Seth

Well, I started researching the 441 again, and it's back in the maybe it is indeed worth it category. Purchase prices have come down on this too since a few years ago when I looked at them for a different purpose. Very nice airplanes for the money. Need to learn more about them. -Seth

I also posted this over at beechtalk - well worth reading some of those responses and input. It does remind me why I purchased a Mooney but it's nice to have he group input from turbine and cabin class operators/owners in addition to those here on Mooneyspace. Its a free sign up if you are interested in taking a look. -Seth

At this time the only piston I'm considering is the locally updated/upgraded 414 with the turnkey operation in hand. But I would look fast, and Duke's look cool (YouTube video?). -Seth

I agree. Cessna stopped selling and developing the 441 in order to make sure the market would buy Citations and CJ's. The lesser versions of those jets can't do what the 441 does. The 441 is amazing, but it may be too much airplane for this mission. As is the King 350. Thus, I'm starting to concentrate on the: TBM 850 PC12 Cessna 425 Conquest I (great pricing for twin turbine without the phase inspections of a King Air) King Air B200/250 We may get an airplane for 80% of the trips and charter/wheelsup/planesense for the rest. -Seth

The 414 is about $4k a year for insurance right now but that's with a pilot operator with over 1000+ hours in this particular twin with an ATP rating (and many more hours on top of that). For me, once I get my multi and backup, as part of the group, insurance would be around $8k per year. Separately, I'm very torn right now between the 414 and some of the turbine options. Since the funds are available, we may skip the pistons all together. If we go piston twin, it will be this specific 414. -Seth

I know the Meridian cabin probably will not work. The 414 cabin is fine. I know the TBM cabin is right in between. Does anyone have any experience with a TBM? -Seth

I always forget how good it looks until I see you Rocket again! Love it every time! -Seth

That's why the Rebuilt/fixed up and flying for the last 7 years Cessna 414 may be the best option before in a few years stepping up. -Seth

Mike - That's impressive. Even with a pee bottle, 10 hours of planning and flying has got to tire you out mentally. I flew about 6 hours Thursday and dragged on Friday. In the past, I've flown two 4 hour flights on the same day, but 10 non stop - again - impressive!! My longest single flights non stop have been Maryland GAI to Minneapolis, MN - about 5.5 hours. It was 4.5 back the next morning. My speed was faster, but Denver is still much further! -Seth

I am not a fan at recreating the wheel, but I do it all the time. I have an opportunity through three similar shared firms to purchase a business aircraft for use around the Mid-Atlantic region. Need: Two individuals currently drive to Virginia beach from the Maryland suburbs around Washington DC on a weekly basis. Down one day (four hour drive each way) and either back the next or late that night. There are also monthly drives to Richmond, VA, Lancaster, PA, Philadelphia, PA, NJ, and also trips via train to NYC. In the future, there will also be trips to Peoria, IL, Charleston, SC, Doylestown, PA, and Pittsburgh, PA. There may also be a few longer distance flights during the year, FL, Michigan, and TX. However, the longer flights we'll have no issue with a fuel stop if needed. Minimum seats 6. More may be preferred. Pressurization is required. I have flown some of these partners only one at a time each thus far on my Mooney for no compensation whatsoever and they all agree now it's time to have a personal time machine. One partner if he wants to dive in wants to go big - King Air 200/250 or King Air 300/350. Cabin Class and pressurization are required. There is the perfect airplane to test the waters with as a first business owned airplane in a Cessna 414 RAM VII, completely rebuilt and modernized over the last seven years owned and operated professionally locally with a pilot I know well based at my airport. It's a turnkey operation with a pilot until I can get trained up as the backup. The buy in is less than any other alternative. This is the only legacy piston twin I'm considering - all others are single engine turbine or turbine twin King Airs. If they don't want air travel after a while, or even if they decide to go big, the loss of selling the 414 at a loss would be minimal compared to a larger aircraft. The costs also increase with each more capable air frame. I'm putting together a comparison spreadsheet as well as deep pro forma on the 414. Here are the aircraft I'm looking at - all used (though maybe new for tax purposes in the future, but for now used): 414 RAM VII - about $575-$650 per hour all in. Not 414A, but a 1976 414 RAM VII. PA-46 Meridian TBM 850 PC-12 King Air 200/250 King Air 300/350 Please shoot me a PM if you have a pro-forma or other real world operating numbers on these aircraft. I'm also contacting NBAA for info tomorrow morning. I'd also like any real world stories and real world info anyone has anything to share. I want to help my partners make a good decision. I'd love a King Air 350, but I personally believe the rebuilt thus reliable and dispatch ready 414 is the best option today. In time a step up to a turbine seems inevitable. The cabin will make the difference in my opinion. The 414 is larger on the inside than the Meridian. The PC-12 and King are are larger than the 414. How does the TBM staick up to the 414 cabin? I know the TBM is larger than the Meridian on the inside. I plan to keep my Mooney Missile - the other airplane would be in addition. Thanks! -Seth

I was wrong! It wasn't WWII. It as 1965 when the Navy tested this technique.

