mjc

I just took the survey and chose option 1 (factory-applied wet wings, never resealed) for my 1969 M20C. That is the most applicable of the given options, but it doesn't tell the entire truth. Yes, the tanks have never been completely resealed, but both have been patched during my ownership, and the left tank has a slight weep again (acceptable per Mooney's guidelines). So I have neither resealed the tanks nor ever installed bladders, but I'm pretty sure I'd go for reseal given that the current sealant has served for 40 years. One thing I wonder, after reading all these posts that concern 30 lbs. here and there, is what the total amount of sealant in the wings weighs. Does the bladder installation account for removal of the old sealant? Or is that weight included in the 30-whatever pound hit for having bladders.

Will there be a Gold Country Mooney Fly-in this year? If so, has a date been set? Thanks!

I'm surprised no one brought up what I believe is the main reason to land with the gear down if at all practical, which is that with the gear up, there is no steering (and no braking, but that's a secondary concern). There are times, such as on water or in a plowed field, that nosewheel steering won't be useful, but many more in which I think it would. Is there any data available to show whether a belly slide is longer or shorter than landing on wheels and using maximum braking? I've seen a few videos of gear-up landings made at airports and the plane typically slides along the runway quite a ways. I'd be surprised if using maximum braking with the gear down would make the rollout significantly longer.