Seth

So I'm having breakfast at 8:00 in Long Beach before a 9:00 meeting, and looking out the window from my hotel that overlooks Long Beach Airport (yes, I'm on the west coast for business, no, I didn't fly the Mooney out here, but am planning a trip for September), a White T-38 with a green stripe taxi's past. I have never seen a live civilian owned T-38 in operation. Not only does it Taxi past, but it then turns on the runway and shoots into the sky. Then a Gulfstream takes off, then a Jet Blue A320, all in about a 10 miutes period. Made my day. -Seth

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it. I have a series of meetings in California next week and will be flying commerical during this meet on JetBlue from Dulles to Long Beach. I will be flying, just not my Mooney, and as a passenger. Take care, -Seth

Both the F Model prviously and my current Missile are owned by me. I looked at joining flying clubs, finding the right partner, etc . . . but I went with single ownership. I owned a fleet for about two weeks and though bittersweet, I did sell the F. I am however open to the possibility of joining a group of other pilots locally who own their own aircraft, to go into a second plane together, a tailwheel plane, that is cabable of light acrobatics (loops, rolls, etc . . .). When the time comes I'll start a thread on it. Also, a larger more capable, six seater or cabin class split amongst a few owners may work in the distant future as well - while of course keeping my Mooney. -Seth

That is awesome. Nice way to protect your new paint!

Quote: maropers All I know is that I warm the oil up before putting it in - pours faster that way. And I prefer colder fuel to warmer when delivered - you get more in a gallon that way.

I purchased a Spot Connect at the end of 2011 and got the $50 rebate. It arrived, I set it up, and used it for the first time on Tuesday (Angel Flight). I sent a test message from it and it does work. It's a reassuring piece of equipment to have in case I do end up in a bad situation. My aircraft ELT is a 121.5, and now I have the piece of equipment where I can send an SOS. I still need to learn more about the system, but frankly, for what it is, I'm pretty pleased with it right now. I'll write further feedback as I learn the unit more. Take care, -Seth

Thanks everyone - I have changed my SOP and now sump at every refuel as well, not just after the aircraft has been sitting to allow water to collect. Take care, -Seth

Quote: 201er So let me see if I understood this correctly. If you fly rich of peak on a multi viscosity aeroshell oil, you should add the oil after your flight. But if you fly lean of peak and retract your gear only when no more runway left behind and use phillips with cam guard, then you should add it before the flight. What am I missing?

Glad you're enjoying 252BH Parker - it's such a great feeling to have your Mooney at home at your airport. Happy Flying! -Seth

Due to the information on other threads about water in the tanks, I did not want to hijack another thread, so I created this one: I usually sump first before doing anything else (sump then check oil) during preflight because that way the wing is not stirred around and water won't move away from the sump. Once oil and fuel suping (and visuall checking fuel levels) are completed, I then finish the preflight, or pull the plane out of the T-hanger and then finish the preflight. After fueling up, either a truck filling up or at a self serve pump, I do not sump, as the fuel has stirred everything around, and there is no real point to, or at least that is what instructors have told me time and time again (though that may not be correct - hence one of the questions below). If the truck fills up my plane at my hanger, I always sump before the truck arrives when the fuel and hopefully any potential water, has settled to the sump. If I go flying right then, I'll not sump. if I put the aircraft back in the hanger, I'll sump during the next pre-flight. Every time I start the engine, I sump both the right and left feeds from the center pull up ring inside the cabin on the floor, regardless if I just landed a short while ago and it's a hot start or not. I have never found water in the Mooney tanks, but if I did, I would sump an extra two or three fuel testers worth and then gently rock the wing and check again. i have found dirt/debris in the past while sumping, but that was rarely. Questions for Mooney pilots: 1. When do you sump during your pre-flight? 2. Do you sump after new fuel has been added? 3. Does rocking the wing actually do anything, or will water collect regardless at the sump location? 4. Has anyone found water in their tanks after leaving their aircraft in a hanger (maybe hard IFR flight or bad fuel - or bad hanger roof!!)? 5. Does anyone reuse fuel that they sump? Do you use a filteter device and place it back in the wing or put it into a generator or other motor device for actual fuel use? Not trying to stir the pot, just seeing what others do to enhance my own standard operating procedures. Take care, -Seth

