co2bruce

My useful load is 977.5 lbs. My gross TOW is 3200 lbs. I have a standard Eagle. I hope that helps. Of course useful varies with equipment and such, your mileage may vary.

Congrats on your achievement.

I'm sooo jealous! Thats a beautiful paint job, and scheme. The color choice is outstanding. Looks way better that anything that came out of the factory. Mine looks boring now, thanks.

We had lots of precip and thunder storm activity today.

Another of our Mooneys made an Emergency landing on a roadway near the airport here in South Florida. First, it appears pilot and passenger are fine " both walked away". The news reported engine failure was the reason, but I do not know if they got that from the pilot, or witnesses. If anyone knows the pilot or family it appears they are OK. I do not know if he is on this board, but great job landing and keeping everyone safe. Please was on route from Georgia to South FLorida. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-small-plane-crash-brief-20120519,0,7223991.story1965 Mooney M20 C N2610W Acording to the reports

I make sure I have enough fuel for the flight plus reserves. An old pilot mentor once told me " the only time you have too much fuel is when your on fire". I can't get that out of my head.

Mooney Eagle (M20S) POH also states "RETRACT IN CLIMB after clearing obstacles" , I have always been taught to retract when there is no longer enough runway to safely land straight ahead.

I had an experience at a major airport, where I requested 15 gallons per side and when I returned to leave they had filled both tanks to the brim. Never trust the line people to do anything. You made a great catch, I will learn from your experience. That's the beauty of our community we can learn from each othe and be safer, more proficient pilots. Thanks for your story.

Besides the engine, these nagging problems are common for a new (to you) plane. Before selling the previous owner was probably flying less and less and fixing things as they came up less and less. You will get it sorted out, and then keep up with the maintenance. She will be fine and serve you well.

If you’re at the Demo flight stage, your well on your way, but far from the "buy myself an airplane" stage. Get your PPL, and you would be advised to do it in a Cessna 172 or similar trainer. THEN (with PPL in hand) decide on your mission and right plane for that mission. I personally went from a C 172 to Piper Archer, to Mooney. Don't rush, get your training and license and go from there. I know what you are feeling, when I took my discovery flight I knew this was something I wanted and would achieve. One word of advice would be "Once flying gets in your blood, you will never get rid of it". Best of luck and welcome to our community.

Quote: Mazerbase Run and hide. Never speak to him again and maybe you and your airplane will be safe from him.

Where ever you buy your aircraft, you will need to pay the State of Florida their 6% tax. Trust me, they will catch up to you. One year after purchasing my last aircraft (out of state) I received a phone call that went like this ..... " Hi Bruce, how are you enjoying your new Mooney? " It was a state tax collector with a sense of humor. They do ramp checks at night and keep notes. Enjoy your hunt and good luck with your flying. Bruce

Oh no here goes the political discussion again arggggggggggg! LOP / ROP / Oil / Politics I love you guys, this is my favorite forum by far.

Sounds great. Very good write-up. Makes me want to get out and travel. I would love to plan a trip to Alaska from my home base here in South Florida. Always wanted to fly there, and also ride my motorcycle there. Damn now you have me scratching my head thinking.

Playing Devils Advocate, If an owner produced part fails and causes liability who would then be responsible. For example if I produced the spring, and its failure can be determined to be the cause of an accident, Am I responsible, or the AI that signed off on my work? The parts manufacturer would certainly be off the hook, as well as Mooney. If I were a service facility I would not want the liability of returning a plane to service with "non-certified" parts, if certified ones were available just too expensive or too long of a wait. Just because a part is mega expensive (mostly due to FAA regulations) such as carpet, and mats for our planes, does not mean we can buy cheaper ones. (You can not put car mats in your plane, even though many people do.

The spring (you are correct there is only one) according to the service bulletin is a 1000 hour life item and they need to be replaced. Whats weird is the bulletin specifies every model Mooney (with electro gear extension except the S , but I think that is an oversight) with the Eaton actuator needs to change the spring at 1000 hours. On a lighter note, I just came from my MSC and saw the part w are talking about. It is the "drive clutch" for the actuator, and its inside the Eaton gear motor assembly. It is a piece of brass but it would not be easy to duplicate at a machine shop It is an Eaton part not a Mooney part. However, Eaton will not sell it to anyone but Mooney. My is worn but not unusable. On a happy note, the service manager said, he believes the parts backlog and problems at the Mooney factory in his opinion, are getting better ........ if its true maybe there are happier times ahead for us all.

Wow, hold on I was not clear! The actuator springs are a life limit item. 1000 hours and they are supposed to be changed. I purchased the plane a year ago with 980 hours and when it was going in for annual we ordered the springs. No misdiagnosis. While changing the springs he noticed the bushing and ordered it. The plane is back together and flying. I don't think this is an issue with my Msc and if can find the part he will install it. I would not think he would assume the liability of installing a non Mooney part, and as a businessan I understand that.

Finally had my actuator springs changed out today (after waiting 2 months for the part to come from Mooney), and my MSC mechanic informed me that there is a brass bushing that is worn and needs replacing. He says if he had one he would change it out right then but he did not have one and had to order it from Mooney. 3 - 5 weeks to get a new bushing for the gear actuator!! I originally thought that Mooney being "out of business" was not going to be too much of an inconvenience because most of the parts are not Mooney specific, but I'm finding out they are. I'm not new to Mooney, this is my third one and I have over 250 hours in them, but I'm starting to think this problem is going to get worse,not better. Are we fighting the inevitable, my mind is wandering to other aircraft still in production. Help, I need some consoling! I love my Mooney but I don’t want to be always waiting on parts from the factory. I like for my aircraft to be 100% when I fly.

I just got some rudder extensions from SWTA. Try them. Warning, like everything in aviation they are expensive!! Especially when you see what you get. http://www.swta.net/

They have a cool website. Well I checked out the price list and its similar to the Cirrus (high 400 - 550 thousand). I think they are also kits. Will they be certified or experimental? They are also not coming out till 2015.

I would like one please.

If he doesn't buy the 2013, can I have the landing actuator springs off it ......... mine are due for replacement and I'm waaaaiting patiently for a pair.

Isn't that the new FIKI Mooney I've been reading about in your avatar ???? NICE

It's painfull to see a Mooney in that condition. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-Mooney-Eagle-Rebuildable-Project-Continental-550-Garmin-Radios-TKS-ICE-/290691508576?pt=Motors_Aircraft&hash=item43ae906960

I saw on eBay serial # 1 Mooney Eagle was for sale. Unfortunately it landed in a field and the main gear collapsed. (The picture is sad) It looks like a lot of damage to me. Could it possibly be cost effective to fix that kind of damage? I would think it would cost more than a flying one. I own serial # 2 so I guess I'm the oldest "flying" Eagle. Bruce