Seth

See if there is any debris in the fuel injctors. Good luck. I had a 67 F that twice wound up with debris in the fuel injectors which caused a rough running engine. In both cases, it occured as I was leaning after climb - or when I noticed the rough running part. -Seth

Tom Clancy I've read many of his novels, and thought not "deep reading" material and pretty formulaic, I really enjoy them. I especially like Without Remorse - the story of how John Kelly became John Clark. -Seth

Gray Eagles A light but fun read: A group of Luftwaffe vets, having suffered the agony of surving WWII, gather round in the American south west to plot a bit of revenge. They gather together and restore and rearm a squadron of WWII fighter planes - legendary Messerschmit Bf-109f's - and wreak havoc across that part of the US. Meanwhile, an aging USAAF vet, who was captured and nearly killed by the German aces on the last day of WWII, spends his time nearby flying a restored Mustang. The Germans nurse a grudge against him, though it's merely symbolic - he's the last Yank they saw before the end of the war, and he's hardly risen to the sort of prominence that would make him an inviting target. Nevertheless, they tear off into their targets with the idea of saving some of their fire for him. When word of the resurrected Luftwaffe gets around (how could it not?), the yankee flier gathers a group of vets himself - more Mustangs and a solitary Spitfire, and it seems that the last air battle of WWII is about to be refought.

15 Stars: Eisenhower, MacArthur, Marshall: Three Generals Who Saved the American Century The one who wanted to be President, the one who should have been President, and the one that was President. These men really shaped our country. In the closing days of World War II, America looked up to three five-star generals as its greatest heroes. George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Douglas MacArthur personified victory, from the Pentagon to Normandy to the Far East. Counterparts and on occasion competitors, they had leapfrogged each other, sometimes stonewalled each other, even supported and protected each other throughout their celebrated careers. In the public mind they stood for glamour, integrity, and competence. But for dramatic twists of circumstance, all three -- rather than only one -- might have occupied the White House. The story of their interconnected lives opens a fascinating window onto some of the twentieth century's most crucial events, revealing the personalities behind the public images and showing how much of a difference three men can make. Marshall and MacArthur were contemporaries and competitors. Eisenhower was MacArthur's underling, then Marshall's deputy, before becoming MacArthur's counterpart as a supreme commander, Ike in Western Europe, MacArthur in the Pacific. Each of the three five-star generals would go on to extraordinary postwar careers: MacArthur as a virtual viceroy of Japan, overseeing its transition to a new constitutional democracy, and then leading the UN forces in the Korean War; Marshall as secretary of state, author of the Marshall Plan, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize; Eisenhower as president. Fifteen Stars presents the intertwined lives of these three great men against the sweeping background of six unforgettable decades, from two world wars to the Cold War. It is history at its most dramatic yet most personal -- a triumph for Stanley Weintraub, our preeminent military historian.

Air repair in Easton, MD (KESN) replaced this type of rubber cover for Alex on his 231. I'm sure any MSC can take care of it for you, but he just had shown me the finished product when I dropped him off there to pick up his plane last week. Give Air Repair and ESN a call - they should be helpful, and again, any MSC can probably help you with that too. He also covered the leading edge of his landing gear doors with the same material (replaced older cracking/worn material). I do not have it on my leading edge of me gear doors, but maybe it's something to consider. -Seth

In 1969 man landed on the moon. We found it to be made of rock. Moon flight stopped a few years later. We have not been back since. Behold the power of cheese. -Seth

Does this mean with this STC an M20TN can attain 245-246 knots? (3-4 knots over the 242 knot top speed?) -Seth

Hank - I have the same pocketknife in my pocket right now too - with teh Phillips driver instead of the corkscrew - so much more useful that way. -Seth

Bladders, sealed wing / LED vs traditional / LOP, ROP / Night flying / twin, single Flaps, no flaps - we'll just add this one to the list. -Seth

+1 The plane "leaps" off the runway when the flaps are in line with the down deflection of aileron. I set take off flaps for every departure (two pumps previously, now electric), and look out at each wing to ensure that when I fully deflect the aileron, the flap and aileron are flush. That I've noticed gets me the best "leapaing" sensation off the runway. Twice I have tried without them and have a much lower initial climb rate and angle - just a flatter climb eating up more runway. The E is a peformance champ - use the take off flaps setting and you'll see a difference. -Seth

I use electric mostly now, however in my former aircraft it was manual all the way as I had no autopilot nor electric trim. I love the electric trim but feel just as comfortable manually. -Seth

I admit, I did that when . . . running down the upstairs hallway when I was 11 years old. SNAP. I've done it to both feet a few times between the ages of 11 and 17. Here's to happy healing. -Seth

I do know a pilot who learned on a twin he purchased. He then purchased a more powerful twin (Piper Aztec then Aerostar). He has never flown a single engine land airplane. His license is a multi-engine land license. He is not signed off nor licensed for single engine land. Did all his ratings in the piper twin. I however would not suggest that. I'd say learn to fly in a Cessna 172 for the first 10-15 hours, make sure you do love it (which you do), solo, and then purchase your Mooney once you've picked up the basics. Fly the Mooney with the instructor for maybe some extra time and then you'll be right at home. Insurance will be expensive the first year but will come down once you hit 100 hours in type, and get the IFR rating. The 60k budget is good for a 50k F model with 10K for maintenance during that first year for things that were unexpected or you want changed. Congrats on finally "taking off." -Seth

