Seth

Similar for the Missile. But at 300 HP not 310 we need 28-28.5 GOH at sea level for proper cylinder temps. -Seth

Glad you got it done!!

The C is a GREAT airplane as are the E, F and J. Price wise, it's hard to beat a C for the value. Congrats and good luck. -Seth

Congratulations Parker!! Keep it up and you’ll earn your license in no time!! -Seth

I rented an 172 on the big island and flew around the big island with the instructor. Very cool. I personally would have destroyed the names of fields over the radio. It was a very memorable flight from lava to whales to the most souther point of the Hawaiian islands, to the beauty of it all. I highly recommend a similar experience. We flew out of Kona, HI. -Seth

I would have been there but my kids spread whatever they had to me and I’m sick and in no shape to fly. Without question the bubonic plague was no spread by rats, mice, ticks and fleas. It was spread by daycare/preschool. -Seth

Just call each FBO and inquire. It’s my standard operating procedure when heading somewhere that has similar distances to the airports or multiple FBOs on the field. -Seth

I insure mine slightly on the high end. My Missile is insured for $140k. My F was for about $5k more than I sold it for. -Seth

If it were not for the rediculous acquisition, operating, and upkeep costs I’d love to own a B-17!!!! And a Mustang, and a T-6. The T-6 while not inexpensive is the most reasonable of the heavy rail wheel WWII aircraft to own. The liaison warbirds maybe the most inexpensive to own. -Seth

I have to admit. I didn't realize the way I would perceive the difference in speed on longer cross countries moving from a 148 knot aircraft to a 180+ knot aircraft. It makes a difference. I borrowed an M20J when mine was down for maintenance and am still kicking myself for feeling that 155 knots was not as fast as I was now accustomed to. I should be lambasted for even thinking it was only 155 knots - as that's AMAZING! But I'm just used to 180+ know. It does make a difference on longer (and shorter) flights. I'm sure I'd feel the same way stepping up from a 180 knot to 260-300 knot airplane. I'm the top end of the inexpensive speedy and capable aircraft (obviously a C-150 is much less to maintain than a Missile - but not speedy nor payload nor range) - the next step up in capability speed wise is a much higher acquisition (Bravo/Acclaim/M Class) or much higher operating (Twin or pressurized or SETP). -Seth

Madras Maiden - one of the flying B-17 survivors. This B-17 was formerly known as Chuckie prior to its most recent paint job and minor restoration. http://www.libertyfoundation.org/b17history.html My grandfather flew B-17G’s as party of the 401st BG in Deenthorpe, England during WWII. I LOVE the B-17. -Seth

I have the Monry tanks on my Missile and it’s a dream. I can go over 1000 statue miles in 5 hours with VFR reserve and high speed cruise or close to 1500 miles in 10 hours at best range cruise. I usually break my flights up to shorter legs anyway, but having the option is huge. Orlando back to Maryland direct. Maryland to Minneapolis and Minneapolis to Maryland direct. the MD to Minneapolis flight was over 5 hours with headwinds. A stop for fuel would have easily added at least 30 min, probably an hour - lot of time that day. -Seth

Very cool video!!!

I’ve been bombed by seagulls in flight twice while at the beach. My girlfriend now wife cracked up the last time it happened and stated the bird was just reminding me I didn’t actually belong up there. -Seth

Can’t believe that was 2011 - 6 years ago. -Seth

Yes, upgrading from the F to the Missile was a massive increase in both utility and systems. I had 1016 useful load in the F and actually got an increase to 1067 in the Missile; +51 lbs. I had a fast stock F 148 knots all day and with the Ram Air open 150+. Saw 152 knots average on a GPS 4 way cardinal direction flight speed test on a cold winter day. So 51 more lbs and nearly 40 knots increase in speed. Plus, GPS in panel, better interior, better avionics all around, and all the speed mods I would have paid for. The small things that I didn’t realize were the small increases in systems. It makes a non upgraded F to a J worthwhile where I thought speed was the main reason. Originally I wasn’t looking at an M20J from the F as it want enough. But again, due to all the small upgrades from an early stock F - yes it’s worth it. A late 75 or 76 F? Maybe not. Mine was a 67F. I figured it would be 45k to 60k to upgrade my 67F the way I wanted which means it would have a been a top F and maybe have sold for the high 60s if I ever needed to sell - maybe touch 70k. Instead, I sold my F, added what I would have spent and have a Missile that is worth a Missile should I need to sell, plus an airframe 16 years newer. As for range, I’ve got the extended Monroy tanks with 98 gal total capacity. Only two main issues with the Missile. Fuel burn - I can’t just go out, fly for two hours, pop 16 gallons in the tank and realize the real efficieny is a 200HP IO360. Instead, I’m assisted to speed, go fly for two hours, see how far I can get somewhere and I’m putting in at least 30 gallons to top off. Instead of blocking 10-11GPH flat out, I plan for 15GPH at 180 knots all in. I can knock it down if I’m at 8000ft or so to 14.5, but factoring in the climb, headwinds, I just base quick math on 15 GPH. I also could slow down and get nearly J efficiency, but I don’t do it often. The weighting is the other side. Heavy engine on the mid body makes for a much heavier nose and aircraft while maneuvering or landing. The F was light and nimble. The weight is another factor - grass strips. Full fuel in the tanks weighing on the gear picks. Things to consider. 800 lbs of payload or does that include fuel? Also, all depends on speed. I have 1067 useful load and 99 gallons. I can go 1000 miles in 5 hours or 1500 in 10. 800 lbs is under my total UL, so that equals above. For 800 lbs in the cabin, that leaves 267 for fuel or 44.5 gallons. So at 150 knots that’s a bit less than 600 in just under 4 hours flight time with VFR reserves. At high speed that’s nearly 400 miles in just over two hours 12 minutes with VFR reserves. Great questions. -Seth

