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Spent the last 5 days with this awesome bird Even got a little right seat time

I really dont mind writing big checks to the Gubbermint, it means I did well for myself the previous year. I do, however, mind them wasting what I send them.

I have owned C-FSWR for over 12 years now, and I have finally committed the resources to putting her in the /G category. Clarence found a great price on a GNS 480 for me while he was at Sun'n'Fun and brought it home last weekend. As many of you already know, an E model does not have a lot of panel room so if I want to keep two CDI's, one of them is going to have to be part of an HSI. See pic below where the HDG bug is driving the autopilot enroute to Wichita from St. Louis with the TNL 2000A monitoring deviations before switching my one NAV radio over from Vichy (VIH) to Butler (BUM). These are the anticipated changes. DG goes. Narco 810 goes. TNL 2000A goes. Move the Narco Mk 12D down to allow the GNS 480 to sit just below the audio panel. All good. So which HSI works with a 480? Lots do, but not a lot of them are simple plug and play. KCS 55 or STEC 180 or Collins ProLine. Varying in price from less than 1 AMU for a Collins to 4.5 AMUs for the full King system. Ouch. If I want something to help in terms of GPSS, it really has to be an electric one with software guts. Bunch of advantages: off of the vacuum pump; good battery life in the event of an electrical failure; GPSS and roll steering; works with my STEC 50. Only one choice at less than 8 AMUs. Garmin G5 for 3.5 AMUs. So that is what I am doing. Has almost everything an Aspen has, but even with one as an HSI and one as an EFIS (AI), the boxes cost less than 6 AMUs. I know, I know - installation is another matter and these two (480 and G5 HSI) will cost me nearly the value of the boxes to install them. Sheesh. But soon I will be equipped for travel in the 21st Century. In case anyone wants to raise it, the KR 97 stays. We still have NDBs in Canada. When I get back from Thailand in May - C-FSWR goes into the shop for a combo avionics installation and then to Clarences for its annual. When I get back from a bunch of places in Asia in June, she will be ready for heavy duty practice. I will post updates.

I thought I would share this find with the group. About 15 years ago when I started rebuilding my F model, I was looking for parts. I found a Mooney windshield wiper kit complete with STC and drawings, new in its box. I bought for novelty sake given its rarity. Some pictures are attached. John Breda

Return flight from PPP in Henderson, NV. My longest nonstop flight ever. Still had legal reserve of fuel. You can see from my ground speed fluctuations that I was in mountain waves. VMC until OR border, then between layers until I crossed the Cascades, then solid IMC until about 50 miles from home where I broke out at 6,800. No turbulence

Kelly Couch, who attended the Paso Robles Fly-In just sent this Drone Video to us. Enjoy:

What I learn from that, is that's most likely exactly what caused it. We are all susceptible to "I've done this hundreds of times unscathed, I can do it again". But maybe not with a tailwind, or an unexpected wind gust or a distraction on the ground or in the cockpit or on a day that you just aren't 100%. 99 out of 100 is great in most endeavors, except flying. I feel more comfortable with a higher margin of safety. There are a lot of things we can't control, but what field we base at we can control. I also choose to base at an airpark, but the runway is 3800 feet long and 80 feet wide. Do I need it to be that long? Not most of the time, but if a few of my pilot imperfections surface that day along with something unexpected, I have a better chance of getting it stopped safely.

Hello Yankele, Parts 135 & etc weren’t crafted to be an inconvenience. They’re explicitly designed to prevent what you propose. Part 91 gives you great freedom to fly yourself all over the country at pretty much whatever risk level you deem acceptable. However you are not permitted to transfer that risk via a commercial transaction to third parties unable to assess those dangers for themselves. Have fun and keep flying. Safely.

That's some very sporty wind to be using runway 30. I think that might be a one way in/out runway...dunno. Diverting to another field and ubering home is what I did last month when my home base had monster crosswinds, an no quartering tailwind. Sent from my LG-US996 using Tapatalk

There is no way to make money with a GA plane. GA is only for turning big piles of money into smaller piles of money. If someone tells you they are making money it’s highly probable they are cutting corners and skipping some rules.

If want to buy a plane and need to reduce your cost of flying, consider a partner. Either way, you need to realize that your costs only begin with the purchase.

Not all get back, I just sent Uncle Sam the equivalent of a GTN750. Yay!

