mooneygirl

Here is my latest installment of the AOPA Opinion Leaders blog: http://blog.aopa.org/opinionleaders/?p=381 This one features Joe Ebert and the Williamson Flying Club in western New York.

The E model is just the best. As Bill Wheat said "they are SPRY". I rotate at 65-70 mph, VX in my 65 is 84 mph, when I have 1000 ft, 104 is VY, cruise climb at least 120, sometimes 130 when it is hot. Welcome to the family

Jack Wiegand's round-the-world Ovation is on display at an aviation expo in Xian, China. I am not sure where the title Mooney Fortunes tied to China comes from. That was not mentioned in the interview. Here is an interview with Jerry Chen:

Thank you Stacey and Bill: we are proud of you and all the workers who make the best airplane in the world! Hand-made in the USA, Go Mooney!

We have over 300 registered. Are you? Come join the fun http://www.CalPilots.org to register. It is free!

Welcome to the Mooney family. My Dad had a C for nearly 30 years. I have had an E for 10. Hubby had an F for 25 years and now has the Ovation. I really agree with what Seth had to say. I would add, join MAPA http://mooneypilots.com/ They had free classified ads so you can post what you are looking for and see what other owners are selling. Also there will be a big party April10-12 at Kerrville for the MAPA Homecoming. If you haven't had a ton of Mooney time then hire a Mooney-specific instructor and get 20 hours or so. If you would like to do some volunteer displaying, check out our website http://www.MooneyAmbassadors.com

The other thing that I think is important is something Dave Marten touched on at OSH. Namely that we might not be the ones to spring $700,000. on a new Acclaim, but as owners move up, it allows others to get in to the Mooney market. The fellow that owned our Ovation purchased an Acclaim. Because of this, and [at the time] a down turned economy we could buy the Ovation. All of you know I would do whatever I can to help Mooney. But my opinion is that there has to be a solid business plan and great leadership. Handmade airplanes are not something that is going to generate capital quickly. I don't know about Bill Rickert and Jerry Chen's engineering prowess, but I am hopeful they will be able to make some technological advances. Also, I think MAPA homecoming is going to be a BLAST this year. April 10-12th KERV. Be there

I found out tonight that the Ovation that went left for China last week was Jack Wiegand's. For those of you who were at OSH you will remember that Jack is the young fellow who set the world record for round-the-world youngest pilot. Jerry Chen invited Jack to go to China to the aviation summit or trade show in Xian. Apparently the show runs from October 19-24th. Jack will be telling of his trip around the world [but it didn't include China]. For whatever it is worth, I believe that we are talking about an investor not a buy out.

I found out tonight that the Ovation that went left for China last week was Jack Wiegand's. For those of you who were at OSH you will remember that Jack is the young fellow who set the world record for round-the-world youngest pilot. Jerry Chen invited Jack to go to China to the aviation summit or trade show in Xian. Apparently the show runs from October 19-24th. Jack will be telling of his trip around the world [but it didn't include China]. For whatever it is worth, I believe that we are talking about an investor not a buy out.

They have hired two engineers. They were both at the OSH booth.

I believe that this is an announcement about an investment in Mooney. I don't believe the company has been sold. From my understanding, the company needed capital to begin producing again. Mooney will be marketing the Ovation and Acclaim in China. Production is going to remain in Kerrville, which I believe is good news for us vintage owners. If the machines are up and running, then we will have better access to parts. Perhaps the MSC at Mooney will re-open again. Perhaps they will start refurbing older birds. I, for one, don't care where the airplanes are sold. I am just happy that our workers, or at least 100 of them, can get back to the factory.

Mooney is attending an aviation show in China and is taking an Acclaim.

I am getting excited too! Glad to see we have several of our Mooney clan registered!

Jerry Chen is the person who created the booth, banners and t-shirts at OSH 2013. He is based in LA, and his office will be in Chino, CA. Mooney is also taking an Acclaim to an aviation event in China. They are going to market the American-made aircraft in the GA market in Asia.

Dang. That looks bad. So glad that Mooney strength was there for them.

