Seth

Start keeping a log - trust me, it builds up pretty fast. Washing your airplane counts. I started a log in 2008 with everything and i'm over 500 hours without trying at this point for basic stuff, helping with annuals, oil changes (assistance), swapping light bulbs (until I got my LEDs), etc . . . Anything that can be logged log. It adds up. And don't pad the time. Be realistic but honest. If I were to ever actually try hard, tackle a project with a friend, whatever, I could build that time faster. This way when the time comes, I can have someone sign off on my log if they are comfortable doing so. Of course I'd still have to study hard, learn a ton, and become way more capable that I currently am. -Seth

That’s so cool! Cant wait to see how it compares to the Missile in speed and climb as it’s also 300 HP on the mid mody. However I’m sure it’s heavier with different construction to be stronger. But not a four seater and not sure about fuel tanks. Likely 64 like the J. -Seth

The 252 and Encore are the unicorn Mooney's in my opinion. I looked closely at 252's and Missile's when I purchased my Missile as I didn't need the turbo for high altitude flight in the western US mountains. You'll easily be able to sell the 252. I know someone who may be interested. If I ever sold my Missile I would look very hard at a 252 if I were to stay with Mooney's. -Seth

Tempest Fine wire made all the difference between a slight rumble and an extremely smooth LOP operation with the NA 300 HP IO550A in the Missile. The champion massives were fine ROP but not LOP. -Seth

Air conditioning: Depending on where you live there's a portable solution for this though it's not as easy as factory AC, it is removable which allows you to in cooler months get your useful load back. B Kool/Arctic air/ice box/any of the units that are made as portable cooling devices work. I have a B Kool (Mooney Summit Sponsor) in my Mooney and it makes such a difference on hot days. The cabin is car interior cool when taxiing and waiting in line to take off. When it's time to land, pop it back on for the final few minutes if it's really hot out. No need if it's not. It helps immensely with heat soaked cabins. For my commercial checkride, the examiner said it was the best part about the flight - I think I passed due to not sweating on the ramp prior to the flight. You pour ice and a little water in the cooler area. It pumps the water through a heat exchange using the ice cold water to blow cool air. Depending on outside temps and the amount of ice, you can get cool air for over an hour. Enough for the taxi out, and initial climb, and then turn it off. On decent you'll still have some air, though not as ice cold, for landing/the taxi back in. The system also allows you to pump the water overboard so that you don't have to worry about spilling 20lbs of water in your airplane afterward. Yes, it's a fuss to have to bring ice or pack ice to the airport, but it's a great way to have a really nice experience. For those without factory AC - great addition and costs less than a tank of gas. -Seth

I have an important message about your factory car warranty expiring . . .

Thanks Steve!

If I recall the KAP 150 does not have command bars. But yes, they are useful, and not required, but do make a difference. Just like a standard six pack makes a difference vs a shotgun panel. My Missile has a good six pack setup. My former F was more of a shotgun. I earned my IFR in the F so it was the scan I developed. Now that I jump between G1000 aircraft and my Mooney with the six pack I'm fine, but ot jump back to something non standard for IFR, I'd likely be a bit rusty on the scan for the first portion of the flight. A six pack is not necessary, but makes things easier. Similar to command bars. -Seth

I also have a strap that we used on the airlines once. I have never used it on the Mooney. It wraps around the seat horizontally and has two shoulder strap which loop to the bottom standard waist belt. I'll find a link. It's FAA approved for airlines. It may be worth it for larger kids. Since when we go somewhere we often take the car seats out of the Mooney (pre-covid) and put them in the rental car, it's never really been used for the Mooney. Booster's will likely be in the future. Something kind of like this. Not sure this is the one we got but it may be. We got it in 2019 for a long flight. Borrowed one from a friend and got this one for us. We shipped the car seats in the luggage area (free feature). (The Mooney didn't have the legs to get to Hawaii). If you think about it, a system like this may be an inexpensive way to get should restraints in the back seat for those that only have lap belts. Weight dependent of course. https://www.amazon.com/Child-Airplane-Safety-Travel-Harness/dp/B089NR6B41/ref=asc_df_B089NR6B41/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459493959336&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2651312431284574446&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007781&hvtargid=pla-942506901046&psc=1 -Seth

