Seth

As a follow up and having flown hundreds of hours in M20F, M20C, M20E, M20J, M20J-300, and M20K aircraft here are some finer differences I noted going back to the M20E from the Missile: -Directional control - P-Factor with the Missile is less than the E. The canted engine mount is why. In addition, with the 100 more horsepower (50% greater) it may seem similar, but that's part of why it's "less." Also, with the longer body and more effective rudder, it's easier to smoothly manipulate the directional control. Especially when applying power on the takeoff roll. -Climb: The E is indeed lighter - thus it's going to be a runway champ. Once you are climbing for a bit however, the Missile does show those extra 100 horses. Also, I've found the Mooney climbs best a little faster. The cruise climb in the Missile is pretty good at 110-120 knots. Try it out. The wing gives you the same FPM climb rate but you get increased speed as attempting to hang it on the prop. Try 140 knots as well. Less climb, but crazy distance covered and better cooling. -Handling: I find the M20C, M20E, and M20F all have a lighter pitch control feel than the Missile. I'm hoping this changes when I get my four blade prop on the front and lighten the tip of the nose by 30+lbs. -Landing: when you go back to land a M20C, M20E, M20F, or M20J, you'll notice the "window" for making that smooth landing is so much winder than it is with the Missile. The fact that you are already not slamming the Missile in is fantastic. I always think of the movie Apollo 13 where the reporter is holding up a basketball and explaining that when re-entering the earth's atmosphere if the capsule is too steep it burns up but if not steep enough it'll ricochet off the atmosphere and the window to hit is thinner than this piece of paper. I feel the Missile landing "window" is more narrow on pitch control that the lighter Mooney's. I'm thrilled you are enjoying your Missile!! Can't wait to get mine back in the air. -Seth

Congrats on getting your Missile in the air!! Go back and fly an E after this and you’ll feel the difference even more. E is a great plane. You’ll find the difference will be more magnifies then. Enjoy it! -Seth

This is what was suggested at Mooney Summit. I originally didn’t think I’d do it. I may be changing my mind. Maneuvering speed is both a minimum and maximum speed. -Seth

I'm amazed how much I've gotten from this website. I joined a decade ago after purchasing my former 1967 M20F in 2008 (I joined in 2009). I sold my M20F and purchased my M20J Missile 300 in 2011. I was very active for a long time. As many of you know I couldn't be as active the past few years but absolutely love Mooney Space. From time to time like any website forum a troll or bad attitude comes along. We've been pretty lucky compared to some, but it still occurs. The information, friends made, and common purpose here make it my favorite website. Yes, there can always be improvements. Thanks to all. -Seth

I wasn't sure if this would actually happen and then at Oshkosh this year I felt it may occur. Congrats to Epic and the E1000. They say they have 80 orders. It's kind of an in between size wise of the PC-12 and TBM. Larger than a TBM, same 6 seats, much smaller than the PC-12, and thus faster. One tiny touch I liked is that when sitting in the mock up at Oshkosh, the armrest on the pilot left side had a button near the left thumb (again on the armrest) so that when you get a call from ATC, you can without reaching up to the control wheel (as it's on autopilot at that point) click your thumb and chat. Neat very small but well thought out feature. Natural placement for our Mooney's is on the yoke. I can see other aircraft adding this feature (and I know some of the larger metal already does). https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/epic-e1000-faa-certified/?MailingID=223&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Epic+E1000+FAA+Certified%2C+First+Drone+Delivers+Prescription+Medications+In+U+S&utm_campaign=Epic+E1000+FAA+Certified%2C+First+Drone+Delivers+Prescription+Medications+In+U+S++-+Friday+November+8%2C+2019 -Seth

One of the guys wants to know if you are available this afternoon Byron - Jetdriven

PM me your phone number or email so I can get it to the group.

