HRM

New article in P&P on this (Mooney Ceasing Production). Sort of sad, especially this: "Despite best-in-class performance, a recently updated design that includes larger windows and a second, pilot-side entry door, the aircraft have sold poorly even at a time when sales of some competitors’ planes have held steady or surged."

Close-up of the plaque below. The absolute beauty of this exhibit is that the frame is uncovered and you see the incredible woodworking skill of the Mooney factory not to mention the controls and retractable gear mechanism. In fact, the woodwork may have been done by Art Mooney himself (Al's brother).

I finally got to the new Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston on Saturday and it was special ‘cause they let vets in for free all weekend and today. The museum was in Galveston for quite a while and was severely damaged by one of the hurricanes. I had visited it last just before it moved to Ellington. Anyway, I was blown away by what they have done. As I got closer to the airport I saw what I thought was a brand new, ultra-modern terminal building that turned out to be the museum. The place is just over the top! Anyway, the reason I am posting here is that the museum is very Mooney centric (see photos, the “Naked Mite” is just too cool) and has a simulator room with eight or so stations where you can fly an Ovation. I found that to be quite humbling Something worth seeing and you can fly in if you like—they are also very pilot friendly.

Hangar elves.

Frankly, if you are a pilot you need to get your feathers ruffled on occasion, builds character and also tends to tone down that basic pilot's affliction: inflated ego. Besides, ruffling feathers works for birds, why not pilots? Ruffled feathers: Birds will ruffle or fluff their feathers during the preening process. This helps remove any dirt or feather dust, and also helps to return the feathers to their normal position. Birds may also be observed fluffing their feathers as a way to relieve tension.

I suggest you let it leak out completely and then use it as an "Aviation Object D'art" in your office, mancave, hangar, etc. (see photo). Then get you a PAI-700 and leave it on the co-pilot's seat. The hangar elves will find it and install it for you. When you go in for annual and your IA says "W(here)TF did that come from?" you just tell him the truth: hangar elves. Then tell him you want him to add a compass swing to the annual and you are good. The PAI-700 is really spectacular, like a Mother Nature powered HI!

That looks good, but not as comfortable as the straps. I also wonder about weight. In other words, why didn't Mooney just use metal handles? Anyway, you can buy a 'track ready' Porsche 911 (RSR) where the interior is pretty much stripped and the door handles have been replaced by straps---again, for weight saving (although there the entire mechanism is gone).

I am pretty sure the strap above the visor on the copilot side goes to tapped plates welded to the cage. I can't remember what the door strap is mounted to, but it is certainly not the plastic panel and it is more than sturdy enough to allow you to do what you shouldn't do (slam the door).

I've used the online free SavvyAnalysis system for years and really love it as a flight logging method and I have never found the need for Savvy's subscription engine analysis service. Mike takes all the data that we freely upload to him and does statistical analyses (he's a mathematician) on it that feeds his maintenance philosophy, books and talks. He is a total straight shooter and a master at his craft, bar none. I have his books, he is quite a heretic when it comes to maintenance. Oh, what's one of the hallmarks of a master? He's not afraid to ask for a second opinion. I like what @Junkman said: "Think of it as sort of AAA for your airplane". Great to have and really want to never have to use it.

LOL. I have various markers lined up to let me know "when it's time" for various things. One of those is the Mooney, when I can no longer get to the pilot's seat it will be time for a Cessgnat. A buddy who is an FSDO up north made the following FB comment when he saw I bought a Mooney: You don't fly a Mooney, you wear it!

Excellent point. Aircraft that cannot fly can be very expensive to move.

Finally got some wind beneath my wings today. This photo is after the flight, with my two gorgeous mechanical babes in the same shot. Fun fact: Vne on the E is 189 and the top speed of the 911 is 179. So, I get in, get ready to start and my checklist booklet is missing. I hoofed it. BTW, thanks guys for the insurance thread, I was EXTRA CAREFUL with the gear. Headed down the RWY, no ASI. Too late, Mooney loves to fly and takes off on her own so I hoofed it until I realized about 10 minutes out from the airport that maybe, just maybe, pitot heat might get it back. It did. The engine ran like it was in the Arctic (that's a good thing in Southeast Texas). I started to close the roof vent scoop and then thought better of it--better to fly with a cold draft than no draft come summer should the cable break Got back and had the tower say, "Sir, you look like you are on line with 16 (I was CTL for 12)". Normally, some controllers are just very respectful or they are former military, but this "Sir" read out as: Hey you old fart, you're heading towards the wrong RWY. <sigh> Still a great flight and she put the step down!

