mooneygirl

As we begin the New Year, and 2020 flying season, take a self-inventory. How do you think others would describe you in terms of being an example? https://blog.aopa.org/aopa/2020/01/26/great-mentor-level-up-to-a-new-rating/?fbclid=IwAR2X-3O97DokgtUqa2seBREVV_eKBSX7OiZwojG4-46CvyaL_qUGSPFxONI Look forward to seeing folks this year.

This is a great thing to have. The only feedback I would have is that the first thing to do is to secure the "passed out" left seat pilot. If they have become a Slump-o-Matic which is what we call them in Right Seat Ready! we need to make sure that they are not on the controls. It looks like we will be teaching a Mini RSR at all three AOPA regional fly-ins.

We present a 1 and 2 day format teaching right and back seat non-pilots what to do in case of emergency. Toured with AOPA to their regionals, will be offered at MooneyMAX Longview TX and West Coast Mooney Fly-In Sunriver Oregon in June. http://mooneygirls.com/right-seat-ready.html

https://dailytimes.com/promotions/article_c8cf8c5e-30d8-11ea-ae58-0bf9a97b793c.html?fbclid=IwAR37bfxOqJ0aZRAmLAsHUr_sjtl_ldOG1G-7uejx6ax9dCIE1t-L1C-31EE

The whole situation is such a mess. I agree that I feel worst for the factory workers. Beyond frustrating.

As 2019 comes to an end, I wanted to thank those in my Mooney Family for making it so much fun. Every year I compile a video titled Let there be Flight. I hope you enjoy it. There are a bunch of Mooney Pilots and a couple of photos of me in my jammies that I didn't see until the end. HA. Additionally I am so thrilled to have Nail your Check Ride, my first article published for Flying Magazine. This one is what your DPE wished you knew the day before and after your check ride. I interviewed Joe Justice and David Koebel for the piece. I got a lot of insight from these seasoned DPEs. Hopefully this is the first of many! Get your subscription today, or check out the issue that just arrived in your mail box [Jan/Feb]. Scheduling for 2020 has begun for both Mooney Girls/Right Seat Ready! and myself as a presenter for AOPA. I hope to see a lot of you at Sun n Fun, The West Coast Mooney Fly-In, AOPA regionals, or Oshkosh baby! I always have a lot to be thankful for, this year is no exception .

Hi John, I got my rating two years ago November. It was seriously the hardest thing I have ever done in aviation. I suppose I have two comments based on things I have written for AOPA: https://blog.aopa.org/aopa/2017/11/20/gotta-get-that-rating/ And for Flying Magazine: Just published in Jan/Feb issue: Nail your Check Ride, what your DPE wants you to know. I know you can't read the article from the photos, hopefully you have a subscription. The take away from the DPEs that I interviewed was to use the ACS as almost a Bible. Some instructors have blind spots so you need to verify you have all the experience and can perform all the tasks. You can read about my feelings about the process in the AOPA piece. Most of all, good luck. Get a good nights sleep and go show them what you know! The Mooney was a wonderful platform for my IR, now going to get my commercial.

Workers were told to report to work today. That’s good news for everybody. Apparently there was capital infused to keep the factory rolling. Many of the workers have to make the decision to stay with the company or move on to other opportunities that present of themselves during the furlough.

Wow that is some story. Thank goodness you have a great airplane and some good instrument experience. The only thing that I have that comes close was trying to get in to Appleton this year, before OSH19, right, I mean right before that huge storm. Bumped the snot out of me, broke out at minimums. So happy we have such stable airplanes for IFR.

I think the reason that some of us have been silent is to let the process play out and perhaps not to dissuade potential buyers. My heart is with the men and women who make those airplanes. The problem, in my opinion, has never really been with the workmanship, it has been in the management, development [of new models] and the marketing. In September I was able to tour Pilatus in Stans, Switzerland and meet with the Vice President of General Aviation. He told me stories of how in the very lean years after the 2nd world war, Pilatus manufactured mattresses and bed frames to keep the lights on. Non-aviation contract work is what saved their company. I am not saying that is what is happening at Mooney, but just an example of how you need to do what you need to do, sometimes. My hope is one of the two potential buyers is a good fit for our beloved airplane company. In the meantime, if you are inclined, say a prayer or send a good thought to those who won't be paid past last Friday and who aren't sure what it is going to happen next.

Gotta get my squeeze in there! Hey extra credit to anyone who can identify this "cover girl" airplane

Hello All, Thanks for giving me a great idea for my latest AOPA Opinion Leaders: https://blog.aopa.org/aopa/2019/11/06/the-one-decision-your-technology-cant-make/

Please join us for our 11th annual Toys for Tots event in conjunction with the US Marine Corps Reserve. This event is family friendly, free admission and features aircraft on display, live music from the Jingle Belles, antique car display, holiday beverages and food and of course the opportunity to donate new, unwrapped toys for the kids. Oceano Fuel is giving a $.25 per gallon discount and donating $.25 per gallon to Toys for Tots. Historical exemption display certificate sign offs available. Camping available on site. AWOS 118.375 All welcome. Volunteer opportunities available. For more information: www.FriendsofOceanoAirport.com YouTube video: The Mooney group started it all in 2008. Why not come enjoy the beach-side weather and make a child smile at Christmas.

Don Maxwell told me to either get a couple of fat guys to sit on my tail or do this with a pry bar. I chose the pry bar. LOL.

