ottorecker

I am pretty sure it scratched the rear spar......the wing skin forward of the aileron is noticeably bent. this is not giving me a good feeling......I just want my airplane back.

I have a zero deductible insurance policy. I just don't want my rates to go up if I contact them. This was not my fault and it seems that if my rates go up it is incredibly unfair it they do. I just want my airplane to be the way it was before the incident and nothing more. This issue will (and has even its relative short time frame) and by its nature invoke a lot of work on my part and HIS insurance company should bear the brunt of all of my inconvenience. The way I see it they should not hold me accountable for any issue I have that will not get my aircraft back to its pre-incident state. Like I have said previously I do not have any experience with issues like this. It think that if my insurance company has to do some work it will reflect badly on me. I sure hope not but I need some guidance. I use this aircraft often for transportation to employment. It will be interesting to see how the parties handle this. Frankly, they better do it right. Thanks to everyone on this forum for for their support and humor. Makes the issue a bit more tolerable......

The Stumps........yes.......Semper Fi........

He felt really bad about it. Looking at his airplane there isn't really much damage but apparently he will need an engine tear down (O-320) and he said that he won't be able to get a ferry permit to have the work done elsewhere. There are worse airports for this kind of thing to happen but this also isn't a great place to get stuck.. Looks like the local IA is going to have a bit of work to do. The Cub driver was nice enough to give me I ride in his Baron back to KTNP. That saved me a 2 1/2 hour drive and a serious rental car issue. I did sit in the co pilot seat in the Baron. Things like this can shake people up a bit.

Today I flew my well loved C from my home airport to L08, (Borrego Springs) for a nice short flight and to get some fuel.. While waiting outside of the aircraft for the fuel pump to vacate a Super Cub taxied right into the back of the Mooney. His right wing hit my rudder and then the aircraft pivoted and his prop hit my left aileron. I saw the whole thing from about 20 feet away. Surreal. Metal everywhere. Luckily no one was hurt. I need a bit of advice. I am not sure how extensive the damage really is but the rudder will need some work and of course I'll need at least an aileron to get the aircraft anywhere close to ferry-able. There is an IA that does some work at this airport (but that is about it, no other maintenance that I know of...just one guy and I have no idea about his skill level or experience). I would like to get this fixed my someone who is familiar with Mooneys, preferably a Service Center. A ferry permit seems like the best option. I do not have any experience with anything like this. He has insurance (so he says). Can I demand from his insurance company that I want my aircraft repaired at a Mooney Service Center? Do I call MY insurance company and let them handle the details? IF I do, will this be an issue with my insurance rates (this was obviously NOT my fault)? My insurance carrier is a weekday operation so Monday will be the earliest I can get anything of substance done. I love my airplane. She was fast stock C and flew straight and true. Somehow I don't think she will ever be the same ......but I sure hope so.....sad day.

If I may be so bold....you might want to try this....... http://skyvector.com/?ll=38.67407444830224,-115.93652343983965&chart=301&zoom=9&plan=A.K2.L18:F.K2.DEWAY:V.K2.HEC:G.35.408901052589,-116.08703613514687:G.35.991785418565875,-116.7663574241856:A.K2.L06:F.K2.ELFES:A.K2.05U:V.K2.BQU:A.K1.KTWF:A.K1.KEUL This routing avoids most of the SUA airpace (sans Shoshone and Panamint) but the Death Valley fly over is well worth it. Altitude requirements are very reasonable for your A/C type. I often fly straight up DV at a reasonably low level (for the National Park) and if the winds aloft are not screaming you should have a very good ride this time of year. Joshua has good radar and VHF coverage in this area for flight following if you wish. R-2502 is almost always hot so don't expect that shortcut but it never hurts to ask. R-48xx is pretty much the same. I am a avid desert flyer and seeing the basin and range in DV and in the heart of Nevada from the Mooney is one of my favorite things in GA. If the weather is good the flight will not disappoint. (btw, We fly a C as well). You may as well take advantage of this opportunity to see this awesome desert. KTPH and KEKO are good relief and fuel stops along the way. O5U is a little more pricey for fuel but still acceptable. If you need an earlier stop L06 or KBTY would work as well (but no gas). You can easily vary this routing for terrain and in would be a good idea to stay on the upwind side of the valleys. Fallon, Owyhee and Jarbidge MOA's are worth avoiding but ZSC or ZOA can give you updates on activity along the way for a more direct routing to your destination if cold....You can save a few miles transitioning though the MOA's after BOU if able....I would definitely recommend ATC flight following in this area and get a clearance for a Boise Class C transition if you haven't got a shortcut trough the MOA.. Sounds like a great flight and much fun.......

Thanks Dr. Bill.....I should have known better to trust the media....... With your knowledge about these things, isn't the doppler shift the primary reason mobile phone operation just doesn't work whilst flying? I get the directional antenna issues, but I do you think that even if you point your mobile antenna the most optimal direction and position out of a a/c window it would not help significantly with your reception capability? The skeptic in me says......nope... I have had zero success calling my wife 'at work' (in a big fast jet at altitude..and I have tried this in the mooney as well)........even when close to a big metro area right over the homestead........ ...curious.....and would appreciate your insight....

Google Doppler Shift and implications on mobile phone coverage while airborne.....SMS?....yeah......perhaps....phone convo?.....marginal at best... Not to open up old wounds, but I have often wondered how passengers used their mobile phones successfully on the ill fated 9/11 aircraft ......and I am not a conspiracy advocate. ....

To show up on flightaware.com have had good luck filing an IFR flight plan....but not picking up the clearance... My filed routing shows up along with my actual VFR track. I almost always do this on longer flights and it is nice to have the IFR on file in case I need it. I think it it might be a little easier for the controllers as well.