N33GG

Living here in Texas, many of my flights are reduced to driving because of the risk of hail at the other airport with outdoor tie downs. Usually does not hail, but when it does, I sure am glad my aircraft is safe in a hangar. My flying is often between three specific airports, and one of them is just west of Fort Worth. I recently purchased a hangar lot there and am going to build a second hangar just to allow more flying without the risk of hail. Just can't stand the thought of my Mooney getting pounded!

I always seem to have hangars and aircraft that allow minimal space between wingtips and hangar doors. Sometimes, I have limited distance between trailing edge of wing (flaps or ailerons) and the hangar structure. Paint centerline stripe to help line up from outside and into the hangar out on the ramp and in the hangar is absolutely necessary in such cases. For the back wall of the hangar, instead of paint, I locate the center, and get the package of cheap reflectors at WalMart or other hardware store with the self stick backing, and stick a line of them right up the center of the back of the hangar. Reflectors are high visibility, and they make guiding the aircraft straight in a breeze. Paint stripe would work as well, but the package of reflectors is fast, easy, and cheap. Also, if the spacing to the trailing edge of the wing or tail is a factor, I fasten a board(s) as a stop for the main wheels to the floor of the hangar. No question when the airplane is in far enough, but not too far. Works great for those nights when you are tired and just want to not screw up. Just remember, it's not really a hangar, it's a toy box!

I feel your pain!!!

He may now know that he was taken for a ride, but you have to love the thought of the fact that, if only for a brief period of time, he probably was already counting the money. He probably swallowed the hook, line, and sinker. Heck, he may have already started spending some of the money. Imagine his let down when he figured out that he was the one now being scammed! Sweeeeeeet!

Quote: THASE Unfortunately, it will end with the crook moving on to another product and another victim. In his/her country, one successful scam and they're rich.

OK, before I say anything else, what can I say, other than I enjoy Elvira's Movie Macabre? For those who aren't familiar, these are old horror movies with comments provided by Elvira herself, and the whole thing is pretty darned funny, IMHO. I set my recorder to record the movie each week which comes on late at night or early morning, and I watch them when I have the time and want something different. Go to www.elvira.com or google "elvira movie macabre" if you want more info on when and what channel in your particular market area. Anyway, back to Mooneys... A recent episode I watched last night was titled something like "I Eat Your Skin" and was from 1964. It involved a voodoo island in a remote part of the Carribean. In the movie, our heros flew to this island in a Mooney, round windows and all! It had lots of great shots inside and outside of the aircraft including instrument panel. Unfortunately, in 1964 they didn't have electronic fuel flow totalizers, and they ran out of fuel just before reaching the island, but thankfully made it to the beach and made an emergency landing on the sand. They were showing a close-up shot of the 6-pack cluster with the Mooney logo, and clearly both thanks were empty. Wow, what drama! They had natives help move the aircraft away from the incoming tide...definately not approved moving technique! At one point in the movie, they were talking about rescuing another two people on the island, and said it would be no problem getting six people on board, and taking off on the wet sand when the tide would be out. Well, so much for reality of the whole thing. But I guess when you watch a '64 horror flick about a voodoo island, getting six people into a Mooney isn't that big of a reach. I checked the N Number on the registry, and it is not in use. From what I saw, chances are that the movie either ended or dramatically shortened that particular Mooney's life. Maybe voodoo got to it. Anyone work on this movie or know anything else about the history of this Mooney? I won't give away the ending of the movie...you will have to watch it for yourself.

I heard Trey had a nasty fall and broke some bones recently. I hope he is doing alright. Anybody know his status?

AWESOME YOKES!!! I have heard great things about Aero Comfort, and am going to eventually get mine done as well. Just need a few more AMUs... I am also debating between Bose and Lightspeed, and will be purchasing one or the other soon. (No offense Aero Comfort, but at my age, what remains of my hearing comes before my yokes, although I would prefer to have both!) I have owned and used both Bose and Lightspeed extensively in the past with older models, but have not used the A20 or Zulu. Interesting posts... thanks everybody!

When they fish it out and let it dry off, it will be interesting to see where it pops up for sale.... and what story goes along with it.... find out and remember that N-Number!