As mentioned - the vibration issue is plane specific. Personal experience: I owned a 1967 F Model with a three blade that ran very smoothly. It was a great climber, and frankly, was still pretty quick for an F at 145 to 148 knots and twice touched 150. The three blade was added after a gear up by the previous owner. The engine had 100 hours on it when I purchased it and sold it with about 600 hours on it. And yes, the three blade prop is sexy. One of our Mooneyspace members showed me a picture of a four blade prop on a Mooney! He said that was even smoother. The Missile also has a three blade prop - but it also has 300 HP! Take care, -Seth

Congrats on your purchase. You'll love the Mooney. Fly at right speeds around the pattern and it's easy to land - you just have to slow her down. -Seth

I agree on rebuilding a plane - be ready to spend money on the squaks. On my F things were good, but every year something did have to be overhauled or replaced, from an oli temparture sensor to the exaust manafold, to a tachometer - thankfully nothing too expensive. It was close to squak free when I sold it, but I wanted to put in an auto pilot, engine monitor, gps in panel, and paint it. I also was thinking about speed mods. I ended up selling it, purchasing the next plane, and putting the money I would have used over time for upgrades into the next plane. Like I said, originally a 4 to 10 year hold when I bought it, and it lasted three years! In the Missile, I found during the pre-buy that the enigne was making metal, so I purchased it at a big discount, but overhauled the engine, put in a different engine monitor, and put a garmin aera in the panel to compiment the 430w that was already installed. So, that was a big investment into the new plane, but since then, oil changes only (and AV GAS! The IO-550 drinks more than the 360 - but you go faster!!). That was still a big bill, but I knew it was coming, part of the purchase analysis on my part. You can do a lot of prevantive action to help ward off big ticket items, and you can be discretionary as to what you want to spend on and what to let go, but always have money put aside for maintenance. Something will need a repair/replacement every year. -Seth

$50k for an F is doable. I purchased mine in 2008 for that range and sold it in 2011 500 hours later for very close to what I purchased it for - right about $50k. There are a lot of good F's out there that can be had for $50k, just understand that it won't be "perfect." Know what you can live with, and know what you can live without. If there is any reccomendation I can give to you, is ensure you have a working autopilot on board - it makes a huge difference. I had only the wing leveler, which is great, but now that I have a true autopilot in my current aircraft, it is well worth having. I hand flew the F from coast to coast, an autopilot allows you to manage more and keep your situational awareness up. That being said if you do have an autopilot, practice hand flying approaches often enough to stay sharp. I purchased my F with a 4-10 year hold until I either did a lot of improvements myself or sold it and purchased my next airplane. It was very bittersweet to sell her, but she lasted 3 years until I purchased my M20J Missile 300. Good luck, -Seth

Gary- I'm also planning to get a portable system for my aircraft. I'm planning on getting a two place system for now, as the Missile can get up into the teens pretty quickly if there's a nice headwind to catch. I have asthma and usually can feel my chest working harder at 9000 feet or so, and I am a sea level dweller, so when I am at altitude for a while (3-4 hour legs) I do feel the headache later in the day. When I flew coast to coast in 2010 in my F model, I was up around 12,400 for about an hour and above 10,000 for a good portion of my two four hour legs from Portland Oregon, to Bozeman, MT, to Rapid City Falls, SD. Great flight, very tiring. I did not have oxygen for that flight. I have not flown regularly at those altitudes since, but I am planning another coast to coast flight for September, and if I can catch some tailwinds in the teens in the missile, I'll want oxygen on board. I do plan to have a backup supply for an emergency. Does anyone have the 30 minute single use bottles as a backup? Let me know what you choose, as I haven't really started my research except I only plan to have a two seat system, as if I'm putting four people in the aircraft for now, we're staying below oxygen use levels. The longer trips from the East Coast to the West Coast would be just me or me plus one. -Seth