My Mooney Missile - STC that Rocket Engineering performed on the J model and swapped the 200 HP IO-360 with a continental 300 HP IO-550 is kind of like a Baby Ovation. Normally aspirated - no turbo. Lower purchase price, better climb, similar cruise and top speed. Mid length body. I’ve attained a maximum TAS on a 4 way course using GPS ground speed of 191 knots. All day I can be 180, 185+ for a lot of fuel, and that 191 should I wish to burn up my engine in couple hundred hours. I fly at 175-180 normally depending on fuel burn, altitude. If there is a reason to increase speed I do, but for the $15-20 extra per hour for being there a few minutes earlier, normally I back down to 180. Anything slower and well, I’ve become addicted to the speed. I will slow down and get much better efficiency now and then, but I have mentally gotten used to a faster cruise phase on XC flights. -Seth

On an IFR trip departing PDK and heading south I was routed directly over ATL at 5000 feet.

We would have all loved to see you however it was the correct call for you to not come as you were sick. Glad you made the right no-go decision. -Seth

I hear you! Every annual or when something needs repair and my airplane is down, I always thing, let's go get that tail-dragger rating, but I look at the expense and know I'm already going to be spending that money on the repair/upgrade/maintenance. That said, I do have three goals I try to stick with and have every year since I've owned my first Mooney in 2008: 1. Fly an aircraft as PIC other than my Mooney - flight with a buddy, renting something new, demo flight, something 2. Upgrade the Mooney somehow - better it - new equipment, fixing something that's been deferred, small upgrade or big upgrade - instead of overhauling a part (understanding a prop or engine overhaul is expensive, I still would upgrade an accessory or something), upgrade it to something better - better the airplane more than just normal maintenance. 3. Take at least once step to a new rating or sign off- now it's been years of working on the commercial rating, but I can say each year I've taken a step toward it. I even got my Class II medical again just recently as I plan to use it! Every box is checked in the logbook, just need to do the written, brush up on the maneuvers, and do the practical (oral and check-ride). After I EARN it in 2017 I'll have to pick my next rating. -Seth

Chris - Would love to see you but be safe - if you feel airworthy due to the cold - don't fly. No sweat if you can't make it. If you feel great when you wake up tomorrow - it'll be fun catching up! Be safe! -Seth

Sorry for your aircraft loss. Glad you are looking to stay in aviation. I LOVE my Mooney Missile but as I've been instructed, if anything bad every happens, first thought is: This airplane belongs to the insurance company. Make sure you live. If any storms are heading to any locations in the future, maybe setting up a better network to help move Mooney's, or any airplane for that matter, could be put into place. I know insurance covers some of those expenses, as they'd rather not have a full loss. Moving an airplane may not be possible with a storm bearing down, but if a group of owners like us got together to help out, or at least provide an option (even if using a one way airline ticket, parking fees at another airport, etc . . .), that may be something to think about in the future. -Seth

Weather looks GREAT for tomorrow. Attendees: Alan Mike Seth Terry Tim Who else? -Seth

Would be great to see you! No sweat if you can't make it. -Seth

Short term unfortunately that's about right for the closer in airports. if someone locally wants to move an airplane to a further out airport and make $200 a week for a bit, that's a possibility. If my airplane were in the shop or out of town, I'd offer my hanger at GAI. EZF has inexpensive fuel too for the area - the only issue is the distance from DC. There is the light rail that takes you right to DC. In no traffic, about an hour - in holiday traffic - four hours. My in laws are in Fredericksburg and I'm on the north side of DC in Maryland. Call ALL the local airports, including Dulles, and see if there's a spot open in a shared hanger for less than the $500 per month. I doubt it close in, but you may get a spot behind a turboprop, business jet,. or something that recently moved out. Good luck! I know a 414 that moved out of a shared hanger at GAI last month as well as a larger hanger that is currently vacant but can fit 2-3 shorter airplanes. They may be able to make a deal on a 30-45 day rental. PM me your number and I can get you in touch with the main guy that runs the hangers at GAI. -Seth