+1 or should I say +2: I just received the SAME EXACT ORDER. As I can't wear my vintage Washington Football Team hats anymore. So needed two newer warm hats (primary and backup for when primary is missing). So I took got one of each. My old ones are now in the bag in the back of the cars and airpalne. I've ordered from them a few times in the past - two shirts two years ago and some shirts for my family last year. Very happy with them. -Seth

Let's indeed support Craig - Craig I need to get you my support 2021! Love Mooneyspace. -Seth

They do. And Smart Avionics at N71 Donegal Springs also does a ton of work on Aerostars. The plan at some point is to have a 5+ seater pressurized. LIkely that means a 6 or 8 seater - so an Aerostar or Cheyenne II could be that next airplane. If I end up with access to an more capable aircraft for when I need it (SF50, PC-12, King Air, Cheyenne) then I'd rather pay a dry lease rate, especially if I'm operating it anyway. Time will tell on that front. In the meantime, still love my Mooney! -Seth

Congratulations!!

My 5.5 and 3.5 year old are still in car seats. Just switched the 3.5 year old to forward facing. -Seth

Continuing with the other brand series, I know we have some RV-8 owners and operators here on this board! Please share your first hand experience with the Van's RV-8. Thanks, -Seth

I have a friend in Texas and I have rights of first refusal on his Aerostar when and if he ever chooses to sell. He's upgraded it to a superstar. Also my AME who is 85 just had to sell his small engine Aerostar as he couldn't get insurance anymore on it (or maybe at a reasonable rate). Thanks for everyone's comments! -Seth

I've watched the supply slowly drop as well. The 90 to 61 on controller that happened overnight I'm guessing is also a removal of old aircraft that have been on there a long time. Maybe a new system is in place or they are requiring a new payment to stay on there. So 30 dropped off. But still if that 30 were baked into the original numbers, we do have a smaller supply. That's good for our airframe values. -Seth

Plus the internet has connected a lot of us who wouldn’t necessarily have know each other. It was the NJ fly ins where I met one Mooney deceased and a formation flying clinic in WV where I met another. He flew in from Canada. Not that we like to compare, but how many people do we know similarity who perished in an automobile accident? As noted, it’s hard when we do get to know each other through Mooneyspace, leading to fly ins, breakfasts, lunches, Mooney Summit, Caravan, Oshkosh - I’m glad I’ve had the chance to meet all of you. Believe it or not the stat drops considerably if you are active in a type group attempting to be safer. So just participating in this discussion makes you statistically a safer pilot! -Seth

Once we are past COVID I'll let you know the next time I'm at EZF. It's one of three airports around my in-laws and I plan to fly my daughter down there for lunch at the on field diner and a visit with her grandparents likely in the late summer. I'll research Windwood Resort in Davis, WV. Thanks! -Seth

I have a friend who has owned an Aerostar (Superstar) and now flies owns a Cheyenne II. He said the operating costs are nearly identical. The turbine mindset in the systemes of a Cheyenne though makes a difference. Let's say you are in icing and you lose a piston engine - now you don't have the power to operate the boots. However in the Cheyenne, it's not as much of an immediate issue. There is something about the Aerostar that I gravitate toward. I've read all about them, sat in one, have read Beechtalk, but was curious if we had Mooney guys with experience. -Seth

Good point!

Mike- Thank you for this topic. It brings into focus a lot. We may mention it at Mooney Summit - we may even use the poll. -Seth

I had met Patrick as well. He's one of two Mooney pilots that I've know and we've lost. -Seth

I know there are many variants of Aerostars and numerous upgrades. I'd like to concentrate on the pressurized versions. One of my wife's requirements for the next aircraft (way down the line, I'm keeping the Missile for a long time) is pressurization. So the 601P, 602P, 700, the Superstar upgrades (701P, 702P) and anything similar I'd like to hear experience about. The good, the bad, and your thoughts. And yes, it's cool we have the Mooney tie in to Aerostars for at least a few years. -Seth