mooneygirl

I received this email from Mooney: We track Mooney incidents / accidents on a daily basis looking to see if we might be of assistance to the owners of the planes involved. This last weekend N#231RP was involved in a forced landing in CO. Through our database here we have identified the plane as serial # 25-0379 a 1986 M20K. The plane is registered in Weatherford Texas but we have no other contact information on the owner. I was wondering through your networking capabilities if you may be able to help me get in touch with the owner or vice versa? I appreciate any help you may be able to give us. Does anyone know this owner and/or what happened? Just email me if you do and thank you

Short notice, but that is why we have airplanes.... On May 1, 2010 several tenants of Stinson Municipal Airport are heading up a Fly-in. All pilots are welcome to show up at Stinson between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM this Saturday for this fun event! While you are at Stinson, be sure to check out the specials at the Airport Cafe, attend the Stinson history presentation by John Aken of Palo Alto College, and the Texas Air Museum with their real FW-190 on static display along with numerous other exhibits. We anticipate there being several vintage and historic aircraft on the ramp and hope a fun time will be had by all. Point Person: Bucko Strehlow

The video for Minter Field is on YouTube: Enjoy. We had a blast.

Hello All The Ambassadors had a wonderful time at Minter Field in Shafter California last Saturday. We had nine big Mooneys and one Mooney Mite. It was a lovely warm day, and Mooney Row was hopping! As usual we were the largest display of any one type of airplane, and it was a great opportunity to get folks in the airplanes, and/or to tell them about Mooney Airplane Company. Our youngest bird was Austin Kalb's Ovation and our oldest was the Mooney Mite flown by Ambassador Ed Mandibles. We got to meet Quinn Walton who is the proud new owner of a 1965 C Mooney. Quinn is 20 years old, and flew up with his Dad Vic. We also got to meet Chris who is looking for an E model. He found out about the event through this board. Also new was Franck Ilmain who has a 77 J model he flies out of Livermore, CA. The video is being finished for our fun day, that is when I am not doing something like protesting the closure of an airport, flying, or learning how to park a zillion airplanes on a small field [L52]. Next up for us is May 8th Oceano Airport Celebration Day: Mooney Ambassadors will be on display at this home-town fly-in. Grab your flip flops and come to Pismo Beach for Mother's Day weekend! The Celebration Day is Saturday from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. There will be static displays, ramp displays, children's activities, food and music. Come support lovely Oceano, and help us relay to the community the value of General Aviation, and GA Airports. Paine GA Day: GA Day Paine Field in Everett, WA, May 15th, 2010 sponsored by the Washington Pilot's Association Paine Field Chapter. The event involves many volunteer organizations including the local Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanas Club, Civil Air Patrol and Community Colleges. Last years event had the benefit of a sunny day boosting attendance to 4500, roughly double the previous years. The day starts with benefit pancake breakfast sponsored by the fire department benefiting the Northwest Burn Foundation. The EAA sponsors their Young Eagles program and last year provided over 200 rides for kids. The Cascade Warbirds bring out their collection and new for last year, Paul Allen's "Flying Heritage Collection" did some selected flybys. There's an old B-52 on display and they're constantly badgering the hanger tenants to bring their planes out for static display. Informational booths include Angel Flight and the Community College's A&P school. As you may know, Paine Field is home of the Boeing Factory where the 747, 767, 777 and now 787 have been manufactured starting in 1969. Point person: Fred Juhos website: http://www.MooneyAmbassadors.com

Hello All We had about 50 come to Edwards-A-GoGo. The tailgate party was fun, if cold. And we had some beautiful and colorful protest signs [see photos]. I was interviewed by KSBY TV and The Tribune also covered the event. Cal Pilots attended as well. All in all, a great event for us. I think that we have good momentum. Thank you all for your continued support.

Not sure why it double posted....

