The-sky-captain

Becca- I've been into Gaston's once and Petit Jean multiple times. I took a Cherokee into Gaston's when I was learning to fly but I don't think I would land my J at there. The runway isn't in bad shape by any means but from what I remember it was a little choppy in places. Petit Jean on the other hand sounds like something that you would really enjoy. The FBO is extremly friendly and can arrange rides to Petit Jean State Park which is just a few miles away and offers some of the best scenery in Arkansas with huge waterfalls, caverns, grottos and tons of top notch hiking trails. The runway is long, paved and sits upon a plateau over looking the river valley. Camp sites are at the end of the runway next to a lake and just a couple hundred feet from where you will tie your plane down. My recollection is that there is electric and water but don't hold me to it. Gaston's is a fisherman's paradise and has a really cool vibe about it as well. Either place is great but Petit Jean offers much more to do IMO. Quote: Becca So Byron and I have starting talking about spring and summer camping trips and have been roaming various internet forums about places that we could take our plane, maybe our dog (not required) and camp, hike, swim, raft. I am ok with completely backcountry. Byron likes access to running water and/or electricity. But really, we are just looking for ideas. Anyone done anything interesting?

I'd say I was at peak or a little over. It's been a couple years since I've experimented with it.

I've got my plane going to Maxwell (KGGG) either Monday or Tuesday of next week for it's annual migration. A friend of mine based here at KROG has his Bonanza in the avionics shop and is on the fence as to if he can pick me up or not. I would be more than happy to pay fuel costs if someone based here in NWA or around the Longview, TX area would be kind enough to give me a lift.

I haven't played around with it much but 19 squared gives me around 6 gph at 110 knots in my J.

Quote: M016576 Looks like 2012 might be the year I was dreading: overhaul time! Im curious- which shops would you recommend and why? How has your overhaul experience been (if you've taken the plunge?)? Any recommendations for options or better yet- things to steer clear of and why? Thanks!

Quote: Mazerbase Unfortunately, from very personal experience. Experience one never really needs, or wants, to have again.

I appreciate the comments from everyone. I'm bringing my snowboard so after business is finished up I'd like to try all of this powder that I keep hearing about at Wolf Creek. I've visited a lot of the ski resorts in Colorado and N. Mexico but I've never had the chance to ride here. Looking forward to it, I've heard it's fantastic.

Quote: Parker_Woodruff I'm going to Santa Fe via American Airlines miles on January 27ish.

A glorious 3 years and 2 months.

I'm headed to the N. New Mexico region next month to look at some property and I was wondering what strip you local guys would recommend going into. I know that Angel Fire is a pretty tough in and out due to the altitude and the N/S runway that provides big x-winds at times. I'll be coming in from Arkansas and will be making a stop in Pagosa Springs, CO as well after Taos/Angel Fire. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

I'll have right around 240 hours for the 12 month total and every second has been in the Mooney. The cool part is that my 1 year old son just got a "first logbook" for Christmas and he has logged 13.9 since his first flight in October. Hopefully he gets the flying bug from me like I did from my father.

Quote: jetdriven Meant to be a joke... I didn't OH due to oil consumption. It was due to excessive metal in my filter and large chunks in my suction screen on the previous couple oil changes. It ended up being a camshaft going bad. The engine was only at mid time but hadn't flown much before I got a hold of her. I've put 150 hours on in the 6 months since OH and the oil stays up and clean...

Quote: 1964-M20E I prefer not to start a long flight at night but I have finished several already where the last hour or so was in the dark usually when heading home. The night time portion of the flight in the area I know the best and I generally try to make an evening flight after work to stay current on night flight.

Although I started the thread years ago I have never used the product. The way I got my oil consumption down from an outrageous 1Qt per two hours was to get the engine overhauled. Simple fix

I had 202 hours in a Cherokee 140 that I got my ticket in. Since then I've put 500 hours on my Mooney in 3 years of ownership. When I started plane shopping I went from Cherokee 180's to Grumann Tigers to early model Mooneys and finally settled on My J. No regrets, love the plane.

I'm in Denver sevral times a year and I always go into FTG/ Frontrange. It's a little further out but right on I-70 and a straight shot to the ski resorts. Cheap fuel, services and great service to boot. My favorite airport in the area.

Moodychief- Thanks for the info. FYI to those of you that have not had a cracked tail pipe here are a few things to look for. FWIW I always include checking the tail pipe in my preflight which includes looking up inside with a flashlight and giving it the wiggle test. It always passed with flying colors. It cracked aft of the 2nd bracket that is attached to the firewall and had traveled 3/4 of the way around the pipe. It probably would have broken completely in the next flight or so. Don Maxwell mentioned today that this is a weak spot and doesn't recommend putting the firewall bracket back on because of this. He said that the one bracket down by the cowl flap is sufficient. I always change my oil and make it a routine to check for various cracks and imperfections at this time when the cowlings are off. That being said the last oil change was exactly 2 months and 40 hours ago. Apparently it doesn't take much time for something like this to crop up. With the winter months coming up and carbon monoxide issues more prevelant make sure to take an hour or so to check it out. The grand total for a brand new one from Maxwell was only $258 plus and hour or so for my local mechanic to remove the old one and install the new one.

Today I noticed that my tailpipe is cracked about halfway down from where it attaches to the muffler. Two questions... where can I find a replacement and what approximate cost is reasonable? I would like to be able to just get one shipped to me as I don't think that the one I have is salvagable. I've got a 77 J. Thanks.

Thanks for all of the tips. The flight was great although it was a little bumpy due to going over at 4000' in the middle of the day. He slept like a champ and arrived both destinations well rested and in a good mood. He wore a set of 3M ear muffs and loaded easily through the baggage door Here's to many happy years of happy flying for the both of us.

I'm ready to give these a try. Post a PIREP after a few uses if you don't mind.

Headed to Petit Jean. Nice little airstrip with camping atop of a plateau in the Arkansas River valley.

My J had truss damage that was found and fixed on the prebuy so I am very particular about how my plane is towed at FBO's. I have limit markings and stop screws to help as well. Enjoy your Mooney. In my 3.5 years of ownership I have 600 hours and am still giddy every time I get in to fly. It's an awesome feeling that I just can't shake.

Scott- Give Kel Petersen a try, they have beat AOPA and Travers each of the three years that I have bid them out. Speak to Kelly.

In the last couple of years my airport has had three mishaps, and two happened to be Mooneys. One ran out of fuel coming in for a prebuy (don't ask) and was totaled in a field a few miles north of the field and the other Mooney had a gear malfunction upon touchdown and slid off the side of the runway. In the third incident a Cherokee landed about 10' short of our 6000' runway and damaged all sorts of stuff. Good news. is that all walked away with no major injuries, other than their egos.

In the 10 months since my son, and first child, was born I've flown the Mooney close to 200 hours. Unfortunately the little guy has not been up with me at all. That being said, we are taking a short 1.5 hour flight here in a few days to visit his great-grandma for the first time and I was wanting some input from those of you that have flown with children sub 1 year. I've talked to his Dr., have a good carseat, ear plugs and muffs and plan on gentle descents. I guess the real question is what kind of altitudes would be comfortable for him? Should I stay low, under 5k? I usually fly 7-9k but am worried the pressure may hurt his ears. Any comments from past experiences or tips to make the trip more comfortable for him will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.