PMcClure

Great Job!

4 years and 400+ hours With the Ovation and another 3 years with the F.

Thursday, I had a nice flight from Alabama out to Edenton, NC (KEDE). The smoke was thick over NE Georgia and NW SC, even all the way up to 9,500. It was manageable and VFR all along the route. After a day's work in the area, I flew into Lake Norman (14A), arriving just in time to see my nephew play in the NC state playoff. Finding the little strip after sunset was a challenge and landing even more fun. It is a cool little airport 3150x40' with private hangars and houses all along the runway. I had to taxi down fairly steep hills and tight turns to find a spot and my niece picked me up right after I tied down. After the football game, I repositioned the plane 40 nm down to Monroe (KEQY) and took uber to Mom's. I beat them home from the game by about 30 minutes. A few days with family then back to Alabama on Tuesday. These types of trips are what having a Mooney is all about. Family, work, fun. I wouldn't have been able to do both the game and the work in 1 day without the Mooney.

Right! I did the actual flight plan today and it was 3 hours 4 minutes vs a 11.5 hour drive each way. What took 4 days could have easily have been done in 2. Our little planes sure are amazing.

So what is driving your auto pilot?

Try fly to Thailand - 12 hours to Tokyo then 7 to Bangkok! Lots of vodka, lots of vodka!

I finally came to this decision. 750 miles = 12 hours or 4 hours in Mooney time.

Weather, check. Plane, check. Mission, check. So why am I driving 12 hours to Baylor for a college visit? Because momma wants to show him how far Baylor really is from home in real time instead of mooney time. That's how I ended up in the back seat looking up. Parenting is cruel and unusual punishment indeed!

Flew from Alabama (kplr) to Schaumburg (06C) 2:45 at 8,500'. VFR the whole way and 185-198 knots ground speed at 14.4 gph. It was a beautiful day all across the south and Midwest. Schaumburg is a great little airport with a nice restaurant. More than 100 people packed in and the food was great.

N1050k, 6,000. Unless I am on assigned heading then N1051K, 6000, Runway heading. Or if descending or climbing, then N1051K 6300 for 7000. Good morning and thank you as it seems reasonable based on time of day and activity.

A few weeks ago, I was flying into Edenton, NC. After Charlotte, most of western NC is very quite except a little blip around Raleigh and Fayetteville. The last hand off is to Waaaashington Center which is usually quite busy. So busy that if VFR, I just drop off before the last handshake. On this particular flight, I was switched over and the freq was so busy, I could barely get my call sign in. Then an American captain came on freq and gave his cabin speech over freq instead of in cabin. And it was the longest one I ever heard, including his 40 years of military training, full name, personal history, etc...on and on and on. It was the funniest thing I ever heard on the radio, and immediately followed by dozens and dozens of jabs and he-ha's at the poor captain. I had landed before I could even check in with center.

Shame, Shame, Shame!

I guess if you are from Quebec I could see the reason to remove the A/C. But here in Alabama, I find the 66# more valuable as an A/C than a 4th person!

I would really like to come this weekend, but doubt I can make it. We are moving the office on Friday and Saturday. Only chance is if we are able to finish on Friday.

Looks like i am covered up up with family activities today. Competition in the morning and Homecoming dance in the evening. Hope to catch y'all next time!

Somehow I missed the Al Lunch suggestion. I will try to make it, but have two family activities that morning. Always a crap shoot when I can get to the airport. Cullman is nice, I also noticed that the Hangar restaurant is open again at Bessemer. Not sure of hours, etc...

I didn't mean any disrespect. He is a very nice man. It feels like what going to the Dr. should be like - very personal and relaxed. He will pick you up with his golf cart if you let him know you are coming. I kind of do remember a nice shade tree outside?!

I got him on the first call. Had openings all week. Number I have is +1.205.928.1835. Not sure I would go to him for open heart surgery but he is just what the Dr. ordered for airman exams. Last time I was there, we talked for about an hour about planes and flying.

I guess it is off to Dr. Foshee in Clanton I go. The AME version of a shade tree mechanic. Literally, his office is under a shade tree at the end of the runway.

So I am confused. My medical expires end of this month. I think I need to schedule an appointment with the AME, right?

Based on what i read here (didn't listen to the tape), I don't fault the Barron or the Mooney. They both called location and were outside of class D. If there was an accident, I suspect they would blame the Baron pilot more since he would have overtaken and descended into the Mooney. But they would have noted both pilots as responsible for see and avoid. I would still approach them but with the attitude of - "hey we both almost died yesterday, what can we learn from it" than hey "idiot you almost killed me". Seems more can be learned from this approach and perhaps a friendship started that leads to happier times.

Agreed - But I don't think I will make it a habit of cranking my 2002 O2 with the 6 pak gauges and 530/430 with the avionics switch on. I have made the mistake of doing this a couple of times and notice some unusual flickering and dimming of several instruments. Or is switching off then back on more of a risk?

Is it common practice to start the engine with the avionics switch on? I prefer not to as the voltage drop may cause expensive damage. Any other thoughts?

Not sure why it attributed that quote to you!

Yes but it might be harder to load the O!