Seth

Heavy read. Sad, but good to learn from. Thread creep: My finance hates the fact that I read about and watch shows about airplane crashes - she understands I learn from it, but still doesn't like me "associating" with it. Back on track . . . Very professional crew - sad ending - John you're right, the other runway was opened just before the crash. -Seth

Have fun this weekend! Takeoff flaps - Set your flaps to 15 degrees or half for takeoff. Double check the configuration: Fully deflect your ailerons once the TO flaps are set and the down aileron should be flush with the flaps. It's amazing how that small difference can cause the airplane to really leap off the runway. Takeoff trim - just as mentioned - a bit above (higher/nose up) than the indicator reads if it's the two of you in the front and that's it. Landing - just like is mentioned on here Downwind 100, base 90, final 80, over the fence 75. 1/2 flaps when parallel the numbers, full flaps on base. GUMPS Downwind/Base/Final - Green Light Over the Fence - visibly check the floor indicator to ensure the gear is down during the GUMPS checks. that's four times making sure your gear is down. -Seth

Do it. Even though I'm on the east coast I can tell you that any time I make it to a Mooney Fly In its worth it to just chat with other Mooney pilots and also put faces to those on MooneySpace. Organize it. Even if only a few birds show up its worth it!

Welcome to MooneySpace and congratulations on your new amazing aircraft. Please post some pictures so we can collectively drool. Fly safe and fly often! -Seth

Didn't they expand the Camp David airspace indicating he was there when secretly, Bush flew to Iraq to be with the troop on Thanksgiving? -Seth

For those missions they will most likely go for a six seater Bonanza/Matrix type aircraft with a club cabin configuration. If you are the owner and to be flown around, you'll sit in the nice cabin with a passenger door or airstair. Then again, the average Chinese citizen may have no issue with the "twist-plop" to get in the back seat of the Mooney or will be happy at the co-pilot controls. The economic pilot who flies themselves think about the Mooney as they will be flying it and can keep costs down. If you can hire a pilot, you aren't worried as much at operating costs between a Matrix/Bonanza and Mooney. -Seth

Never too late! Better late than never.

Cessna is creating the scorpion multi platform aircraft to conduct turboprop missions at jet speeds. Neat idea. http://www.scorpionjet.com/ Their intercept function shows that it can fly at 100 knots - the question is that a Mooney it's intercepting? It looks like a Mooney M20C. That's the "100 knot bogey" - should say 140+ knot bogey! If they wanted a 100 knot bogy they could have put up a piper cub - at least they decided to go with the cool looking "bad guy." I also think they didn't want to put their own C-172 as the "bogey"

Also Doug, congrats on your new Mooney. I only saw it in person once, but I know Brett is quite the professional and your aircraft is in great shape. That picture is amazing in Utah. Enjoy. -Seth

All Mooney's I've flown with only one or two people aboard, I keep the nose trim a needle or two above the takeoff trim mark. When full at gross weight, that's when the takeoff trim seems to be correctly marked. -Seth

I'm looking for one closer to the first one.

I like that one, it's almost exactly what I'm looking for. I actually have the same picture saved, but I need better quality. One similar to this but with higher quality. I've seen it framed in an FBO somewhere. -Seth

I like the way you think. Or a diesel conversion for the short, mid, and long bodies. Or the small Rolls Royce Turbine they were talking about five years ago going onto the front of the M, R, or TN. -Seth

I'm looking for a high quality picture I saw once of a business jet emerging from a cloud layer with the wingtip vorticies tearing up the clouds in the flight path. I've found four such pics online but can't seem to find the exact angle/quality I'm looking for. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks, -Seth

The marketing has begun. There are new pics/marketing strategies occurring on the www.mooney.com website. Mainly "We're back!" "You can't keep a legend down" "It was not a matter of if, but when" I'm looking forward to this. -Seth

930 TT (840ish in Mooney's 500 F, 340 J Missile, less than 2 hours combined in E and C) Aircraft flown: C-172 C-182 PA-28 Cherokee PA-28R Aarow T-6 Texan M20C M20E M20F Executive M20J Missile Seminole PA44 TB-9 Bonanza BE33 -Seth

Exactly - I don't plan to reseal until I get a leak from the mains or somewhere else than the top of the tips.