Boy, I take the exemption! Displaying isn't that hard when you consider that you can display at any airport day, fly-in, or open house that is available to the general public. For example, when I went to Minter on Saturday, I received a slip for display. I am able to sign the forms for any Ambassador events you come to. Our local airport, Santa Maria, CA offers one Saturday a month where you can display at the museum of flight. I believe that LVK-Livermore also does this. I have never had a problem with making the days when you consider fly-ins and display days. Just my two cents...which are mine because I take the historical exemption! HA

We will be "stacking" planes on the ramp, high wing, low wing etc. There are 30 plus spaces on the ramp, some will be taken by display planes though. There is a bit of parking near the Pirates Liar on the other side of the field. We imagine that folks might pull off the taxiway into the grass to park. While we cannot encourage that, we expect it "might" happen I can understand not wanting to fly into SBP with a baby. Yes, there is construction going on at SBP, but we are working with the county to use the transient spaces on the west side of the field. And we are working on a reasonable shuttle from Ride-On. If we have a clear day, I would say to get to L52 by 10:00 and you are good. Mitch and his safety ground crew are working hard to utilize as much of the apron as we can for parking planes. Most of the displays are in the campground for this reason. If we get a foggy day, we are still hoping for big involvement from the community. 5000 flyers are going out to the elementary and middle-school aged kids in our 5-cities area. Hope to see you there!

You ask some really good questions Dave. When we were looking and found the Ovation it had what most would consider "high time." About that time we went to see a Mike Busch seminar about TBO just being a number. It was very informative. Mike said something that has stuck with me. "take care of the bottom end. Everything else with a bolt is an accessory. If you need a new accessory [cylinder] just unbolt it and put another one on." I realize that this idea is a bit out of the norm. He reinterated that with good maintenance, and flying the heck out of the plane, you can expect to go well over TBO. With our purchase we made sure to have a thorough pre-purchase inspection including borescope, valve wobble test and the normal things. Since the plane passed with flying colors, we made an offer. Because of the "high time" we got a good price. We have had it over a year now, and it just came through annual very easily. Our Ovation has always been flown lean of peak, and had regular oil analysis. There aren't any guarantees out there. My E model was a mid-time engine 700 hours. But a year ago I needed to have an "accessory" re-done. I thought I had ten more years on that engine, but you never know. I kind of like the idea that TBO is just a state of mind, as long as your oil analysis, and compressions are good. Good luck in your hunt. It was very nice to meet you on Saturday. Look forward to seeing you at L52! http://www.savvyaviator.com/

Hi Michael, and all interested in coming to Oceano Airport Celebration Day... Probably the "one-stop" shopping for the event is found on the Friends of Oceano Airport Website: http://www.FriendsofOceanoAirport.com If we have a clear day, we are expecting a bunch of planes. Parking is limited. For those wishing to camp overnight we are suggesting that you come mid-day on Friday. Otherwise there will be a ground boss on 123.45 once you land to help you find a place for your bird. CTAF 122.70 There is no charge for the event. We are selling buttons and conducting a raffle, to raise some money to maintain the improvements we have completed. I believe camping is $10 per night. We have limited space in the campground because we are putting our children's area and displays in about half the campground. The Mooney Ambassadors will have one or two Mooneys open for the public. You know the drill...this is an old-fashioned fly in day....pancake breakfast, tri-tip sandwich lunch, free popcorn for the kids.... Please come help us support our beautiful little jewel. Overflow parking will be at KSBP-San Luis Obispo, we are working on a shuttle from there to L52.

I am just bumping this thread to see who is coming to Airventure....

Russ, you are doing such a great job in Canada! I am so happy that we can find new friends through MooneySpace. I am sure you will have a great event this summer. Keep up the good work...

Many congratulations on your new Mooney. It is such an exciting time isn't it? I think when I got my E [Maggie II] I was either flying, thinking about flying, planning a flight, or reading about flying. It is intoxicating! Please post some photos. Jolie

What a happy happy day for you Alan. I am so glad that you are just thrilled about your Mooney. We are headed for a weekend of flying, so that will be wonderful. Many congratulations and way to go!!!

Hi Rob Probably the best thing that we can recommend is getting the AOPA legal part of your AOPA membership if you don't already have it. The consultations are unlimited for the purchase of an airplane. We did purchase the Ovation for my business. Every state is very different. I would recommend lots of research, and the AOPA legal. All the best Jolie

Hi Russ, I sent you the PPP--Point Person Packet by email. It has templates for the display tags, prop tags, and lanyards. As well there is company history and announcer information. I will contact Susan Harrison at Mooney and see who your sales rep is, they are usually the contact for brochures about Acclaims/O's. Fun fun fun! I wish I could be there! You might wish to take a look at the "How To" video on youtube: You might want to look at GA Serves America, as they have great things to say or point out to folks at airport days/airshows. http://www.gaservesamerica.com/resources.html All in all, there is nothing to it. Have fun, celebrate general aviation and support Mooney. What a great day. Take photos and video and we can work out something fun so we can all feel like we are there.