Light Painting of Maggie in San Diego. Wonderful gift of light painted photos by : Gary Buzel who is a pro photographer and the VP of King Schools [does all the video production]. This was a Montgomery Field in San Diego. Here is Gary's website: https://www.illumigraphic.com/ and https://www.creighphotography.com/ The photo shoot was such a blast. Christmas is coming! My advice: Get a session booked today. Second piece of advice: when able, be a Unicorn!

I believe he will be touring with AOPA again next year. But the schedule won't be out for a few more months. I am excited to be going on Saturday and there are a few more Mooneys coming too!

I am super excited to attend this event next Saturday the 19th with Captain Mike Jesch. In addition to being my CFII, Mike has presented at MooneyMAX, for AOPA, and all over the country. This refresher is for IR pilots or serious IR students. How cool would it be to have a bunch of Mooneys there! Register: http://oc99s.sws99s.org/new/?page_id=1098 IFR Refresher Ground School Presented by Mike Jesch Saturday, October 19, 2019 at the JWA Commission Room, 3160 Airway Avenue, Costa Mesa. (Parking in rear of building below the control tower.) Registration starts at 8:00 am and class will conclude at 3:30 pm. Cost is $75 per person. This class qualifies for Wings credit. Breakfast pastries, coffee, lunch, and water are included. Description: Cap’n Mike’s IFR Refresher Ground School A full IFR ground school refresher. Primarily for rated Instrument Airplane pilots, but also for those currently studying for their initial instrument rating. We’ll review everything from pilot qualifications and logging, through equipment requirements, flight planning, weather, charts, regulations, and documents, to in-flight techniques to hone your single pilot IFR flying chops, and much, much more. Bring your fully-charged iPad or other tablet device loaded with your favorite EFB and flight data and documents appropriate to California or paper charts and books if you prefer. Mike Jesch has been a single- and multi-engine instrument ground and flight instructor since 1985, and has flown many thousands of hours “In The System.” He puts that wealth of knowledge and experience together with an open and approachable style, to help refresh your knowledge, confidence, and readiness to be a Real IFR Pilot. Cap’n Mike’s (mostly) day job has been with a major airline since 1987, where he has flown as Captain on the Boeing 737 since 2002. But his “real” flying takes place in an IFR-equipped Cessna 182 based at Fullerton, CA, or whatever his clients show up in to fly that day. He is a two-time Master CFI, and a FAASTeam Lead Representative in the Long Beach (CA) FSDO. As a speaker on the national stage, he has presented on a wide range of subjects across the country for numerous groups, including AOPA, The 99s, EAA, Aviation Mastery, and more.

Exit the Holding Pattern: Achieve your Aviation Goals Thursday October 3rd, 7-8 p.m. Located near Montgomery Field [KMYF], San Diego Much like flying an actual hold, there comes a time in every pilot’s career where an honest assessment of skill, safety, performance, desire, and goals needs to be made. Are you one of the many pilots that are stuck in the hold, unable to achieve your aviation goals? Psychotherapist, educator, writer, and instrument pilot, Jolie Lucas, discusses the six keys to exiting the holding pattern and reaching your goals. This fast paced, multi-media presentation explores human factors, brain science, and personality in decision-making, motivation, and follow-through. The seminar is sure to inspire you to exit the holding pattern and move forward in your aviation goals. Door prizes generously donated by: King Schools and Lift Aviation. Online Registration: https://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/event_details.aspx?eid=95357 Solar Turbines, Kearny Mesa Facility 4200 Ruffin Rd Titan Conference Room San Diego, CA 92123 On a side note, I will doing a night photo shoot after the presentation with Gary Buzel who is a pro photographer and VP of King Schools. He utilizes a light bath/light painting is going to be a blast to see my Maggie in that wonderful lighting.

I will be back on Monday after Mt. Rigi, and then back again on the 15th. On the 16th Urs Wildermuth is giving us a tour. So fun. Going to see some Mooney pilots in Provence on Thursday! Small world huh?

Lucerne yesterday. Will hook up with a gaggle of Mooneys in Provence later next week. #MooneyZoom

The guy at Customs in Zurich wasn't too happy when my friend snapped a photo of me getting a stamp in my passport. At least I would have been reppin' for the Mooney Caravan in the clink. Might get to do some Mooney flying here. You never know!

LOL has been a stop for me to/from OSH for a few years now. When I stopped last year it was a gazillion degrees. Vicky Benzing [air show pilot] was there getting fuel. Pretty cool to see her. Anyway, great stop to get in, get fuel, go to the bathroom, get an ice water and go.

ArtCraft Paint in Santa Maria does fabulous work on interiors. Of course they have painted about 60 Mooneys in the past 10 years. I believe Bob Achtel had his interior done at ArtCraft. They are huge Mooney supporters. Family owned. Can recommend without hesitation. http://artcraftpaint.com/

Hi All They just added a discount code "Jolie" for $50 off registration. It would be a hoot to have a bunch of Mooney drivers attend. Also speaking is Mike Jesch who is a Master CFII, great guy, and Mooney Lover. I will have a door prize from Lift Aviation as well for my seminar.

We had a blast last night at our Pre-Movie night event. Today is the big day. It is sunny and clear and warm here already. Come join the fun. www.OceanoAirport.com for our webcams. We are doing a $5 Movie Meal deal [Dog/brat, chips, cookie, drink and theater candy] to support our SLO 99s scholarship fund. Generous support from ACI Jet who provided all the food and drinks for us.