carusoam

I went with the Ovation for a similar mission description. It is the most comfortable for four full sized adults. East coast, low altitude, no O2, casual flying. I used to shoehorn the same people into an M20C. The M20J is in between. The F is good too. Depends on your personal economics... Body type: Long body > medium body > short body R, S F, J C,E Engine aspiration type: Fuel injection / Normally aspirated > turbo > carburetor TN, M, K (good machines, all turbos, built for professional flying) Modified Mooneys to consider... Missiles, Rockets..... Mods to consider... Extended fuel tanks ( near 100gal std in the Ovation) FIKI ( not real popular for east coast ) IFR GPS 430, 530, 650, 750........ KLN90B Auto pilot Send a message if you have questions regarding my response. -a-

One man's experience... Most Mooneys have a 2,000 hr TBO. ( recommended time between overhauls). On 1500 hours, you are expecting an overhaul in about five years time, if you fly 100 hours per year. The older the engine is, and the more hours it has, the more risk you have of it needing work done on it, possibly sooner. Really old alternators, starters, carburetors, tires, and unexpected maintenance items can beat up your bank account. This plane is 3/4s the way to the expected overhaul expense. Adjust your purchase price properly. There will not be much time to save up for the overhaul if you are spending your money paying off a 15 year note. If you have dough in the bank already, this is not high risk gambling. You will need the overhaul sooner than you want to pay for it. Weigh your odds, make your choices, don't skip a good pre-buy inspection. A well kept Mooney is a great plane to own. Best regards, -a-

In the flight instructor world I would expect CCC.....classic answer to a classic question. In the real world, don't get lost, a GPS eliminates the problem and another GPS serves as back up to the solution. In the common Mooney you might find four GPS on any one day. (1) panel mounted, IFR capable, connected to an auto pilot (2) portable on the yoke (3) iPad on the lap (4) Garmin nuvi for use in the rental car. One day I look forward to adding (5) aspen. I don't suppose the flight instructor will be interested in the "real world" answer....CCC Best regards, -a-

According to the FAA. Possibly over weight (255# beyond ferry limit), out of balance (.79"), missing ferry tank tie downs, and low mooney time, resulted in flying below stall speed according to portable Garmin GPS... throttle plate found closed and throttle control in pulled back position when inspected. Gear up and flaps up too. Still a very unfortunate result. -a-

Thanks Dave, I like the certified nature of my M20R. High predictability in IFR conditions means alot to me and my family. Several thousand M20 airframes sharing DNA, maintenance procedures and a community knowledge base. Getting away from the current situation, I might just by a turbine home built with a slightly higher risk level. Best regards, -a-

I hope to see you guys out there.... Best regards, -a-

John, I used Bob Cabe in the San Antonio area with excellent results. Bob comes replete with a long list of experience and Mooney experience. I will PM you Bob's cell#...

Parker, I must not remember IFR flying very well.... In my neighborhood IMC, I remember seeing murk out the windshield. You can clearly navigate by following the bottom of the seabed. Does Garmin provide sea charts for the 430/530 systems? What a beautiful way to train for the IRating. Can you bring the Maule to Key West? That looks spectacular! Best regards, -a-

Quote: Mazerbase I wouldn't believe anything Coy Jacob says. Ever.

http://www.moapilot.com/pdf/Jan06/Jan06ALLweb.pdf More on this same plane (fuel injector line issue) and a word from our Jim Green. Later in the same issue, Coy Jacob indicates that off airport landings, on land, cause enough damage to exceed 70% of the aircraft's total value. Best regards, -a-

Scott, I like the Tshirts for lemonade trade as well. Meeting up with MooneySpace people too. We need to set a time during the day for MooneySpace visitors. Best regards, -a-

Reid, Welcome to Mooneyspace. Best regards, -a-

Back in the day, Garmin provided the same data, but in a more usable fashion. They brought graphics to a portable device. Stuff they designed and built a decade ago is still valued today. WingX has been slow to fully develop their application. I am looking forward to the marketing battle. I expect increased quality and lowered price to be the result. Garmin is indicating a positive note towards the iPad hardware. Best regards, Anthony

Nels, Good luck. Post some before and after photos of the work you complete. Stay safe... Best regards, -a-

Don, With all due respect. There are no issues of someone with your skills, flying an aircraft in airworthy condition, with the gear down, over several hundred miles. My concern was that Nels was potentially missing two important details. Your skills and an aircraft in airworthy condition. The short text looked like high risk to save a few bucks. I didn't want to see a young guy make a mistake that he couldn't undo. His response indicates that additional thought has been made. I feel better now.... Best regards, -a-

Hank, Your last paragraph contains an excellent list for the IFR Student.... -a-

Dave, How far away is a "good" mechanic? I was thinking, go directly there or bring the mechanic to the plane. Either the plane was deficient or the pilot did not have a proper signature in a proper log book. The situation is probably not that critical, but it sounds to me, like an unknowing person could start an unfortunate chain of events using this logic. A Mooney savvy pilot would probably get things fixed prior to a long cross country. A new guy may think everyone else would take this same short cut. I'm sharing my opinion, that if he has to ask this question, he already knows the answer. It seems that there is not enough information available to commit that flight. He is apparently trading additional risk, in a new-to-him plane, to save a few bucks. I think it is time to: Stop, Think and Plan... Or he really just needed to know the fuel flow with the gear down. I maybe saved the new guy some heart-ache, or ticked off a guy who know's better. I feel better now... Best regards, -a-

Hank, You have clearly reminded me of some of the benefits of paper. I keep some in the cockpit. They may be slightly outdated. Electronic charts always shows me exactly where I am, on an updated chart. The next chart or procedure is stored exactly where I think it supposed to be. I still use paper to write on. IPads have not completely eliminated paper, but paper is getting more difficult to get and keep updated. Best regards, -a-

Mike, FlightWatch, ADFs, VORs, paper and talking to people... All aging technology that still has value, but are not preferred by most...... Or GPS, graphical weather and iPad... New technology that does the same thing at a higher level. I did my IFR training with the old technology and moved up to the new technology when dollars became available. My recollection of FW: They are very busy when you really need them. Interpreting and writing are a challenge to get correct in the bumpy cockpit. FW works as designed, iPad does it better at a slightly higher cost. It is still your choice. Best regards, -a-

There must be more information to this story. Flying a Mooney on a long cross country flight with the gear intentionally down as a first flight after the sale sounds like the first link in an important chain or I missed an important detail. Since you are asking, consider additional assistance. Either mechanical or instructor.... Please share with us, Why would you want to fly so long with the gear down? Good luck with the new machine. Best regards, -a-

64E, Things that come to mind..... How's your rain today? How soft does the field get? How long does it stay soft after the rain? I am planning on getting your weather tomorrow, was thinking about you. Best regards, -a-

Patrick, There are many places to park at KLAL. Mostly in a big grass field. I think it would be challenging to taxi in the open fields in the dark. I used Winterhaven one year as a nearby stopover until we could get my 65C into KLAL. Setting up camp after dark would leave additional challenges. It might be a better idea to pick another airport near by and fly in early the next morning. Hedging your bets, you would want to make your large ground movements during daylight hours. Best regards, -a-

Dave, Nicely written. I feel like I have been properly schooled in the proper techniques of operating a turbo engine and working with a good mechanic. Best regards, -a-

I think I may have voted twice, Go Mooney..... -a-

Mike, Nice graphic, photos and video... I am looking forward to catching up with the group soon. Best regards, -a-