The Ambassadors are flying to Minter Field, Shafter CA this Saturday. I think we have five or six Mooneys coming. If you would like to come and display, please contact me as soon as possible. Email: MooneyAmbassadors@charter.net If you would just like to come and say hello, eat some pancakes and have some fun, we will be displaying near the fuel island. You know the drill: We are on Facebook and can be found on the web: http://www.MooneyAmbassadors.com

http://mooneypilots.com/ is the website for MAPA, and Lela Hughes can be reached at 210-525-8008

Mitch could out run me in the F somehow, not sure how he did it. But I beat him off the runway and in the climb everytime. Like Bob said "they are all great airplanes." Welcome to the Mooney Family to all the buyers out there. We are an opinionated, yet friendly crew. I don't think any of us even remembers how to fly something.....slow.

In my humble opinion, the E is just the perfect combination of get-up-and-go, economy [i plan at 10, burn between 8-9 gallons per hour] and space. My father flew a family of four around the country in his C model. I really enjoy the 200 hp, fuel injected engine and really think the E is a super airplane. My Maggie is a zoomer, she just leaps off the runway.... ZOOOOMMM

Ronnie hasn't worked for Mooney for many months. John Elliott is the Sr. Manager Mooney Factory Service Center. His email is: jelliott@mooney.com And as I mentioned in my earlier post the VP of Operations has made a commitment to improving customer service. I do think they "get it", as customer service has to be #1 or folks will not buy again. Just my two cents. If you want send me a PM and I can try to relay your concerns. I am just an owner-operator too, it is just with the Ambassadors, I do have some contact with folks in Kerrville. I am happy to help in any way I can.

I had heard the $100,000 figure as well for AirVenture. I didn't know the formal decision had been made, but it isn't surprising. MAPA will be there, and the Mooney Ambassadors were chosen to give a presentation this year. We competed with 700 applicants. We will post the day, time and location when the details are known. It would be very nice for some deposits to come in for the 2010s so the factory can spool back up.

I have spoken with Wayne Fischer and Jennie Mitchell from MAC: as many of you know the inventory of 2009s has all been sold. Mooney is now taking fully refundable deposits of $5000 on the 2010s. From what I understand five deposits would spur the factory back into production. I also spoke to Chad Nelson, the Vice President of Operations at Mooney Airplane Company. He says that the goal of the service department is a turn around of days between order of a needed part, and delivery of that order. Further, he made the following offer: If you are near Kerrville, and would like a factory tour please call 830-896-6000 and ask for Glenda. Please identify yourself as a Mooney Ambassador. This is Mooney Airplane Company's way of thanking us Ambassadors for our service to the company. The decision about AirVenture at OshKosh will be made in late April. Sun and Fun is underway and they are in their usual location. Mooney Airplane Company will have a full complement of our sales team along with 2 Acclaims and an Ovation 3. Hope this helps...

MAPA Maintenance Instructor Jerry Manthey will provide a Mooney Maintenance Clinic at the North Las Vegas, NV Airport (VGT)over a two day period. First day will focus on M20B-J and second day M20K-TN.This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about your Mooney from an expert.This is an all day event each day; coffee, donuts and lunch will be provided.Register today using the Registration Form in MAPA Log magazine or online at www.Mooneypilots.com -------------------------------------------------- Contacts for the event For details about course content contact Jerry Manthey (210)525-8008. For questions concerning VGT or Las Vegas contact Frank Gagliardi (702) 379-1317 There was just a little boo-boo on the MAPA website. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Hello there You might want to consider Don Kaye for your instruction. http://web.mac.com/donkaye/Dons_Homepage/Flight_Instruction.html He might be able to give you some advice on finding a pre-J to train in. Don is an absolute Mooney Guru, and has tons of experience. And in my opion you might want to join MAPA if you haven't and perhaps even put a classifed in the MAPA LOG, you get a free advertisement! Just a thought. http://www.mooneypilots.com This weekend, April 17th there are about five or six of us headed to Minter Field for their fly-in. There will be at least three pre-Js there, including mine. http://www.minterfieldairmuseum.com/ All the best Jolie