Jeff Uphoff

Sounds like when I was a 200-hour PPL and just starting into tailwheels--my CFI described my rudder usage as "like someone who's had too much coffee." --Up.

Afraid I don't have a grain of salt small enough for this... --Up.

Not much of a track to work with here. Sporting crosswind from the west on the METAR--looks like he was drifting eastward almost immediately. --Up.

This was a fun run a couple of years ago, heading to Yankee Stadium for a game: 11k', WOT and LOP getting 182 KTAS on 11.9 GPH. I was probably running 2500 or 2550 RPM. By fuel flow, that's 57% power. I was seeing a bit of wave action again, with TAS varying from high 170s to low 180s. The Ovation is remarkably efficient LOP. I've done several 1000+nm and/or 6+ hour legs with solid fuel reserves. --Up.

This was taken a couple weeks ago coming out of Reno. I had a monster tailwind, so I dialed the RPMs/power back (2400 RPM) and flew WOT at a touch lean of peak EGT. Pic shows 169 KTAS (it was varying from there up into the mid-170s due to waves) at 15k' on 10.5 GPH. By fuel flow, that's 50% power. --Up.

My Ovation has a useful load of 1030. I've owned a turbo Mooney, an M20K/231, and when going a distance, I often flew it in the mid teens, typically 15-17k eastbound (higher would require a mask). I can count on one hand the number of times I had a reason to take it higher--up into the flight levels (18k+). In the Ovation, I typically cruise above the bumps at 9-12k, and then when I want to grab a tailwind or really stay above weather, I'll take it up into the mid-teens as well. I spent a lot of time this past month at 15k in it. With 310 sea-level horsepower, an Ovation is making MORE power (HP) flying wide-open throttle at 15k' than a turbocharged 210/220HP M20K would be at 75% power at that same altitude. And that's something to think about! I fly the Ovation very much like I did my old M20K, but the Ovation is even better for my current mission because those extra 100 sea-level horsepower get me out of the bowl of mountains I'm based in and up to 5-6k' in an instant. (The Ovation is also roomier and holds more gas.) Here was a recent week in it (pic below). Virginia to San Antonio, TX nonstop, and then later Reno, Nevada (which is WEST of L.A.) to Virginia with a single stop. --Up.

Thanks much, both of y'all!

I was referring to replacing the hot, lens-melting halogen recognition lights (only) with the LED ones--no plans right now to replace the nav lights or strobes. Is it the same case for those--no need to remove the wingtips? --Up.

Curious what the replacement procedure is like for the 28V wingtip recognition LED lights (replacing the old, hot halogens) on a Mooney Ovation. The wingtips need to come off (i.e. rivets drilled out) to connect the new wiring, or is it simpler? Thanks. --Up.

I had a dream last night I got brought into KROA all goofy-angled by ATC and had to go around, and @donkaye, MCFI, you'll be happy to hear I retracted my gear before raising my flaps during that go-around. :)~ --Up.

There's an STC to goose the Ovation up from 280HP to 310HP (mine has it), but I've never heard of one to turbocharge it. Given the turbocharged Bravo/Acclaim models are basically identical to the Ovation save for the engine(s), I can't see the sense in it. --Up.

I landed my M20C in 36G42 at KWJF once--right down the runway. I've never carried so much power on final. The biggest issue there was my wife trying to get the door open in that wind after we'd parked! --Up.

Looks like someone finally described a good reason for our tails being on backwards--it helps us to land the airplane backwards! Here's proof: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQJtcHljXwI/?igsh=MXZqNW4zbDVqYWQ3ag%3D%3D

She's not blonde, but there has been a very famous woman astrophysicist around here flying her M20E. (This shot is us plus another friend in back on our way to Oshkosh in my Ovation this year.) --Up.

Wait...you have a Mooney Redbird now, or you were working with one of the ones at Kerrville? I'd love to do some training in one--things I won't do in my Ovation, such as a spin or impossible-turn practice. I didn't even realize there were Mooney Redbirds floating around. (I've only ever used Diamond ones. Meh.) --Up.