates". I've had instances where non-verified mode C targets have been off by 1500-2000 feet. ADSB is nice, but if pilots aren't putting in the proper altimeter settings, that plane may be close than you think. As always, if you have any ATC questions, feel free to ask.

Took this picture yesterday flying home after Christmas in Asheville, NC. Flew from KAVL to KLYH and then KLYH to KOQN, pic was taken shortly after departing Lynchburg level at 7,000 ft. 22"MP and 2500 RPM. We maintained over 200kts for a good portion of the second leg.

This may well go down as one of those historically epic threads that old timers will talk about for years to come.

Finished my first page with the Mooney. Lots of "mosts". Most time logged with a single page, most landings in a page, most night time in a page, etc.

$400/mo for a T-hanger, electricity and heavy sliding doors. Untowered, friendly field. 5 miles away at Chino (Towered) they are $500 if you can get them. Go into Orange county and it goes up a lot more, and you have to deal with the marine layer. I'm lucky I live just 20 minutes from KAJO, unless it's rush hour and then I'm 90 minutes away... Oh, and I think I must have the best wife ever, she wanted the plane, and insisted that it live inside a hangar.

Hmmm . . . Hangars are great for protection from weather, storage, working and hanging out. But having a plane tied down on the ramp beats the heck out of not having a plane at all . . .

Nope, or maybe...depending on your definition of a newlywed. We've been married almost 7 years, but it's the second marriage for both of us. It's all a matter of perspective. Without getting into too many details I was in a terrible 15 year marriage and she was in a terrible 17 year marriage previously. Being married to a normal, stable person has a way of making the little things so much smaller and we both often say, "So this is what a marriage really is? I love it!" We're the modern day Brady Bunch, plus one. Between us we have 7 kids, three of which are married, three grandkids, and two more grandkids on the way. Thankfully we only have a couple left at home.

I am pretty sure the 1/32" stems from the 43.13.b data that allows up to 10% of wall thickness. Mooney could not exceed that. We see plenty of nose wheel trusses fail - presumably after being dented and ignored for sometime. But I don't have any first hand info on that but would not be ignoring it either. Why risk a $40k repair for less than a $1K? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

50'X 50' hangar in Georgia. Room for 4 planes + toys. $50k divided by number of years of use minus whatever it sells for when I vacate. Beer refrigerator is the high cost item.

We spent the first year outside and where we're located it's harder on the plane in summer than winter. I can't tell you how much nicer to have it indoors lots more advantages than just the weather. Not to mention our airport is not secured at all so theft and vandalism is also a threat. Definitely worth the rent. There is no way to justify any of the costs associated with owning an airplane. We do it out of passion and love of flight.

