Yooper Rocketman

See Page 9, Posted August 27, 2019

I’m not a CFII, but have nearly 2000 hours of Rocket time. I get to lower Michigan regularly so might be able to hook up if interested. I’m pretty sure you’ll find few people out there with the combination of flight time and maintenance experience I have specific to the Rocket. Let me know. Tom

The “E” model IS 750 HP, but is an underperforming engine to the “D” in the Flight Levels. If you desire maximum performance in the Flight Levels, the D would be your choice. I have the “D”. It’s rated to 724HP, not “de-rated”. The “E” just doesn’t handle bleed air losses for pressurization as well as the “D”. I’m ITT limited, but at 310 knots, I’m not particularly disappointed in its performance. And the “E” has a higher ITT limitation. But it doesn’t help it’s performance up high. Most pressurized airplanes perform MUCH BETTER with the “D” model of the Walters. Tom

I guess this is a disimular (Loose) formation flight. Flew down with another IVP (gas engine) to WInterhaven, FL from Spruce Creek the last time we were at our Florida home. I say disimular because even though the airframes are identical, he's flying behind 350 HP and I am behind 724 HP. Tom

Updated; Sale Pending. Looks like it's going to Texas and if the stars align (weather) the new owner will get some Lancair IVPT time on his trip up to the U.P. to get it! Tom

Yes but I have a buyer from Texas pretty far along on the process (has all logs, STC's and 337's), and last oil sample. He's submitted for all the documentation from the FAA, quoted insurance, has been in daily contact with me and already discussed options for coming up to close and fly it home. I'm kind of an old school guy so not demanding a down payment to hold it. I have another from the DC area interested if the current deal doesn't close. If you want more infomation I guess I can provide it but I wouldn't sell it without the current interested buyer having an opportunity to close on it first. Tom

The feelings mutual Hank. Just don't think I can land my Lancair on your grass strip

Yes it was. I finally have the squawks, I wasn't comfortable selling it with, completed. And don't ask how much I like stripping Mooney fuel tanks!!!! Tom

With much regret I finally have Steve's beautiful Mooney Super 21 E model ready for a new owner. This is one gorgeous airplane and one of the smoothest and fastest E's you will ever find. Steve has had it almost 25 years and was an A&P so maintenance was not deferred. Tom Sullivan Based KIMT (Yooperland, USA!)

Listed here on Mooney Space First !!!!! Very Nice M20E with excellent paint and interior. Plane cruises at 155-160 Knots on just over 8 gallons an hour. Climb Performance and smoothness of the 3 blade prop is amazing, with no loss in cruise speed! All AD's complied with and complete AD log with every AD listed, compliance method and referencing specific date in the logs to verify log entry. Any AD's not found completed in logs were complied with during last annual. Owner was an A&P who maintained and upgraded the plane himself. He owned it nearly 25 years. Every Speed mod including 201 windshield (except the one piece belly) Brand New MT 3 blade prop (65 +/- hours Since New) All New glass Just completed a complete strip and reseal on the right wing fuel tank. IFR certified with GNS430 w/ WAAS Comes with Jeppesen Data card downloader & 6 months remaining on subscription (as of March 2021) KX 155 back-up nav/com w/ ILS indicator. JPI 700 Engine Monitor Precise Flight Standby Vacumn System Cable operated step King Audio Panel Intercom GTX 327 Garmin Transponder ADS-B compliant with new GDL 82. Full Altimeter/Static & Transponder cert 8/12/20. Annual completed 8/11/20. Compressions 72/74/75/75. Pop 1595 SMOH Lycoming "NEW Engine". 4390 Airframe TT Aircraft flown 65 hours since annual Tanis Engine Heater Paint 9-10 Interior 9 Plane always hangared in a heated hangar at Ford Airport in Iron Mountain, MI (KIMT) No Damage History that I am aware of Depending on buyer and sales price, may come with parts and service manuals, newer aircraft cover, "ADS-B in" receiver for Ipad, Portable Oxygen System (tank w/ cannulas), some headsets and any other assy's I find before the sale. $69,000 Contact Tom 906-458-6989

Kubick Aviation in Iron Mountain (KIMT) has been doing a lot of Mooney’s. They have several regular Mooney clients they take care of (one was an employee of the FAA too). Tom

