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OK, so it's not completely Mooney related, although it would move a Mooney around just fine. I wanted to share my early progress on a portable tug that would be universal and work on planes with wheel pants and probably tail wheel aircraft as well. I think I'm going to call it The Keep Your Pants On Tug. I'm most of the way there, I just need to get the handle and wiring done. It's going to break down into 3 pieces, the longest being 36" which could be split into 2 separate pieces, and should weigh in at about 30 pounds with batteries. What do you guys think? There was lots of good input on the Mooney tow bar, I'm hoping that will be the case here as well.

If I'm around, I'd be happy to show you mine,, just send me a message. If not, they have one at Dugosh that JD likes to show off.

Integrity and credibility is important, I'm far from perfect but I try to keep my promises. Anyone that has the skills to do this would be able to figure it all out on their own eventually so I don't see any reason not to help.

This guy is constantly giving the "Meow" on guard. I can't stop him, no matter what. He's solid on his comms otherwise though.

Back when I first started building my powered tow bar, I promised to make a how to video for those that just wanted to try this themselves. I'm sorry it's taken so long but, here it finally is. If you want to tackle this, I'm selling the parts other than the steel for the tow bar on my website, https://mooneymover.com, to make it easier. Happy to answer any questions about it. This doesn't show you how to weld, powder coat, design in CAD, etc but, if you already have the skills needed to do something like this, it's everything you need to know to get it done. https://youtu.be/PVRgs2k5qc0

That makes sense. I fly into T82 often, I'll be there tomorrow in fact, and thought I was going crazy for a minute when I first looked at the photo.

I can't tell you for a mid-body. My C touches down at 65MPH, give or take, the way I like it configured for landing. I'm usually 80 over the fence, 75 over the threshold and then pull power and hold it off as close the runway as I can until the speed bleeds off and it lands. Usually puts me at the 1,000' markers. The POH should have some guidance, most planes I've flown like to land at whatever stall speed is for the current configuration. I usually only put in 15 degrees of flap so my stall speed is higher than if I was full flaps.

What airport is this? It's not T82 or ERV. This is T82 for those not familiar.

Your biggest learning curves will be energy management and realizing that although they fly fast, they land as slow as any other GA airplane. Don't try to put it on the runway until it's done flying or it'll object. Also, the descent is much flatter than you're probably used to. When I get into something else, I fell like I'm dive bombing the runway on final. Welcome to the club!

I replaced that hose last year. We used a pressure pot on the reservoir and bled to the valve in the belly on the right side near the back of the wing, or just behind it. Then pumped and released, pumped and released, pumped and left overnight. They didn't release any so we had the air out. Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

The one pictured is 24" long but, I can scale it up to whatever size you'd want. I can't really go any smaller, the lines get too thin and the plasma either burns through them or they deform. I think it looks best at 30" or bigger.

I'll swing by while you're in, I don't go in until Nov this year since it took so long for the last one. Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

My daughter brought me a pregnant stray cat not long ago, she had kittens about 10 weeks ago. This one has been riding around the ranch in the RTV with me without complaint and is pretty good in a car so, I'm going to get him used to a harness, leash training him and see if he'll fly. Today was his first trip to the airplane, he's still not thrilled about the harness, it's only his 3rd time wearing it. I think he's going to get there though. Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

I'm sure we could work something out if you'd like one. I'm working on a different silhouette right now though, you may want to wait and see if you like it better. Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

I know Mooney Max is just around the corner and they're both very close this year but, who is going to the Summit next month? I'll be there for the first time and I've donated a tow bar for the silent auction. I've been playing around with my new plasma table and will probably bring one of these wire frame Mooney models as well. I'm looking forward to it and hoping to meet some of you there. Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

I had AD 73-21-01 done today, or did it under supervision. It's just lubricating flight controls and gear, which is something a Private Pilot is allowed to do under Part 43 so, I got to wondering... If an AD consists solely of work that Part 43 allows a pilot to complete, can the pilot perform the work and log the AD as complied with? We discussed it in the shop and came to our own conclusion but, I'm curious to see if MS comes to the same conclusion and how we get there.

Don, I'll be at FTW and RBD tomorrow, if either are convenient for you. I'd be happy to take care of the switch for you while I'm there, it's a 10 second fix with the right tools. If not, I'll get a video soon Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

Sounds good, there are a few different ways to accomplish the switch change. I'll make you a little video to show you what to do when you're ready.

Accelerated stalls in a Mooney are exciting. Power on and power off are pretty benign if you stay coordinated.

If you're in the South, David at Dugosh is also a whiz at patching tanks. I think he kind of enjoys it.

Shoot me an email, I can help you fix the switch and have made some changes for the longer nosed 6 cylinder models that'll let you put it on in 1 piece. A quick fix though, is to turn the nose wheel.to one side, that'll gain you some clearance. Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

Send me an email and we'll work it out. bernie@graniers.com Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

I also track mine, I lose that 7th quart in an hour, the 6th will take 5 hours to disappear. I'm willing to sacrifice that 7th quart to the aviation gods to keep my temps down though, seems a small trade off. Oil is a lot cheaper than cylinders. Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

I have the plate on my C, my oil temp is usually 205 - 220, depending on the phase of flight. That's higher than I'd like but, flushing the oil cooler helped bring it down to that from higher. I've also found that adding that 7th quart of oil, even though I know it'll get blown out the breather, helps immensely during climb out, it'll keep me below 200 and keeps my CHTs below 400 without having to make a very shallow climb. Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

The accountants. Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk