JohnL

As of yesterday, we have sold all the available shares in the partnership. I'm excited to have a great group of guys moving forward. Thanks to everyone that inquired and who passed along information and recommendations! Happy flying....

Can you install the OR650E on an M20K? Do you need an STC?

Our partnership has a fully paid, $250 deductible insurance policy with two listed pilots. We have a prospective partner desiring to join, with 150hr PIC and no RG time. The current policy will not cover him, but a new policy with $2500 deductible will. We don't want to give up the $250 deductible policy, so we can't get him on the existing insurance. However, the new partner is willing to pay for a whole new policy to cover just him (with $2500 deductible). Is it OK to have two policies on the plane, one for us existing partners, and one for the new partner? What other solutions are out there to solve this problem?

My experience is that prospective partners are much more comfortable when you have a stable situation that they can evaluate. They want to see the airplane, the avionics, the engine time and when the next annual is due. They want to see the bills for the hanger and insurance and how much time everyone is actually flying. It's a lot easier for them to commit when all this is clear. That said, you are on your own getting to that point. You can buy exactly the airplane you want, which is exciting, but you have to pay for all the overhead on your own until you attract your partners. That is as expensive as buying your own airplane outright. I agree with the above post that the first year of ownership is more expensive. Partnerships can be very rewarding and in my case I think it's worth the overhead to get one started. However, it will likely be an investment of time and money well beyond just joining an existing partnership.

Update: We have 2 in the airplane now and are still looking for 2 more.

Carry all the bags you want Bob! Last month we flew from Austin, Tx into Ely MN with the two kids for 4 days in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It was a 10 minute drive from Ely, so our outfitter had no problem coming out and picking us up at KELO. All my flying is for business so it was great to get the kids in the plane and have some fun. It was *tough* getting the canoe strapped to the top of the Mooney...

Thanks man! Very helpful.

Are the bulbs easily available? Part Number?

The plane is back from annual now and back in operation.

Airplane is just back from it's annual at Don Maxwell.

1035TT with 64 in a 81 M20K Rocket. Having a great time flying the Mooney with its speed and economy.

265 kts returning from Las Vegas back to Texas at FL210 in a Rocket two weeks ago. ( I checked flightaware.com ). Then I had to divert to KAQO to wait, then KAUS to land because weather was 200 and 1 1/4 at my home (KEDC). Shooting the KAUS ILS to minimums was one thing, but ATC asking me to fly at 130 down the ILS for spacing kept it interesting. (Autopilot flew). Actual ceiling turned out to be about 300 and plenty of runway to slow down. I had to go pickup the airplane the next day. It was actually a lot of fun...

I flew our prototype AR Smart Rifle to CES 2014 a few weeks ago. Had to fold down the back seat. http://tracking-point.com/labs/ar/

Does anyone know about or has anyone tried the Lasar "upgraded" truss? I guess it has reinforcements to help reduce over limit turn damage? http://www.lasar.com/parts/w/id/4/part_details.asp Also, I have seen a Mooney with an indicator and limit lines painted on the truss to show line guys how far they are from the turn limits. Who makes these? or was it DYI?

I'm very interested in formation training this year in Texas. I'll be looking for the schedule to be posted.