I respectfully disagree. Here's my non-FIKI system. Seems to look about the same. As I said before, the only TKS System, of the four I've flown behind, that ever failed on me in icing was the the FIKI one. They both work well but in all honesty, the one on my Lancair works far better the FIKI one on our Bonanza. Tom

I sold my Mooney Rocket with a brand new OH'ed engine, GTN 650, G5, King KFC A/P, TKS, paint and interior an 8-9 with 4,000 hours on the AF for $155K. I filed 190 knots in the breathable altitudes, 200-210 knots in the Flight levels. Even did IMT to Spruce Creek Florida (well north of 1,000 NM) on my last trip before I sold it non-stop in 4 hours! Eighteen Years of ownership found that plane to be an amazing investment with speed and utility rivaling my new bird! Tom

Ah...... YES. We get a LOT of nice flying days up here. Yes we get winter, but my flight time has never been much different winter vs summer, especially after getting TKS. And to be clear, I've flown behind 4 different TKS equipped planes, 3 inadvertent, one Known Icing (My M20K Rocket, two Bonanzas, and my Lancair Propjet) and the only one that ever failed on me in icing conditions was the FIKI one ! My Rocket had the same dispatch ability in the U.P. as my Turbine. I routinely flew over the lakes in the flight levels, with glide to land ability (by a LOT) from mid point over the lake. The only thing my kerosine burner adds is reliabilty and speed. Tom

Seth, You're welcome to visit us in Spruce Creek, even with an overnight, if interested. We would just need to coordinate that around my part time visits to Spruce Creek in the winter. Tom

We hosted Dan @exM20K for a visit at the Creek a couple years ago. Guess I wasn't a very good salesman (or host) as he bought property in northern Florida instead. Tom

Glen, Where you at on the Creek? I have a home at 42 Lindy Loop. Greatest Airpark in the world!!! And reasonable Airpark fees (like $1500 =/- a year) if you own your home. I should be down there later this month and it would be nice to meet you. Tom

So, yesterday I flew over to the MSP area again, getting to be an almost weekly trip (300 NM’s from IMT). I had to wait for a Pilates departing IFR just before me. We were both westbound so I thought it could get interesting seeing us both on my ASD-B traffic display once I was airborne. Well, he leveled at 8k (probably due to winds aloft) and I climbed up to FL240 into higher winds for lower fuel burn. Once leveling I discovered I had a 45 knot GS advantage. FIST PUMP to building your own plane and seeing this with a multi million dollar certified plane (albeit a completely different mission and benefit to emergency medical transports). My “VFR” weather forecast to my destination went to 900’ OVC and 5 miles, so required an RNAV approach, with a slight tailwind on a fairly short runway. Mission accomplished. Even MSP Approach advised “expect a Visual Approach”, until I advised the actual reported AWOS ceilings. So this morning I flew home in nice weather, decent tailwinds, and lamented the fact I was celebrating my 65th birthday, not only flying but, flying in a contraption I built in my garage over 17 years of my life, seeing first flight 4 years ago. Upon shut down, I recorded my hour meter time on my phone to update my pilot logbook; 514 hours. Still doesn’t hold a candle to my total Mooney time, which is THE MOST PRIZED time in my logbook, but pretty respectable for something I built in my garage! Moving into “Senior Citizen stage of my life” kicking and screaming, but glad I’m hear to talk about it! Tom

Look forward to flying to your area SOON @amillet My sister just moved into her new home over looking the Puget Sound. I will be visiting her in the next 6-9 months! Tom

A couple recent flights. One with the sun setting out one window and the moon rising out the other. The last flight wetting up the TKS on the wings before an RNAV Approach into my home drone with reported icing.

What the heck Skates? Your wife is in the left seat? Tom

Yep! I look forward to meeting you someday. Pretty crazy, but I would rather meet you than my new WS Sales rep. And you represent the competition!!! Tom

One third to one half the price and much more user friendly to finish the inside. I Have 25,000 SF of steel buildings for my dealership and finishing inside is a total pain. Tom

Yep. A beautiful 1964 M20E that I'm prepping right now for sale. Tom

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Hangar door installed (just wiring left), all service doors installed (insluding the 8' x 8' south gable wall service door / sorry no picture yet). Only project left is to sheet the hangar door and this project is getting put to bed until next spring. Last picture.... Steve, as my co-pilot on a flight in the Lancair. Ironically he mentioned in the beginning when most of the work was being done by him and me we should name the hangar the Phillips / Sullivan Hangar. Little did he know HIS name would end up on the side of it! Tom