mooneygirl

On our tour we got to see the shiny skins for the elevators and wings that they are making for an order. Impressive to see all those machines. WOW.

Hello All We are having such a fab time here at MAPA. For us, after arrival we went on a two hour tour of the factory. It was so much fun to see where my airplane was "born" in 1965. There are folks working, manufacturing parts, and making skins for wings and elevators. Although there isn't anything directly in the hopper, word is that there are folks touring quite a bit. Perhaps there will be a reason to celebrate in Kerrville again next year! The workshops have been well attended and quite informative. The ice cream social last night was a smashing success. I think everyone was out there enjoying a scoop in our Mooney mugs. Bill Wheat shared his expertise with us for over an hour this morning. That was so awesome. Such a piece of history. The E model is the best airplane he believes for speed and efficiency, so of course, I even like him more for that. This morning was the EFB discussion, very lively and lots of great choices out there. Mitch and I had a fun time with our PGA Squared presentation, and there looks to be about a half dozen new Ambassador events now on the books. Next month: Port Escondido Mexico with Jorge as the point person. Details to follow on the Ambassador website. We are now in afternoon sessions learning about taxes and implications for aircraft, and then on to Garmin. The judding for the beauty contest was earlier today. I have my fingers....crossed. This evening is the farewell banquet, awards and door prizes. Trey and Lela have done a wonderful job making us all feel very welcome and special. I adore meeting people in person, that I have met on MooneySpace, MAPA list, or Facebook. Our new project for 2011-12 is Mooney Ambassadors Care. We encourage Mooney owners to have a Toys for Tots event in 2012. We already give of our aircraft, fuel and time. But T4T is a lovely way to show we, as a family, care about other families who are struggling at the holidays. In the coming weeks I will have a "how to" video on YouTube to talk about Ambassadors Care. A little cloudy today but lovely. Sad to have to say goodbye...

Hey David, thanks for the offer. I am thinking Thursday early evening dinner so we can get back to the hospitality starting at 7. What time do you open? Anyone else want to join Mitch and I??

Hello All Mitch and I have been asked to present PGA Squared: Promote G.A.; Protect Airports at MAPA. Our multimedia presentation will be Saturday morning at 10:30. Please join us and get ready for some fun and great ideas. I am even told Mooney M&Ms might even be available for those who must be bribed! HA

I wish we could come, it looks like a fun time.

Mitch and I are doing our flight planning to KERV. What a fun time we will all have. There are still limited registration spaces. Come join the fun!

Congratulations and welcome to the Mooney family! Come see us at Oceano Airport December 3rd for Toys for Tots, that would be a great little flight for your new bird. Way to go.

From Don Maxwell Aviation: Just wanted to post a little update about the factory. Parts are becoming more available. Mooney has brought some of the employees back and machined parts, such as bushings and such are available again. Welded parts are available and last week they brought back a sheet metal guy and they are now making wing skins and such. Stamped parts are still not available but will be very soon. These parts are items like gear doors and such. The word has not reached all of the MSC's for some reason but be sure and pass the word. They are working on the back orders now but they need new orders soon to keep these guys on. So if you've been gripping you can't get parts, now is your chance. If your local MSC can't help you, there are about 6 of us on this list that will be glad too. Mooney requests that you order parts thru the service center network and to please not call the factory. Stacie is helping with mfg parts and that leaves Frank to himself filling our orders. If you must contact the factory , please email them at serviceparts @mooney.com. I think Trey is working on a more detailed list of items available now and what will be available shortly. Don Maxwell

Our friend Bob Keller has a 1976 F model and wanted to have a stars and stripes type of feel for his plane. He mocked up several versions and took them to ArtCraft. They put the design on the plane, and then worked with him [all part of the price] to find the exact scheme he wanted. Teresa was particularly helpful with the placement of the stars on the tail. This is annoying but I cannot seem to get the photos to attach to this post. I will put them in my gallery. As some of you know, I have a custom paint scheme on my E model. I simply looked at others I liked and then incorporated the design elements. I used one of our Mooney coloring sheets for the kids and took it to Tony and Teresa. The result was just spectacular. In my opinion there is no need to spend a lot of money on a professional scheme, when their help is included in the price. I will load photos into my gallery since I cannot get them to add here.

I guess there is something for everyone! For those coming to MAPA Homecoming we will have a sweet treat from the Ambassadors....

When I asked about a part recently, I received this auto-reply email: I am out currently of the Office and will resume normal business on Monday Sept 26. For all AOG support please email technicalsupport@mooney.com and a Technical Support representative will be in contact with you. To order parts or questions concerning orders please email serviceparts@mooney.com or contact one of our Authorized Mooney Service Centers located on our website at www.mooney.com. Thank You, Frank Crawford Service Parts/Technical Publications Dept. Mooney Airplane Company So perhaps Frank is just backlogged. I hope you receive an answer soon. Jolie

Many congratulations and many many hours of safe flying for you! Enjoy the wings

If this is the video I believe it is. The fellow had a child/teen in the front seat, Dad in the back seat. He was not in control of his airplane and over it went. His landing is awful too. This is the type of pilot that gives pilots a bad name. I believe the video was taken in California, down near Lake Hemet. "Hey watch this!" what a boy thing....

