Seth

Bob - You're conversion is #5, but I note that your airframe states M20J/G - was your's a G converted to a J converted to a Missile since technically the G is a mid body? -Seth

Erik- I'll post with numbers soon. -Seth

Looking at the poll, though a small sample size, half of the MooneySpacers use Camguard. -Seth

I have it as part of my preflight to check to make sure the latch is in place. I make sure especially to double check it when there are passengers or if there have been people in the airplane (besides me). -Seth

Chris- There are a few threads on here with people coming up with great solutions. Search for them. If you have a vehicl where you can install a AC inverter (plug) or a generator with enouge watts (portable Honda or something) you can create a pre-heater using some scat hoses/drier vents and a basic space heater. The problem is you'll need something in the 1500 watt category - that's why you need to install the AC converter in your vehicle (not the one's the plug into your DC outlet - that tops out in the 250 watt rgange, but one really wired in), or get a portable generator that you can leave chained or in a locker near the plane. On cold days, get there with a good hour before takeoff, put a blanket over the cowl, plug up the holes, and have the warm air ciruclate around. It'll get the temps up enough for a 40 degree plus start. When all is said and done, just instlall a Reiff/Tannis type block engine heater and park near a plug when on the road so you can plug it in, and at home base, see if there is an outlet nearby or that you can run a long extension cord to. There is also aerotherm http://aerothermheaters.com They have some fascinating solutions, but are expensive. -Seth

Be safe! Just Florida or elsewhere? I'll track like everyone else but I'm curious if you're heading to the West Coast as I did that flight earlier this year. Also, are we going to see 201ER spelled out on Flight Aware before all is said and done Like Boeing spells out 747 and 787? -Seth

What a great feeling. You my friend are a pilot. Be safe, fly often! -Seth

+1 Ross, I ALWAYS find a typos or seven and end up editing my posts. -Seth

I may have to tak youp on that! It's a busy weekend though, with a lot of family, so we'll have to play it by ear. If not this weekend - let's make it happen soon. -Seth

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Are you flying somewhere over Thanksgiving? Traveling? Driving? Are you planning to stay in town but go flying at some point anyway? Here's to safe travels and good time with family and friends. -Seth

I'm trying to determine when to start using Camguard. I have been told not to use Camguard until my rings have fully seated, but really, wait longer. So . . . Please answer the poll and reply as well with specifics. Thanks, -Seth

Again - Congratulations and welcome to the Mooney Missile! I owned my F for three years before moving up the missile (2008 - 2011). Had I originally purchased a J I don't know if I would have moved up, but the allure for speed may have tempted me. It's a great plane and you'll enjoy it. If you haven't yet, see if it can run LOP and do what you can to get it there. For long speed cruise it makes you feel okay about the fuel burn, otherwise, you'll be astonished at the fuel burn rate compared to the J. I too had a hard time selling my F. I ended up selling it to a friend in Florida who has had it for two great years now, calls me once in a while about quirks of the particular aircraft, and has also now repainted it. 67M, my former plane, looks GREAT now. I'm glad he's taking care of her. I still miss her, but LOVE 65N, my Missile. Enjoy many years of happy flying! -Seth

Welcome to the Missile camp and congratulations. Very fast bird - much heavier airplane than the stock J, just be ready for that during landing. You'll love the feeling of the 300 ponies. PM me anytime for Missile questions. -Seth

When I purchased my 1967F model I took a multi year approach to replace fuel/oil/brake hoses/lines. I replaced the fuel and oil lines at the first annual, plus any other hoses on inspection of course that needed it, and then did the exterior brake lines the second year. The third year I replaced many of the other original hoses that looke okay, but were approaching at that time, nearly 43 years old. I have not yet replaced too many hoses/lines in the 1983 Missile, but I have done a few. There was a brake line rubbing in one area specifically that I remember where we changed out the wearing line and put a "bumper" in place so that the new line would not chafe. Some of our fleet hoses are original and old. You don't know often if your line/hose is wearing out until it does. Does anyone simply replace hoses that are more than 10 years old? 20? 30? Etc . . -Seth

I finally had a chance Saturday to open up the door and take a look. The pin that extends from the rear of the door into the frame horizontally is connected to the door lever by two tubes and a screw (turnbuckle). The screw itself did indeed snap. So I need to replace the screw between the turnbuckle, really the center piece of the turnbuckle, and have called my MSC for the part. I figured I could have simply gone to the hardware store, but I'm not sure of the strength of those screws/bolts and though I'm sure it's probaynunder similar to the 30 times more expensive aviation certified part, I'll go with the certified piece. -Seth

Jason is great. He conducted the pre-buy on my airplane as well as the annual and engine overahaul reinstall (shipped the engine to the OH shop). He's a true professional and knows the Mooney well. Years ago he used to run the maintenance shop for Bruce Jager at Wilmar but not anymore. Jason broke off to start his own shop, and years later Bruce sold Wimar. They still have a great respect for each other and send each other a lot of business. I'd trust Jason with my plane any day. If anyone needs the contact information for Jed Aire or Jason's cell phone, PM me. -Seth

That does sound like an issue. Pure speculation? Maybe a structural brace or component of the door is warped or bent. I'd have a good Mooney shop look at the door. For me, I did not have a chance to make it to the airport this weekend to tinker - hopefully soon I'll get to the rear pin issue as I don't like my bird sitting for over a week and I'm at eight days right now. -Seth

I had a fellow Mooney pilot let me know that for LOP ops during decent he likes to keep his CHTs above 250 degrees. In cruise, mine are in the low to mid 300s with one or two just under. In decents, I try to lean and add power (thought hard to do sometimes due to speed and decent rate) to keep the CHTs above 250. I have not read the scientific backing but followed his reccomendations in the blind as he has had great success running his 231 LOP. This is a very fascinating subject. -Seth

Ahh, it's so nice to read words and techniques I would use! Follow this advice, only if you have the time of course. -Seth

That is a great video. If the hammer can't break it, hopefully our vibrations won't! -Seth

That may be your seal. That may also be the issue I'm having - the fact that the horozontal aft bolt is not bolting into place. Maybe a better/thicker seal on the bottom may help. -Set

Thanks Dave - exactly what I was looking for.

Finally going to go open up the door on Saturday to see about figuring out the problem and fixing the horozontal door pin (maybe the turnbuckle). Anything I should be worried about when opening up the door? Any springs going to pop out and shoot across the hanger? tips? I plan to lay a blanket on the wing under the door so if anything falls out I'll hopefully stop before rolling along and onto the floor. -Seth

I realize i probably have flown through lighter mountain waves in the past on the east coast. I've always wondered why on flightaware.com after a flight I sometimes have an oscillation in speed +5-5+5-5+5-5 etcs on the graph over a short period of time - my guess now is that I have encountered these waves in the past and just figured it was a change in headwinds/tailwinds. I just hand not experienced the magnitude of the one experienced last Saturday. -Seth

You know, of many terrible new reports that happen around light aircraft incidents, this reporter actually did not mess up too many facts. It was a not a "Piper-Mooney" as has hapened in the past, and he state a lot of fact - the FAA had to allow the removal of the airplane, the pilot is fine, the gear was not deployed, etc . . . Much of the public does not know what happens during a gear up. I agree he was sensational in "the propeller had damage - the airport was closed for an hour and half - the pilot was not injured" - again, as noted, same as backing a car into a pole. BUT - he didn't mess up too many facts. The sliding down the tarmac as opposed to sliding down the runway is debatable, but really, he did an okay job - better than someone else would have, but still, unfortunatly, and mistake with airpalnes is "news."