Seth

I'd also recommend Tim Lundquist of Strategic Aircraft up in Minnesota. Tim had the listing on the Mooney Missile I purchased and was very good to work with. He did not let the transaction break apart when there were differences of opinion and dollars. (612) 220-3963 tim@strategicaircraft.com Www.strategicaircraft.com I'd also list it yourself here on MooneySpace. It may sell and we may spread the word. -Seth

That is correct. I dodged cells and build ups on the way home as well!

I attended in 2014 and would love to return. I have an event at 10:00 locally. However that will only last an hour. How late will the picnic run? I may get up there for the second half. -Seth

Great news and congratulations! Now go fly! -Seth

It is very political

Keep looking. You are a pilot now. You just need it to be signed off. You've learned a ton and will continue to learn, as a PPL is a license to learn. Every flight. 10 years from now you'll look back and be amazed how you didn't mess up more in those first 100/200/400 hours. Good luck and do find another DPE. Use the resources here to help schedule it in advance. Plan it, and enjoy the Checkride. If the DPE orders you to do something uncomfortable tell them unable with a good reason or deny it as it violates your current personal minimums and fail me now as I'm not putting us in jeopardy to show you I'm a pilot. That's outside my risk envelope and me denying this should show proper decision making. I'm really glad you've matured into a real pilot. We're in your corner. Keep us advised. -Seth

I'm following this thread closely as my Mags are nearing 500 hours. Thanks for all the good information. I'll heavily weigh in on what my MSC recommends shop wise, but has anyone had good luck with any shops in the Mid Atlanic region? -Seth

That's true and it's how both my PPL and especially my IFR practicals went. I'm sorry you have had a rough experience. I would not use this DPE moving forward. Find another and keep your head up. We we are all in your corner. Use the resources here to go with another known DPE. -Seth

Congratulations! Next time you speak with Tim, give him my best. He sold me my Missile. That is one nice looking C model with a great panel. Enjoy your flying! GUMPS Downwind, GUMPS Base, GUMPS Final, Green light over the fence! Be ready for a go around every time so you stay ahead of the airplane. Enjoy your bird. -Seth

I'm interested. -Seth

Van Bortel repossess aircraft from time to time. I put a bid in for a repossessed 252 in 2011. I made a deal for $88,000 for the bird knowing the engine was a run out. That's when good 252's were still going for $200k. I went down to Texas, did the prebuy, and walked away from the deal. It was in poor shape. However the pre approved financing I later used for the purchase of my Missile as it was still "good" to make up the difference between my Missile and the sale of my F. Can't believe it's been 5 years of the Missile and 8 years of total aircraft ownership. Van Bortel is a well respected operation. I'm sure they'll negotiate somewhat. See how low they'll go. They'll be reasonable understanding the resale later on will be significantly lower with no logs prior to now. -Seth

My gut which could be very wrong with this one, is Carb Ice. IMC weather, heavy rain, Carb 182. It's a stereotype with O-470 powered 182's, but there's a reason for it. It was potentially the cause of a 182 crash and hull loss - no fatalities - (a 182 I used to rent!). -Seth

Mike- I was holding my breath reading that. Glad the guy made it. This first hand account of assistance provided helps prepare everyone who reads the best way to understand how to request help should we ever unfortunately encounter a similar situation. Thanks for posting. Glad you go through the weather okay. -Seth

Separately, I'm more than happy to be part of an advisory board if a few members want to create one that someone can fly with or submit issues to and create a "standard" for when it may be time to hang it up. Just an idea. Liability would of course be a factor in this litigious society, but it could mirror what my grandfather did driving wise for a decision. -Seth