With nearly 300 registered we are thrilled to give you a sneak peak at our raffle and silent auction items for California Dreamin' This is a free event. All you pay for is your food/dance and raffle tickets or bid on silent auction items. San Luis Obispo is a great destination. Come on Friday the 18th and enjoy the festivities. California Dreamin’ 2013 Raffle and Silent Auction Items Raffle ➢ Kennon Aircraft Cover $50 gift certificate ➢ AOPA One-year membership ➢ GA News One-year subscription ➢ Wind X Pro with Synthetic Vision One-year subscription ➢ ForeFlight 6 month subscription ➢ 2 each—Jeppesen VFR Flight Deck One-year subscription ➢ 2 each—Petzi Cockpit Headlamps ➢ Jimmy Doolittle book “Calculated Risk” by author & granddaughter Jonna Doolittle ➢ Gill 12-Volt battery charger ➢ Flying Eyes Sunglasses ➢ One case of Aeroshell aviation oil ➢ ASA Instrument Pilot’s Virtual Test Prep package ➢ MyGoFlight Ipad Aviator Folio ➢ Gulfstream Thermal blanket and hat ➢ Wine basket from Rabobank ➢ Aircraft Spruce Gift cards Two= $100 cards, One=$50 card ➢ Wine Tasting for 10 from Tolosa Winery ➢ 2 each—Hearst Castle Passes for two Silent Auction ➢ Tempest Spark Plugs value $288 ➢ Dynon Portable Pocket EFIS value $1495 ➢ David Clark DC Pro X headset value $637 ➢ Sennheiser S1 ANR headset value $795 ➢ Whelen LED landing light value $289 ➢ JPI Fuel Flow meter value $658 ➢ EI Super Clock value $331 ➢ Flying Eyes Sunglasses value $179 ➢ Concord Battery value $500 ➢ Direct TV Installation package value $600 ➢ Bruce’s Aircraft cover value $500 ➢ Case of Aeroshell aviation oil value $90 ➢ Dynon AOA Pitot Tube value $200 ➢ David Clark H10-13S headset value $325 Please register at http://www.CalPilots.org it will help us to know who is coming!

Super cool Mooney banner that flew at OSH is on the silent auction at California Dreamin, San Luis Obispo, CA 10/18-10/19. Super cool back yard not included. Come join the fun. http://www.calpilots.org

We hope to see a lot of our Mooney friends at California Dreamin' October 18-19th. The event is free of admission charge so that is fun. Jet Center and SBP county are waiving tie-down fees and there is a fuel discount to boot. Hopefully a lucky Mooney driver will bid in the silent auction on the Mooney banner from OSH celebrating the 60 years of production in Kerrville. Please register http://www.CalPilots.org Here is the schedule of events: October 18-19th, 2013 Thursday October 17th -Volunteer Day 9:00 a.m. Set-up at San Luis Jet Center 12:00 p.m. Volunteer meeting and lunch Friday October 18th 2:30 p.m. Volunteer meeting and assignments Shuttles begin 4:30 p.m. Shuttle One: North, upper Monterey hotel area 4:30 p.m. Monterey and Grand, Veterans Hall, loop up Monterey 5:00 p.m. Monterey and Grand, Veterans Hall, loop up Monterey 9:30 p.m. Return to Monterey hotel area, Veterans Hall 10:00 p.m. Return to Monterey hotel area, Veterans Hall Shuttle Two: South, Los Osos Valley Road hotel area 4:30 p.m. Calle Joquin Rd off LOVR: Hampton Inn, Courtyard, Rose Garden Motel 6 Loop 5:00 p.m. Calle Joquin Rd off LOVR: Hampton Inn, Courtyard, Rose Garden Motel 6 Loop 9:30 p.m. Return to Los Osos Valley Road Hotels 10:00 p.m. Return to Los Osos Valley Road Hotels 5:00 Burger Fry and Dance Event doors open Doors open, all attendees purchase dinner/dance/wine tickets Silent auction open for viewing and bidding Registration open, membership sign ups. Displays and vendors open 5:30 p.m. Bi-Plane rides available 5:30 p.m. Tolosa wine tasting 5:45 p.m. Welcome: Jolie Lucas and Mitch Latting 5:45 p.m. Dinner service begins: Central Coast Smokers 6:15-7:00 p.m. Judy Phelps* 7:15-7:45 p.m. Jamie Beckett 8:00-8:45 p.m. Rod Machado* 8:30 p.m. Balloon glow: pilot Shane Wallace 8:45-10:00 p.m. San Luis Jazz Band 9:00 p.m. Dessert self-service 10:00 p.m. Event ends ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ *FAAST Wings Credit Seminar Shuttles begin 9:30 p.m. Shuttle One: North, upper Monterey hotel area 9:30 p.m. San Luis Jet Center return to Monterey hotel area, Veterans Hall 10:00 p.m. San Luis Jet Center return to Monterey hotel area, Veterans Hall Shuttle Two: South, Los Osos Valley Road hotel area 9:30 p.m. San Luis Jet Center return to Los Osos Valley Road Hotels 10:00 p.m. San Luis Jet Center return to Los Osos Valley Road Hotels Saturday 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. Registration opens Registration open, membership sign ups. Silent auction open for viewing and bidding Displays and vendors open Shuttles begin 7:30 a.m. Shuttle One: North, upper Monterey hotel area 7:30 a.m. Monterey and Grand, Veterans Hall, loop up Monterey 8:00 a.m. Monterey and Grand, Veterans Hall, loop up Monterey Shuttle Two: South, Los Osos Valley Road hotel area 7:30 a.m. Calle Joquin Rd off LOVR: Hampton Inn, Courtyard, Rose Garden Motel 6 Loop 8:00 a.m. Calle Joquin Rd off LOVR: Hampton Inn, Courtyard, Rose Garden Motel 6 Loop Saturday 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. Registration opens 8:30-9:00 a.m. CalPilots Annual Meeting 9:00-9:15 a.m. Mike Jesch, Fullerton Pilots Association presentation 9:30-10:30 a.m. John Kounis 10:45-11:45 a.m. Bill Dunn 11:45 a.m. Lunch break. Awards presentation 12:30 p.m. Raffle winners announced. Silent Auction closes. 1:00- 1:45 p.m. Jamie Beckett 2:00-3:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Rod Machado* 3:00 p.m. Closing remarks: Mitch Latting & Jolie Lucas 3:00 p.m. Bi-plane rides available ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ *FAAST Wings Credit Seminar 3:30 Shuttles begin Shuttle One: North, upper Monterey hotel area 3:30 p.m. San Luis Jet Center return to Monterey hotel area, Veterans Hall 4:00 p.m. San Luis Jet Center return to Monterey hotel area, Veterans Hall Shuttle Two: South, Los Osos Valley Road hotel area 3:30 p.m. San Luis Jet Center return to Los Osos Valley Road Hotels 4:00 p.m. San Luis Jet Center return to Los Osos Valley Road Hotels Displays open until 4:00 p.m. 4:00-6:00 p.m. Tear down and clean up Calpilots CalDreaming 2013.pdf

