Johnnybgoode

I am of the opinion that it never hurts to watch someone else fly or have someone else watch you fly. In my job(s) I have the opportunity to do both on nearly every trip, and there is much to be learned - either "I like that technique" or "I'll try to never do that". Fly a couple of hours with someone whose opinion you value and go from there, unless the insurance company has another view of it. If they do, their opinion trumps mine. Patrick

I'm with you thinwing - there's not an airplane I've flown that I didn't like.

Nothing to hide, but I second the sentiment of why?

Couldn't have picked a better partner! Interested to see this take off and I just may be in line - hopefully they'll still have time to do my annuals. Patrick

There are some variables also. My -4 was built for a taller front seater by sliding the seatback aft an inch or two before fastening in place. Clarence, do you have a -4 or an -8? I've been in the back of a couple of different -8's and they are definitely more roomy back there than my -4. Patrick

Or a -4. Back seats are good for children and small wives/girlfriends (please don't try to have both or the wife will surely have someone else flying it around for her)

My '65 C has the same - though it's the only part on my plane that looks anything like Bob's panel, I think. I'm guessing it's original, just to give you some other ideas when searching. Patrick

Is she always with you? There's your mission - fun solo VFR flying! I also fly a -4. Patrick

I'll be up in January - will be in touch. Couple things I want to check out on 5571Q. Patrick

I'd do it all over again just like I did, or try to at least. Lots has to do with luck/timing... EE degree, Virginia Tech, paid for by me through working co-ops and through academic scholarships. Guard C-130 slot, training for which began 6 months after graduation from college. Finished copilot school just after 9/11. Deployed a lot. Upgraded to AC then IP then got hired at Delta. Coming up on 19 years in the Guard, 10 at Delta - I'm good for 20 for Uncle Sam but probably not much more than that. I commute to both, but my Mooney (and an RV-4) help to take some of the pain out of the commuting lifestyle. My advice to your son is to get an education he won't mind using as his day job! Never know when something in life might impact that medical in your pocket. If he gets to go flying afterwards, all the better. If not, he's set up in something that he enjoys, and that pays the bills. Good luck to him! Patrick

The tailwheel doesn't touch the wing but the -4 lower fuselage sits on a stack of moving blankets atop the Mooney wing. I'm guessing mine is a little larger than most t-hangars, though I've never measured. The engineer in me (previous career) did model the hangar and each aircraft before purchasing the Mooney, just to be sure they would both fit and it's kinda tight, but doable.

RV-4 It has the Mooney beat in about all aspects, except seating, which is occasionally important.

Any takers on this load we delivered last night? I'm presently deployed, so the location is not public, but needless to say it was a long way away from my hangar. 2,600+ gallons of 100LL in 55 gallon drums. Sorry it's sideways - one of you smart guys will have to rotate it. Patrick

The fact that there are 4 pages of comments on the topic indicates it's a pretty slow Mooney day... Nevertheless, I'm Charles (goes by Patrick) Berry, AKA Chuck Berry, whose best song was Johnny B. Goode, hence my handle. Nothing sinister.

I'm with Jose, from experience in service to Uncle Sam. No warning guaranteed during some types of signal manipulation.

My annual - 3rd from them - is in the next couple of weeks. You won't find nicer or more competent Mooney folks. Where did you come to them from, Mark? I'm south of Charlotte, so an easy trip. Patrick

I'm in Waxhaw and have one in Lancaster, if you want to see it sometime. Patrick

Of course you could always ask yourself what "new" buys you if your personal mins are 1000/3. Pretty is pretty though, I guess... Just a steam gauge realist here who has flown MD-88's and C-130's into lots of crappy weather and landed just fine, and gone around a time or two. Not technology leaders there, but they work, most of the time. The bigger thing than fancy panels is knowing your equipment and sticking to your limits, in my book. Patrick

60's Cub Cadet with hydrostatic transmission - see my photos. Works like a champ, and at about 500# you'll not have any trouble with spinning wheels. Portability, now that's another story. Patrick

+ 1 for Savvy! Patrick