Skates97

I got my D for $36,000 in 201. It's been a great plane. My wife counts the upgrades by what could have been done on the house. The last one was the bathroom remodel that became a new paint job. In my defense, she's the one that wanted it painted!

I joined before I started my PPL but knew from the first ride I took in a friend's M20B that I wanted a Mooney. Parker, I think I joined to late in life to hit that milestone. I need to make it to my 96th birthday....

I have left Mesa-Gateway a number of times VFR for that very reason knowing it's likely I would need to be IFR to get into the LA Basin. I will have an IFR plan on file from Blythe to Fullerton and pick up my clearance from Center when I get to Blythe. If for some reason Center is so busy that I can't pick up a clearance in the next 170+ miles I can always stop short of Fullerton. Hasn't happened yet.

For me it would depend on if the entire flight could be conducted under the overcast layer. So perhaps I would like to climb up through it but I could fly along under it with sufficient ground clearance. I'm not going to launch knowing that I must be able to pick up my clearance by xxx altitude or within xxx miles of the airport.

Put the plane on jacks, raise the gear and look up in the down lock to make sure it isn't wallowed out as others have suggested. It is also very easy to take the button off and remove the spring and locking mechanism. Clean and lube it. It can get gunked up and not operated smoothly. I would check both of these items before shopping for parts. If the down lock has never been replaced there's a 99% chance it is wallowed out and needs to be replaced.

I'd jump in for the same reason. It wouldn't be the first time I threw some money at something in the market to see if it would stick. Nothing quite like a guaranteed returning customer. Almost like selling software subscriptions.

In addition to that I found that the trim piece around the hat rack opening in my plane was letting in a huge draft which wasn't appreciated by passengers in the winter. There was a gap between that and the plastic shell of the hat rack. I used some duct tape on the back side of the trim piece where it can't be seen to close that gap and the draft was almost eliminated. I didn't have CO issues from there, but something to consider.

I see the same thing. Taxi/runup with the door open and depending on the direction of wind or other aircraft in the runup area it will get in the 30-50 range. Once the door is closed it drops down. I see single digits often in the climb but once in cruise it is 0.

I've never had an issue with a GA plane taxiing toward me with their landing light on. If it was a 737, that might be different. Oh, and the Cirrus guys with their strobes going all the time, that is a bit distracting.

If the tanks were just done make sure they didn't put sealant over the drain holes in the ribs. That can trap water, not letting it drain all the way down to the sump and then it gets jostled around making it to the pickup later in flight. https://www.mooney201.de/files/M20-230A.pdf

My first flight in a Cessna was after I think about 400 hours in our Mooney. We rented on in Maui and took a CFI along. I told him I'd never sat in a Cessna but to just give me speeds and power settings. Two hours later I was coming in to land and when I was where I pull power on the Mooney I pulled the power. He immediately reached over and shoved it back in as I said "sorry, I'm used to my Mooney."

Agree, I love the 900 in my plane.

My wife and I just had this discussion on a flight Saturday. When we put in the GFC500 I didn't add the yaw damper, couldn't justify the extra cost. In cruise I typically stick my foot/boot in between the rudder pedal and side panel to keep it straight and not have to keep constant pressure with my leg. It would be nice to just let the AP do that work. I still might add it one day.

Finally made it up to Half Moon Bay. Shot the approach and broke out at 1,500'. Had a great lunch and took off in VFR conditions to fly the San Francisco Bay.

Are you talking about the clear triangleish plastic behind the light that sticks up above the wing? I might still have it at my hangar from when I put LED's on.