Seth

That is a great idea. Have you come back to your aicraft with the buzzer on and the light illumniated? Does it use the ships battery? Separate power source? I forget who it was, but there was a Mooney pilot who used to tape ketchup packets to his nose truss. If the ketchup was spattered when he got back, he'd go right to the manager of the FBO and show the proof. I have not done this, but do think about it. -Seth

I had the 496 yoke mounted in my former M20F. In my Missile, I have an Aera 560 panel mounted and interconnected with the 430W. I am able to remove it when I need it in other aircraft. Sent you a PM with more information. Congrats on the Malibu! Take care, -Seth

John- My former F model had bladdders as well and I had the same exact capacity as yours. I knew I had 50 useable gallons - at 11 gallsons an hour, that was 4.5 hours. I tried to never fly for more than 4 hours, usually not more than 3.5 (though I admit I did a few times). I also never ran a tank dry. -Seth

Congratulations! Even on days when you don't fly, just head to the airport and sit/stand next to your plane. It's a great feeling. Here's to many happy flights. -Seth

When playing in the Turkey Bowl this morning, I started the game off with my usual Thanksgiving coach inches pep talk (Any Given Sunday) and then broke to the four F's of thanksgiving. Family, Friends, Food, and Football. I realize we have five F's in this crowd. Family, Friends, Food, Football, and Flying. Happy Thanksgiving to all you MooneySpacers. And safe flying. (And maybe a sixth F - the M20F) -Seth

Dave, I know this sounds odd, but whatever choice you make will be fine. Both bladders and reseals have pros and cons. I have owned two Mooneys, the first a 1967 F model that had bladders installed in the 1990s and my current M20J Missile 300 with extended range tanks (wet wings). I never had an issue at all with the Bladders in the F and still had plenty of useful load (early F's are known for their useful load - 1017 lbs). The fuel caps for the bladders are a nice touch as well. Sometimes moisture can get trapped between the bladders and wing and cause issues. The bladders can dry out and crack, and the bladders themselves can leak. Again, I never had any water in the tanks, never had an issue whatsoever, and always heard of the horror stories of leaking wet wings. I think bladders work where needed. Bladders are supposed be good for 15-20 years or so. So I was actually nearing the supposed useful life of my bladders when I sold the aircraft, but there was no indication of any issues, no do I feel there would have been. I had a great experience with bladders. I now have the wet wing long range tanks on my Missile. I do not yet have any large issue, no seeping, but I know it's just a matter of time until I get my first leak. This techincally could have been an issue at some point with my bladders, but I never had one. The long range tanks make the Missile even that much more capable, and the wet wing does give me better useful load - the Missile STC does that too - 1067lbs. The design was a wet wing, and weep no more, along with some of the other strip/reseal shops have it down to a science. I have not had an issue, though one of the long range tanks was patched prior to purchase. It helps to keep fuel in both the bladders and wet wings to keep the bladders or sealent from drying out. Again, you can't go wrong with either choice. I do worry more now about leaks, but it's nice to have the range and not lugging around extra weight. Both choices make sense - most of the decision is what you truely believe is right for you. Take care, -Seth

Unforutnatly I have to agree Unfortunatly I have to agree - very few Mooney pilots I run into know about MooneySpace and even if they do, I never see them post. My guess is we have a lot of members that read but do not post. Also, it bothered me to a degree that during the Pre-J Mooney review in Aviation Consumer a few months ago, MooneySpace.com was not mentioned at all in the owners, groups, or websites availalbe to the Mooney Pilot Population. -Seth

Mike that's fantastic!

While you are out there you may want to stop at Wings Filed, in Blue Bell (just North of Philly). I usually go there and then grab a rental car or have a friend pick me up. l Wings Field is a less expesnsive alternative to PNE, but not as convenient a field, also it only has GPS approaches (my former plane did not have a GPS in the panel). It also is one of the oldest airports in the United States (if not the world). Wings Field, College Park, those two have a lot of history. Enjoy Philly! -Seth

Mike- That's a great question and I'm not sure how to answer it. I'm interested in what others have to say, also, to add to this, is 150 degrees the bottom of the green arc for all Mooney aicraft that use both Lycoming or Continental engines of all HP or is it specfiic for different engines? I need to check my POH for the number. Not trying to steal the thread, just adding an additional fact pattern or question: 1. Is it okay to take off with oil temp below 150 if CHT's are approaching 300? (Mike) 2. Is the 150 for the oil temp to be properly lubricating or just metal pieces at that temp? (Mike) 3. Is 150 the standard for most if not all engines bottom of the green arc? (Seth) -Seth

I can't tell you the difference, but I can tell you it is usually less expensive to purchase an airplane with the desired equipment already installed. That being said, if the RayJay system isn't working properly, or has issues, it will be expensive to repair as unless they are really working well they seem to always have issues. Those who never have an issue with thier RayJay will disagree, but those are those that are really working well (and thus don't have issues). I would go find a good F with the RayJay if I really needed Turbo. If turbo was a must, find a K (231). Larger pool to purchase from and easier to sell when the time comes. However, they cost more. -Seth

I'd lean toward the E vs the C. If there were no Autopilot already instealled, than it would be a matter of the extra 20 ponies or not. However, with the 200 HP fuel injected engine and Autopilot, I'd have to side with the E for the price delta. As mentioend earlier however - condition means a lot. If they E is in bad shape airframe wise and would be expensive to repair, pass. If they are indeed in similar condition and time on the airframe and few hundred on the engine are the only other difference, go with the E. An autopilot makes a HUGE difference. I went from my F that did not have one to a Missile that did. I rented an Arrow that did not, and though I do love hand flying, the workload is completely different. -Seth

