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MOST of the time I am flying alone, years ago my wife decided she wanted to go up to the cabin for a long weekend for the fall colors. We arrived at the airplane, I pre flighted and she loaded some small packs in the rear seats. She went into the FBO to the latrine and I was going through pre start check list. I started the engine, called control for a Northwest departure and was cleared to 15 with a left turn to the Northwest. taxied out, performed a run up, took the active and took off. Climbing left turn on course about 5 mins out I hear the tower call me and say Arrow 84E, we just got a call from the FBO, your wife is waiting at the ramp", I replied "Thank God, I thought I'd gone deaf". Arrow 84E cleared for expedited approach straight in 15, cleared to land". I figured the tower knew I was in for it.

A quick weekend trip to Phoenix for my niece's wedding, my nephew's talk in church before leaving on his mission to Sweden, and back to California for the baptism of one of the girls that my wife was the youth leader for, it was a great trip with nice weather. https://intothesky.us/2019/07/22/made-possible-by-a-mooney/ For good fun, add in a Cessna pilot that was annoyed he was placed behind the faster Mooney coming into Fullerton. The "rest of the story" is in the blog post, but if you don't feel like reading it here's the Reader's Digest version. I hadn't been kicked to tower yet but was monitoring when I heard: Cessna: “Fullerton tower, Cessna xxxxx is over the Brea Pass and inbound with Quebec.” Tower: “Cessna xxxxx, I have a faster plane, a Mooney, inbound, two miles east of the water treatment plant. Fly to the water treatment plant and let me know when you have the Mooney in sight.” I was just beginning to level off from my descent and my ground speed (into the wind) had just dipped below 150 mph while the Cessna (flying with the wind) was showing 117 mph on my tablet. Right after that I was handed off, called up tower, and was told to make straight in for two-four. Eventually the Cessna said he had us in sight and tower told him to follow us in. I continued to slow to 120 to drop my gear by the 5 mile final mark and then bleed off more speed to get to 100 and put in some flaps. At that point the tower starts getting onto the Cessna pilot because he was overtaking me and he had been told to follow me. The Cessna guy is saying that he's trying to slow down (yeah right) and at one point said he had the power "all the way out." Sure, he's about 4+ miles out and pulled power all the way, guy would have dropped like a rock, not continued to overtake me. Funniest line I've heard from ATC in awhile. Tower: "Sir, do you have an instructor on board?" Tower gave him an s-turn, asked me to keep my speed above 90 until short final, we landed nice and easy and watch the Cessna float down the runway and bounce once before settling down. Good times!

First, I'm sorry about your friend. Do recall the old wisdom that suggests not to make major decisions under times of stress (if you can avoid it). While long the subject in the arts, modern research finds that during times of persistent stress colors literally seem less bright...the things that normally gives us, for example, a 9/10 on the pleasure scale...end up only providing a 5/10 on the pleasure scale. It's not that the nature of the thing changed, rather it's the effect of stress on our perception. WHILE this is occurring, so too do you start to look at things differently, calculating what you do/don't like, finding reasons to not like what you used to love, seeking alternatives that offer the allure of newnewss that, while refreshing, ends up being old. But when the stress abates...if you're a "keeper" by nature...you might be more prone to regretting the Mooney sale. I must say that I wish you had an IA whom you could owner-assist everything with. I started in homebuilts and went certified because...it's less expensive. A nice RV costs ~50% more than my Mooney, burns the same fuel, is cramped inside, and only has 2 seats. I now own several planes in rental in addition to my Mooney. 2 seaters are not appreciably less expensive to maintain or operate (unless Rotax powered, but who needs glass cockpit in a Rotax 2 seater). FWIW the only time I see people in the back seats of planes are folks in training or the occasional (rare) family, or site-seeing tours. Back seats are for dogs, luggage, and for stretching out. As to the panel, now that G5 and Dynon is on the scene, the gap between certified and experimental is really narrow. If you had a good IA that would owner-assist you could build a panel. I do all my own wrenching such that my annual IA bill is ~$1,000. For sure the occasional certified part can be brutal, but I saved a lot vs buying an RV. Also, if you decide to keep the Mooney, review the past Primary Non Commercial (PNC) initiative that was supposed to be part of the Part 23 re-write a couple years ago. Rumor has it that the PNC initiative is not completely dead, rather, it's inevitable at some point (lest the GA fleet continue to shrink). If not familiar, PNC would allow you to convert your Mooney to "owner maintenance" similar to the Canadian system. But, again, with a good IA who isn't afraid of his own shadow and likes to operate to the full extent of his ticket...you can do practically as much on your Mooney as an experimental (many experimental folks self-limit their FWF work anyway). Best of luck in your decision.