John- I had them in my former 1967 F. Never worried about fuel leaks and never had any water in the tanks. They were intalled prior to me purchasing the bird, sometime in the early to mid 1990s. So 15 years later when I owned and flew my F, there were no issues. Useful load in the F was great - still greater 1037 lbs. I know you cannot get Monroy tanks with the bladders as the Monroy extended range tanks are a wet wing and thus in my currnet bird reseal at some point is the only way to go, For what is worth, I've mainly been happy with both the bladders I previously owned and the current wet wings. I do admit though that I am "scared" to see blue streaks under the wings again in my MIssile (only happnes when fully topped off sitting in the cold for a few days). After a few gallons are out of each tank - no issue. I'll take the MIssile to Weep No More when the time comes. -Seth

I'll try to be there next year as well. Really wanted to get down there this year. -Seth

I'm looking forward to the updates and changes that will be incorporated into new production aircraft. Also, I'd like to see the new marketing plan/materials. -Seth

I'm curious if that will make a difference with the Missile and the higher gross weight. Maybe I'll try that this spring when I can not freeze when working around the airplane. -Seth

+1 30 Mains, 49 nose

It used to be Wilmar - The owner "bought" that portion of the practice from Wilmar. Weep No More is located in Wilmar. -Seth

"Seth" Chiming in . . . Welcome to the area and welcome to MooneySpace. Mooney Savvy CFI: There are some good instructors in the DC area, and I know John (N4352H) probably has some good contacts up at Frederick, but I'd have to say the best Mooney instructor I've flown with in this region is Paul based out of Freeway, W00. The phone number for the flight school is 301-390-6424. Paul has flown in all sorts of Mooney aircraft and owns a Piper Seneca. I'm pretty sure he'd love to have an opportunity to fly the twin out to you, but it probably makes more sense to head to W00 - he may even drive and meet you somewhere. Whenever I've flown with him, it has been from W00, and I've always learned something. Freeway Airport has a short and thin runway surrounded by obstacles inside the SFRA and up against the FRZ - as long as you can operate out of a 2400 x 40 with trees at one end and power lines at the other, you should be fine. If you do not feel comfortable, PM me and we'll figure out an alternative - I'm based about a 10 minute flight from there at GAI (Gaitherburg) with open approach paths and a 4200 x 75 runway - I'll send you my contact information in a PM. As for Mooney shops: -Again, W00 - Frewway. They are an MSC and do good work. I've had them maintain both of my Mooneys (I had a 1967 F model and then upgraded to my current 1983 M20J Missile 300). They can be pricy, but they do really good work. Tommy may be the best Mooney A&P in the region. Bruce, Chris, everyone there I know I can depend on anytime. www.freewayavaition.com 301-262-6544 -Weber - LNS - I have not used them yet, but they are also a great MSC according to many on this board (including John - N4352H). I have been to the sports bar / cafe at this aiport many times. They are located in Lancaster, PA. www.henryweberaircraft.com (717) 569-2691 -Air Repair in Easton, MD (ESN) - Alex (Skybound) on this board uses Air Repair out of Easton for his current and former Mooney (M20C now M20K). He's been pleased with them and I've seen the owner come out on the weekend to help him when there was an issue with his aircraft at pickup - they stand behind their work. They are not an MSC and work on a lot of Turboprops and Jets (big falcon shop) in addition to their piston clients. www.airrepaireaston.com 410-822-2999 We have a decent sized mid-atlantic contingent of Mooney pilots on this board - NJ Pilots often organizes get togethers - we're looking forward to meeting you. Take care, -Seth