Prestonalton

Morning all! I've been working on an idea and I am looking for feedback if you'd be so inclined. Basically, here is the gist or BLUF: An aviation marketplace website where instructors can post their services including their price, location, and what they offer. Other pilots can then book these services in their local area and it makes finding flight instruction more efficient and effective. I came about this idea because my PPL training was basically restricted to a single flight school who assigned me 4 different instructors of which I had no choice. In addition, it would be a way for instructors to build their clientele base. I'd like to test it out with the Mooney community to see your opinions and hopefully we can expand from there. The functions will be limited early on, but i'd like to hopefully grow it enough to where we have a pretty good selection. I know there are currently lists of instructors but many of them are outdated with some people not active anymore. The goal is to offer upfront pricing and schedules, easy interaction with local instructors, and increase safety of private pilots by reducing the barriers to finding aviation instruction services. Being in the military myself, I find myself spending countless hours on google researching different airports, instructors, and flight schools. However, there really is a lack of pertinent info out there. So, here is the link to the site which has a much more thorough explanation: https://aircfi.sharetribe.com/ Feel free to sign up, post listings, and invite friends! Let me know what you like and don't be afraid to share what you don't like.

@Alan Fox Do you have the exhaust tailpipe available?

Nope, the crack is outside the aircraft. Which is why I was wondering if I could just cut it right there at the crack, but my mechanic said that would be "modifying the aircraft"

Found this crack in my exhaust tailpipe and I was thinking it shouldn't be too expensive to replace...but as with anything in aviation, they are out there are charging an arm and a leg for something like this new! The pipe is too old to be welded (asked that question) and for most things i'd be willing to spend the money, but a metal pipe...really? Any suggestions or any tailpipes laying around?

Hi @Alan Fox is the exhaust tailpipe still available? I'm just looking for the last piece that goes outside the cowl.

I texted him... I’ve used his music before and it hasn’t flagged so maybe it’s a different producer or something

Yep! One of the legs was to Clanton on this one, pretty close to you. We typically have a flight each weekend if you’re interested

Alright, my last post didn't work too well, but here's a video of a puppy flight we did a few weeks back throughout Alabama.

Funny thing...it's a copyright claim, but the artist of the music I am using is my cousin and he gave me permission to use it. I filed a dispute with youtube though and it should be back up soon.

Weird...I’ll try and fix it tomorrow

That’s what I did, wondering why it says it’s not available. Did that work?

A nice Pilots N Paws flight from LA back to Crestview with Lindy the Husky https://youtu.be/fg6KLfpqjzA

Let's be a little more civil than this please. Don't call the guy out like that, especially considering what happened.

So i'm going to meet with the shop in person about some of the details and scheme. Any specific things I should bring up regarding the paint job? I've already asked about process (full strip), type of paint used, shop cleanliness, and have a rough idea of the scheme. I've gotten some great ideas here regarding removing surfaces, making sure windows aren't painted, overspray. Anything else to make my worries at ease would really help since this is the first time getting her painted. Also...random question but what speed increases have you guys seen after a paint job?

A little update to this topic. I have received some quotes and they are wildly different. Here are the three with some background: 1. $15k from a reputable shop with a lifetime warranty...first opening in October of this year 2. $22-$25k from one of the top shops in the country...also first opening in October of this year 3. $8-10k from a shop just getting into painting but who I have gotten other work done on the plane with and they have done a very good job. They can get me in for paint this April, and it's the closest to home so I could drive to see the progress. A couple questions I have: What is the worst that could happen with a paint job? I would imagine paint is paint, but there has to be some reason why there is such variation in the quotes. The 3rd shop is quoting 4 weeks time for the paint job, I will be the only plane getting painted there, is this too short? I obviously am leaning toward the 3rd shop, and I have discussed the process and paint used with them (full strip, etc) and feel comfortable with their work for other things on my plane, but I am still wary about being one of their first paint customers. Should I be worried?

Just following up on this thread. The problem was found and fixed! It was a loose connection forward of the electric fuel pump. It was only able to be found when I turned on the boost pump when priming the engine while my mechanic was outside. All the fuel would evaporate when I previously would do this so I had no idea fuel was leaking when priming the engine. We also replaced the mechanical fuel pump and are seeing upwards of 30psi. Much better than it normally read previously. Thanks for all the help on here for what to check and what not.

Any recommendations for shops?/who did yours?

Wow, 6 weeks/3months...idk if I can go without flying that long! Jk, the Mooney needs a spa day...or month every so often. I’d imagine just regular paint would be fine and gear would probably be touched up, Mooney looks best in the air when you don’t see the gear anyway Good to know about the fuel cell leaks. I’d imagine white is the cheapest? What is the price range on colors? If reds are $1000/gal what would the lower end colors be. If it’s like $900/gal I think it’s worth doing some expensive colors but if it’s like $500/gal I would probably stick with a cheaper base color and add onto it.

Hi all, it's come time to get my Mooney repainted soon. I'm looking for some recommendations for a few things: 1. Paint scheme- I'm thinking Purple and Red (I know unique), anyone have a Mooney with these colors for some inspiration? Also, will certain colors cost more than others? 2. Shop recommendations- I'm willing to travel if NW Florida doesn't have great options. Anybody have some gouge on which places do a great job? I'm obviously not trying to break the bank but i'm not trying to go cheap either. Looking for the fairest price possible. 3. What is a fair price for a full paint job on a M20F? How long can I expect to be without my beloved Mooney? Thanks all!

Also, off-topic but how do some of you get the states where you've been in the Mooney? Is there a website that does it or something?

Interesting, what exactly will this do? Clog up where the air is leaking in because of the heavy viscosity?

Yes, it is agnostic to fuel tank. That is the first thing I tried when it happened, switching fuel tanks. It happens on both sides.

Here is a video of a run-up I just did trying to replicate the issue. No fuel or oil leaking anywhere afterwards. The pressure didn’t get as low as it did during my climb out previously but it still seems irregular the pressure is getting so low when power is increased. You can see it comes up quite a bit once I reduced power. IMG_4336.MOV

So I am out here checking on the fittings and for leaks right now and noticed the l drain in front of the nosewheel tire is actually plugged up. Would this have anything to do with the issue I am having? Thinking about doing a test run-up after I clear the drain. Picture attached