Apologies if someone else has already posted this: T'was the night before Christmas, and out on the ramp, Not an airplane was stirring, not even a Champ. The aircraft were fastened to tie downs with care, In hopes that -- come morning -- they all would be there. The fuel trucks were nestled, all snug in their spots, With gusts from two-forty at 39 knots. I slumped at the fuel desk, now finally caught up, And settled down comfortably, resting my butt. When the radio lit up with noise and with chatter, I turned up the scanner to see what was the matter. A voice clearly heard over static and snow, Called for clearance to land at the airport below. He barked his transmission so lively and quick, I'd have sworn that the call sign he used was "St. Nick." I ran to the panel to turn up the lights, The better to welcome this magical flight. He called his position, no room for denial, "St. Nicholas One, turnin' left onto final." And what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a Rutan-built sleigh, with eight Rotax Reindeer! With vectors to final, down the glideslope he came, As he passed all fixes, he called them by name: "Now Ringo! Now Tolga! Now Trini and Bacun! On Comet! On Cupid!" What pills was he takin'? While controllers were sittin', and scratchin' their heads, They phoned to my office, and I heard it with dread, The message they left was both urgent and dour: "When Santa pulls in, have him please call the tower." He landed like silk, with the sled runners sparking, Then I heard, "Left at Charlie," and "Taxi to parking." He slowed to a taxi, turned off of three-oh, And stopped on the ramp with a "Ho, ho-ho-ho..." He stepped out of the sleigh, but before he could talk, I ran out to meet him with my best set of chocks. His red helmet and goggles were covered with frost, And his beard was all blackened from Reindeer exhaust. His breath smelled like peppermint, gone slightly stale, And he puffed on a pipe, but he didn't inhale. His cheeks were all rosy and jiggled like jelly, His boots were as black as a cropduster's belly. He was chubby and plump, in his suit of bright red, And he asked me to "fill it, with hundred low-lead." He came dashing in from the snow-covered pump, I knew he was anxious for drainin' the sump. I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work, And I filled up the sleigh, but I spilled like a jerk. He came out of the restroom, and sighed in relief, Then he picked up a phone for a Flight Service brief. And I thought as he silently scribed in his log, These reindeer could land in an eighth-mile fog. He completed his pre-flight, from the front to the rear, Then he put on his headset, and I heard him yell, "Clear!" And laying a finger on his push-to-talk, He called up the tower for clearance and squawk. "Take taxiway Charlie, the southbound direction, Turn right three-two-zero at pilot's discretion". He sped down the runway, the best of the best, "Your traffic's a Grumman, inbound from the west." Then I heard him proclaim, as he climbed through the night, "Merry Christmas to all! I have the traffic in sight."

Hi everyone, during the now quieter time of the year I used some resources of my office to investigate how a GoPro (or any other action cam) that is mounted to a wing, influences the flow field. Many pilots are afraid to mount a cam to their wings or other locations on the fuselage, because it may make the aircraft uncontrollable in some situations. I summed it all up in a short video. Please let me know what experiences you had with outside mounted cams. Thanks

Okay, I probably get the CB award for hangers, Old T-hanger with sliders, but on the end close to the ramp, and have 220V outlet. $70 per month, but i get a 10% discount for paying for the year in advance. Sure it leaks a little, and i have to blow the dust and grass clippings out once a month, but the doors are a good leg work out. Even got ground crew to knock down the snow drifts a little lower for the Mooney. Not by choice, but the nice hangers do not have any turnover. Supposed to be getting new ones this year, but I'm not complaining. Closer timewise than driving to Lincoln airport and much cheaper. Best of all, great service from the FBO.

The suction screen should be the next item to check if metal is found in the filter or pressure screen. Often neglected because of location. I have seen them full of carbon, which will restrict oil flow.

Welcome aboard Marcus. My Dad was at Fort Bragg training for his part in WWII (82nd Airborne). When you are ready to buy, let us know what you are looking at. We love spending other people's money. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

My oldest son is a lefty. Best quote I have heard was another lefty, gentleman about 70 years old tell my son "Lefty's designed the world for right handed people because they need the extra help."

El capabilidad de MS es grande! Best regards, -a-

We flew, but unfortunately it was a balmy 75 outside and the view was of Tennessee cornfields. My house to my folks, a short 20 minute hop. -Tom

I've previously mentioned the high costs of hangars in the Bay Area. I pay $741 a month (plus county property tax that works out to be about $100 per month. (This doesn't include the annual Personal Property tax that is about 1% of the aircraft's value). On the other hand I have a relatively new hangar at a towered airport about 7 miles south of SFO. AV gas is about $4.00 per gallon, delivered by truck. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My hangar elf designed and installed an alarm system that is activated when the limit is reached. It sounds a piezo while the limit is in contact, but you probably could not hear it over a running tug. Better, though, it activates a quieter piezo in the cabin, which remains on until re-set. When parked out of town, if I open the door and hear the alarm, I know to go check the truss for damage.

Being out in the weather does damage to more than just paint... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

$155/month for a nice box hangar, wl electricity included.Will sublet until I have a Mooney to put back in it! ;D Airport and airport bums are both great. 6000', ILS, LPV, etc, Gorgeous town included, no extra cost. 100LL $4.26

Sorry about that Turtle, but now you also know what I have in my K and how it works. Information I'm sure you you were coveting!!!! Ron

Hello everyone, I recently took my first lesson towards my PPL. My wife and I, after some serious consideration, are working towards owing an aircraft, and that was the first tangible step in that direction. After much research and comparison, the M20C is the leader "in the clubhouse", which is what brought me here. I am currently on active duty in the US Army stationed at Fort Bragg, NC (Home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces, AKA: "the Center of the Universe"), but this profession is winding down rapidly as I approach the end of my career. I look forward to interacting with and learning as much as possible from you all. Marcus

Marcus, Welcome aboard! I started looking at planes earlier this year and it really came down to the Mooney. I joined here in May, began my PPL the end of June, passed my checkride October 15th, and bought my plane the beginning of December. It's a great group of folks here that were helpful and supportive through my flight training and in my search for a plane. If you want some fun and advice, you could do what myself and another guy did and start a thread to document your training. It seems most of the people here like reading about the learning adventures of us new guys.

Stuff that comes from experience... Doc knows Mooney maintenance... Ken knows proper aircraft pricing structure... Old Guy has a feeling about what should have been clearly stated, but was strangely omitted... Best regards, -a-

Good topic for me. I'll send the actual measurement on my '68C's fixed cowl flaps when I get it back from annual, hopefully next week. 2" or so sounds right in my fuzzy memory. How big is your opening? I'd be curious to know how much difference the movable flaps make from someone with a C model and a good engine monitor- i.e. climbing at the fixed setting versus wide open. The prevailing wisdom seems to be that the tightness of the baffling is a bigger factor than the cowl flap position. Everyone here seems convinced, and the holes I've been able to close have indeed made a difference. Everyone except all the A&Ps I've dealt with- who say my baffle is great and ignore my requests to close the hard to reach holes - particularly in the front on the prop side of the alternator and starter. I really begged and pleaded this year, offering to sacrifice my retirement savings and future first born, so maybe it will come out of annual in much better shape. Of note the C model cowl design in general is lousy too. Super draggy, with poor airflow under best of circumstances relative to modern designs. See description in this old MAPA article:http://www.mooneypilots.com/mapalog/M20C Evaluation/M20C_Evaluation_Report.html It's interesting to note that the author doesn't bat an eye at CHTs up to 440 during his test climbs with cowl flaps open. I definitely bat an eye though - I have 2 cylinders off right now during annual at 900 hrs. Now where is that nice Sabremech fella? It looked like he had a kick ass STC in the works to fix all this mess.

You are right about not having to pay for a separate storage facility. About half the boxes are filled with aviation stuff, and the other half is for business records. Before I set up the hangar this way I was paying about $750 per month for my business records storage in an off premises storage facility. I also keep an extra set of tools, drill press, workbench, and many sets of nuts, bolts, screws,etc in the hangar. A desk, computer, printer, and more (refrigerator, coffee maker) lets me use the hangar as a remote office before and after flights, or when I am in the vicinity of the hangar. I also set up six cabinets to hold aviation stuff, and changes of clothes, and all sorts of backpacks and emergency gear. So for me the high costs are mitigated by function and multi purposes for the hangar. This hangar is about 15 minutes from my office or home by different routes. Over the decades I have had a number of hangars at San Carlos, Rio Vista and South County Airport, and this one is the best yet. A friend and I laid the floor in one day. Works out well, and the aluminum plates are not there to protect the floor, which easily can hold the weight of the Mooney, but are for positioning. When the wheels are all on the plates, I can walk around without any clearance problem.

I designed and built the one shown here. Not really workable unless you can weld, etc. unless you con me into building one for you. I also have a riding mower I took the deck off of. The biggest problem is attaching a ball or other mechanism, and rigging a tow bar. I prefer my smaller one, so I don't have to get out the mower.

