fantom

I have discussed the LoPresti Cowl extensively with two owners. Both were J's and both bought it after damage to their original cowling. Bottom line, better access to their engines, looks cool, difficult installation and poor initial fit, with no (zero) performance improvement. Neither owner would recommend them.We didn't talk specifically about cooling, however. After these discussions, talking to a MSC that has installed several, and looking at them VERY carefully, I'm no longer considering one...even at $9K, and I would be amazed if LoPresti honored that price. Scott....a 40 to 50 degree spread isn't bad. Mine has been higher than that, but after swapping injectors around, it's now around 20 to 30 degrees. Any further thoughts about paint shops?

Another vote for Willmar! Excellent reputation!!

Dear Mooney Pilot, We have a very nice turnout for our last event in Winter Haven, 11 Mooneys brought 17 people. The food and service were very good, and we all had a good time visiting. Our next event will be this Saturday, July 11 at C.J. Cannon's restaurant at Vero Beach (VRB). Please let me know by Thursday night if you are going to try to attend, weather permitting, so I can let the restaurant know how many to expect. Future Events: July 11, Vero Beach (VRB) CJ Cannon's August 8, Bartow, (BOW), Airside Bar & Grill September 12, N/A MAPA Convention October 10, Fort Pierce, (FPR), Tiki November 14, Punta Gorda, PGD) Skyview Cafe December 12, Flagler, (XFL), High Jackers All events start at 11:30. Ruth and I are hoping to be there, but we are presently in Indianapolis and she has a head cold. If we are not there, will someone who is please thank the restaurant for me if the service is good, and send me a list of who attended? Hope to see you there, Dave and Ruth

Just do a complete PPI on any plane from Canada. A good, and otherwise very knowledgeable friend of mine got totally hosed on a 177RG he imported. Unreported gear up, major electrical issues, ongoing gear problems, an it's low time engine needed a new cam. Of course the log books were clean. May be the harsh winters, different standards, or a more casual approach to documenting service. Sorry, but I'm not buying that inspections and certifications in Canada are any better than in the USA, given the horror stories I've heard and my friends experience. Cavaet Emptor....always and everywhere.

Quote: JimR Can you give me an idea of what Crider is charging?

Quote: JimR Gary, It looks like Barry Gee's aircraft was painted at Crider Aircraft in Mena. If you "mouse over" one of his pictures, that's what it says at least. Jim

Quote: GeorgePerry I'm a big fan of camguard. Everything I've read gives the produce very good reviews. I use it along with Exxon Elite. Oil change every 30 hours or 4 months whichever comes first...Luckily it's usually the hours. The few extra bucks spent on the taking good care of the engine is worth it to me.

Quote: The-sky-captain On another note. This morning when I started my plane I heard it backfire. This has never happened before. Any suggestions?

What a great find....she's a beauty! I've got to believe keeping her as original as possible makes the most sense, both from a financial and a historical perspective. An engine overhaul if needed, recondition avionics that require it, and slap a Garmin 696 on the yoke, and you'll be good to go with a one of a kind Mooney. OSH and Kerville are beckoning!

I believe the exhaust system is custom, and having it repaired/replaced is problematic. I've also heard stories about challenging COG issues. IMHO Missiles are a potential can of worms. If I wanted an IO-550, it would be attached to an Ovation. As aways.....YMMV.

I have the one piece belly panel, and it's cool, however, once you know your Mooney you may not have to remove ALL the older belly panels to get at what you're looking for. Also, I've never received a price break because of the one piece panel. I think the time difference is more like an hour.

Welcome, Barry Gee.... Which Mena paint shop(s) do you have experience with?? I understand that most of those guys are related, and the two mentioned here are brothers. The two I've talked to are Dennis Goodner of small shop, AOG, and Roger Goodner of large shop, Crider. I've seen some very good work by AOG, and Aviation Consumer has them on their top 20. Any tips, input and/or advise, either public or private would be much appreciated. Thanks, in advance.

IIRC SCOTT, you plan to go to Oshkosh this year. Speak to Ottis at JPI, tell him you're a friend of mine, and I think you may get an special deal from him.