It was an idea for areas during the pacific hopping campaign where there was not enough land for a runway but enough to put a circular track - it was not meant for heavy bombers but for close fighter and support single engine aircraft. -Seth

Believe it or not, this is not the first Governemnt study or this technique: During WWII the US Governemnt experimented with a similar runway idea for areas to build a runway where there was not a long enough strip available. I will see if I can find more information. I've always been intrigued by this idea. -Seth

I just overflew Spruce Creek on my way home from Florida to Maryland yesterday! Next time you are there and I'm there I'd love to check it out. I took some pics! -Seth

I'm returning from my Florida business trip on Thursday. I figured on the flight home in the afternoon, I can request a flyby of the shuttle facility as I've heard on Mooneyspace. I will be on an IFR flight plan, but can suspend it if needed. What is the specific wording to use when speaking with controllers to get the low approach over the facility? Also, if you have done this before, please give me any pointers. Thanks! -Seth

I ended up at LNA and am parked there now. I plan to leave due to the TFR this weekend on Thursday cutting my trip short by one day. Separately, Eric at LNA who took care of me back in 2015, again, out did himself. Not only did he wait for me to arrive even though it was after hours, he gave me a ride to my hotel. I cannot say enough about Eric at Stellar aviation. Consistently the BEST experience I've had now twice. Last time he left my rental car parked after hours to ensure I'd have it - I was getting in late that night. Great attitude, great service. The staff at Sheltair at ORL - Orlando Executive were also really good as well - way above average. I have used Kissimmee in the past, but now I think I'll use Orlando Executive and Sheltair the next time I'm in Orlando. Thanks again for all the information! -Seth

I see a few ppm during taxi sometimes. I see 1 PPM in rush hour traffic in the car occasionally the first week I had the pocket CO2 detector. I occasionally formally saw a few PPM when I raise the gear, but after fixing a boot around the rudder one of the pedals. You most likely have a small CO2 Leak somewhere. Take off your exhaust, pressurize with air, spray soapy water on it, and see if any bubbles show up anywhere - especially near the welds. Could be anywhere, but this is the most common area. The heater is a shroud around the exhaust manifold that has a pocket of air blow to the cabin. The heat of the exhaust manifold heats the air that we get in the cabin. Any leak here is why cabin heat causes CO2 in the cabin easily. Also, the heat door over time does not seal as well, which means a little heat and thus a little CO2 can seep in when the door is "closed." This is a serious issue. My readings, as are most, 0 during most of the flight. 5PPM in flight and especially creeping to 20PPM is not normal. -Seth

Last minute notice - come join us! We have a few Mooney's flying to Hagerstown for Breakfast tomorrow, Saturday 3/11 for a 9AM arrival. The restaurant reopened last month and is still very good. Hope to see you there. -Seth

I spoke to the FBO staff today at Lantana, and it's the same guy who assisted me in 2015. Great service last time. The TFRs are indeed hurting them. No TFR set for this weekend but they were told next weekend a TFR would occur. Thus, I'm going to leave my meeting a day early and not chance getting caught not being able to depart. So, instead of leaving Friday around 2 I'll leave Thursday in the late afternoon/early evening. I'll follow the TFR's to make sure he does not come down a day early, but I don't want to chance keeping the airplane there at all Friday. Plus, honestly, I want to get back to my pregnant wife and daughter a day early. Take care, -Seth

Could this somehow be the ram air filter light coming on because the ram air intake was knocked slightly during the go-around and the non-filetered air was entering the engine close to the ground? I had an ram air/non filtered light that would light up in my F is the engine was in lower power settings with the gear down. It would light up to remind me to close the ram air door and allow only filtered air to to the engine - did that once or twice and then never again. Was that it? Shoot us a picture of the location of the light. -Seth

Gang- Alex as you can tell is both a Mooney owner and works for NBAA. He's actually my next door hanger neighbor and we've know each other for a good decade now. He's been fighting the fight at NBAA for some time and is doing a lot of good work to keep SMO open. Please do whatever you can to support him and if he asks for calls, petitions to be signed, whatever . . . do it if you agree. The SMO battle continues to lay a dangerous precedence as for future "in perpetuity" airports nationwide that developers want for land OR for the heights of surrounding bulidings to be able to be redeveloped. Great job Alex. -Seth

Great job getting the word back out Mike! -Seth

Wow - must have double posted. Odd. Thanks for noting that for me. Disregard this thread and go with the other one. -Seth

I posted a topic regarding advise for TFR around West Palm Beach, FL. There were approximatly 15 replies and though I did not read today's replies, they were non political. Did a bug or loss of data wipe out the last four days or so on Mooneyspace or did this specific thread get flagged? Thanks! -Seth

Did something happen? There were maybe 15 replies here. Did we lose a few days of posts? -Seth