I would talk to Teresa at ArtCraft Paint in Santa Maria. In the past five years she has painted 30 plus Mooneys. She would be able to give you a good recommendation. http://www.Artcraftpaint.com You can check out my gallery for examples of her work.

Well we have an Ovation and an E, so I think we have beat you all. HAHAH. Just kidding. Buy a Mooney, and welcome to the [crazy] Mooney family!

I would get a SkyTec. I love mine. When I shut down I make sure the RPM is 1100. I put the master on, fuel pump on, mixture in, count to ten, pump off, mixture out. Starts every time. I have NEVER had a problem with hot starts. Throttle in, no pump, mixture out and go.

Regarding lodging: San Luis Jet Center is offering a free concierge service. Just give them a call or email: http://acijetcenters.com/locations/s...et-center-sbp/ Otherwise I would suggest the southern cluster of hotels off of Los Osos Valley road. There is everything there from Motel 6, Rose Garden, to a Mariott, Hampton Inn. Otherwise the northern cluster of hotels on Monterey avenue. Again, same types of hotels there. We will have free shuttles from these hotel clusters to the event site on Friday afternoon/evening and Saturday morning and afternoon. We just need people to register so we have enough seating and FOOD! The burger fry and dance is $15, $20 if you want wine tasting from Tolosa. Saturday tri-tip lunch [not sandwich] is $10. Bring your credit card/check book to become a CalPilots member [$35] or bid on our killer silent auction items. Batteries, head sets, portable Dynon portable EFIS, spark plugs, books, all the fun stuff for us pilots. Hope to see a lot of folks from the Red Board there. It is an all volunteer effort so come join the fun.

FWIW I think that speed control is the key in landing a Mooney. As mentioned above, you cannot push that nose over in a balloon or you will porpoise down the runway. I have adjusted my speed over the years and really try to fly it religiously. Having watched hundreds of Mooneys land, ballooning and floating are not uncommon. In my opinion the problem is speed control. My E loves to fly at 70-75 mph. She will do it all day. So why would I try to land her going that fast? Maybe some on the list use the "auto-land" feature while in the low flare.... retract flaps. I don't personally do it, but some folks swear by it. Let's fly safe out there!

You guys and gals are SO nice. Thanks. We are all volunteers writing for the blog. You are much nicer than the guy on the AOPA Red Board who ripped me a new one because he doesn't like the title of the blog. HA. Oh well, you can imagine how crabby he would be if he saw how beautiful my M20E is! Drool.

I am thrilled to be writing along with nine other industry leaders. I hope that we, as a Mooney family, will continue to Fly it Forward and promote aviation, Mooney, and protect airports. http://blog.aopa.org/opinionleaders/2013/09/04/gold-in-the-gold-country-an-example-of-fly-it-forward/#comment-675