I agree with John. Also, though the RayJay system is installed, and that is looked at as a bonus, many have issues and you have to make sure yours, of this aircraft's, is in good shape and well maintained. When they are set up and working right, they are a fantastic addtion to the airframe. More power up high. The useful load on the F is hard to beat. The F is a great plane - but that is pricy for an F. As John said, the panel, 430, rayjay, paint and interior make the plane. Also, there are a lot of F mods (fairings, cowl closure) Low to mid time engine and pretty new Top Prop with no AD issues. I'm curious what cruise speed numbers are - you should at least call All American and ask about this aircraft. It has been there a while - or it was somewhere else as I looked at this from a distnace when I decided to upgrade from my own F model in summer 2011. This is a turnkey aircraft. Find out about damage history as well as autopilot. I did not see one listed but there were two nav modes on the DG and that makes me think something may be linked. Good luck. $69,900 may actually be fair for this aicraft, but I'd still find out about wiggle room - that is a nice F. -Seth

Bennett- I'm planning to make a trip to the west coast next year and am thinking about stopping in Tracy, CA, to have my wingtips modified to mirror yours. Any further pireps? Any problems? Also, how many days did the install take? -Seth

Bruce transitioned me into the Missile. What a wealth of knowledge. -Seth

That was quick! Nice pic! The mini looks to be the perfect size (that's what she said . . .?) I have not looked into it yet but do you think there will be or is there a mount where you can swivel the pad vertical for plates/charts and leave it horizontal for other portions of the flight so that you do not block the instrument panel as much? -Seth

I know there was a Rocket beat up in pieces that was being salvaged a while ago. This is pure speculation but do you think this was it and they put it back together and sold it cheap? If not, then my sentiment is similar to the above - tough times or they didn't meet the reserve. They may have also outbid the current biddger themselves in order to not sell it too low. -Seth

Congratulations and welcome to MooneySpace! Post some pics for us. -Seth

I completely agree - The Missile is the most bang for the buck speed wise (180+ knots) and is quite a machine (that being said, a C, E, or F model may be the most bang for buck flying machine value wise. Speed vs Dollar vs capability) When you make your upgrade - stay on the board as there are only Three Missile drivers/owners here right now and dealing with specific problems, it's nice to have Missile drivers as well as the still small group but more numerous Rocket drivers (Erik for example) That being said, I too think it is crazy to think about leaving behind an aircraft like the Missile. I plan to keep mine forever. However, at this time I do not have a family of my own with growing children and the space issue is a non-issue. The Malibu is a great plane - despite the engine failure rate and costs - but what about when you just want to go flying? Or take only two or one on a trip? I've decided that when the time comes, I'm going to try to figure out a way to always keep my Mooney, and own a part of another true traveling machine. Maybe a small group or partnership with some like minded pilots who just don't need the larger transportation aircraft and costs for many trips. As you know, it all depends on your mission. The way I look at it, those belonging to such a group may all be owners of their own aircraft and simply share the more expensive people/distance machine. If you keep your Mooney and buy 1/3 or 1/5 of another plane, with like minded owners, then you can fly yours at a lower cost per hour for many missions, but when taking the entire family use the shared aircraft. It's an idea. The Malibu is a great plane, and frankly, for hauling the family at Missile speed or better you could look at a lot of aircraft including but not limited to: Singles: -Malibu -Meridian -Malibu Projet conversion -TBM 700 -Bonanza Turbine Conversion (no pressurization - I think) -NO C-210 - you said you did not want this Twins: -Seneca (not pressurized) -Cessna pressurized twins 340, 414, 421 -MU-2 -Early King Air 90 -Piper Cheyenne -Turbo Commander (nice spread in Flying Nov Edition) -Citation 500SP or 1SP -Aerostar At some point and I know some others saw my idea a long time ago I'm going to put together a group to own a T-6, Citabria, maybe a 182 (just because it's a great all around airplane) and some sort of distance and pressurized aircraft A Mooney pilot I know locally flies a C414 for work and uses his Mooney less and less now as he has really gotten used ot the pressurization. Pressurization adds a lot of cost but is fantastic for fatigue. Good luck and let us know what the finalists are when the time comes. -Seth

I second Jim's comment. There are known issues with spinner's cracking on the Top Prop. Someone else on this board had a very similar issue in flight. -Seth

Scary situation and good job in aborting the takeoff and landing on the remaining runway. I too am curious as to the wobble test? What is the wobble test? -Seth

Very nice!

My aircraft will be in the hanger. I was hoping to put some hours on the break in this weekend. I was going to drop the aircraft off for it's Annual at Freeway MSC on Sunday night, but that is not going to happen now because of the storm. I do not want the aircraft outside. I'll start another thread, but very well be out of Annual by one or two days (Nov 1st) when the weather has passed, and may need to figure out how to get a ferry permit to get it to Freeway. This would not usually be an issue, but the replacement of cylinders (Top Overhaul due to the cylidner issues) is not quite in place. Break in flight is either today or tomorrow. So - the aircraft will be in my hanger for the weather. I would advise anyone who has an aircraft in the direct path of the storm tied down or on a coastal area to mvoe their aircraft. I know some insurance companies reimburse for movement expenses. -Seth

You could always try to contact Mitsubishi directly directly and work your way up their legal department. It may take some time, and may never get resolved, but if they provide you with some sort of letter stating that they have no lein on the aircraft then it may be able to be removed. Also, you could try the negative consent approach. Send a return reciept letter to the legal department, CEO, CFO, CCO, COO and so on, twice, and in the letter expalin that if they do not respond then it is assumed that they forefit the lein. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't hold up in court, but it may get some sort of response so you'll know who to contact. Good luck. -Seth