Good to know!! Thank you for this information.-Seth

Depends on the airports you fly to and the approaches. Part of my upgrade to the Missile was that too many airports I was flying to the F needed a GPS approach. I figured I'd want WAAS as my home airport had a 400 foot lower cieling with thte WAAS approach as opposed to the VOR approach that was sometimes out of service. I don't have an ADF anymore and can't perform NDB approaches (only did two in real conditions) but I don't need to with the GPS and WAAS approaches. If I already had a 430, I'd make the upgrade - besides, as stated earlier, as part of the upgrade, they replace all sorts of parts in the 430 and make it nearly as good as new. Good luck with your decision! -Seth

Congrats on your new plane!! For that mission, the Bo seems like the right choice. You should still come to the fly ins - it doesn't matter what we fly - we're pilots. In the mid atlantic we've had Mooneys, Bonanzas, a Cessna 414, a Decathelon, and some pipers at our Mooney fly ins. Bring the F-16 sometime instead of the Bo! And thanks for everything you do to serve our country. -Seth

Not even meaning to, that's exactly what I did. Purchased the F when I had about 120 hours, got my IFR, loved it, and then sold it for the Missile. The F had older avionics but was fine. I learned to shoot approaches by hand with no GPS in the panel - good lesson. If I lose GPS signal in the new plane, no issue as I can still navigate using VORs, shoot approaches that are non GPS, and just use good old dead reckoning. And yes - the Missile on a cold day leaps off the runway Things do happen fast though even compared to the F which is a whole lot faster than a 172

If you're looking at the Screaming Eagle STC, you should consider the missile as well. Rocket Enginering developed the Rocket and Missile conversions. The Rocket is turbocharged, the Missile is normally aspirated. These mods are what caused the Mooney Factory to produce the Bravo and Ovation. The Missile is a "baby" ovation. 300 HP IO-550 and fully feathering prop on a mid length body (converted 201/M20J). You get easy 180 knots, 185-190 if you want to burn up the engine. It is 200 lbs lighter than the ovation with a gross weight increase. Mine is a 1983 conversion and my useful load is 1067 lbs. They are usually priced below ovation models yet have better performance. It is an STC however, but extensive testing (over 1000 flight hours) were tested for the Rocket conversion. The Missile was the add on STC - similar power down low, less at altitude. There are sometimes a few for sale. There is an example with TKS available now in NC and he's asking $144k (price reduced twice - he needs to move it and is on this board). Most are usually priced in the $110k-$140k. If you're looking at the Screaming Eagle, you should also look at the Missile - it will have an older airframe as the last conversions were completed in the late 1990s and the Eagle avionics are not as top of the line as similar year Ovations unless they've been upgraded. You can't go wrong with a Missile, Screaming Eagle, or ovation - aircraft age and money are two large factors. -Seth

If you can buy back the airplane and they guys at freeway can get it over there, they may be able to repair your F even though the insurance company says it's a total loss. However, then you'd have damage history on the airplane. You have a very sweet panal however on the F - it may be worth saving. -Seth

Glad to hear your eyes are doing well John. And yes - I PMed him your contact information. Also, the other guy was indeed Chuck Swim. I though he had moved it to GAI - maybe it's back at FDK. -Seth

That is a good point - you may want to make the call to the guys at Freeway, W00, 301-262-6544 and ask to speak with Tommy or Bruce to expalin to them your situation. They'd drive right over or fly over to take a look if it's still at FME. -Seth

I'm so sorry they totalled the plane - you had a very nice F. It was good chatting with you last week. Share wise, you may have a chance at two aircraft. Both J's. Once is based at GAI and one at FDK. The GAI bird may have a "deal" to be based elsewhere as the pilot has another airplane as well. The one at FDK has been underutilized the past year (the owner knows it) but may be a posibility. I'll PM you details about both. One is a regular contributor on the board and probably already knows I'm talking about him. Last but not least, for the 3 hours, you may want to take a look at the E model we chatted about that Allan has fixed up - Allan, is it still available? That could serve as the transportation you need until you work something out. We have a lot of Moony's on the east coast, someone may want to have a non equity partner for a while. I also hope you're able to move forward with finding your plane for the next 10-15 years - if not now, soon. Good luck! -Seth

There is an Acclaim based at GAI now - I see it fly every now and then around the pattern. Maybe it's him. -Seth

Scott- Sorry to hear about your engine issues. The most important fact is you were able to nurse your plane to a safe landing. Good luck with the overhaul. You may want to also replace/rehab other accessories at the same time - probably flush your prop if there was any metal circulating, etc . . . -Seth

This F has an engine in the last 1/4 of it's TBO life (and engines can be run past TBO) but what concerns me is the new prob and one piece belly as indecated by others. The price is not bad, but with about $30,000 coming due on the enigh OH plus other expenses in the next year, the seller may be willing to settle for less. If I was selling, I'd stay at a firm 50 due to the Ray Jay turbo and other mods, but each circumstance is different. My MSC (Mooney Service Center) warned me about the Ray Jay turbo. if yours is working and working well, good. If it is not working right, it can sometimes be hard to make it work right. Some are worth it, some aren't. A Ray Jay F is a great plane - you have normal power for takeoff, and then when you get to 7, 8, 9000 feet, just turn on the turbo, it's like a second power control once your are WOT and your MPs kick back in. No overboosting on the ground, and only in operation when you want it. Like others have said - test fly it should you get to that point, take it up high, and make sure the turbo works. A regular F at 145-148 knots without the ram air, touching 150 with the ram air is not a bad place to be either! -Seth