skydvrboy

As @N201MKTurbo said, why guess or rely on internet answers from people who've never seen the plane. Go up and test it, then you'll know for sure.

Why not make your own? Pull the throttle, configure for best glide (105 mph?), let things stabilize, then time how long it takes to descend 500'. Time times speed gives you the horizontal distance covered and 500' is the vertical. Repeat for as many different configurations as you wish. I did mine with the prop "feathered" and again with the engine off. You could even stop the prop, which will give you a bit better glide slope, but I chose not to do that one. Then you will have exact numbers for your plane.

Just to let everyone know, these are not the right light bulbs. You will need BA15 based bulbs not BA9. The photo below shows the difference. I'm going to try something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/VehiCode-Replacement-Interior-Semi-Truck-Landscape/dp/B097MNL5Z8/ref=sr_1_14_sspa?crid=2V0BYINKMTT1B&keywords=ba15s+led+bulb+12v&qid=1637512092&s=automotive&sprefix=ba15s+%2Cautomotive%2C296&sr=1-14-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE2MUdKQkxOTjRWVzQmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAxMjk5NDIxWTdFMVFLSENCOENVJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5ODgxNjUxWE1UMUFVRU1VVU9TJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Wow, it must really be bad East off the Mississippi. We flew from Kansas to California and back in late October and I don’t think we ever flew more than thirty minutes without hearing someone abusing guard. We heard let’s go Brandon so much on that trip I had to Google it when we got home. I found it rather annoying and unprofessional, but I never thought it impacted safety since it was always on an otherwise quiet frequency. I hadn’t considered the effect of pilots turning off guard to silence all the crap, but I see some validity in that assertion.

No adhesive is required. Spraying a bit of water on helps remove any bubbles with a credit card or something similar. Once stuck.. they're stuck unless you peel them off. I copied Skates and absolutely love it.

Unless I’m missing it completely this plane doesn’t have an engine monitor. That would be a non starter for me at this price point. Not because it’s expensive to add, but rather because it means the previous owner was more interested in the paint and fancy interior than he was about the health of the engine.

I once had an old pilot tell me, "It doesn't matter if you get there first or second. You just don't want to tie!" As for controlled fields and training aircraft, we have a college flight school on our airport. They always seem to clear me in front of the slower trainers if possible, especially on the ground, but even airborne since they know I'm faster. My last flight there were 4 trainers lined up to depart midfield when I rolled up to the runway hold short line and told tower I was ready to go. They cleared me first and approved a right turnout, which occurred before I was even overhead the trainers. I then heard tower subsequently clear each of them to depart.

I did red and green to match the Nav lights just for fun, but the black tape they come with would have a classier look.

V@MMsuper21 Beautiful plane, she looks FAST!!! Your nose tire looks low, but that may just be the picture. Should be 49 psi. Edit. Mine is 49 psi. Big thanks to Hank for correcting me on the short body front tire pressure.

I’ve heard nothing but good things about Houston tank specialists. They quoted my 4K a side for my 64 gallon F and were willing to do just one side if that was needed.

How old are the kids? Strange thing, those little ones grow and soon you end up in an Ovation. Just ask Anthony!

I’m starting a long trek to California tomorrow, so I’ll get a picture if I can remember.

This is why drop zones are advised not to carry insurance and keep their assets to a minimum. When the attorneys see there’s not much money to be made, they walk away. And if there ever was a large verdict, bankrupt, good luck collecting.

Pictures... or it didn't happen!

My nephew lost his lunch after a solid 2 hours of formation flying on a bumpy Oklahoma summer afternoon. Fortunately, he kept everything in the Nalgene bottle he brought with him. After an hour or so on the ground, he skeptically climbed back in the plane. We climbed above the bumps and he did great on the 2 hour flight home.

I have this exact same problem in my F model. I bought the balls only to have the mechanic tell me the ball’s still there. After tinkering with this during two annuals, the problem remains. The door just blows open anytime my IAS gets over about 140. It’s not really a problem on takeoff or climb, but opens in cruise and descent. If anyone gets this fixed, I’d like to know what finally solved the problem.

