Sonic

I was very happy with the folks at Freeway when I was living on that side of the country. Took good care of the plane and went above and beyond helping me out with logistics.

Yep, back in the mid-80's. I assume you spent some time around there or knew John W? It's too bad Pierce closed since I visit family occasionally, but at least Lampson isn't too far away.

My father tells me I would tell him I wanted to fly as far back a 4 yrs old--I'll take his word for it, but it feels right. It was a done deal in high school, though--my school had an aviation program with ground school AND flight training in a C-152 (right across the lake from LASAR as it happens). I was able to knock out the PPL and start in on the Comm/Inst before graduation. The USAF happened later and I had some great flight experiences there, but that 152 was still the first.

Depends on your flexibility to take another mode of transport. I did something similar a few years ago commuting to San Diego for the week from Lancaster, CA (admittedly a shorter trip). The key was being willing to make the drive (or use another alternative) when the weather or mx wouldn't support the flight. I drove my airport car home (or vice-versa) many times and that was in the relatively benign S Calif weather. It's great when it works out, though.

I moved into the area about a year ago and based the plane at Stafford (RMN). I was able to get into a hanger pretty quick, which was the deciding factor for me. It's a nice airport just outside the SFRA, but the two downsides are lack of on-field mx and I-95 (I live in Fairfax).

I actually earned my PPL in a C-152 that my high school owned. Cost me $10-12/hr and the IP was on the school faculty, so no cost there. There was a program in the 70's (60's?..not certain on timelines) that helped start up such programs and there were actually a couple in the area (N Calif). Ours was the last standing, I think, and it shut down very shortly after I graduated. As I understand it, the insurance premiums got out of control. ...then I joined the AF. I'm glad there are still some opportunities like this out there.

I look and sump before the first flight of each day and after fueling. Unless I'm intentionally reducing GW I keep the tanks topped off. Since I know my fuel burn (within 5%), I use my watch to track fuel quantity.

Thanks for the responses and PMs--they were very helpful.

Apologies if the info is here somewhere, but I struck out searching. 1) Any recommendations for a Mooney-savvy CFI in the DC area (or close enough to make a day of it)? I'm new to this coast and will need a flight review soon. 2) There are a couple of MSCs near here, but I would be interested in any PIREPs since I'm also going to need an annual next month. Thanks in advance, Sonic

When I was out west I flew gliders up at Tehachapi. I haven't settled on a location out here in the DC area yet, although I'm planning on checking out St Mary's or Front Royal when the springtime wx gets here.

Greetings, I picked up my 65C while on my second tour in the high desert of California a little over 4 years ago. I got pointed to this site by Norm Howell when I heard him present his paper last year and have been lurking ever since. I decided it was time to finally say hello and thank you for the awesome information source. This is the first plane I've owned, although I've been flying for about 30 years. Most of my hours are in heavies, but I've been fortunate enough to land in positions that allowed me to fly a variety of different aircraft over the years. I also picked up the glider bug a few years ago, although I don't feel the need to own more than one toy right now, so that is currently a rental activity. I recently re-located from KWJF to KRMN, which was a bit of a climate shift. CSEL, MEI, CFII, CFIG . . . Cheers!