Quote: Seth Actually, there are words for it: "Duh, Winning" and "Tiger Blood" If you listen, you just know he's on something or messed up in the head. And I guess "He" is both Charlie and this idiot pilot.

WOW... there just aren't any words for this one.

Quote: JimR My understanding is that chroming, although fairly commonly found on certificated airplanes, is technically not approved by the FAA and can alter the metallurgy of the aluminum. I'd go with a good polishing job, but you need to know going in that it takes a fair amount of work to keep a polished spinner looking good long term. Jim http://www.piperowner.org/component/content/article/70-should-you-chrome-plate-your-spinner.html

Great report Hank. Glad you and your aircraft are OK.

Quote: Vref they are DZUS fasteners - not zus. just sayin.. :-)

Excellent example of good decision making in the cockpit to deal with the problem. Don't be afraid to refuse a clearance, and don't be afraid to declare an emergency before you are going down, and while you still have time to do something about it. Good job, Captain!

You might want to consider Dr. Krass in the Ft. Worth area. It would take a day trip, but it might be worth it. Flight physicals is the only thing he does, and he does a lot of them. Most of the airline pilots in DFW area use him, but he does Class III's as well. He absolutely knows the system, and is the guy you want if you have any concerns with your health. I used to go to various AME's, but have now been going to Krass for many years, and he is the only AME I will go to. Even if I live in Akaska or Hawaii in the future, I will find a way to get back to DFW for my medical with Krass. He is a great guy, very relaxing, and a pro at what he does. His number is 817-282-0274. Good luck.

Quote: Amelia I learned in a vintage C-150- under a demanding CFI who made sure we wrung that thing out, spins and all. Bought half of a C-172, got 700 hours, much of that seriously cross-country, and yes, across the Rockies, over the Sierras, and into Tahoe maybe a half-dozen times, and earned an instrument rating in that. THEN I bought 1/4 of a Mooney 231, and learned a whole bunch more.

Quote: sleepingsquirrel OK,so now I'm thinking that my M20B has plenty of rudder,I'm just to short to exercise all of it! Maybe all I need to land in a 20 kt cross wind would be rudder pedal extensions? I felt much better blaming the pitiful rudder authority on my Mooney, rather than , I can't reach the rudder pedals. I could however make a fortune on placards: MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED CROSS WIND: NO PEDAL EXTENSIONS 11 KTS 1.5 INCH EXTENSIONS 15 KTS 3 INCH EXTENSIONS 25 KTS

I would recommend not using your Mooney to learn in. As stated before, training will be hard due to mistakes made during the process. But, even if you are a perfect student, and never make a mistake (good luck with that one), private pilot training requires certain procedures that would be hard on your engine and aircraft. For example, sudden power out to learn and practice emergency procedures is not something I would want to do to my engine on a regular basis. And double that comment if you get anything with a turbo. And there are other things too... There are good reasons they are called trainers, and there is no shame in using a trainer. And you won't lose that much time getting to flying your Mooney either. Go get a trainer, get your license, and then get checked out in a Mooney. Sincere advice from someone that has done more than a little instructing over many years.

I am 6 feet tall, but have a long torso and short legs. Some problems related to legs not reaching are not just limited to "short people". With the pilot seat at almost full forward, I do not need the extensions, and am just fine in Mooneys. My usual problem with a long torso is inadequate head room, in both planes and cars (can be very annoying). There have been many cars and planes I have wanted to enjoy that I just didn't fit in. The good news for me and other tall people is that the Mooney has plenty of head room. No problems here. The Mooneys are pretty amazing at being able to accomodate all shapes and sizes of people. Marty, welcome to the forum. Mooneys are great aircraft. Good luck with your search. George

Quote: flyboy0681 My only trepidation at this point is if we buy now we may miss out on incentives later.

More important that all of that, at least for me, you have a strong advocate...Don Maxwell.

I went back and forth on the decision between Horizon and EI. Both look like excellent units with various pros and cons, and not a clear choice either way.

I had been reading this thread, and last week my tach quit in flight. I looked at the RPM reading zero, and I was relieved to confirm it was the gauge and my engine was in fact still running. Not an easy choice, but I have decided to try the EI unit. I will give any thoughts and opinions after I get it installed and a little time on it. It sounds like there are many good choices out there.

FYI...it was a Lycoming IO-540 (non turbo)