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My heart really goes out to you. I'm not sure I would be handling it as well as you are at this point. Somehow you seem to be very lucky, but are failing to channel the luck in the right direction? Until you get this channelling issue straightened out, I would buy all the insurance I could get.

It could be the gauge, but that would be quite a coincidence with all the recent changes that could affect the vacuum system. I would get it checked out. Good luck!

+1 I would be having a long talk with Don Maxwell if my nose gear collapsed while taxiing. It could happen, but I consider the odds pretty low with Don taking care of my aircraft, I don't really worry about it. Sure, any A&P is legal, and can read all they want to about Mooneys, and have years of experience, but an experienced Mooney mechanic will know exactly what to check and how.

Wait a minute. A prop strike with a 0 SMOH is a whole different deal than zero since IRAN. Different discussion altogether to me... Part of my problem with all of this is not knowing exactly how well they found everything. I could care less that paperwork is in place and the insurance company is happy. Doesn't make me feel better that I saved a few bucks when the engine starts running bad in the middle of the night...

Ouch! That really hurts. Sorry you are having to deal with this.

Hypothetically, all things being equal, I have a choice between two aircraft, one without a prop strike, and another with a prop strike... Hmmm, I really can't imagine thinking to myself: "Hey, good news, that aircraft has a prop strike, now that's a real plus!" But if it works for you, knock yourself out! IMHO YMMV etc.

Christmas Greetings from Fort Worth, Texas! 'Tis the season to fly safe...

Hertzliche Grusse Fritz! Ich habe in Stade als kind gewohnnen, und dar segelfliegen mit der Deutsche Bundesflugverein gelehrnt. Mien Deutsch ist heute leider schlecht. Welcome to Mooneyspace. George

Fantom speaks truth. Merry Christmas everybody!

You might decide you want another plane some day (although a Mooney M20D is awesome), but I would sure hang on to that wife.

Bevan-Rabell 316-946-4870 They know what they are doing and are experts with the old King radios.

Good luck with your back.

I am familiar with pretty much all of the insurance and legal protection angles and techniques. In my case, if all I had to worry about was covering the hull value of any Mooney, and that was the extent of my risk, I would still be instructing. The fact is, if there are injuries, even minor, or worse yet deaths, a couple of million liability may not do much for me, or my family. The odds are low that the worst would happen, but not zero.

I have similar leaking rivet on top of wing that only leaks when topped. I just don't fill it very far ahead of time, unless I have an early departure, and then I see blue. Burn about five gallons off, and no more stain. I don't worry about it, not that big of problem for me. I just fill up before departure. Very managable. I know there are reasons to keep tanks full. I just keep tanks mostly full when the aircraft is going to sit for a while. FWIW YMMV and etc.

Your Mooney is not really a Mooney, until it has earned it's stripes! Own one long enough, and you will get your turn. Good luck.

Good news is that you were in the DFW area where things are a bit more relaxed than other parts of the country. Places like SOCAL (southern california) and New York can have a bit less sense of humor with little errors. You don't have to ask me how I know...

After many years of instructing from primary to advanced ratings, helping people become pilots, helping good pilots become better pilots, no, I am not instructing any more. A lot of great memories, thousands of hours in the air, great friendships, and that is all history. If I was 21 years old and had nothing to lose, I would still do it. But I have had a successful life, and am on the other end of the curve, and don't want to risk losing it all and starting over at this age. Also, as much as I love flying and instructing, it would not be fair to my family that relies on me, and this is truly a bigger concern. My incident was a real wake up call from many more angles than just the FAA. (I handled my check ride just fine. The FSDO inspector that was assigned to me was very professional and I think he could tell I was a pretty competent pilot and instructor.) I thank God every day that nobody was physically injured. I am confident of my flying skills and ability to do everything by the book. But things can and do happen, airplanes do have mechanical failures, people (including me) make mistakes, and the risk is not zero. If you fly or instruct long enough, the odds are you will be in one of these situations eventually. Whether it is minor or major, you can be in for a storm of problems. Dark side may be an understatement, especially if you have any wealth. You may be shocked at how fast people and companies that you have helped for years turn against you. FWIW YMMV etc. etc. etc.

I do have a friend that had a massive heart attack in the last year or so, and he recently got his medical and flying privileges back. Gives me hope for when my turn comes...

Rats! At my age, and although I have no immediate issues, I would be interested in seeing what you have to say.

Congrats! Now shake it off and get back in the air. But be aware that they will likely keep this on file for 5 years, and you really don't want to get to see them again any time soon. I went through one of these check rides many years ago for riding in the right seat as a CFII/MEI and had the VERY EXPERIENCED pilot in the left seat pull the gear up after landing, instead of the flaps (in fact, he had already raised the flaps, and we were taxiing). He walked away clean, and the FAA dumped on me as the CFI. Reading this thread brings back a lot of painful memories. Again, glad you got through it OK!

Great looking logo on it too!

I too have been on the waiting list for years. I hope Brittain comes through for all of us eventually. My airplane has the Accutrac II tied to a Garmin 430W, and it flies extremely well for such a simple system, whether on GPS, VOR, or Localizer. All I need is the altitude hold to really have a nice system. It is a great example of KISS!

Awesome! I wish they had signed my airplane...

If I lived in Florida, I would have the plane fogged every year at annual to prevent corrosion getting started in the airframe and wings. I used to fly an Arrow IV in Florida. It flew so much in heavy rain that all of the leading edges had the paint worn off. Also, when it was tied down on a ramp, I would really give the fuel and pitot/static drains a good workout. Other than that, I would focus on enjoying the Floridian lifestyle!

Good luck. About 20 years ago, I went through several airplanes and ultimately ended up with a BE58TC with boots and FIKI everything. At the time, I was flying back and forth from Texas to California every week. And that went on throughout the year for several years, along with other flights to other parts of the country. Didn't have to use the de-ice that often, but it was a real comfort knowing it was there. When I did use it, it was awesome. I was at Maxwell's shop quite a bit when they were moding Parker's plane. Congrats on getting a really nice Mooney!