Paul Thomas

You can't justify your behavior, your actions, your thoughts by speaking poorly about the company whose policy you abuse. This is about you, not them. Trying to rationalize by "not needing it anymore" to fit their policy is B.S. The policy is meant for people who buy something with the intent to keep it and realize they don't need it. It's not meant for people to "rent" their tool; that's not the business they are in and you know it. While it wouldn't meet the common legal definition of theft, I think most people do view it as theft. We all know that some people with low morals violate the social contract to their advantage... advertising it to others/defending the behavior when called out on it take it to a whole other level. Just donate the tools to the airport, EAA chapter, etc if you don't want to take them home. Be a good person. Be an example.

How do you descend? I bring the RPM down to 2,200, pitch for -500fpm (about 160 KIAS). Typically, I'll only touch the blue knob again in the landing phase.

Amazing how stitching makes those inner panels looks so much better and finished.

I'm shocked at the cost of windlace; the guy that did my seats did it for free. I owe him something!

That's exactly how my replacement was done.

A state wasn't following the contract when it came to hangar rate increases and playing hardball knowing that the amounts are not worth the cost of the fight. In that state, the state manages the contracts, not the individual airports and the issue of the rate increase affected people throughout the state. Our Mooney owner decided to take on the fight and joined forced with others at his airport. He led the effort and has done a fantastic job. The group wanted help from AOPA but AOPA's position is that it didn't affect enough pilots for them to help. AOPA wouldn't even send an email to pilots in that state to help spread the word. I called AOPA to see if my contacts could do anything better; despite her effort, nothing was done. While I agree that resources have to be allocated efficiently and it's AOPA's prerogative whether to flex their legal/legislative muscles, a note to their member should have been done so that other members in the same position as this group could have been joined the class. It would also have made that group's argument stronger by having more people affecting and people affected throughout the state. The ask when AOPA didn't want to help was either something in the magazine about the on-going fight or an email blast to the pilots based in that state. AOPA wouldn't do anything; the only time AOPA showed any interest was after the supreme court win. I cancelled my membership because AOPA's value to me has been for these situations. I don't agree with the rationale given, that because they are in state without small pilot population, resources can't be given. AOPA exists so that to advocate for the small guy. I'd have agreed with AOPA if it looked at the issue and decided not to be involved based on the merits but I can't agree when the argument is that you won't get help because you're from a state that doesn't enough people... at that point why do you accept membership from pilots based there? While real assistance would have been appreciated, the refusal to do anything, even an email blast target to members in that state was enough for me to be done with AOPA and cancel my membership. AOPA hasn't done much of anything in the past 10/15 years; it is not the organization is used to be.

I rolled my own set because I wanted something that would be effective in various soil types. I'd use a shackle over a carabiner. The type of rope you buy matters; some rope intentionally stretch under tension.

I have a set of those made by Kennon who will stop making them at the end of the year. Those are very effective and I typically use them even if I park just for lunch. It makes a huge difference in comfort when you get back into the airplane.

People were buying NAFI subscription to get the FF discount; it was too good to continue on.

I've stopped and give extra money to EAA. AOPA hasn't done much in recent years and seems to be getting worse. A Mooney owner fought contractual issues that affect all other hangar owners in his state all the way to his state's supreme court and won; AOPA never supported the effort and refused to even send and email so that the class of affected users could be increased.

I have a Bruce cover. I've only used it on few times and the fit is great but I did have them make some modifications. I didn't want the front strap to interfere over the gear doors and I have a velcro over the rear antenna that's where the dorsal fin starts. I had to send it back for the rear antenna but since I had been told the cover would not reach there. Bruce took care of shipping both ways and couldn't have been any easier to work with.

If it is real, that info should be dispersed to all the aviation news outlet. If true, the poor media start is not a good sign for the future. I want it to be true but I don't believe it is.

I am as well because I forgot one when we had a bad battery; there was a possibility that the airplane would have been started without removing the tow bar. Without the help of a CFI, I would have started tied down or chocked; I don't remember which but I do remember the lesson to always look at the airplane one last time. I did leave the fuel cap off the airplane once; I saw it as soon as I started taxing back to the hangar. Now they go back on immediately. It's also taught me that it's not because you just flew the airplane that you can get in and go. Do look at it again and run checklists.

The manufacturer needs to do the testing and I can't see Mooney doing it; maybe they'll be willing to outsource it to you.

Manufactured dates and model year are not one and the same; my 1984 airplane was manufactured and delivered in 83.