I am the excited, proud new owner of N803RM, the 1969 Mooney M20F lovingly cared for by another MooneySpace'r for the past 11 years. A lot of you probably remember my "E of dubious provenance," and her ignominious end. I'm not going to slam that plane; if I'd been more experienced, she may not have ended the way she did. (I believe the Swiss Cheese model played out in that situation. I do think there were problems with the plane, but looking back - and as fully discussed with the FAA - there were things I could have done differently.) This is different. My "E" was a project. This F is turnkey. She needs nothing. ADS-B, WAAS, freshly sealed tanks, AP... she's equipped. Gorgeous inside and out. Purrs. Picked her up in Yosemite this morning, flew her to PRB for the 53(!) Mooney fly-in, then brought her home. Got a hangar for her at Torrance (KTOA). If anyone's on the field tomorrow, stop by, 1300-1900... (PM me for details)

Wife or plane will be gone in 90days?

If you really can't swing airplane ownership without putting a shill out its time to take up something cheaper like knitting.

Ned -- forgot to mention one thing. The monetary thing hurts but once it is done and you get to use the new stuff, you'll be happy that you did it. I have been flying behind the new panel for 6 years and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. You only get one ticket for this ride we call "life".

I see people complaining about the price , If 32 dollars is too much , don't go , in fact you should sell your plane and take up golf , much cheaper.....The money supports the EAA , without them , you couldn't afford to fly (most of you) , it supports all kinds of aviation charities....... GROW UP , If you don't want to pay that's fine , but stop crying like a child........What we do costs lots of money .....

Where do you think we get all that $$$$ for panel upgrades. $2 here, $5 there all add up

There is a kind of a way. It is actually how a fair amount of corporate flight departments operate Part 91. You would want to be well versed to pull this off. Let's say your friend owns a plane. He can "hire" you to fly his plane with your commercial certificate. But he would most likely not be able to charge other passengers to fly on his plane. Rules are so wacky that I won't give rides to fellow work people when we are going to the same meeting. If there is any sort of reimbursement then it would be like I am transporting them for my employer. Once you own a plane you realize that you want to be very good friends with the people you fly. They should trust your skills and you have a duty to keep your skills and equipment sharp to keep them safe. Keep the enthusiasm for flying going.

I meant from the stand point of insurance - I said the phrase act of nature. We agree completely on this topic. And as I was trying to say above, just having people letting their dogs off leash even if they do not run into my prop - or other people's props - is very stressful for me to see since I worry in side for the well being of those poor dogs and I am annoyed at the owners who do it and I resent that I need to worry on behalf of their dog that they think they are so special and their dog is so special that no everyone will know not to worry about THEIR dog. And I will emphasize that I am annoyed that I am stressing about their dog's safety when they are not. As one poster said above, well THEIR dog is well trained so I do not need to worry about THEIR special dog, but how the heck is a community of pilots supposed to know which is the special extra well trained dog and which is not. No not good enough.

I do not think I would sound that calm......I wonder what it would take to actually rattle her cage? maybe a unleashed dog running around the airport or some touch and go's in a Mooney or perhaps running out of camguard?

Right - if one depends on not getting caught - you don't need a license at all! Just ask the barefoot bandit.

Oh absolutely. Of course, the charter company would have operational control of your airplane, you'd have to do all the maintenance and other record keeping required of Part 135 operations. And, of course, as the pilot, you'd have to meet Part 135 PIC qualifications, do all the Part 135 recurrent training, etc, etc. I think you'd find not trying to make money much cheaper

You won't be able to put 3 passengers in a Mooney and fly them NY to FL without a few stops. They probably want to bring some luggage, too. Just to add to the chorus, doing what you propose is likely to cost a ton, involve a lot of hassle, and not likely to make you any money at the end of the day if you comply with the rules. There are ways to skirt the rules, but I won't say how... It still leaves you wide open in liability exposure IMO and not worth the risk. If you want to own a Mooney at a reduced cost, get a partner or set up a club arrangement with up to 4 people. Insurance won't be awful, availability will still be good, and you won't have the hassle of 135 regs. After you get a commercial licence, go find a flying job with some outfit and maybe use a Mooney to commute, if needed. Sent from my LG-US996 using Tapatalk

Nice! I have an 05 STi, I bought it new way back when and it's still going strong!

I know all forms of mistakes can happen but the only claims that bother me are tow bar strikes or similar on high time engines / impossible to sell units. I would never look at monetary issues when peoples (or dogs) lives are on the line.

The Continental SB requires an IRAN for any prop strike that damages the propeller. I’m sorry to say I know this from personal experience. Insurance will cover the cost for that procedure, plus the propeller replacement. Add a few bucks (few in aviation terms) to the insurance payment and get a full engine overhaul. With a new wing and the firewall forward refurbishment it will be (almost) a new plane in about 9 months.

the 135 cert is a pain to start from scratch, aircraft and pilot has to listed on the cert (can be changed), opts manual along with maintinance manual and a Director of Maintenance (DOM), Ins companies won't even look at you with less than 500hrs. Not wanting to discourage you but the min for Private Pliot is 40 hrs, 40 more for Instrument Rating, 50hrs of X-country and 20hrs for the Commercial, so if you fly your ass off and really study and make it at the min times your still 100hrs short for the min of 250hrs for the Commercial. If your like most it's hard to devote that much time in a short time frame. Get you PPL and gain some experience and take some trips, start your Instrument Rating at around 80 ~ 100 hrs, start the Commercial rating somewhere around 230 hrs and you'll be in good shape hour wise when you finish up. It's a lot better to come in from a flight and hand the dispatcher a squawk list and go home and let someone else write the checks

I've got about and hour and a half of right seat time in that guy. Great airplane, quite the blast to fly.

Damaging a perfect airplane! Phil -- I saw you at Sun N Fun but didn't want to interrupt you since you were busy with lots of potential customers.

You’re not going to make any money on a Mooney. Unless you’re doing contract work for Ariel spotting / inspection etc and then it’s the wrong choice of plane anyway. You could possibly swing a 91 subpart k to be the pilot for a fractional ownership model but you’re opening yourself up for mucho liability exposure. Better to separate ownership aspirations from career aspirations unless you want into the 135 world.

My ultimate goal is to pay $1MM in taxes every year. Not even close, but one can dream......

Uncle Sam is going to use my money that he gave me without paying interest to fix my %^$&%$#!! nose gear.

When it comes to charging customers, not only would you be subjected to additional requirements, so would your plane. 100 hour inspections, complying with service bulletins, FAA inspections and who knows what else might be required. And those costs would be occurred whether you have a paying passenger or not. Also reach out to Seth Meyers on this site. He was entertaining setting up some sort of shuttle service into the Washington D.C. area. Think he has a good understanding of the situation.

To be precise, we spend $$$$$. Except Don Kaye who spends $$$$$$.$$. But I think you know you're a hypocrite to point out Hank's silliness.

See what’s required for flight seeing ops... there have been a couple of helicopter accidents recently... Grand Canyon and NYC... The NYC accident was caused by the passenger, Accidently shut off the fuel, drowned the passengers... Discuss what you find... Search around MS... Look up the Uber for aviation thread... The FAA has allowed a lot of flexibility in the rules. passenger safety isn’t a place for (their) flexibility. PP thoughts only... Best regards, -a-

really really simple here gumpfs 3x before abeam. flaps, pull power, pitch for 90-80 land. oh yeah gumpfs check soon as i turn final.

+1 for Avare... I have been using it since it first came out.

John, here is a tip for you next year...Join the Silverwings fraternity. $5 lunches (burger/hotdog/slaw/potato salad/chips, cookies and drink). Nice indoor restroom, Air conditioned cabin, use of the golf cart to get to and fro, coffee and donuts in the AM. All for $30 USD, and it goes to aviation scholarships for "utes"

I enjoyed your write up, as I have enjoyed all your stories. like I said before,, you must have a really good typewriter.... But this is different. You tried to make a flyin some time back, but it didnt take off,,, -1,,, OK. This time you tried again,,, you were the germ, you planted a seed, and it was good. Some help came to help tend that germ, that seed, that Idea,,, and it grew! I have known you for a long time through this forum, and think we are friends. I am proud of what you have done. Your germ/seed has produced what is probably the biggest gathering of Mooney's ANYWHERE,,,EVER!!! thanks for the write up and the pics...

I think we've all learned that a far more effective method is to deny the facts, blame everyone else, and then double-down on the denial. Works like a charm!

No mater how much you tell yourself that your dog is well behaved it’s still a dog and dogs are prone to being distracted. They’re very impulsive by nature. Just like kids we can’t expect them to always make wise decisions -Robert

true story. but even better we have two...yippeee..

I grew up with all kinds of animals including lots of dogs. As an adult I've come to the reluctant conclusion that most dog owners are not qualified to own dogs.

Little more nose up trim. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I've seen a close call once, with a dog jumping / snapping at the prop as someone was trying to start their plane . . . . Scared many of us! I love my dog, and take him flying, but he's leashed at the airport outside of our car and the plane. It also keeps him out of the rat poison in the hangar.

I have had dogs my entire life until the last few years, and some very good and wonderful dogs. I just have no sympathy. There is never a reason to have a dog on the tarmac not on a leash, or around a city street, or a road.

Went to Lake Havasu (KHII) for lunch with a friend today. Seems like every time I go there something interesting happens. The last time just as I arrived a V-22 made a low pass. This time just as we were leaving this guy was making low passes.

Pictures required. We have high standards here on MooneySpace. [emoji23] Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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