The-sky-captain

I have a 496 and a 430w but they do not talk to each other. I had the 496 before I bought my Mooney and continue to use it for wx and terrain. I am about halfway through my instrument training and the 430 has really came in handy flying DME's and holding patterns. If you get the 430 make sure you take the time and get to know it front and back (I have the manuel on my nightstand:). There is a ton of useful info that it provides and can make your job as PIC much easier.

I just noticed a rivet (left wing about halfway) that is beginning to leave a small trail of residue. I know this is known as fretting corrosion and was wondering if it any of you have dealt with it in the past.

Welcome to Mooneyspace Auburn02. Good luck with finding a Mooney to your liking. The same goes for anyone else located in the NW Ark, SW Mo area too. If there are any of you in that vicinity that would like a ride give me a shout, I'd love to introduce someone to their first Mooney ride.

On average how much oil are you guys burning per Tach hour?

Sounds like a good idea Don. I'm working of getting a photo gallery set up as we speak.

You just have to rub in all the good wx you get don't you:)

I took a short trip of about two hours round trip today with four adults and 45 gallons of fuel which put me right at gross weight. Density altitude was at 2500' when I departed this afternoon and I was still getting some pretty good performance (800fpm) out of the old bird. I was pleasantly surprised, as were my passengers. The ladies in the back couldn't get over the amount of legroom they had. I wish everyone that reads the negatives about useful load and space (on Mooneys) would take the time to go up in one of these planes. They sure are a one of a kind.

Mooniacs- How long after shutdown does a hot start still need to be done IYO? I'm still working on perfecting my method being that it still gives me problems about 10% of the time:) Any tips...

Just wondering if you guys follow the POH and always take off with 1/3 flaps? I think it was Bob Kroemer, the Mooney test pilot, that stated he usually doesn't use the flaps unless he is on a runway of less than 3000'. I have experimented with it both ways and think that that following the POH is the way to go for me. It does get off the ground alot quicker which is always good:) Also what about flaps on crosswind landings... I know the POH says full flaps but it seems with a stiff crosswind pushing the limits it would be easier to land with partials. My CFI always drilled into me to fly the plane like the POH says. I would like to see what you more experienced Mooney pilots think about the issue.

Jeev- The plane you are looking at is very similiar to the plane that I bought in regards to the paint,tanks resealed, new interior and avionics. I have 2600 tt and 680 smoh and was in the same boat with mine only being flown about 20 hours the prior year which did concern me a bit but so far has not been a problem. ( I have put 80 hrs on it since Sept of 08 with no problems.) From what I can see on ebay it looks to be a very nice plane. Of course you would want to go over the logbooks with a fine tooth comb and have a good prebuy done on it. Previous threads on this site will show you many other details to look at too. Good luck on the search.

Alun- Ditto on the above responses about coming in to fast. The two big bounces that I have experienced have happened in windy conditions when I brought the plane in a little hot. Good luck.

I'll be visiting the Charleston S.C. and Savannah Ga area next month and was wondering what airports/FBO's you east coast guys would recommend. Thanks in advance.

Keep your head up George!

Scott- I wuld be interested if you get anything up for this area. I'm in the NW corner of Arkansas and just a short flight from many areas of Kansas