Tommooney

After all the rain, how about a pop up west coast fly in! Wx looking good Sat to airport in the sky? I like the buffalo burgers Tom Harris 8053006621

It was awesome today. CAVU Wx after and before rainstorms in SoCal, the sky opened up. Thunderbirds vs Blue Angels in same 3 hours. Both excellent. Probably never to be seen again around here in my lifetime. Good Luck Tom

They were practicing today in formation below 2000' broken. A good sign after all the rain. I'm going Sat. Tom

https://www.pointmuguairshow.com/ The last time Blue Angels were in Ventura County was 2015. They used to come more often. We can only hope, but Wx is not looking good. I'll be there even if just static displays. Blue angels plus Thunderbirds at same show. We have been so waiting for this..... Good luck. Tom

I use my pocket knife on an empty water bottle to quickly make a new funnel in field when needed, then throw away. I keep oil , fuel tester, etc in a plastic tool box in baggage compartment. Good luck.

Here is an example of factory annual log entry if any are interested i have more. They are very thorough. I also have an ugly entry hand written from a local shop during the 2009 recession when I was saving money. The difference is night and day. Good luck! factory annual.pdf

I last had an annual at the factory in 2019. Probably the third annual there since I bought the plane in 2003. Always had a good experience. It has always been more $$$ than MSCs but worth it to me. The factory log entry looks nice. Stacy Ellis was always my contact there since I bought the plane until that 2019 annual. Great guy. I saw he moved on since. I don't go every year but once in a long while seems good for me. I hope I can go one more time before I hang up my headphones. I really enjoy when they let me walk around the factory. Its like a church to me. Very quiet when I've been. Brings back good memories of when I bought the plane there. I just had an annual at Chandler AZ MSC, done in one week. Good experience there too. Good luck!

Thanks for the clarification Skyland. I wrote the original date on a hanger calendar and overlooked the change. I appreciate all your hard work. Feb 26 it is. Tom

The Wx is looking good for the week end. My wife and I are planning to go Sat and Uber over to Santa Cruz to stay a night before the lunch. I vaguely remember a beach roller coaster there when i was little. See you there! Tom

San Luis avionics installed my ADS-B in 2020 as promised. I thought it was great service. Maybe they can help? Not knowing your electric type of problem though. Good luck. Tom

Where are you? Maybe there is a MSer close by that might offer.. Good Luck!

I have the exact R&R experience with this K2U door seal ( except used 3M product for removal ) , and also leave 3 doors all cracked when in hanger so seals don't stay crushed, with towel over to keep dust out. I use a lube product once a year to keep it fresh longer. Replaced two times in 19 years. Seems to last about 8-12 years before getting too dried out and crumbly, leaking air and water. Thanks for the suggestion: Gummi Pflege Stift' Rubber Care Stick. I'll try it. Good luck Tom

Yes it is neat tail art. Can we see the whole plane?

Hi I'm wondering what anyone else knows about tower visits currently? Before the pandemic, it was ok for a pilot/ me to ask tower for permission to come up to tower between 10am and 4 pm at OXR. It stopped in March 2020 . I haven't asked since. I'll ask tomorrow. I would take my wife up to tower when she was taking landing lessons, fuel truck drivers, fellow pilots, etc. ( not non pilots though ) It was really good talking face to face up in tower cab. Controllers are my friends. Are tower visits ok now? ( In the 70s there was free Hypoxia training in chamber at local KNTD ( ask yourself: 3X34=what? ) or 198_ Operation Raincheck at KPMD to sit with Center controllers for an hour) Is there any FAA-pilot interaction like old days now ? Tom

Its all time relative. I bought my Ovation new in Sept 2003 for list price $399K with 10% down and 6% interest on a 15 year loan . It seemed like a huge amount of money then, compared to previously had a cherry twin commanche that I bought $45K 1987 and sold for $45K in 1992. The Ovation is paid off now. I have no regrets and a great experience buying the best plane I could afford for commuting from SoCal home and business to my farm in OTH OR. It seldom has needed repairs between annuals. Unlike the many talented mechanical types on here, I don't do my own maintenance. I don't trust myself going there. I go to MSCs for annuals. It has never left me stranded. If buying a forever plane looking 20 years out, I recommend the newest , lowest hour plane you can find. I believe you will not regret the money, but I do now regret selling that twin commanche N7825Y for $45K.....( it broke a lot and parts were hard to get fast back then. ) Out of owning 4 planes in 45 years , I have not sold any of them for less than I paid. Good luck out there. Tom

This seems like a good suggestion. How about Feb 18 lunch and overnight and also lunch Sun. At Watsonville lunch for Sat only people, I would usually like to stay overnight ( Santa Cruz beach) and then another lunch at same airport Sun for those that can only come Sun? IDK if that is practical? Seems ok to me. Harris Ranch has rooms Sat March 18 for under $200. Same thing Sat lunch for some, stay overnight for some, then Sun lunch for those that can only do Sun. Big Bear for April? Tahoe for May? STS for June? And for all of these if Wx is IFR, postpone for following week. Tom

Very nice fly in lunch today. 7 Mooneys and 12 attendees at lunch at Waypoint Cafe Camarillo. Sunny and 70 degrees. Suggestion heard was to repeat every other month on a Sunday? Watsonville next? Tom

The wx is looking good for Thurs. I'll get there early and get a table in the shade next to ramp. Look for a Mooney hat. ( Coming from Oxnard won't take long ) Tom 805x300x662one

I can make any of those dates.

Banyan there is one of best FBOs ever. ( best not cheapest ) . The GO rental car co in their office is good too. Huge pilot shop connected next door. Good Luck Tom

The local news said pilot had minor injuries. Looks like he flew it thru the crash missing the als tower in the field centered with runway. Seems the gear and chain link fence absorbed energy. Tom

Sad sight to see on final to home base today.... I wish the pilot good luck. I hope he is the guy in the orange shirt we see standing in video? Tom

Today I flew into Tehachapi at the recommendation of MikeOH. Short walk 10 min, Red barn was closed until July 16 but next door steak and eggs were $12 and delicious. Thanks for the tip. Tomorrow I'm flying to lunch at Kern Valley L05. I'll see if I can walk on river raft. I sure wish there was a Mooney group lunch week end fly in SoCal.... Tom

I couldn't find the flash drive memory stick adapter for my 900 and they sent me another free in days no questions, years after I bought it. Much appreciated. Tom

It should be a beautiful day in Oxnard OXR tomorrow if anyone else wants to drop in for lunch and a $100 fish taco. I'll be next to OXR jet center FBO in an open hanger 10-3:00 if you walk around cant miss it. Tom