prflyer

Thanks Paul. No, unfortunately, no engine monitor. That is high on my list, and I hope that I get a partner soon and that we accomplish this for the next annual. My next immediate expense -- aside from attending MAPA's Pilot Proficiency Program next weekend at Frederick MD -- is to upgrade the 330 transponder to ADSB out and get the $500 back from the government, which will substantially reduce the upgrade cost. You still reccommend the G2 as the best stand alone monitor? How much do you figure installed? Fernando

Well, after a few years of looking, I'm finally a Mooney owner! I bought a friend's airplane, and I have been lucky to fly with him in this airplane for the past few years, so I'm intimately familiar with its history and maintenance. I'm very excited to be its next caretaker and learning more about it. I'm also looking forward to the hopefully many trips that I will take with this wonderful machine. For those who have been following my posts, I am still looking for a partner for this airplane, but I could not pass on the opportunity to buy the airplane while I look for the partner. So, if anyone is interested, please let me know. The airplane is hangared at Gaithersburg, Maryland (KGAI). Here are a couple of pictures of the new airplane! Fernando

Thanks again everyone. I will go for the ES upgrade to the 330. I was also told by the avionics shop that the transponder will be set so that the relevant towers are alerted and I can get the information on my iPad with the Stratus.

Thanks everyone! Sounds like I will explore the 330ES first. Does anyone know approximately how much the upgrade is from the 330 to the 330ES? Kortoplates - sorry about the abbreviation. As Lancecasper said, I meant to say that I was "in search of" of ADSB suggestions for my current set up. Please keep the suggestions coming! Fernando

We are considering an ADSB upgrade for a 1965 M20E. The airplane is currently equipped with a Garmin 650 WAAS navigator and a Garmin 330 transponder that already has the traffic on which displays on the 650. With this setup, what would you guys recommend? We are looking for the most economical upgrade path that makes sense. Thanks. Fernando

Congrats! Enjoy the new location!

Very nice little airport. I flew in there a couple of years ago with my daughter to take a look at colleges in the Boston area. The manager gave us a ride to the rental car place in town. Very nice service. Unfortunately, did not get to try the cafe as the day we were there it was closed. Fernando

Welcome to the area. I used to fly out of College Park (now out of Gaithersburg) but fly in and out of Potomac from time to time. Great small field. Marianne Buckley flies a nice Citabria out of there that she gives instruction in; tail wheel and aerobatic. I rent her Citabria from time to time. You will get used to the FRZ in no time. It's really just like having to file IFR every time you fly - but you have to talk on the phone and use the code. Did you get a hanger there by any chance? Regards, Fernando

I would not worry about that comment. Some pilots do not like flying IFR in a carburated engine, and I suspect that is the reason behind his statement. There are many experienced pilots that fly IFR regularly in C models and many other carburated models without any issues. Enjoy your C (IFR and VFR) and your hangar. Fernando

I posted previously in the Vintage Mooney section about my interest in a partnership. I will post the link below. The quick version is as follows: It is an excellent 1965 Mooney M20E. Great maintenance by local Mooney experts, including Freeway MSC; mid time engine; IFR certified with Garmin 650; updated 6 pack panel; 330 transponder with traffic; fuel bladders; no AD prop. Very good paint and interior as the aircraft has been hangared for a long time. Aircraft will be hangared at KGAI. The aircraft currently belongs to my friend, and I have known the airplane and flown it and it in for the past three years. Turn key ready. I'm looking for a 50-50 partnership. I'm an 800 + hours private pilot, instrument rated. Looking to get my commercial ticket. I have previous partnership experience, and it has always worked well. If someone near me (Washington, DC area) is looking for a Vintage mooney, this is an excellent opportunity. Please PM me. Thanks. Fernando

Anthony, Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm not comfortable sharing photos and logs of my friend's airplane unless someone is seriously interested in becoming partners in that type of airplane and that person is near me. As Seth indicated, it is a very nice example of a vintage 1965 M20E, its IFR certified with a Garmin 650, bladders, and a very strong mid time engine. In some ways, I'm selling myself as a partner instead of the airplane. I'm IFR rated, with over 800 hours total time and no incidents or accidents. I have been a pilot for almost 25 years. I have also previously owned a number of different airplanes including a Piper Warrior, a Grumman Cheetah, a Grumman Tiger, and an RV-6. I have also had two prior successful airplane partnerships. If anyone is interested, please send me a PM. Thanks again. Fernando

A good friend of mine wants to sell his 1965 M20E. I know the airplane well and have flown with him for the past three years. It is in very good mechanical condition. The airplane would be hangared at Montgomery County Airpark in Maryland. Identifier is KGAI. If I buy it I'm interested in getting a partner. If someone is seriously interested in partnering in an airplane like this one please contact me by PM. Thanks. Fernando

Hank, sorry, but that is not correct. There are many things you can blame Obama for, but airplane values dropping after the economy started crashing in 2007 is not one of them.

Hopefully your Mooney did not get jealous of your previous mistress when you used the wrong name -- I mean -- call sign.

And you save on your gym membership since you get your workout at the airport! I second your nomination.

Congrats! Wish I could have gotten my kids interested in flying. It is certainly more fun when you have someone to share it with.

I should have read your initial post more closely! Thanks.

Thanks for sharing. Learning experience for you and for all of us. Glad you are ok. Let us know what you find with your investigation into this issue. Fernando

Congratulations on the new bird! Enjoy your new C. And yes, we want pictures!

TJIG is a great airport to do pattern practice. Loved turning crosswind by the Caribe Hilton and then flying downwind right by Old San Juan, turning in base again after El Morro Castle. Fernando

Congratulations on the sale. Hope that you enjoy your new Comanche.

All joking aside, I got the version that vibrates. I clipped it to my shirt (or even to the shoulder belt), and the vibration is so strong that you immediately notice it. Yes, a friend's airplane had a high reading, and the alarm on my chest went off immediately. No way you can miss it. Works well. Fernando

Brokers don't like it because it is more likely your mechanic will find something that needs to be fixed, and that could affect the deal. Every airplane I have sold I have taken it to the buyer's mechanic (which was usually not far from where the airplane is located), and I expect the same when I'm buying. If the seller is not willing to do that, I'm not interested.

I did not know about the bidding for hangars at Potomac, but Hyde feels like a deserted place. That price is hard to beat in this area, however. I have not flown IFR out of Potomac (I sometimes fly a Citabria out of there), but they are not going to clear you northbound through the FRZ. At best I would think that you will get the Nottingham VOR (OTT) out of Hyde. Hopefully someone else that flies out of there IFR regularly can tell you. Fernando

Don't discount Potomac, which is in my opinion a nicer airport than Hyde and they are very close to one another. It might be easier to get a hangar at Hyde, but I would call Potomac and see what options they can give you. Potomac also has a nice fuel club that usually means cheaper fuel. Otherwise, if you live in Arlington, your other options are Manassas or, if you don't mind driving a bit, Warrenton. You should be able to get a decent hangar at Warrenton. As to the FRZ, DVA is correct, and essentially if you are VFR you are supposed to fly out of the FRZ through the most expeditious route. So, out of the Potomac or Hyde you will be flying essentially southbound until out of the FRZ and lower than 1,500. Welcome to the area. Fernando