Skywarrior

Headset: (1) David Clamp - Check PTT: Check Chuck M.

Bob: KSAT >> Villa Rica, GA, via Omaha

Hello, all - Picking up my new-to-me Mooney next week. Never owned an airplane before. What essential items should I order this week to get me ready for my mandatory-twenty-hours-with-an-Instructor-before-I-can-solo X-Country? (Obviously, charts, AFD, POH, FAR/AIM, fuel cup, paper towels, toothbrush and extra underpants. But I'm sure there are things I won't think of (until it's too late).) Thanx, Chuck M.

Mooneyland.com has a photo of a 401kt GS in a Mooney.

Tune in next week for the conclusion of... " Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!

What is USAA? Chuck M.

No accidents listed. Chuck M.

No accidents listed. Chuck M.

Hello, all - An exhaust transition in my Bravo's engine is pitted, and must be repaired or replaced. How does this pitting happen? Is it just part of ordinary wear & tear? Or is it due to overtemping? My mech says he's heard that it is common at around 1000 hrs. Anybody disagree with that? This was found during the pre-buy. I would like to prevent it in the future. Chuck M.

conon06d: Hmmm... if the Sedona approach gives you the *illusion* that you are high, wouldn't you want to keep your approach *shallower* ? Chuck M.

Just because Cirrus has a ballistic chute doesn't mean it's a good idea. Adding that to a revamped Mooney would be a waste of engineering time & money. Mooney needs a new leader who has new ideas, and the personal power to make things happen. As a mental exercise, what would Steve Jobs (Apple, Inc.) do if he took over Mooney? - Killer avionics set into a very easy-to-use panel ? - Internet connectivity at each seat ? - Turboprop option, with top speed 400+ KTAS ? - Fly-By-Wire option ? - Pressurized cabin option ? - Gull-wing doors on each side ? Chuck M.

I was 'told' there was no STC for O2 in '79s. Chuck M.

Spanky, I haven't heard 'gouge' since the Nav. You must be a squid. IIRC, the speed brakes are broke on that bird, and the 430 is non-WAAS. The owner repainted it because the paint was so bad. It has spent most of its time outdoors - have a look at the cloudiness on the airspeed indicator. Chuck M.

AOPA wants 15% down. That's my major stumbling block. Chuck

Hello, all - In need of a lender you folks like who will take a 10% down payment on an A/C loan (a Mooney, of course). Beacon? Somebody else? I just got left in a lurch due to Navy Federal Credit Union rejecting me (even though my credit and debt-to-income ratio are both great). Just finished an acceptable pre-buy, so the seller is understandably antsy. Thanx, Chuck in Atlanta

Hello, all - First soloed thirty years ago in a T-28, now purchasing my first aircraft. I grew up in the world of LORAN, NDBs and VORs. I am not as versed in the world of GPS avionics. I have a bird in the shop for pre-buy right now, and if all goes well, I want to upgrade the existing GNS530 to the WAAS-capable version of same. This bird has a KFC150 A/P. I understand I need to buy a GPSS converter to get the A/P to fly commands from the GNS530W. Am I understanding this correctly? Can anyone recommend a good GPSS converter for this combo? Thanx, Chuck

Hello, all - I am in the throes of deciding on my first Mooney - first airplane period, in fact. I have found a decent '87 252, but also found a decent '91 Bravo. The Bravo is $30K more than the 252, but has a G430 and the powerplant has only ~300 hours on it. DH: none. The 252 is a bit older, has a mid-life engine, and no fancy dashboard geegaws. DH: 1 gear-up. I would love to get y'all's input on which is a better purchase for a person whose 75% mission is me and the wifelet, min. bags, 500 miles. Purchase price is not a big issue, or I would have just snapped up the 252. I'm trying to achieve greatest long-term value & satisfaction. Continental vs. Lycoming? Long-body vs. not-quite-as-long-body? Thirsty engine vs. not-so-thirsty engine? And why do you feel that way? (etc., etc.) Thanx, Chuck

Thanx to all who have responded. I am considering my options. This is a great list. Chuck

Hello, all - Can anyone recommend a Mooney-experienced and Atlanta-based CFII to help me bring home a Mooney 252TSE from San Antonio to Atlanta? Also, can anyone recommend a good San Antonio Mooney A&P for a pre-buy in San Antonio? Thanx, Chuck