Seth

Mine is a B Kool and I recommend it. They are a sponsor of Mooney Summit. Regardless what type you get - get one - it changed my flying life in the summer. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/bkool13-16043-6.php -Seth

The pump is part of the unit. It's the circulating pump. Instead of the cold water going from the heat exchange back into the ice to get cooled down again, it gets pumped overboard until there's no water left.

I like the idea of an Ercoupe. I like that yellow one on controller. -Seth

I do that too! Also, if there is still ice in the cooler, if left alone, it will hold easily 24 hours. So on day trips or away trips, I just get a new bag of ice and top it off. When you are looking to pump out the water, the aircraft power needs to be on (unless you have a separate power source/battery). I often turn off the master, open the side window, get out of the airplane, unload people/stuff/open hangar/whatever, and when it's time, pull out the tube, walk around to the other side, put my arm in the window, switch on the master, and use the remote control to start the cool air/pump again - it then pumps the water out. When done, I power the box down, then turn off the master, get the airplane in the hangar, and do all the other putting the airplane to bed activities at that point. Take care, -Seth

I have a refrigerator/freezer in my hangar. I stock up ice in there. I either make at home or pick it up on the way from a store. Most FBO's give it to you if you ask when you are out. It made my Commercial Checkride a delight on a summer July day. The DPE said it was really nice to not be sweating on the ramp prior to taxi/takeoff. My home base FBO gave me free ice in 2018 but stopped doing that for 2019. Pissed me off. -Seth

I’m telling you - the ice filled boxes that blow heat exchanged air in the cabin to keep it cold are fantastic. I’m amazed I flew without one prior to winning one at a raffle a few years ago. Take it out when you don’t need it, fill it with ice when you do. Amazing way to be cool on the ground during startup, taxi, and waiting in line for takeoff. Then when you decend back to warm air, pop it back on for the taxi in. Costs about a tank of fuel. -Seth

Thank you!!

Clarence- actually the leading edge was made by the press purchased from North American. The P-51B/Press for the leading edge was in the factory back in the 1980’s as per Bob Kromer. The wing if you look is a slightly scaled down P-51 shape and the leading edge was the P-51 leading edge. We learned about this during a Mooney Summit session 4-5 years ago. This is why for years I felt Mooney could have somehow capitalized on that. -Seth

That looks amazing. The Mooney wing is 36 feet 6 inches and the P-51 37 feet. Tbe P-51 is longer by a few feet and the long body just overlays in the pic a bit better. Thank you! Question, this looks like P-51H wing and not a P-51D wing, can you overlay on a P-51D? Thanks! -Seth

Here is the P-51 and M20 C/D/E overlay picture. Can someone do the same with a M20M/R or M20U/V? That way the snout and tail will be in better proportion. The factory should have run this as an add years ago. Once don’t I’d love the file so I can print a high quality image of it for display somewhere. -Seth

What I have been told by a few is zip typing a cabin key in the tail and hiding the ignition key somewhere inside the cabin. So you have to know both places. One for access ot the cabin, another to turn on the aircraft. I have said I'd do this many times and then have not. -Seth

That's a great idea!

Nice updates!

But more importantly, CONGRATULATIONS on the TBM!!!!!!! That is wonderful. Erik - I've met the TBM dealer at GON before. Ken Dono is my contact there. Nice guy from what I can tell. Take care, -Seth

I was at Hilton Head years ago and while taxing up to the hold short line, I could see that the commercial turboprop was about 300 feet taxing up on the other side of the runway. Knowing he'd be given priority, I called the tower and said I was ready but to give priority to the "American Eagle Turboprop" (or whichever regional it was) and I could wait an extra minute. The response that came back was, thanks (and with a tone of we were going to make you wait anyway), the aircraft was cleared for takeoff, and I was immediately told to line up and wait, and then about 30 seconds later cleared for takeoff. -Seth

Sam- Congratulations and welcome to the Mooney family. Enjoy your 94 M20R! Please do post some picture!! -Seth

To echo on Mike's information, I lifted it with one hand. I was impressed how light it was. I think it's a 15 - 25 lbs savings, which may not seem like a lot, but it's on the nose, and that makes a difference! We'll have to see the dollar amount to see what the true cost is and if it's worth it to individual owners, but I was impressed with it. I personally do not have an ovation. I would love to see this modification offered to earlier Mooney models, but I have not idea when or if that will be addressed. -Seth

Great family and great Vlogging. Man, the PA-32 has a large interior!

Welcome aboard! The Mooney is a great aircraft. Though you can retrofit avionics, replace an engine/prop, do a paint job, interior, etc . . . it is more cost effective to buy a well maintained aircraft that has the majority of avionics you want in it that doing it yourself. Also, there will ALWAYS be another airplane coming to market soon. Many of those high end maintanined airplanes that change hands never get to the web postings. Check with the known Mooney shops, here on Mooneyspace, and find out if any of these owners are slowing down, have menioned they may want to sell soon, have a life chaning event where it may make sense to sell the aiprlane, etc. Those are the amazing ones. That said, there typically are some good ones for sale online at any time. Also, as noted, you can do the work yourself, spend more in the long run, but have exactly what you want fresh. I flew three Mooney's before I purchased my first - Two M20F's (one was a J clone) and an M20E. I went with the M20F. It was my plan to keep the airplane for 4-10 years and then get my "forever" airplane. It lasted 3 years. I sold it and purchased my M20J Missile 300 which I've had now for 9 years. I looked at the cost of updating what I wanted in the M20F and it made sense to sell the plane, get something faster that would be worth what I would have put into the F. I have made updates to it every year I've owned it. When you first purchase your airplane - learn to fly it - then after you have taken care of any major issues, then think about what upgrades you may want to do. The modern avionics are indeed amazing, but the airplane flies just fine without them. I plan to further upgrade my avionics in the next few years. Take care, -Seth

SFQ does have a nice maintenance shop and is familiar with Mooneys - also the restaurant - but make sure it's open! JGG - It has a restaurant too (make sure it's open) Another one where I know the restaurant is open and has inexpensive fuel is EZF - Shannon - a little north of there but still South of DC. I like the idea of an on field restaurant while making a stop. PVG is a good field as well and on the chart - no restaurant on site. -Seth

Alan Fox has graciously said he'd half match a donation up to $200 in Bob Belville's honor. I'll throw $50 in. Anyone else? -Seth

Alan - put me down for $50 for the half match. -Seth

Thank you so much for the donation to Mooney Summit!! Though we have postponed Mooney Summit VIII to 2021, raising funds like this for the Bill Gilliland Foundation, without a specific ask/campaign really brings to light why our Mooney family is so strong and different. No other type group takes care of their own the way Mooney pilots do. A big thank you! -Seth

Yeah, not talking a folding bike, I'm talking a no pedal scooter. Just curious what people have and use. I'll check out the one-wheel. Electric Razar scooter maybe? -Seth

So one airport at least got hit and hit hard.