Ross, let me check with some Mooney guys at GAI. Maybe the gaggle will fly to HGR for breakfast and then someone will give you a ride. I cannot this weekend and as you may have read my airplane is down for a while. -Seth

We are thrilled to offer the uncapped event. 2020 will be the largest modern Mooney Gathering in the world topping the precious well attended Mooney Summits. As we finalize plans we’ll disseminate information as quickly as possible. -Seth

I used some basic foam weatherstripping to help the door seal. Amazing and inexpensive. I followed the advice of people on here for that (I think Jose). My wife no long feels a draft and it's much quieter in the cabin. Best $4.00 I spent. Yes, it may not be legally compliant. -Seth

I'd take a 10 year old Meridian! Just not there yet. And frankly, after piloting a few King Air's, the B200 is quite a smooth and functional airplane. The operating costs for an individual are a bit high. But you can pick one up for less than a new M600!! It comes down to how much you'll actually use the airplane per year (and of course if you can figure out a business to run it through) and then if you own it with a partner - well, that changes things as well. Has to be the right partner. -Seth

It’s on the M600 and SF50 (or soon will be). Mooney would have to add: Auto Throttle Flap control by computer Gear control by computer Servo for nosewheel/rudder Then just software. Very neat idea. Does the current Ultra have 1. Envelope protection 2. Decent mode for hypoxia -Seth

That’s a great answer

Hi Ricky and sorry for being late to the party. I have experience with both Freeway at W00 and AirMods in NJ. I recommend both. Freeway has the smaller runway and is closer to you and thus you can drive over to check up on any extended repairs. We also have a good list of local Mooney owners who would be happy to help ferry you back and forth from JYO to NJ or MD. I’ll PM you my contact info. I’m over at JYO often as I also fly charters for OpenAir. Welcome to Mooney ownership and thank you for bringing another M20K to the Greater Washington DC Area. I base my Mooney Missile at GAI. -Seth

Collings Foundation is asking for support to continue to allow rides in historic aircraft. Please list your comments here for the FAA to review. An Important Message from the Collings Foundation October 14, 2019 Dear supporters, Please join the Collings Foundation in our thoughts and prayers with those who were on the tragic flight of the B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine-O-Nine” on Wednesday, October 2nd. We will be forever grateful to the heroic efforts of the first responders at Bradley International Airport and the assistance of all local agencies in the days after the crash. The Collings Foundation team has been and remains fully cooperative with officials to determine the cause of the crash and we will comment further when facts and details become available. We have suspended the Wings of Freedom Tour for the remainder of the 2019 season and the aircraft have returned to our winter maintenance base in Florida. The mission of the Collings Foundation remains steadfast in the goal of making history come alive as we have for over 30 years. Since 1989, the Wings of Freedom Tour has touched the lives of millions, as we have made visits to over 3600 communities in that time. Tens of thousands have flown aboard our Living History Flight Experiences (LHFE) on the B-17, B-24, B-25, and A-1E and flight training on the TP-51C, TF-51D, and TP-40N. In the past week we have received many stories on how powerful and life-changing the tour has been for families and as we move forward, and we expect there are thousands more who have been touched by the Wings of Freedom Tour. In the coming months, federal agencies will be reviewing the LHFE program for not only our organization, but many other organizations nationwide who continue to fly vintage aircraft as a part of their educational mission. As these reviews take place, we feel it is important for the voices of those impacted by the Wings of Freedom Tour over the years to be heard. We need to let federal agencies know that the LHFE program is important to you and other American citizens as an educational tool. Please take a moment to add your comments to the current docket regarding the renewal of the Collings Foundation LHFE program with the FAA at the Federal Register. You may do so online at the following link: https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=FAA-2001-11089-0096 As you write your comment, please review the tips for submitting effective comments from Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docs/Tips_For_Submitting_Effective_Comments.pdf Thank you for your support of our living history mission. Best regards, Rob Collings Executive Director Categories: Blog News

Good thread and good post. Thank you for sharing. I'm amazed the slam dunk and quick nature that sometimes occurs with ATC. In bigger and faster airplanes it seems everything happens faster. Glad you were safe. Smart that you planned to go missed if it didn't work out. -Seth

Around 3k was my quoted price for leading edge and other touch up areas. But those quotes are old now and I’d need new quotes. -Seth

I have. They are currently one of my finalists.

