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When I was 17 and living in Germany, I was coming back to the US by myself to visit family and got stuck in London when the air traffic system in Europe went on strike. Had no money, no credit cards, and no where to go, so I sat and slept in a dark airport for about a day and a half. A flight crew came by and saw me and got permission, I guess, to let me get on a ferry flight to New York on a 747. Just me and the flight crew. At the time, I had flown only gliders in Germany, but I loved flying. They invited me to the cockpit, and let me ride in the co-pilot seat and play with radios, controls and autopilot. It was AWESOME!!! I don't think that would happen today...

RC is a blast. You can even drink on final approach!!! Great fun.

Sadly, GA has taken a similar downward slide. We used to be welcome and admired at all airspace and airports, regardless of what aircraft we were flying. Glad I got to enjoy those years... Probably better for the new crowd not to know what they are missing...

Clearly, it was a middle-aged Christian white male that was angry and a member of the Tea Party.

If it ain't Boeing, I ain't going!

And Washinton has already announced that there is no evidence of terrorism. Amazing!

I like the ending to this story. Congratulations!!!

Mooneys are great. Just don't make it a high wing! :-)

Sounds like you did everything just right! After all, there is nothing like a good protective coating of oil on your aircraft to keep corrosion away.

If you don't want to pay the price for an A36 Bonanza, a Piper Saratoga is very hard to beat for performance and utility. Be sure to get retract gear, and non turbo, unless you really need the performance. The Lance is not even close to the Saratoga...FYI.

Your M20A looks awesome! You might also give Don Maxwell a call for any parts or needs.

Enjoy it while you can. When you get older, you may find those bathroom breaks not so optional or discretionary! Congrats... cool job on the trip!

Most of the time, I fly with a thumb and one finger. Really let's you know when you are out of trim. And no, I do not fly the plane with the trim wheel. The thumb and finger technique is especially useful when IFR. It is when you get stressed that you tend to grasp the yoke too hard and lose track of trim. Being out of trim in IMC is dangerous when you need to do something and the plane gets away from you, instead of continuing on the desired path. FWIW YMMV etc.

PP training in any aircraft should include all aircraft flight control systems, power management, navigation, communication, airports, winds aloft, cross country, and on and on. As already stated, some aircraft are more demanding of trim than others, but you can expose the student to trim in any aircraft. BTW, there are aircraft much more demanding when it come to trim than a Mooney. But it wouldn't make sense to do PP training in a Mooney, much less an Mu-2 or other complex aircraft. With all that is included in a complete PP training program, we are exposed to a lot of information, systems, and concepts. The fact is few PP students master much of anything, in spite of what they might think. The goal is to produce a safe and competent pilot that can continue learning and master these things as they gain more experience. Some students can be a bit inaccurate when conveying what they have, or should have learned. I once flew with a PP student near the end of the program on a cross country flight. I asked when were they going to adjust the mixture. The student asked what I was talking about, so I pointed at the mixture and said that control. The student said the instructor told them to never touch that knob. Fact was, I knew that instructor, and I knew better. This student was scared of killing the engine in flight. When I hear something that doesn't quite sound right about what an instructor said, I first get out a grain of salt, just in case...

I have had many planes and many batteries. I have had great luck (long dependable service) with Concorde, especially the sealed version, and pretty rotten luck with Gill. Don't know why, just my experience. I have owned and used several BatteryMinders for years. Anyone her have any experience with the CTEK (sp?) chargers! I recently ran across some very experienced aircraft owners that swear by them.

Friends don't let friends buy used gyros.

Wood wing?

I think that is how some doctors still operate. Just kidding!

Don...don't feel bad. They were $250 when the first hit the market...don't ask me how I know!

Congrats! BTW, that is the first Mooney Don Maxwell ever flew.

Bad hail is fairly common in DFW area. Good luck!

Being a CFII/MEI myself, I assure you we CFIs can screw up as good as any other pilots out there, regardless of ratings.

Unless it involves both engines...

You could always say "unable", but that would be a bit adversarial and unnecessary. Always be ready to talk to controllers about what is going on, in a non confrontational and friendly tone. IFR is a team sport. I have had many weird directions and clearances. Early in my career, I was hesitant to visit with ATC. But as I experienced more and more, it became just a matter of procedure. Most controllers welcome this win-win dialogue. If all else fails, and you feel real danger, you can always say "unable", and that will certainly get a conversation going. Whatever you do, don't be a jerk. Controllers don't need jerk pilots, just like we don't need jerk controllers. FWIW YMMV etc...

I think the Skipper had the lightest flight controls, especially the ailerons, of any aircraft I ever flew. Very impressive.