kelty

Thanks for sharing. I know I have certainly had a case of the gettherits. Nice work flying the plane and getting out of there. AVIATE, Navigate, Communicate.

For the most part flying through a MOA is fine, but always contact the controlling agency before entering. Just remember when you are filing your taxes, most of the time during a training flight, when VFR traffic enters the MOA we have to stop our training for as long as it takes that traffic to leave. I don't pay for it, but I hear that jet fuel and F-18 flight hours are cheap.

If I were to guess, it was probably about a minute from when the engine quite to when we hit the trees. I did originally have the gear down, but raised them right away when I realized that we were just a glider.

Great pictures. I love flying into Petaluma. Great Breakfast

Ya, I always use the boost pump. I turn the boost pump on on downwind about the same time I drop the gear.

It is an orchard of almond trees, about 300 acres. So my insurance also got to buy some new trees.

I did switch tanks, just probably 10-15 seconds later than needed to happen. I never tried the boost pump and. I tried 3 restarts and all were unsuccessful . If one of you guys doesn't make the same mistake I did, then all the ridicule is worth it. That's the whole rationale behind safety reporting.

Ok just getting home from work, let me try to answer some of there: No, 2 owners ago put bladders in and after that the low fuel lights didnt work. The gages are dodgy enough as they are. Honestly that wasnt my first though. First though was something was wrong with the engine, then don't hit the power lines, then OH SHIT the trees are close. Ya thats what I thought too. Some of the reason why I didnt first think it was a fuel issue. The FAA guys here in Fresno are very helpful and did not require a check ride. I had recently completed my annual Navy NATOPS check and they called that good enough. Thank you

There is a monthly breakfast fly-in at my airport, HJO, and we were meeting for dinner Sunday night. When I got to the airport I dipped the tanks, 10 gallons per. Our destination was 30 miles away, I planned on filling up but the tank at the airport was empty. Our destination had gas and 20 gallons is plenty to make it. I was running off the right tank from takeoff. I simply forgot to switch tanks when I normally do at 10 miles from landing. As soon as the engine coughed I pushed full forward on the throttle, prop and mixture. We were at 110 knots and about 900 feet AGL. Step 1 was to make it over the high tension power lines right in front of me, then I switched the tanks. NTSB mentioned that the fuel injection lines may have had vapor lock, delaying the restart.

We were headed to Harris Ranch, only about 30 miles away

I had her open the door a few seconds prior to impact hoping that we would be able to get out that way. But yes, as you can see we were pinned against the tree. Branches came through the back right window so I got in the back seat, kicked the window out and was able tor each around and open the baggage door.

Ya she made me promise that night that we go fly again soon. Borrowed my cousin's plane and it was a little rough, but she is good to fly now.

We definitely had a drink. The fiance has already given me permission to buy another plane and says that she only wants to fly in Mooneys because of the way that it protected us. She just "recommends" that I wait till after deployment. I am having withdrawls though..

Well I am still in denial, but I landed my J in a tree not to long ago. I was on my way to dinner with the fiance and about 5 miles from the runway the engine quit. Being at pattern speed and altitude didn't leave much of an option, I tried for an open field, but didn't have quite enough energy to make it there, hit the trees about 100 yards away. Good news is that we both walked away just fine and the insurance has been a very easy process. I would be in the market for a new plane right now, but apparently weddings are expensive. We are getting married in September and I am going on deployment in October, so gonna save up and get a new plane after cruise. So for the bad news, my little airport was out of gas and I thought I had enough to make it to dinner and get gas there. Well apparently I mathed wrong. I flew mostly C brands and did not think about hitting the boost pump when I switched tanks. Probably would have helped. Sad Sad Sad

keltylanham@gmail.com definitely interested

Hi all. My trim switch just stopped working. It will still trim nose down and disconnect the Century IIIb, but it wont trim nose up anymore. Thats why im thinking its the switch that has gone bad. I pulled the switch out and it looks fine, and used some contact cleaner before reinstalling it, but no luck. Not the greatest picture of the switch, but does anyone know the part number, couldn't find it, and where to get one. Thanks Kelty

I would say the biggest thing is to make sure you have a pre buy inspection done. Also having everything in writing with the seller is a good idea. My seller and I made a written pre purchase agreement as well as the purchase agreement. Let me know if you want a copy of what we drew up. Kelty

US Navy 2010 - present. F-18 Super Hornets, Operation Inherent Resolve Go Navy

Congrats! I just got mine about a month ago. I'm not far down the road at HJO. Kelty

S 20, Welcome. I just bought my J model a few weeks ago. Initially my budget was set at no more than $50k as well. Ended up buying my plane for $62k. I figured it was better to spend more money now, especially while it was being financed, rather than spend the money in a few years to do all the upgrades to an older plane. I'll let you know how the first annual goes though. GO NAVY...BEAT ARMY. Fellow Navy pilot here. Kelty

I am definitely interested in doing some formation flying. When is the clinic in Visalia? I am only a few miles away in Hanford.

I have some corrosion, mainly in the wheel wells that I want to touch up with paint. What type should I use for that? -Kelty

Brad, I totally agree. The annual was just done in April, but I'm going to have my mechanic go through everything with me, really to help me learn all the systems of the plane, but also to make sure that everything is up to speed. It fun to dream though right? The first order of business is going to be figuring out the CHT. That is a great looking plane you have there.

Definitely interested. Please let me know.

Ok that makes a lot of since. It is hot here too in central CA. I was hoping to keep the cowl flaps closed for a decrease in drag, but a cooler engine is much better.