I'm in lust with the JPI 930 which was selling for about five grand at SunN'Fun: http://www.jpinstruments.com/edm_930.html

Our next event will be this Saturday, June 13, at Winter Haven (GIF) at Richard's Cafe and Deli located in the new terminal building on the airport. Please let Dave or me know by Thursday night if you are going to try to attend, weather permitting, so he can let the restaurant know how many to expect. Come talk Mooney with us and make new friends. http://www.airnav.com/airport/KGIF Future Events: June 13, Winter Haven (GIF) Richards Cafe & Deli July 11, Vero Beach (VRB) CJ Cannon's August 8, Bartow, (BOW), Airside Bar & Grill September 12, N/A MAPA Convention October 10, Fort Pierce, (FPR), Tiki November 14, Punta Gorda, PGD) Skyview Cafe December 12, Flagler, (XFL), High Jackers All events start at 11:30.

Well done....it's your ticket to really learn piloting skills.

That shounds right. It was not popular, and was lowered again in '03/'04 with the Ovation DX.

I couldn't agree more. There are good and bad shops everywhere, and no shop will be happy if you have an accident right after leaving them. The FAA will make sure of that. In the last few years the Mooney factory when overboard throwing around MSC signs, and some aren't up to par, but to suggest that they are all a scam is plain wrong. Bottom line, the more you know about your own plane, and the more legal repairs you do yourself, the safer you'll be. It's love labor when you work on your own plane, and it's your butt up there. The more you know, the better you'll be able to evaluate whomever works on your plane. Owner assisted annuals, even if you don't save a dime, is time well spent. Do your homework, speak to a lot of people, interview the shop before handing your keys over, and check out the work before writing the check and flying off. You'll live longer, and help keep all our insurance rates down.

In my experience what fogs up this "annual cost" question, is all the delayed repairs, out of the ordinary work, and owner modifications done during the annual. When writing a big check, it's hard to see a difference, but there is. Usually an MSC, knowing more about Mooneys, will find more, do more, charge more and cost more.

Quote: RobertoTohme Gary, On the "Emergecies" chapter of the POH you're reading in the picture, do you get a lot of "if unsuccessful, pull the eject handle"? Just curious...

60 kts and light back pressure; liftoff, stay in ground effect for another few seconds; and off you go. Check you gross weight, flap setting and POH. 72 kts. is, in my experience to fast, and can cause you to sit on your nose gear. Maybe an hour or two with a Mooney savvy CFI will help. In any event: RTPOH

Good advise from all. For that kind of $, you could have an older J with some fair equipment. In any event, if you are serious about this plane, invest in a good PPI, up to a full annual (saving some bucks). I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole without one. Don Maxwell, in Longview is not to far, and he knows these older planes better than anyone. http://www.donmaxwell.com/ Rich himself tells you "As always; it is up to the buyer to verify condition, equipment, and times."

ditto...great prices can be found on reconditioned G-396/496. Superb backup GPS and you'll love almost real time WX.

Our next event will be at Saint Augustine (SGJ) this Saturday, May 9 at the Allison's Fly By Cafe. Please let us know by this Thursday night if you are going to try to make it so we can give the restaurant an idea of how many to expect. Good food; great company; self service 100LL about $3.29/gallon Future Events: May 9, Saint Augustine, (SGJ) Allison's Fly By Cafe June 13, Winter Haven (GIF) Richards Cafe & Deli July 11, Vero Beach (VRB) CJ Cannon's All events start at 11:30. Hope to see you there.

As I recall, throttle wide open, prop at 2,500, 100 degress ROP, 7 or 8,000 feet, fuel gauges at about half, and flying alone. I'm not speed freak, so I don't take any delight it having "a faster 201". For long flight planning purposes, when the plane was new I used to plan for 165 KTAS, gear up to gear down, and get it. Maybe 11 GPH. Now I plan for 160 KTAS and usually get it. Same conditions, but with throttle not all the way in, about 65 - 68%. Maybe 10.5 GPH. I use the power charts and the old trusty 50/47/44 guideline (MP + RPM). My engine is mid time, and my compressions are all mid 70's. She runs fine LOP, saving about 1.5 GPH, and losing maybe 5 kts. Since my CHT's are in the low to mid 300 range, my oil stays at about 180, and I hate to give up speed or see that extra 100 degrees of EGT, I don't fly LOP too often. YMMV....