wood_fly

Had to go around a line in East Texas. Weather was actually challenging from Arkansas to Texas, and there was some dipping and dodging. 9 hours day 1 and 8 day 2. You're correct, minimal headwinds.

That is a sweet deal. I really hope you find someone!

OMG How far off kilter have we run on this topic? From the AIRLINE point of view: Foreflight was cute, but it's a bunch of overly-enthusiastic GA pilot types trying to invent the next best thing and pushing updates every week. Enough already. Everytime there is an update, it involves manual changes and training which is a PITA (+FAA certification). When we had JeppFD, we could just display charts, and not to sound old-school, but it WORKED. After Boeing took over, they LIED to us and said JeppFD was dead (which it was for all by 121 operators which forced us into ForeFlight). More $$$. So as an OG Foretran guy, who also understands ATOS/SMS, I am REALLY surprised the FAA allowed them to sell it to someone who has NO idea what the highest level is safest is all about and will surely divide and sell off the pieces. My prayer is for someone to save the original Jepp to be the forefront of charting - just charting. Just get us to the ground safely both in the iPad and our electronic (Garmin/Avidyne/Honeywell/Smith) subscriptions please. There are a LOT of really good people working at Jepp checking NOTAMS worldwide for obstacles and other changes to keep us safe. Let's not through the baby out with the bathwater.

This is one where you have to ask the wives - as they are the keepers of the bedding (generally)

Professional Pilot here (B737/G650/G4). Simple Answer: get a CFI who is current. Take it out for a spin. Best outcome: You prove you haven't forgotten much. Worst Outcome: He/She talks you (and your insurance company) through a landing that you are VERY glad they were there for. There is NO downside to this if you are not a regularly trained pilot. Seriously. Wish you and YOUR AIRPLANE the best.

Frank was very patient with me as a first time buyer. I just self-delivered this plane from Florida to California in 2 days and it ran like a top. While the radios need some TLC (which was no surprise - all original), the mechanics are as advertised, the paint is excellent and Frank was above board the entire way. It was a good sale.

Strap in. I bring you a story of adventure, peril, and a bit of “there I was” with my recent purchase of M20J sn 24-1167, currently N1156P (Soon to be N707LT) You saw it for sale here: A seldom used M20J of a few 1810 hours. 0 time OH engine and prop, new paint, engine mount, tires and tubes. Original interior an panel. Looking for a new home from Fl. And I bought. Sure, a few questions, but it is a good deal so yada, yada, she is mine. Fast forward. We all have jobs. When do you have time? Not now, or now, but NOW! Time to fetch the new find from FL to CA. Overnight, delayed flights, lost luggage, finally land Orlando. Rent car. Drive to Daytona (DAB). Meet airplane and confirm I have not been catfished – it exists and isn’t a fantasy (of 6 figures tossed for fan mail) Wait for an hour for gas (because it is a training base for Embry-Riddle after all). Pay pre-purchase inspection bill (shout out to Daytona Air Service – great people), and become #12 in line for T/O. A moment: ME: 13,000 hr pilot. Current 121 B737, 135 current G650/G4. But first time ALONE in an airplane in 3 decades. I taught in these airplanes: How hard can it be? Well, my friends, neighbors and colleagues, your skills and patience will be tested. Especially in a new airplane over 2,400 nm cross county with the three time FLARE rule: one at 737 height, once at Gulfstream height, and once at “OMG this is LOW” height. After multiple landings, it wasn’t pretty, but no bent metal. I will be calling a local CFI. Short story: DAB-HXD-TOI-MKO-ODO-E63-STS. 2400 nm, 2 days. 9 hours first day, 8 the second. REALLY comfortable factory seats (thank God). Super-grateful for iPad and Sentry+ And a great deal of super-IFR/VFR skills involved. Let me explain. I used skyvector.com to choose the route. I chose cheap fuel spots. It was a fantasy because MA nature had other ideas. Day 1 was just up to meet a friend in HXB and landing was embarrassing. But I didn’t hurt anyone or bend metal. Day 2: Up at em and head West! But 400nm long line of TRW up the East Texas side through LA and AR. So I land short in TOI. Nice FBO, quick gas. New plan. UP North around the TRW and come back down towards Midland right? OK: lots of TRW, dip, dodge and weave at 8,000’ in the “not forecast East of the Texas Line”. Oh, but low clouds/vis underneath you for about 4 states. Thanks. Not ready to takle a non-turbo airplane over the Rockies/Sierras so Southern route is still the key. The FlightAware forecast: LIES: 4+20 if dipping and weaving around the most hearty of cells who didn’t want to be found – but they were there (like Artesians for those of a certain age). MKO: My first time self-fueling up in a while. I ran the truck in the old days: this self-service stuff is new, but I figured it out. Then, well, we are on the back side of the TRW, so let’s head for the original destination: ODO. Multiple overcasts, with MOA’s: NO, you can’t go right for weather but you can go as much LEFT as you want. Why would any military agency in their right mind want to fly in THIS? OK, you want it, you got it! I’ll go around and you in your T-38, F-16, F-18 can cry for help later. Actually feel sorry for the newbies trying to navigate this. Why the Hell would anyone head to Midland in their right mind? Because dear friends, I go there A LOT. Well, to MAF. But now I’m in a light plane headed to ODO. There are MOA’s to avoid, overcast with some good thumpers I’m trying not to get underneath. It’s quite the show. And by landing, it’s 9 hours of flight. And the young line man looks at me on landing and asks, “Want a hangar?” Oh yeah, the MOTHER of all TRW has parked itself South of MDW tops +510 so Yes please! I just bought this pure-skinned angel and don't want her BEATEN TO DEATH BY HAIL PLEASE. (Heck, she make it this far) This AM (4/24): I am up at 630, breakfast, UBER to airport, and there is my plane fueled and ready. Only real IFR to break through layer to E63: Gila bend. 3+45 I was there. Spoke to a really nice lady who was in her C-182RG just out foolin’ around for the day. You know what? It’s 623 nm to STS from here: I can do it. Damn Skippy. Across the American Southwest. Great controllers through Joshua, LAX, Lemore, and OAK. 4+23, 40.2 gal 4+23 later landed in STS. I now have my commute vehicle. Needs some radios. But the mechanics, interior and exterior are fine. Good deal. Glad to be a part of the Mooney community and have a literal 2 day cross-country machine. So friends and family of the Mooneyspace, I welcome you comments, contributions and patronage at my FBO's in OAK and STS. Dang: What a machine AL built!

I'd be curious to know the last time they charged the blimp rate...

Did it work?