Glad you had a good experience Mitch. I value MooneySpace for the PIREPS of where to stay away from, positive endorsements, and all the assistance with "odd" issues that come up. THe collective knowledge here is priceless. I've always heard good things about Sky-Tec starters, but hearing 1st hand from a fellow Mooney Pilot about their customer service is well appreciated. It's usually easier to write about dislike vs a positive experience. Thank you. -Seth

I admit during a recent and first speed run in the Missile, where after a N E S W track my average groundspeed was 180 knots at 8000 feet, WOT 2450 RPM, I decended and realized I was at VNE - I pulled back some power, gently lowered my decent angle, and then gently spiraled down around some scattered clouds. I was amazed how quickly my speed built up on the decent. Take care, -Seth

Two separate answers - When I first purchased my Mooney it was based on a field with an MSC, so I used the guys on the field. When I moved to a place closer to my home, I would fly the Mooney the whole few minutes back to the MSC. When I purchased the Missile, I decided to try the local mechanics, who are 80 feet from my hanger (in their hanger) to do certain smaller items (I should really learn to do the oil changes myself at this point) but for any larger issues or Mooney specific issues, I'll fly it over to the MSC. The MSC I use is Freeway at W00 Weber, a different and slightly further (less than 30 minutes) MSC that John, Brett, and others use I may have to try at some point if I ever want a different set of eyes to look at an issue. To sume up now, for small things or convenicne on field. For big things or for Mooney specialists, MSC a short flight away. -Seth

Quote: GEE-BEE I bought a 1950 Bonaza with 1468 tt, pulled the motor and cylinders all good she is still perfect Location and proper maintenance is the key... GB

I agree with what is mentioned - be ready for an overhaul at any time, price it as a runout, and be ready for other time related use items that may show themselves after many years of little use. There will most likely be a long list of squaks to work through, but if it is a good deal, it may be worth it. Understand when all is said and done, you'll have paid more than the plane is worth to get it back up to speed (pun inteneded), but it will be new or overauled parts at that point that should last quite a while. If you steal it for $20k, add an overhauled engine, overhaul or put in a new vacum pump, prop governor, new hub or do the test all the time, new or overhauled prop, maybe some new avionics or overhauled artificial horizon, tires, brakes, landing discs/biscuts, maybe tanks, maybe paint, mabye corrosion etc . . . the total bill will come to over $40k (very conservite number). So, that's 60k in a C model, but it'll be in great shape at that point with no issues, and you can space the additions and upgrades over time to match cash flow. Good luck and let us know what you decide. -Seth

Not to stir up the fire, but I flew 500 trouble free hours in my F Model on Aeroshell 15w50. However with the switch to the Missile including the fresh overhaul, and after researching and talking to a lot of mechanics, engine shops, and other pilots, I made the switch to Phillips XC 20w50. At 100 hours, I'll start adding camguard. I also plan to change oil every 25-30max hours. PM me and I'll give you my reasoning. Take care, and enjoy flying!!! -Seth

Congrats on finally getting your Encore Parker!

You'll love this . . . I'm a Wizards fan too. What can I say, I'm loyal. But I don't like Dan Snyder at all.

It was great meeting everyone and amazing to see so many Mooneys on the flight line. I'm sure it doesn't compare at all to the MAPA conventions, but it was still great to see so many Mooneys. Sorry I missed those who left early, but thank you for your chair at the table! Mike - thank you for setting this up and I look forward to future events. We'll make sure to try to combine the NJ and Mid-Atlantic fly-ins as much as possible. Take care, -Seth P.S. I was planning to wear my Redskins jersey, but didn't grab it on my way out the door.

Add me for a maybe! I'll see if I can get out to Lancaster on Sunday. Thanks for organzing this Mike! -Seth