John Pleisse

I solo'ed on my 16th birthday on grass at Park Hall, MD (now closed). I had not landed on grass since, until about three years ago. I routinely land my 201 at Eagle's Nest (pvt- you must get to know the owner) north of the Delaware resort Beaches. It's a non issue for any Mooney. I didn't know how much I enjoyed sod. No chirp-chirp...you just flare and hear that sweet soft rumbling. Examining the codition of the runway prior is critical. Bumpy sod or ruts are too much for Mooney's of any type and will get you into tank reseal problems among worse.

Quote: jetdriven There have been several accidents related to the single mag. Most common is the mounting nut getting loose and the mag falling out of the accessory case. But also there can be crossfiring inside the mag causing both sides to fail. Impulse couple springs that break causing both sides of the mag to retard timing and lose power. Cam retaining screw being retightened without the proper new nut installed causing complete mag failure within a few minutes. Capacitor failure. The "single point failure" of this mag is not limited to the drive shaft, in fact the distributor gears are plastic.

Udvar Hazy is awesome. We live in DC and visit often. You should also read up on the stock piling of exhibits at the Smithsonian Silver Hill facility prior to the Hazy construction. It is facinating. I find Fantasy of Flight in Lakeland, FL comaparable and more kid friendly....no space shuttle, but amazing, fun and more hands on. No space shuttle however.

I have all three. I would also add MOA, inmho, is worthless.

88KIAS. The earlier J's are lighter AND have less drag.

Quote: Shadrach JP, I've met Neil a time or 2 but it was years ago. I would not even try to run with an S35 or better unless I was in an Ovation; then I'd be happy to fly circles around it on 20 less HP. I actually have some A36 (285hp) time and would call it an honest 165kt bird. I think the V-tails are visually stunning from every angle and truly admire the design. However, I've noticed that when Bo owners and admirers talk about "The Bonanza", they tend to neglect the fact that there've been nearly 30 different models to carry the name, with power plants ranging from 185hp to 300hp and real world cruise speeds from ~140kts to >200kts...They just take the sum of all of the best qualities of each into this mythical beast that needs no nomenclature and is simply "The Bonanza"... For some reason, they don't give Mooneys the same consideration, as no matter what year and model is being discussed they can only visualize the interiors of a A, B or C models and the the FF payload of a FIKI Acclaim with extended range tanks...

Quote: flyboy0681 I recently saw Aero-Comfort's handiwork in Gary's plane and it was quite extraordinary.

The examiner (Ross- Neil Samante from HGR) who did my commercial ride, had a 300hp V-Tail. After passing the test, we both departed FDK...me first. I started turning crosswind and looked behind me to see the thin profile of this Bo climbing behind me about to chew my tail off. I quickly leveled off to avoid the embarrassment, build some speed and not let him get me, to no avail. He caught up and blew by me at easily 170KTAS. I always tell Bonanza guys, that for the 12 KTAS they get....they also get a top OH at 750 hours, a sloppy CG creating less payload than a Mooney and burn $16 more per hour. That typically shuts them up quick. If they persist, I begin to discuss the front carry through spar AD and the fact that the American Bonanza Society is lving in denial. That usually caps it.

Is yours Aerocomfort Gary?

WOW, Ross! Pretty cool....eerie, but cool. JP

1) No Biggie 2) No Biggie 3) No Biggie You seem like a conciencious guy and these are small bonehead things you would never make a habbit of. I'd keep an eye on the oil temp and presure.

