bucko

Hi All; Just wanted to send out a short report on the recent Mooney Caravan Formation Flying Clinic that took place this past weekend at San Marcos, TX (KHYI). We had 9 "Newbies", myself included. The Mooney Caravan group came through with Safety Pilots flying in from all over the country, including one from the Beechcraft B2OSH group, and several Military IP's (Instructor Pilots) from the local airbase. The course started out with a briefing at the hosting FBO, Redbird Skyport, on Friday night, followed by flying sorties on Saturday and Sunday. The entire operation was professionally done and safety was the major priority. Each sortie was carefully planned and pre-briefed. and then flown as planned. There was a post flight debriefing where each pilot (Newbie and Safety) discussed everything that happened- what went well/ what didn't/ what changes or improvements could be made/ etc. Everyone there said it was great and all expressed interest in coming back next year (yes, this will become an annual event). Several people spoke about bringing more Mooney friends and their planes with them to the next one. Even the military IP's (who were initially a bit concerned about flying with "civilians" in GA equipment) praised the program and said that they would tell their fellow pilots that "this was done right and a lot of fun". I see more of them being available next year, should we need additional SP's. So that it basically it, except for mentioning the incredible camaraderie that pilots have when sharing actual flying together, meals, and fantastic stories of aviation prowess. I cannot wait to get together and do this all again. Bucko Strehlow M20-E

The Mooney Formation Flying Clinic will be coming soon at San Marcus, TX, (KHYI) starting Friday, June 20th, through Sunday, June 22nd. Come learn a new skill (Formation Flying) and meet some great Mooney people and fellow pilots. PM me for more details, or look up on earlier Forums (in General Mooney Talk or Caravan sections). Sign up ends June 10th, so we can get the number of students and Formation Pilot observers set. Bucko Strehlow M20-E (210) 887-0144 bucko5@satx.rr.com

I'm looking forward to the Caravan to Oshkosh this summer, as well as the Formation Flying Clinic in Texas (KHYI) on June 20th to 22nd. Both are going to be a lot of fun. Bucko

Greetings Mooney Enthusiasts, The Mooney Caravan organization is actively seeking participants for this year's Caravan to Oshkosh. To this end, a number of Formation Flying clinics are being organized around the country. If you are located in the Texas area, and have interest in going to Oshkosh in style or just want to have some local fun with formation flying, please join us for the weekend of June 20th to 23rd at KHYI in San Marcos, TX. This event will provide an environment for you to learn basic formation flying skills. Since you are already a competent and experienced Mooney pilot, you have little to learn. I'm sure you will find that formation flying enhances flying skills as well as flying camaraderie. The deadline for sign up for this event is June 10th, 2014, so if you have any interest, reach out now and let me know. You can find more information about formation training on the Caravan website at https://sites.google...neycaravan/home Tailwinds and high speeds; Bucko Strehlow M20-E (210) 887-0144 bucko.strehlow@gmail.com <With thanks to Sled, who's post I used to format this one.>

Greetings Mooney Enthusiasts, The Mooney Caravan organization is actively seeking participants for this year's Caravan to Oshkosh. To this end, a number of Formation Flying clinics are being organized around the country. If you are located in the Texas area, and have interest in going to Oshkosh in style or just want to have some local fun with formation flying, please join us for the weekend of June 20th to 23rd at KHYI in San Marcos, TX. This event will provide an environment for you to learn basic formation flying skills. Since you are already a competent and experienced Mooney pilot, you have little to learn. I'm sure you will find that formation flying enhances flying skills as well as flying camaraderie. The deadline for sign up for this event is June 10th, 2014, so if you have any interest, reach out now and let me know. You can find more information about formation training on the Caravan website at https://sites.google...neycaravan/home Tailwinds and high speeds; Bucko Strehlow M20-E (210) 887-0144 bucko.strehlow@gmail.com <With thanks to Sled, who's post I used to format this one.>

Hi All; This is to confirm my earlier communication about having a Mooney Caravan Formation Flying Clinic in San Marcos, Texas, starting Friday, June 20th through Sunday, June 22. Location: KHYI (San Marcos, TX) FBO: Redbird Skyport (512) 878-6670 Contact: Bucko Strehlow 8 Corby Lane San Antonio, TX 78218 (210) 887-0144 bucko.strehlow@gmail.com Purpose: Train pilots to safely perform formation flying using classroom briefings and actual aircraft in actual conditions. A professional learning format, with pre and post flight briefings, and safety pilots conducting the clinic and riding in the training aircraft. Why you should do it: 1. To be able to fly into Oshkosh in an organized group (with the Mooney Caravan), and with more safely than using the FISK arrival. 2. To learn new skills and make yourself a better pilot. 3. Because IT IS A LOT OF FUN. Sign Up Deadline: Tuesday, June 10th. This is to allow us to get enough Safety Pilots for the course. Safety Pilots will be coming from California, Arizona, Kansas, and Texas, and we need time to organize how many are required. Cost: $ 65 This is due at Sign Up. This covers dinner on Friday night, as well as lunch and dinner on Saturday. It will also be used to buy beer and sodas for the dinner Saturday night. Hotel: Still deciding if we will be staying at the Hampton Inn ($ 99/night with free breakfast and restaurant nearby) or the Embassy Suites ($ 122/night with free breakfast as well as restaurant/ bar in the facility). You pay for your hotel room, and are free to either stay with the group or to make your own arrangements. Transportation: Van or vans through the FBO will be rented. Homework: Download and read the "Mooney Caravan Formation Guide" prior to attending the clinic. It can be downloaded from the mooneycaravan.com website from a link in the "Training" section. I know: there is a lot of information there. The important items will be covered at the Basic Formation Ground School on Friday night, but you need to read the Guide so that the information presented at the briefing will be somewhat familiar to you. So, sign up if you are coming by sending your $ 65 to me at the above contact address. Also include your ratings (SEL, IFR, Comm'l, etc), approximate flying hours, Mooney Model, and whether you'll be flying with the Caravan into KOSH this year or in the future. If you are like me, I was planning to go to Oshkosh this year but was planning to land at a satellite airfield because I did not enjoy the VFR arrival. Having done the Formation Flying Clinic earlier this year in Yuma, AZ, I am now going to join the Mooney Caravan and arrive in style and safety. Tailwinds and High Speed; Bucko M20-E