You really do not understand the mind of the thief. Then after they discover that it can't be fenced, they toss it in the nearest trash can.

I am totally enjoying this thread. Age is, indeed, a mind thing. #1 on my 'bucket list' is to join the UFOs. Don't visit their website if you are younger than 80, it's just scary. Wifey retired last year from 30+ years teaching K-12, most of it middle school. She still contends that I have the maturity of a 12 year old and if anyone knows the maturity of 12 YO boys, she does. Keeps me going.

Like some others, I made my own (well, wifey did the sewing). I used leather scraps from the upholstery. Worked great--did the door pull AND the one above the visor. Five years later, still look and work great. Used door one today

So, today I went flying, nice cool day. I stayed below 3000', but about 30 minutes into the flight I realized that I was getting a cold draft from the ceiling vents. I looked up at the control knob and started to reach up to bring the flap down and then thought better of it. That whole thing is a beyotch to work with (as you have discovered). I decided a bit of cold air now was fine vs having to fix the damn thing if that cable broke. In Southeast Texas having it closed is just a small amount of time against wanting it full open! Next time I fly I'll just wear a fuzzy hat.

So I did OK since my premiums went up by 0.1 AMU this year

So, got this today and had forgot about the fact that I had it last year. Anybody have it and have to use it? Recall that Savvy is Mike Busch's company. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Welcome to another year of Global Aircraft Breakdown Assistance fueled by Savvy Aviation.By renewing your aircraft insurance policy for 1965 Mooney M20 (A/B/C/D/E/G) N5976Q with Global Aerospace, Inc. you have locked in another year of free breakdown assistance coverage for all your cross-country flights. You can fly with confidence that you'll have Savvy's expert A&P/IA technicians available to assist you 24/7 should you have an aircraft problem while away from home base.Should you need help, please continue to use the toll-free hotline number provided in your original welcome packet (attached here again for reference).We look forward to serving you.Thank you,Your SavvyAviation Team

Yep, those of us with the split tail get a bye. The whole thing with the SkyBeacon is the antenna; i.e., fin. Of course, the operative question is whether that fin has any effect when flapped back and forth with the rudder.

The little cap protects against those, but many have voiced concern, and this holds for the SkyBeacon as well, about theft--especially tied down at an airport somewhere overnight, or even a couple of days. It's an expensive little bobble poking out there. I am wondering about replacing one of the screws with a tamperproof one. Like avionics in the cockpit, if they want it they'll get it, but a tamperproof screw would slow someone down or make them reconsider the theft.

Here you go.

Exactly! That's why I was thrown off by the 'chute' thread--a completely different thing. In fact, from what I understand, activation of the ballistic chutes in these things is complicated and if the pilot is down the PAX may not be able to activate it or may activate it at the wrong time. My tongue-in-cheek point was that we are not far from completely self-flying GA, and where's the fun in that?

The former is litigation fodder, the latter smart(?) marketing. What's amusing to me is the audience. You can tell a lot about an audience watching the commercials for a TV show. One would think that the potential buyers of a half-million+ aircraft would be highly educated and easily able to read through nonsense. Then there was the V-35 "Doctor Killer"....<sigh>.

Colton Harris-Moore hopes to leave the ‘Barefoot Bandit’ moniker behind By Jason Rantz ShowMay 13, 2019 at 6:00 am Colton Harris-Moore asked a U.S. District Court judge in April to end his federal probation four months early so that he can become a motivational speaker. (KTTH image) Colton Harris-Moore has left the “Barefoot Bandit” moniker behind, and he says he’s been on the right path for months after his release from a nearly seven-year jail term. That jail term followed a string of thefts and burglaries, and included teaching himself to steal and fly multiple aircraft. Now he’s asking the judge to be let off of probation early, with only four months remaining. Harris-Moore joined the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH to discuss his checkered past and what he hopes to do in the near future. “It’s been nearly 10 years since all this started,” he said. “Every bit of time counts and my goal is to take back my life and regain my freedom, and if I can do that four months early, I’m going to do that.” Colton Harris-Moore says he’s been building relationships and working on several projects, including potentially becoming a motivational speaker.

Now you have my attention...and BTW, a huge 'Thank You' for posting. The tail of The Mistress is exactly the same as your C. So after all the fuss over the W&B, flutter, etc., etc., etc., what is your take on the mod having flown it about?