The only times I'm not talking to ATC is during local burger runs and I'm reconsidering that too. Yesterday flew down from North Florida to Miami along the east coast roughly following V3. On more than one occasion ATC pointed traffic in opposite direction 500 feet above or below me. Although I always have eyeballs outside especially along a busy airway, it's comforting to know I have a second set of eyes looking out for me as well. The good news is that in all three cases I had actually spotted the traffic on the IPad/Foreflight even though I don't yet have ADS-b out. Looks like at least here in Florida we have enough aircraft with ADS-b out that I'm getting a more complete traffic picture. Nevertheless, I'm accelerating my ADS-b out installation because the benefits are just too good to pass up. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Welcome! I also left active duty from the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg about a year and a half ago. Actually, if you are interested in Mooneys at all, there is a pilot at an airport nearby who can answer any questions you have. The Harnett Regional Jetport is in Lillington, and it's the airport I flew my C model out of when I was stationed there. Ask for the manager, Josh. He is a good friend of mine.

Welcome aboard, Marcus! We have a good number of former and active military here (myself included). Rangers Lead The Way!

NMR is based on interactions between protons and strong magnetic fields influenced by valence electrons as opposed to the overall ability of a material to be attracted by a magnet.

1964 M20c 2746

Test your neighbor's oil with those really strong magnets... test some fresh oil with any additives that you use... We may be seeing an oddity of using the strong magnets and collecting something that isn't iron/steal related... I'm not sure what the magnet actually collected, but it may be too strong for the standard magnet test of the oil. wondering if something is falling out of solution more than a regular magnet can pull..? oil testing is so sensitive to everying else. Shiny metal specks cause the heart to skip a beat. A teaspooon of metal flakes causes the heart to sink. Unknown things in the oil can leave you with an unknown feeling. Rubber bits in your oil mean you have a Continental starter adapter that needs to be replaced. Plastic bits means somebody didn't take the security ring off the bottle of oil before turning it upside down... Check to see if your strong magnet is doing more than expected... PP thoughts, not a mechanic. Best regards, -a-

Hours in the car 24&25th. Setting goals for next year! Best regards, -a-

Absolutely... and I thought that my new Lego airplane was cool....

I paid $100/mth for a spot in an unheated, wired 50x50 with electric bifold door in WV. Then across the taxiway into an old T-hangar with uneven floor, leaky roof and heavy sliding doors for $125 (uncontrolled field, no approaches, self serve fuel, good A&P who can do anything). Came to Alabama and got an almost-new T-hangar, cement floor, great lights for $235 (uncontrolled, GPS and VOR approaches, full serve fuel ~$1.50 cheaper than WV, an A&P who was unwilling to touch my plane). Now I'm the only flying plane in a community hangar mostly full of cars, for $200 (uncontrolled, no approaches, no fuel, no services).

He wins!! Welcome aboard Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

i have a buddy with a twin cessna that leaves it outside. He decided a paint job every 8 years is cheaper than a hangar and he doesnt touch his own plane. I got a T hangar because I like tinkering and need a spot for all my tools, cleaning supplies etc etc. Sucks trying to work on a plane in a tiedown spot.

It is really nice to have a private T hangar and a tug. Come and go without help, no hangar rash, stow tools and supplies. I've had 3RW on jacks for a couple of weeks while doing the annual with some small extras.

A couple of avadynes

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Just thought of another thing. These small engines are pretty sensitive to the amount of oil in them. Any chance there is too much oil in it? I carefully measured out the 10 ounces required. It's not a lot.

I,m one of those "old guys" that routinely do long cross countries without turning on the radio. I my case I had to listen to high density ATC (LAX, ORD. JFK, etc) for 30+ years. I now enjoy the peace of going somewhere quietly when I can. Have gone from N AZ to HOU only using the radio for fuel stops. It's called- "looking out the window" and not fixated inside the cockpit looking at gadgets.:-) :-) Look up "Children of Magenta" on youtube