Carl S

How did it work out?

Hi bd32322, Did you ever get a resolution to this squawk? It seems that my right cluster gauge is now showing the same symptoms. The wing gauge is fine and I am managing fuel with a combo of time and flow as displayed by the fuel flow gauge. It would be nice to get fixed though, and if I can give my IA a place to start looking that would be a bonus. Carl

Flew up to Cheyenne from Arlington TX when the weather cleared Tuesday. Spent the night and brought my Dad and step-mom back for Thanksgiving. Looks like I'll have to send them back commercial but I had budgeted for that anyway. Dad was very happy to be flying GA again. All in all it was worth every penny and more. By the way, for them to get here door to door, the Mooney was faster than flying commercial.

BBB is another place you might consider sending a report.

This is the only DME arc to final I have ever seen also Jerry. We have a couple of DME arcs down at Waco (http://www.airnav.com/airport/KACT) that I have practiced, but no extra workload with step downs. I am looking forward to trying KMTN again sometime.

My instructor and I had planned some IPC work this weekend and decided to meet up at KAFW Friday morning. Due to the clag (and probable ice) it just wasn't going to happen. Instead I gave Bill down at "MotionAir" a call to see if he had some open time. He did, so I jumped in the car and headed down to Midway (KJWY). After a gournd brief on the training device (sim) we started off with an easy LNAV to RWY 36, nice way to get in some local practice without picking up white stuff. Bill set up local conditions so we broke out about 1200-1300 and I could just see the PAPI ahead so we continued to landing. Well, I did pretty good and was not as rusty as I thought. THen I learned that Bill can have a bit of a mean streak as he set me up with this thing at Martin State (KMTN): VOR/DME OR TACAN Z RWY 15. Wow! This thing had me really working it. It is a DME arc with stepdowns all the way to MDA. As I got close to R-060 I noticed was off on the arc a bit and told Bill that I'd be looking for the runway environment out the right side of the windshield. He said I might try the passenger window, as he just saw the lights go under the wing. Doh! I guess I was a bit off on the radial also. Missed approach is a climbing right turn into another DME arc! That one worked better for me and after a circut in the hold we finished up with a debrief. All in all a nice way to get some practice on a day that I'd otherwise be grounded. < edit> btw - I use the term "mean streak" with high regard. Just thought I'd throw that in since voice inflection can't really inferred.

Sweet. I have been looking at the GoPro for a while. That Virb looks pretty cool too but given your experience and the 2 star Amazon rating I may wait till version 1.x to hit the street. Or, at least for the software app to be released. Has it yet? I did not see anythong in a quick search of the AppStore.

Oscar, what kind of gear are you using for the photography? How do you have it mounted? If you weren't using what you have, what would be on your wishlist? Carl

Pictures, check. Altitude cap, check. I set my "service ceiling" at 15 and may bring that down for now because I seldom get above 12.5 around here. The stock planning is okay, but I do want to get some numbers in line with what I actually see. Guess I'm just a data geek.

Anyone take the time to set up the custom performance section in fltplan.com? I started it but am not sure I am getting it correct.

Hmm, looks like it might have been combined into one graph in my manual. Over on the right side there is an obsticle clearance column where the left side gives the lift off performance. Then one follows the line to the right and the 50' clearance distance.

I believe you are thinking Ercoupe - not 201. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:First_JATO_assisted_Flight_-_GPN-2000-001538.jpg

That is interesting. I have a post 91 model the manual has Normal Takeof Distance and Normal Takeoff Distance -- Grass Surface charts (Sections 5-15 and 5-16). I would be interested in comparing the differences you mentioned. My purely speculative W.A.G. as to why there are differences would all point to the company being more consevative in response to the deteriorating legal climate surounding the general aviation industry. I am not sure what you are asking in regard to "accepted adjustment" among experienced Mooney pilots. In my personal experience, test flying one's own aircraft is the best way to determine actual performance and will take into account the test pilot's proficiency and techniques. The FAA Circular 90-89A "Amateur Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing Handbook" (http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%2090-89A.pdf) is a trove of useful information if you want to work on something for yourself. This is what I used and still refer to when gathering data for my Long EZ. You could set up a set of tests and perform them in each Aircraft to determine "real world" results and see what differences are noticable. AC 90-109 might also be helpful as it talks about transition to unfamiliar airplanes but I think the flight testing handbook is what you'd really want. There is a great, and somewhat humorous, series of articles penned by EAA 1000 member Bob Waldmiller. "The One Hour Flight Test" series contains some math but if you are reading performance tables and finding differences like you did - you can handle it: http://www.eaa1000.av.org/technicl/onehour/onehour.htm A great follow up article is: Frostbite Falls Flyer Foils Foul Fossil Fueled Fallacy. < edit > Corrected links and added one hour test link. <\ edit>

I used to love going to "Billy Goat's" for their take on Mexican when I was in Atlanta. < edit > spelling < \ edit >

I wouldn't go out of my way for Joe T's either but it is okay. If you are going to base in Ft Worth and want higher end food, Tim Love's "Lonesome Dove" is (was) really good, He has just re-opened after the fire and I have not had a chance to try the "new" place. If you like steaks, try the Double Eagle or Eddie V's. In Arlington I could recommend Cacharel, Sanford House, Istanbul Grill, and Prince Lebanese Grill depending on your taste du jour. Arlington does have a pretty good Chinese place in the ABC Seafood Company, it is not expensive and will be just south of the stadium on Arkansas, good Pho across the street at Pho 95. For respectable Texas style BBQ: In Ft Worth Railhead is pretty good. Arlington has David's BBQ (I have not tried it but heard good things.) One of the local fly-outs is Stephenville where you can grab a golf cart and toddle over to the Hard 8 for some for some pretty darned good BBQ. (At least - it seems that way to me after getting to fly out in the Mooney with friends.) The Flying Saucer is good for multiple beer styles, and I think the Fox and Hound also had a respectable draught pull last time I was there. (2004 or so.) When I was commuting in from CA back in the early part of this century I stayed in a few of the hotels. Probably the most quirky was the Stockyards Inn. If you are looking for a little taste of the early part of the LAST century, that might just do you. If nothing else, swing by and take a look at the insides if you eat at Joe T's or Lonesome Dove. If timing works out - drop me a line when you are in town and maybe I can grab a bite with you.

I am based out of KGKY and the comments noted are pretty accurate. Fuel is going to be cheaper at KGPM for sure. At KGKY, depending on your length of stay, they may use a tug to place your aircraft down on the south apron with the big jets that will fill the area for games. You could ask to park it yourself if that worries you. Either one is pretty easy to get into and out of. There are plenty of the chain hotels along the I-30 and I-360 corridors that cater to Six Flags and Ballparks. Getting one within walking distance may be a bit trickier - I have not really looked. The Holiday Inn Express by Six Flags should suit your walking radius pretty well, I'd guess it's within a mile and a half of Jones World. Carl

Would this have helped? http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/image/34687-m301-with-tail-mod/

I just renewed my 430W subscription and it seems the price went UP from last year.

I mentioned this to my wife sometime back and her response was something along the lines of, "Honey, I'd rather go down with you than get down without you." Touching, I know. So I haven't mentioned it again. However, with our daughter turning three, and going on more flights, I think I will broach the idea again. I'd really like the little one to get down regardless, and she won't be able to see over the dash for a number of years.