I just now saw Cliffy's question. Yes, the lap belts come with the TSO tags sewn on.

Or call Hooker Harness and get essentially the same thing for less. Instead of $455 for each seat, mine were $417 for both seats after shipping. Full disclosure, they did have a price increase this year, so I have no idea how much they are now, but they will be significantly less than the Alpha belts. None of the Mooney stuff is listed on their website, but they make it. You just have to call. https://www.hookerharness.com/contact.html A couple other things for when you call them: If you want the inertia reel, ask for it. I didn't know that was on option but they have them (was $175 adder). On the passenger side I think it would be a pain in the butt getting people in and out of the back, but it makes sense on the pilot side so you can reach your fuel selector without loosening your shoulder strap. If you go with the manual ones that you pull tight, ask for pull tabs. Their only $5 more and make adjusting much easier.

Did you just replace the old torpedo bulbs with those? None of the one's I tried would push the light out sideways, but these look like just the right solution.

I put it against the center console on the passenger side. It's easy to reach and out of the way. I only use it on solo flights, and I'm the oddball around here who has passengers on almost all my flights that aren't training in nature. I also did the window tint and seat belts and would highly recommend both.

I think your yokes are the same as mine. When one of mine cracked, I looked at replacing them with newer yokes and found that the shaft is a different diameter. It's doable, but you have to replace both yoke and shaft, so the price is a bit more. As for the PTT switch, my A&P built a little bracket to go around the old clock hole that holds the PTT in a very convenient place for my left thumb. Another option, especially since you're upgrading to an autopilot, is to put the PTT in the hole where the PC disconnect valve was located. If you put the PTT in the old PC spot, perhaps a bracket like mentioned could hold the trim switch?

@A64Pilot has given you some very good advice, but in the spirit of answering your question, I'll throw out a couple. First, get a good CO monitor. It may be the difference between life and death. I would recommend the basic sensorcon unit linked below. Use discount code: Aircraft2021 and get 20% off. No need to get anything higher than the basic model (I got the top end and the only features I use are the ones included with the basic model). https://www.sensorcon.com/products/av8-inspector-co-av8-co-01-carbon-monoxide-monitor-for-aviation?variant=39342748237894 As for your grips, just get regular bicycle grips. I have yet to touch any yoke that is more comfortable at any price. The black ones show less dirt over the years. Use Amazon smile and forward your donation to Mooney Summit Inc (or a charity of your choice). https://smile.amazon.com/BV-Handlebar-Bicycle-Cycling-Handle/dp/B06XCFGXHV/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=bike+handlebar+tape&qid=1634222518&sr=8-2 I know it's super cheap and seems silly, but you want a pen or pencil handy when flying. I found one of these works perfectly. https://smile.amazon.com/Pen-Pal-Holders-Adhesive-Removeable/dp/B01M046PID/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=rubber+pen+holder&qid=1634222749&sr=8-3 I also added cup holders which come in handy. But I just don't use them nearly as often as I thought I would. I typically only fly with drinks in plastic bottles with lids. YMMV. https://smile.amazon.com/Camco-44044-Adjustable-Drink-Holder/dp/B000EDQR4G/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=foldable+cup+holder&qid=1634223039&sr=8-3 Finally, just a note on the LED lights. They may not be as "plug and play" as you'd like. LED's are polarity sensitive and I found a few of my original lights were wired in with reverse polarity, so LED lights don't function in those. The good news is, after replacing the ones I could, I have plenty of spare incandescent bulbs to replace those as they burn out. Also, the overhead torpedo lights don't function well at all with LED lights.

You're a pilot now... they're not plugs, they're PIREPS! (and we appreciate them very much)

My plane can only hold seven hours of fuel, so this has never come up. Do you all have long range tanks or just really small bladders.

As for the gear being difficult to stow, have you tried nudging the yoke forward a bit while putting up the gear. This takes some of the gravitational load off and makes it easier to move the gear at higher speeds. Not sure if it will help in your situation, as I don't have inner gear doors. You also might want to double check that it is rigged properly. BTW, it looks awesome.