They will come back around. They seem to come to market in bunches. Sit tight and keep that cash ready.

Whenever I talked to a tower, I had flown somewhere, even if only 4nm across the river . . . Depart KHTW on 26, make a left turnout and enter left base for 30 at KHTS. Those were the days! Everything was new and exciting!

I've done so many dumb things in and around airplanes that I can only conclude flying is pretty safe.

So far I see a comparison between an apple and some really f'ing expensive TSO'd apples.

A while ago, I published that my flaps would deploy and would not retract. After some extensive troubleshooting, it was linked to two sealed relays. Each micro switch in the circuit was methodically checked and found OK. The relays are hard soldered to a circuit board. Mouser electronics helped cross match the relays from the currently installed part. I looked in my service manual, but could not find any information on the relays. The new relays were installed and worked flawlessly until last week. Same problem occurred! I never found a "Smoking Gun" on the first replacement, so although the problem was solved, I could not conclude how these relays got their contacts fired. We use hundreds of relays in control panels at work and I have very seldom had relay failures. So why? It turns out the Flap Target was too close the the contact wheel of the micro switches. With the aircraft on the ground, and flaps at takeoff position (and Gravity doing its thing) the separation of the target and the switch contact was enough to drop the circuit. BUT...... when the flap were generating lift, it moved the target fractions closer to the switch contact and created relay chatter. Ill admit, this was discovered by accident when a friend in the hangar happen to lift up on the flap when I was staring up at the flap motor. Sure enough, the relays started humming and the motor started pulsing. Its a wonder they lasted as long as they did!!! Just wanted to pass this along. This site should be all about passing on information to solve problems! Rick

Just bought this M20E and I’m working on the new interior. Planning to start my paint on october, but I haven’t decided yet the design, I’d appreciate ideas! Kaio Rangel from Brazil!

At one point in this decade 2011 I was only a student pilot confined to the pattern.

Hahahaha.. not a chance! Your Moonship will pass my Warrior like I am in a stall.... All I will ever see is your tail light.... :) Nav

Are you saying I should sell the Moonship and get a piper? Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

It was a bad coil. This was my third time in 7 years of Mooney ownership being stuck AOG away from home (if you don’t include that engine failure). KLQK might be the best place I’ve ever been broken down. I ended up going to college bars around Clemson for three nights in a row and I suspect that the total repair combined with what I spent might have been cheaper than if it had happened at home. The shop was able to repair my mag with a serviceable coil and I was on my way for less than $500.

Turtle, Sorry for the loss of your friend. That kind of thing really makes one think things over, but it’s a process. Perhaps hold off on selling for a while after the funeral. It’s can be hard to make a good decision when mourning a friend. Think of what your friend might want you to do...keep flying? You may find that it’s not bad to fly alone once in a while in the Mooney. My wife too is not an avid flyer. I’m lucky she goes once or twice a year. That said, i stopped asking her and suddenly she volunteered for two short beach trips in two weeks. Maybe see if you can meet up with some Mooneyspacers for lunch on occasion....it’s a good way to compare notes. Hang in there.

Turtle, we really are but caretakers to these machines for a season. Your Mooney chapter may be ending but there is someone out there who will take over and care for your bird as you did when the baton was passed to you. I have thought about doing the experimental thing myself as I love to turn wrenches and have an inclination for anything mechanical. When the time is right, you will know. My condolences regarding the loss of your friend. In time you will be able to smile when you remember some of the adventures you shared flying in your Mooney. My CFI died of cancer too. He was very health conscious and in shape and it shouldn't have happened to him. I still talk to him when I fly and I can hear jim in my head, giving me instruction....and it makes me smile. Best wishes, Steve

When I had the cigarette lighter version of the usb plug I found it could not charge the iPad unless it was dimmed and all it really did was allow it to slowly drain. I installed the stratus usb block and I can charge my iPad at full bright to 100%. Like others have said don’t be a cheap bastard. For some reason I have a feeling that when cheap bastards sell their plane they ask top dollar.