Hi All; This is to confirm my earlier communication about having a Mooney Caravan Formation Flying Clinic in San Marcos, Texas, starting Friday, June 20th through Sunday, June 22. Location: KHYI (San Marcos, TX) FBO: Redbird Skyport (512) 878-6670 Contact: Bucko Strehlow 8 Corby Lane San Antonio, TX 78218 (210) 887-0144 bucko.strehlow@gmail.com Purpose: Train pilots to safely perform formation flying using classroom briefings and actual aircraft in actual conditions. A professional learning format, with pre and post flight briefings, and safety pilots conducting the clinic and riding in the training aircraft. Why you should do it (Chose all that apply): 1. To be able to fly into Oshkosh in an organized group (with the Mooney Caravan), and with more safely than using the FISK arrival. 2. To learn new skills and make yourself a better pilot. 3. Because IT IS A LOT OF FUN. Sign Up Deadline: Tuesday, June 10th. This is to allow us to get enough Safety Pilots for the course. Safety Pilots will be coming from California, Arizona, Kansas, and Texas, and we need time to organize how many are required. Cost: $ 65 This is due at Sign Up. This covers dinner on Friday night, as well as lunch and dinner on Saturday. It will also be used to buy beer and sodas for the dinner Saturday night. Hotel: Still deciding if we will be staying at the Hampton Inn ($ 99/night with free breakfast and restaurant nearby) or the Embassy Suites ($ 122/night with free breakfast as well as restaurant/ bar in the facility). You pay for your hotel room, and are free to either stay with the group or to make your own arrangements. Transportation: Van or vans through the FBO will be rented. Homework: Download and read the "Mooney Caravan Formation Guide" prior to attending the clinic. It can be downloaded from the mooneycaravan.com website from a link in the "Training" section. I know: there is a lot of information there. The important items will be covered at the Basic Formation Ground School on Friday night, but you need to read the Guide so that the information presented at the briefing will be somewhat familiar to you. So, sign up if you are coming by sending your $ 65 to me at the above contact address. Also include your ratings (SEL, IFR, Comm'l, etc), approximate flying hours, Mooney Model, and whether you'll be flying with the Caravan into KOSH this year or in the future. If you are like me, I was planning to go to Oshkosh this year but was planning to land at a satellite airfield because I did not enjoy the VFR arrival. Having done the Formation Flying Clinic earlier this year in Yuma, AZ, I am now going to join the Mooney Caravan and arrive in style and safety. Tailwinds and High Speed; Bucko M20-E

My E was at the MAPA Convention. It's not pretty enough (except to me) to win any beauty competitions, but TAS of 150 knots at 7-8,000 feet with a fuel flow of 8 gph (LOP, but we're not going into that) makes her my baby.

Very cool. Nice to see Jr in action, with lights on and landing gear retracting. Its engine noise isn't quite the same as your Rocket rumble, though.

Hi All; As you may or may not know, AOPA is having their first Aviation Summit at KHYI (San Marcos) on Saturday, April 26th. We will have a table there as well as (at least 2) display Mooney aircraft for people to see up close. If you fly your planes there early enough, we may be able to all park together. Anyone who wants to help out passing out Mooney items, coloring pictures of Mooney planes, or just talk to people about Mooneys made here in Texas by hand and why we like to fly them, just let me know and come on down. On Saturday, May 3rd, we are having a Mooney Fly In for Lunch at Lonestar Executive (KCXO) in Conroe, TX, The Galaxy FBO has a restaurant on the second floor that overlooks the airfield. Plan on getting there about 11 am or so, so we can all sit together. Also in May, from the 16th to the 18th, is the Fly In at KBBD in Brady, TX. We are planning to come for the Saturday activities on the 17th. Unfortunately, I will not be able to be there, but it should be fun. I've gone there for the past 2 years and always had a great time. The food was good. There are warbirds to look at, and the people are friendly. Hey, it's Texas. Formation Flying training in June, probably on the 20th to the 22nd. Probably in San Marcus (KHYI), but dates and locations are still being finalized. This is a work in progress, and I will keep you informed as we figure it out. Tail Winds and High Speeds; Bucko Strehlow M20-E

201 for me as well. But I'm not giving up my E.

We'll discuss logistics (dates, locations, and numbers) in the next several weeks and let everyone know the details about the Texas Formation Flying Clinic coming in June.

Including the 3 people that have indicated their interest in this topic list above, we now have 15 people who want to do a Formation FLying Clinic in Texas in June. We are working with the Mooney Caravan organizers to set up the schedule and safety pilots. We'll keep you posted on this list and others as the details are finalized. This is going to be great.

I did the Yuma Formation Flying clinic last weekend as well. It was terrific. Great bunch of people and the flying was challenging but fun. I've already signed up for the Mooney Caravan arrival to Oshkosh in July. Bucko M20-E