Mitch and I will be there, most likely in my E model. And we too, are staying at he Y-O. This could be dangerous, all these fun people in one place!

We have several friends there including Scott Peterson, who is Sven on this list. So far all are okay. Haven't heard from one friend from AOPA. Sending thoughts and prayers to those families affected by this tragic event.

The airport that I flew into with Maggie that made me have a pucker factor was Sonoma Sky Park in Northern California. I believe the runway is 2400 and change and 40 feet wide. For me it was the eucalyptus trees at the approach end that gave me pause. I just put in a couple pumps of flaps on final, then when I cleared the trees put all the flaps in. The word from the locals: if you aren't down by the "S" in Sierra on the runway, go around. If there are eucalyptus leaves in your gear after landing, increase your angle of descent. HA I actually did fine both times I have gone into Sonoma Sky Park. At Oceano, my home, I never have had a rockstar landing, the kind I do my Happy Mooney Landing Dance after, but I give myself a B+ most times. As mentioned on this thread. Speed control, speed control, speed control. You all need to come and practice landing at Oceano on December 3rd from 10-2. Bring a new unwrapped toy with you!! [wink wink]. T4T day.

The lesser rate on the MAPA convention charge has been extended to September 30th. [$325 versus $375]. Book today! We also booked our room at the Y.O. Ranch. We are very much looking forward to seeing folks from the list.

Thank you too, to Jim Elswick whose Mooney is featured in the photo with the children at the Indianapolis Airshow. As well Janet Duke our volunteer extraordinaire who created our lovely "protest" signs. And to all who attend events at airports in their region or state. Perhaps read the article and have an event at your home base. The Toys for Tots event is one that is fairly easy to organize and for a wonderful cause. My Maggie is featured in one of the photos with Bailey the Golden Lab who is an Honorary Mooney Ambassador!

This is a fun airport day for the Mooney Ambassadors. Come join the fun! The City of Livermore, Airport staff and tenants invite the Tri-Valley community to celebrate their 16th annual Airport Open House on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM at the Livermore Municipal Airport. The Open House features exhibits, food, entertainment, and a fabulous display of aircraft. Highlights for Airport Open House 2011 in...clude: * Aerobatic performances by renowned air show pilots, Jacquie B Air Shows, Doug Jardine Air Shows, and Dr. D's Old-Time Aerobatics * Static display of general aviation, military/warbirds, antique/classic, experimental/homebuilt and aerobatic type aircraft * Captain "Sully" Sullenberger, Co-Chair of the EAA's Young Eagle Program, will take the first 10 youngsters to sign up on an introductory flight * Meet representatives from local flight schools * Airborne law enforcement and air rescue aircraft * LPFD Safety House * LPD DARE car and mobile Command Operations Vehicle (COV) * Kid crafts, face painting, magic tricks and more with B Miille Entertainer and Woopsie Daisey Toys of Livermore * Kids pedal-plane course presented by Flying Particles, Inc. * Classic/vintage automobiles * Small group tours available - contact us at LVKairport Point Person: Bob Keller

What I love to see is the men, because I have never seen a female Mooney pilot do it, crawl under the plane to look in the wheel wells. Apparently there is a lot to be told about the quality of your paint job, by the condition of your wheel wells and gear. In our case Mitch usually comes back up for air with a scratch on the head from the gear doors.

Thank you all for the help. I believe it will be my Maggie's first voyage of distance since her paint job. The shade hangar might be a good idea. I think we will go with Henderson. Fuel elsewhere. Should be a good time at NBAA. Plus get to see our friend JJ Greenway from AOPA present the new series on communication. "What'd they say?" ha

Hello there We are headed to Las Vegas for the NBAA convention in October. If anyone has feedback about Henderson versus North Las Vegas it would be appreciated. We do have transporation to the convention center. Wondering about inexpensive tie down if possible. Thanks in advance. Should be a fun show. They expect 50,000. WOW.

Good luck Todd. We continue our training in a few weeks. Can't wait to get back in the saddle. Have fun at KFUL. We go in and out of there a lot as our CFII is based there.

I was happy to see the favorable comments about ArtCraft. But it was strange because they didn't really say what the positives were, only that they had received a lot of them. Instead they focused on the one mildly negative comment. As many of you know, we don't have any affiliation with ArtCraft, but have had both our planes painted there. We can recommend this shop with 100% confidence. I believe they have painted upwards of 20 Mooneys in the past 18 months. Antonio does the body/mechanical work, and Tony is the artist/scheme designer/paint lead. Of course, I would be remiss not to mention Teresa, the owner and Erika the office manager. They make the experience full of smiles and laughter. Those girls know how to have fun. [We went to Las Vegas with them last year!]. Here are two photos of my Maggie. She is not completed in these photos. I am so thrilled and too, am bringing her to Kerrville for MAPA in October. PHOTOS would not attach. I put them in my Gallery instead: MooneyGirl

We are surprisingly home this weekend! Maggie is almost finished in paint, but maybe we will get the Ovation out for a spin on Sunday [metaphorically speaking]