I'm 34 and have many years to go, but do think of this. My grandfather who turns 89 on Saturday turned in his drivers license last year after a mutually selected and consented upon individual observed his driving and it was decided it was time to turn in the license. He was always a driver that had minor "hanger rash" with his car . . . Everywhere but the skills had deminished and he was no longer safe. I have a lot of elderly clients (no offense to those in that age range on this board) and I am constantly and consistently reminded the physical deterioration that occurs in your 80s. My "little" brother is 10 inches taller and 8 years younger than me. My wife who is a year older knows that she doesn't get to make the call; He does. Whoever wants to can plead with him but he and I have an understanding. Until the torch is passed to someone else, probably my fourteen month old daughter, if he tells me that I need to consider giving up flying as PIC, or simply it's time, I'll listen to him. As an example (we can all do math), he'd be 75, I'd be 83. There is a huge difference there in physical (and sometimes mental) deterioration. Just like 80 and 88 for my grandfather. He was a young 80 (winning tennis tournaments against guys in their 50s), and is still a young soon to be 89, but he's 89 without question now (had to give up tennis 9 months ago - the slide has been hard to watch). It'll be fun celebration his 1068th month birthday on Saturday. I still have a over a half century until I'm his age. I'm going to enjoy and treasure it. As someone here many times has written, "These are the good old days." Happy Flying! -Seth

Turnout was good today! We had 12 people and 7 aircraft. My Missile, a Bonanza, Two J's, a C, E, and an Ovation! There was also a rotting B on the ramp (someone buy and restore her!) and a georgeous Acclaim parked on the other side of the ramp in the distance. Five of us went to the museum after breakfast and being airplane nuts, we all really enjoyed it. I think Alan may have opened every inspection panel on all the aircraft he could reach. They have a nice small museum at Wildwood/Cape May. The original tower from Bader Field is on display with steps to walk up. There are many aircraft ranging from WWII trainers to static display 4th generation fighters on loan from the Navy (F-14). They also have a lot of helicopters and a coast guard ship. Being that close to a TBM Avenger reminds me just how massive it is! I'll give better notice for next month. -Seth

Yes. Wish I had gotten word out earlier! And no worries! We'll see you next time! -Seth

The August Mooney Breakfast Flight will take place this Saturday, August 20th at Cape May Airport – KWWD. We’ll arrive at 9:00 and will eat at the Flight Deck Diner. They tend to be busy on Saturday’s so I’ve arranged for a table in advance, and depending on RSVP – we may instead get their separate room. There is also the Naval Air Station Museum Wildwood Aviation Museum. I’m working on a group rate for those who want to visit the museum after breakfast. Also, N57, Chris’s home field is having their Festival of Flight Air Show. For those that plan to attend N57. Come get breakfast with us and then head over to see Chris. N57 will close per NOTAM at 11:30. You should have enough time for breakfast and the half hour flight to N57. Chris, we unfortunately don’t expect to see you Saturday. The event at N57 lasts for two days – Saturday and Sunday. Weather looks good for Saturday. It’ll get hot as the day goes on, but Saturday morning will be great for a flight. We have 4 aircraft and 8 attendees thus far. Please do RSVP so I have an accurate count for the Flight Deck Diner. Take care, -Seth

I've always wanted to go, but it's not in the plans right now. Oshkosh again and Sun N Fun will be there first two prior to Reno. -Seth

That's terrible and a kick in the groin. I had an issue with my medical originally, got special issuance, and then 10 years later was told I was put on special issuance by mistake and am back to a normal medical! It took me 1.5 years to get my medical issued. All because the AME I was working with did not understand asthma. I should have found an asthma friendly AME to start with and never had an issue in the first place. Good luck getting it resolved. You can always become a sport pilot first as long as your medical was not denied. -Seth

Chris- I'll check out the link but what are the landing fees and times you can fly into the show? Will the field be closed at times for aerobatics? Thanks! -Seth edit:. Like the runway should be closed at 8am for the runway 5k

Brian- I'll try to make it but won't know more until later. I may not be available on Sept 10th. I attended last in 2014. Take care, -Seth

Me too. It's stopped "bleeding" after a few years, thus it's time to do it again. -Seth

AeroLEDs already has it built in and it's been PMA'd since 2014 when I got mine. Edit: PMA'ed for the PAR36 size. I do not know the status for the PAR46 size. Call the factory and ask. They are VERY responsive to customers. -Seth

Good to know. I ended up replacing both and put a separate circut for the landing and taxi light. The landing light is on off and the taxi light is a three way on off pulse. I used the AeroLEDs HX and LX and the pulse feature was built in and simply a third wire. I purchased them with an Oshkosh discount in 2014, so that's already two years ago. There may be brighter or better bulbs now, but at the time AeroLEDs were the brightest. This was backed up by aviation consumer in 2015. Which again, was a year ago now. -Seth