Quote: MATTS875 RBRIDGES, The Cirrus SR20 is a nice plane and very easy to handle.My annuals were around 8000.00 a year. I believe if I am not mistaken the parachute lines have to be re-reefed every 5 years. this is expensive.The basic annual with nothing fixed or parts was 2495.00.A great looking plane and fun to fly...I just could not justify it for the type of recreational flying I do.Thanks for the post

Low time airframes that have been sitting require work. High time airframes that have been flown, require work. The real concern to the airframe is turbulence and landing cycles. In a low time airframe, there is statistically fewer encounters of each. Mooneys are well built, but not impervious to the ravages of use. High time frames also always seem to have something breaking...usually not airworthy stuff like hinges, handles, levers, vernier controls, bad glass, camlocks, rivots, mounts, cosmetics, fiberglass cracks, etc. And over time, these things wear you down, nickel and diming you to death. A low time airframe should always be your first choice. Most people who have real nice, mechanically sound planes go out of their way to hang on to them. If it is for sale....it will need work, count on it. Get the low time airfame if you can and negotiate well.

Way to go Partner!!

Park...you bought an awsome plane...quit looking for buyer's remor&^*%^*%......

300 hr engine, an Stec60-2 and decent cosmetics.....that's a tough one. When I got my intrument rating, I flew psycho numbers of hours my first years getting bump around. I got tired of it and then decided I would file only when I knew I could top the wx. With a turbo, this is rarely an issue. I would also beg to differ with your CFI....a carb is not an IFR deal breaker. You can get around at 7-8k msl. Paid off are my two favorite words.

I think Mooneyspace resembles and old, small airport pilot lounge on a rainy day. There are ups and downs. Though I agree with Don, there is a lot more good here than bad.

Quote: fantom

Quote: danb35 I'm not aware of any arrangement between AOPA and Avemco--why would AOPA's lavishness have any impact on Avemco's rates?

Quote: JimR How'd you like how the news reporter said that "unbelievably", the pilot was uninjured, despite the fact that the aircraft "slammed" into a chain link fence? Slow news day, I suppose. Glad everyone is ok and the aircraft looks repairable. Jim

I am a militantly satisfied customer of Falcon and their brokerage of AIG. I have worked with P's cohert Cliff Barthoff for a number of years. These guys know insurance and GA better (sadly) than Avemco and AOPA. If you lived in this area (DC-FDK) and witnessed the lavish perks and ammenities of AOPA's association management, you would have a broader understanding why Avemco's rates correspond so ecessively. For that matter, you would question your AOPA annual membership dues. They are not in the insurance business, but the association managment business. Go with Falcon. Smart people, deeply entrenched in the Mooney and Bonanza communities, who know how to shop insurance on your behalf.

Brett, It is either the bill of sale being filed with the state of FL by the seller. Or, if you are carrying any kind of debt service on the plane, the bank loan departments report it. Tell Florida, as a non resdisident, it is not encumbent upon you to pay it or respond to them. If it was a bank loaning you money that reported you to FL, threaten to close your accounts....they'll fix it in one minute. Although to FL's defense, they have a ga-zillion snow birds living in-state, claiming resdidencey of 6 mos and 1 day... per year ....elsewhere.

Quote: N5MD I've done some shopping for insurance for my 1966 M20C. Hull valued at $60,000 with liability limits at $1 million per occurrence / $100,000 per passenger. All the quotes have the same limits of liability and hull value. Medical benefits vary a little between each one but most are either $3,000 or $5,000. The quotes below reflect those limits. Avemco $1,696 $300 not in motion / $300 in motion Chartis / Aerospace $1,067 $0 deductibles Global Aerospace $1,078 $50 not in motion / $250 in motion Phoenix Aviation $1,298 $0 not in motion / $200 in motion Starr Aviation $1,067 $0 deductibles US AIG $1,276 $0 deductibles US Specialty Declined to quote – quoted to another broker London Aviation Waiting for quote

Quote: aviatoreb I agree that this phrase can be misused by some hotdogs. But it is also a good mantra for an emergency situation - to remind us to save life and limb above all and worry less about hurting your paint job, the phrase helps to remind twhere the priority must be if it comes to that. It SHOULD be the same priority even if uninsured. The mantra is even a favor to the insurance company, since repairing a gear up off field landing is much cheaper than pay out on any kind of injury or loss to the people inside.

He's awsome.......