Yea sucks. He was my CFI/CFII as well. we got close over the years and it all went south quickly for him. Funeral next week. Go to the doctor people!! (says the guy who never goes to the doctor) Ive had the plane for about 3 years. maybe 4. In the last year she has hinted that at some point on a perfect day when the stars align and hell has frozen over shell do a 15 minute hop over to the airport near her family. That hasnt happened yet. The other issue is she has tried to get some other people to go as well so she would have a real reason to fly but none of her friends are in to it either. So even if I get rid of the mooney and just have 2 seats and one day when those stars align we'll be ok since nobody else wants to go anyway... Ive been kicking this around for a few months now because im a keeper. I never get rid of stuff once I buy it. I just keep stacking up more toys this one just isnt bringing me the joy it should anymore. I threw it on barnstormers with a free 100 character ad to see if there are any bites at my dump it price of 40k.

My advice to a discriminating buyer is to be ready with cash when the right plane at the right price comes along. I missed out on two before I figured that rule out

I fired my first CFI as well for the very same reasons. And, it just so happens I was also 40 at the time. Best decision I ever made. The next school I went to was run by a guy (Glenn Crabtree at KGOK) that had been instructing since before I was born. Never said a word unless he needed to while I was flying and followed a general syllabus pretty much from memory.

No a C model is not a good first plane. It is an excellent first plane. I got mine a few weeks after I got my ppl and have really enjoyed it. It is the best value in all of general aviation. They are relatively inexpensive to buy and maintain, have a great useful load, good speed on minimal fuel burn and simple. I really like my Johnson bar landing gear. I would recommend getting your ppl before getting a plane then you can get your complex endorsement in the Mooney.

That would be WingSwap.

That comment wasn't directed at you... A Mooney is a great way to get around the country. And an M20C is a nice first airplane. My first airplane was an M20C as well. Having said that, it's easier to spend money on a bad airplane than to find a good one. I wouldn't be worried about whether you should buy an M20C or not, but rather are you buying the right one. Like they say, don't marry the first girl that smiles at you, don't buy the first Mooney you see either. But you've come to the right place and there is a lot of wisdom on this forum. We can help you evaluate the specific plane if you want to post the info here. I would suggest getting a little closer to getting your license before buying the plane. Later down the road after you've soloed and are doing solo cross country training flights, you'll be in a much better place to evaluate the airplane you want to purchase. But we'll certainly help you make sure you're getting a good one.

The only place a true Mooney pilot can go for a treat Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Excellent outcome, as always most curious what caused the engine to seize. Load it onto the flat bed tow and get it back flying.

Grumble Grumble +1. Wish E-mag would hurry up. Internal power independent of ship's electrical system, variable timing, replaces both mags. Talk of them certifying started 400 hours/3.5 years ago ago last time I IRAN'd my mags. I figured the next time IRAN was due, I would be replace them with E-mags. Probably not gonna happen.

I’ve found good correlation between the NEXRAD, Stormscope and radar this summer. Stormscope only shows strikes, so a Cb in the building stage may be invisible. Here is one ambitious boomer on its way to afternoon greatness. The top of that cloud off to the right is well above us (we were at FL270). It shows up clearly on the radar display: But the Stormscope below the radar shows nothing. The winds aloft were exceptionally light that day. Perhaps that reduces the apparent delay in NEXRAD as the building clouds were not moving over the ground much.

If I'd pulled that stunt, my widow would have used the Mooney to troll another pilot to fly her around . . . . .

