HopePilot

Again, today speed brakes made my life easy as I had to descend from 8500 to 800 ft over some mountains to land. I had mine installed right after I bought the plane and the 40 hours of installation is accurate. I seem to always be based near mountains, so they've been indispensable. I always hear people saying they're not needed (and I guess few things really are in life), but I've been very glad to have had them. I haven't had to circle or do s-turns in years (unless asked to by ATC).

I wonder if you have some special tricks for slowing down? If I left it firewalled until two miles from the airport, I'd zip right by? Just curious.

I wouldn't learn to fly in a plane that was mine. I'd rather beat up someone else's. Also, a Mooney is going to be less forgiving than brand C or P with things happening a lot faster. I don't think it's a great idea, although it might work out for you. I don't believe it would be a sound idea for most people, so not knowing you I can only generalize. I do think it would be a great idea to buy one after you have 150 hours under your belt. Take this advice in the consideration of what it cost you.

I've never seen that...

What happened? Anything we can all watch out for?

That is awesome!

Extremely cool. Mine is being made right now. How long before you started getting pictures?

Well done. Now start your instrument rating tomorrow (you can take Thanksgiving off).

If there were an afterburner I'd use it. Think of it this way. It's more efficient and cost effective to fly a 201 ROP than buy the next model up and fly LOP at the same speeds. Think of flying ROP as saving money, and the hassle, of having to trade-up.

"To Conquer The Air," is a fantastic history of the race to become the first person to fly. It would make a fantastic movie as the competition between the Wrights and Langely is a picture ready struggle: http://www.amazon.com/Conquer-Air-Wright-Brothers-ebook/dp/B007SO32IS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383444540&sr=1-1&keywords=To+Conquer+the+air Howard Hughes: The Untold Story is the most interesting book about an aviator I have ever read. That said, a lot of its content is not about flying, but it is about 20x more interesting than the film, "The Aviator." You just can't make up some of the unbelievable things he did and perhaps it might have taken the film "The Aviator" into the realm of the absurd had they portrayed them. Still, I wish they had: http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Hughes-Untold-Story-ebook/dp/B001FOPTVK/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383444673&sr=1-3&keywords=Howard+Hughes

The NSA has put cameras in all our planes (sic).

Check your rigging, asap! Also possible that you didn't retract the cowl flaps all the way after the climb...or they are currently rigged to trail for cooling (when in the closed position).

Even though you are a traitor (sic), feel free to come over to my hangar sometime and have a soda.

The phoenix rises!

I've tried to get Wing X to put in a reminder option, at a pre-determined altitude (at destination), but I've had no luck convincing them. Maybe, a couple of you would like to send them an email?

I can let mine go from 3.4 million dollars (which is just enough to get a Socata TBM 850).

201 is the sweet spot.

Mine leaks. Good suggestions.

Speed brakes are awesome and you can even use them to julienne vegetables, after you land. Conversation closed.

Nice yokes.

Today, I was told I was 60 knots faster than the traffic at my 12 o'clock and it was suggested that I should climb for that and other traffic issues I was having/creating.

Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch!

Unlike all of the naysayers who would poo poo on your dream, I'd like to encourage you in your quest by giving you specific advice. First, buy as many weather balloons as possible and attach them to your plane (naturally get the necessary STC approvals): http://www.amazon.com/30ft-Professional-Weather-Balloon-1200g/dp/B00513FWQI/ref=pd_cp_hi_2 Use them to get to the edge of space and then ignite the rockets that you have strapped to the wings of your plane (I'll let others argue on the best choice of equipment). Breaking free of earth's gravity, you will use the gravitational pull of the moon to make the rest of the journey and then slingshot back to earth using the same methodology. I'm afraid you won't be able to land, but hey...we're trying to keep it simple. Here's the calculus you'll need: http://courses.ncssm.edu/math/NCSSM%20Student%20Materials/InvestigationsTrimester%203/Moon.pdf

Can you please tape this? Wish I was there to see it...

Are touch and goes doable in a Mooney, of course. Is the additional risk worth the benefit? I personally do not think so. Is flying around the Grand Canyon worth the risk? Absolutely.