I'm following this thread. Very fascinating. I'm not the best artist but I can mechanically make things work. I'll practice on some scrap prior to touching up the airplane, but this could be a great way for me to touch up my leading edge and other small areas. I do have the paint codes for my airplane. And if I mess it up, I can always go to a real paint shop and have them remove my bad work and respray the leading edge and other areas. The problem is my hangar does not have high walls and there's a lot of dust/particulate in there. I wonder how this will harm the finish of my paint job/touch up -Seth

I’m leaning that way

As many of you know insurance is paying for a teardown of my IO-550 due to an issue while taxing through some mud (full write up due in 2020 once my Missile is flying again). My Missile is currently at Freeway MSC (W00) in Maryland. I would like some suggestions for where to send the engine for the teardown. I have to decide if I’m going IRAN or overhaul. Engine info: IO-550A Hours on engine: roughly 2200 Hours SMOH: roughly 700 Hours STOH: roughly 600 Bolduc in MN performed my OH in 2011 at purchase. 1 year later, two of the overhauled cylinders cracked. Bolduc stood behind their work but I didn’t trust the other 4 cylinders so I swapped them all out and we agreed to a very reasonable price. So it was a Top at 100 hours with new millennium cylinders. Engine was running great and the issue with mud causing an RPM reduction for about 1/4 of a second and trashed propeller, is precipating this paid for teardown. I may fully overhaul but the price difference is ranging from about $20,000 to $25,000 depending on the shop. None I’ve spoken with are willing to give me a flat price discount since they are getting teardown insurance money anyway. Was hoping to work an angle. As with any 700 hour 8 year engine, my gut is lifters will show some amount of putting so I’m sure I’ll pay for that. There’s the continental gear that was not done by Bolduc in 2011 that will need to be done. Anything else not covered by insurance is on me for IRAN. I’ll decide on overhaul vs IRAN later. I’ve reached out to numerous shops but have narrowed to three at the moment, but that may change: Poplar Grove in IL Columbia in PA Continental Factory itself Please give engine shop suggestions and any experience with the shops noted. I plan to make my decision this week. A big shout out to Alan Fox. He’s been excellent in helping me through this on numerous fronts. If you have any Mooney questions anytime or just need some candid advice or suggestions, don’t hesitate to contact Alan. Tommy and Chris at Freeway have been excellent as well. Again, full write up expected in 2020. Thanks, -Seth

Well, 27-0 in the let them fly vs ground them category. We're biased here, but we also understand the issues and are more knowledgeable when it comes to aviation maintenance than the general public. Still, a double edge sword. -Seth

His name is Alex Gertsen. Reach out to him anytime. Feel free to use my name - Seth Alex Gertsen Director, Airports & Ground Infrastructure 202-737-4477 agertsen@nbaa.org

Though some say not to touch flaps on the runway, I find the airplane brakes much better when at zero flaps vs approach flaps. If you land with half flaps/approach flaps, it's much easier to flat spot the tires as there's more of a lift component at speed and the weight may not be on the wheels, hence the skid. I learned how to fly my Mooney on a 2400 foot strip. Thus, for my first 2.5 years of Mooney flying all landings were short field landings and I always retracted my flaps on landing. Still do out of habit. -Seth

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/b-17-plane-crash-at-bradley-airport-are-old-bombers-safe-to-fly/ar-AAIguoF?li=BBnbfcL After the crash of the B-17 Nine-O-Nine a lot of talk here, elsewhere, and articles have come up about if vintage/historic airplanes should give rides or if they should even be allowed to fly at all. I understand both sides of the arguments. I personally feel they should indeed be allowed to fly and for the public to be allowed to donate or pay funds to the organization keeping the airplanes active to be allowed to fly on them. However, I understand the argument on both sides. I'm curious as to other pilots here and what they think. Please comment as well as answer the poll. -Seth