Anyone who has done it has a lot of sympathy. There is no magic formula. I spent some time on the phone with Lake Aero and they kind of laughed and said its always a struggle. Even when you think you have it right a bubble will migrate and the customer will come back. They often disconnect the lines at the master cylinders and bleed it with a cap on the line to create back pressure. What works best for me is to go fly it, pull into a 20 degree pitch up and pump the brakes and the parking brake. Then fly around with full rudder both directions and do the same. Eventually it seems to find the bubble. But be wary of anyone here who says "oh just do this" because even the pros say its not straight forward. -Robert

Sorry for your loss. I have been thinking about the same thing you are but I wondered if I pulled the type certificate off and made my Mooney experimental what would happen. Besides losing valve on a plane I am 80k+ upside down what else would be the issue? Sent from my E6910 using Tapatalk

Yep, and when the tower called and told you to extend your downwind and they would call your base you felt like you had flown somewhere.... lol

If my wife didn't like to fly I would not own my Mooney either. Some people will just never get into flying while it seems like others can be coaxed into doing it for a reward. My aunt doesn't like to fly but she loves to go the shore so she'll fly there with my uncle in 35 minutes instead of driving 3 hours. I am lucky my wife loves to fly, she loves to take the long trips and the $75 hamburger runs... I see you are in SoCal... Have you offered to take your wife to Catalina Island or maybe Monterey or even the Grand Canyon. I don't know your wife but maybe you can coax her into going for the reward of a great destination. If she will never like flying I think you are on the right track selling and getting a two seater...

So sorry for you loss, and good luck with the sale. Glad you're able to stay in aviation on the experimental side. Maybe that's the right fit for you with a good partner. I hope the wife comes around on flying in the new bird once you have settled into it.

Sounds like you are ready. Good luck on your sale Turtle.

Owners pilot said the magnometer had failed and owner had a new one in his hanger that never got put in. Thanks for the catch/heads up. Saved us some money. MUCH appreciated as we are spending some

One of my grandfathers I believe was in some sort of dental logistics in the UK during ww2. The other was a fighter pilot.

Me, I'd be hoping there was NOT a next time

Pretty close! 74 (born 2/13/1923) according to the Wikipedia entry: On October 14, 1997, on the 50th anniversary of his historic flight past Mach 1, he flew a new Glamorous Glennis III, an F-15D Eagle, past Mach 1. The chase plane for the flight was an F-16 Fighting Falcon piloted by Bob Hoover, a longtime test, fighter and aerobatic pilot who had been Yeager's wingman for the first supersonic flight. This was Yeager's last official flight with the U.S. Air Force. That has got to be the absolute coolest 'last flight' in the Air Force, ever!

Apples and oranges ...

Insurance premium on my JetProp is 6x as expensive as for my C model Mooney. On the JetProp we have 5x the smooth liability coverage, and 20x the hull coverage compared to the Mooney policy. Seems like it was the Mooney insurance that was expensive.

Spent today getting the new IR wet, man can't believe I actually get to do this flying thing.

Hah! I think you’ve just met the resident dentist, Rogue.... this is not an unusual sort of post from Peter Garmin. If you think he’s good at irrationally attacking rockets... just ask him his opinion on an Aspen display or Avidyne GPS’s!

My rear seat back lives in the hangar. Since I never fly with more than two humans, it makes my carrying capacity more flexible. But if the dog gets any bigger we'll need a Twin Beech.

My tool kit consists of a Leatherman and 2 credit cards. This saves a lot of space.

thank you so much for your generous offer , I'll check with my avionics shop to see how much the upgrade will be , I'm a little bit tight on budget.

I don't care how understandable the mistake, it is still gloriously funny.

The M20c is a great first airplane, so long as you like getting lots of transition training or make it part of your primary training. Only problem with the latter is it will drive your training time up. The OP's mission, however, is nearly untenable. There aren't that many airplanes that can carry 400 pounds of equipment, two people, and enough gas to go anywhere. The only ones I can think of that might do it are really expensive, either to acquire or operate. Moreover, loading 400 pounds of anything into and out of an airplane is going to get really, really old very quickly. Says me get a nice comfortable Van with cruise control and a good stereo. Your dispatch rate will be 100%.

The Dean of MooneySpace right here. We were waiting for you to show up and bring some wisdom to this thread before it went completely off the rails.

ebay for the win https://www.ebay.com/i/202619389822?chn=ps

The owner-produced provisions exist in the regs for a reason. A field approval is NOT required for McFarlane cables and any A&P can install the cable provided by the owner, and make a log entry stating so. You're really trying to make it harder than it really is. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk