N9201A

Depends on drafting, but why would an owner subject his bird to being held hostage righteously by a mechanic whom the buyer has decided not to pay? I have seen too many of these scenarios go south. If you own the aircraft, control the process.

Here is the answer, for ANYONE who wants to come out and fly form with the Caravan: "Please see www.mooneycaravan.com - join the forum, email someone in leadership from your region (email addresses are on the site). Also, try to attend a B2Osh clinic, but please contact us before you do so we can help coordinate that. They've been very welcoming, but we don't want to abuse their hospitality. "Also please NOTE: The Caravan isn't a business that trains formation pilots. We are all-volunteer and exist to promote safety and to fly our MSN-OSH flight as a formation. We can never have too many qualified safety pilots, and not having enough limits our ability to turn everyone in the world on to our addictive pastime. If you're actually registered for OSH, we WILL ensure you demonstrate proficiency and get to participate. I am unaware of an exception since we went all-form. "If you just want to try formation flying, you are welcome to come to a clinic, but registered OSHers will always take precedence." Now you have an answer you can use all the time that is accurate. PM/email/call me for any "special cases." Bottom line, anyone serious about flying form who has put in the effort has gotten to, as far as I am aware.

I don't understand this. Why choose between proficiency and currency? Form proficiency, like instrument skills, is perishable. This why we require every Caravan participant to demonstrate proficiency in the current calendar year. Why are you asking a guy who already hosts a 35+ aircraft (warbirds, at a military field, FAST checkrides, it's awesome) formation clinic event in February every year to put on a clinic in your hometown? If you are serious, like I wrote, do what Bucko did. Put in the time and do it...or find some qualified MAG safeties (a small but growing number) who are willing to do the safety pilot part - which is the governing limitation on any clinic. PM/email/call me and I will put you in touch with the leadership in your region. There are certainly enough pilots in the SE -- like I wrote elsewhere, we had TWO from South Carolina at Yuma last February.

This is an AWESOME ride, if you can get one, TAKE IT!! These pics are from my 2014 ride (I scored as "4"). Like magic, there is no "trick" ... just LOTS of practice and concentration. Like I wrote elsewhere, the more I learn about flying, the more I realize how much I don't know. It was great to observe the same station-keeping principles in action at a super-high level, it just deepened my appreciation for their skill and commitment. These guys are AMAZING!!

I hear this excuse about not coming to Yuma for the Gunfighter clinic, last year we had TWO pilots from the East Coast. As the pilot who flew the second furthest for the Caravan flight to OSH this year (except maybe you Puddles -- if it's a tie, I give it to you in a C!), I agree. With our traveling machines, it's about prioritization, not distance.

I still don't understand "unification" comment, but maybe I am dense. We both seem to be saying that we are inclusive, which is great. No one has said anything to this "Caravan guy" about flying at the Summit, but any form-qualified pilot can fly form any time with any other. The Caravan no more has an exclusive on form flying than does the USAF, FAST, FFI or other form organizations. As far as a "Caravan clinic," our organization has practical, operational, administrative and underwriting requirements that govern each "Caravan Clinic." Not a clinic is a "practice session," which to me is any two form-qualified pilots meeting to fly is a "practice session." Right now, each region supports its regional clinic, so you would have to sell the Caravan regional leadership in your region -- none of whom you have mentioned - on locating their clinic in FL. I am glad as a CFI you recognize that trying to do a clinic in the background of another event is a bad idea, even though it might not appear to be to an unlearned observer. I imagine that was Chuck's objection, as any sensible, experienced clinic host or safety would have the same concern. As far as form familiarization (where a non-form pilot gets to try it and practice), the limitation is always qualified safeties. There just are not enough of them to support demand. But if a geographical area has a core group of safeties who are willing to donate their time, then it is possible to "grow" safeties organically. Bucko provided the best example of that, when we brought 3 safeties from the West Coast to a Texas clinic he organized, cross-trained some local military pilots, and only a couple years later Texas has a solid group of active formators, plus "carded" pilots. The formation organizations (FAST and FFI) have very clear requirements that are public for getting form cards. So do signatory organizations like Redstar Pilots Association, and type groups - like the Caravan and B2Osh - who follow FAST/FFI protocols. There are a lot of Mooney pilots in Florida. The Caravan is not a service provider; everyone involves donates their time and fuel. If you are serious about having a clinic in Florida next year, do what Bucko did in Texas. Step up and offer to host one, and handle all the admin. Determine how many pilots will actually show up (as opposed to "may" come if it is easy for them), and of those, who will actually have read and watched the material before arriving (because they won't be flying except as an observer if they have not). Ask your regional leadership (Caravan board members from the East Coast) to support it, and see what kind of safety pilot turnout you can get. Then do it!

"The rest is history"...? Really? Do tell! Was your last Caravan 2008 or 2009? Was that Fox or Golf element? I believe we flew in the same element one year in the "gaggle." I would not call a "gaggle" a formation, even thought technically it may meet 91.111. I guess it is a "method" of moving aircraft.

The examiner was something of a legend in Southern California. His office had two things in it besides a desk and two chairs: One was a picture of an SB2C diving on the biggest battleship ever built, visible in the photo, with flak puffs all over. I asked "is that the Yamato?" "Musashi!" he barked, "it's me, my wingman took it!"

I would encourage trying formation flying. I was a 25-year pilot, CFI-l, ATP with type ratings and 10 years as a 201 owner. So I thought I knew how to fly my Mooney...until I discovered what I didn't know. I love learning--my CFI-I check ride was with a legend who bombed the Musashi, and seven questions in after "let's talk about airspeed" I was mush. Like that experience, form flying is a steep but rewarding learning curve. But, it's highly addictive!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mike, thanks for the opportunity for formators among us to demo their hard-earned skills. I don't know what's meant by "unification" but the Caravan has been "unifying" anyone who's focus is the flying...Caravaners include Ambassadors, VMGers, MAPA members and anyone else who (1) wants to be a better stick and (2) plays well with others. (It is a team sport). So come on out and try it...but be warned, it's addictive! Rest assured our OSH flight is a LOT different than any you did in the pre-formation days. (Was that Golf element in '09)? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You were in position ... over the threshold! Darn videos, they don't lie... [emoji12] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sign up to the email list on the website or just watch it. Besides the fall clinic mentioned in KVIS, there is a great clinic in Feb at Yuma and the NorCal Beech group usually has one in the Sacramento area every April at which we have a solid Mooney contingent. Safety pilots govern how many newbies can get time, and priority is given to those registered for the Caravan. That said, we have a LOT of active formators in Cali and the NW group is growing. PM or email me at "my MS handle"_at_gmail and I will get you on our Best Coast Flyers list through which our formators on this coast plan practices. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

THANK YOU LANCE!! You captured the Caravan Lead element touching down safely past the purple dot and holding speed into a fast taxi to clear the runway. Textbook, if I do say so myself. But, I am a little biased... Caravan Lead 2017 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You don't say what year your J is, but the 14V ships retract their gear more slowly than the later 28V ships. You also haven't said how "long" is "too long"...compared to what?

Wearing mine today, and my son's hoodie has spawned three more hoodie orders from omitted family members. Oops! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nicely done. See ya in MSN soon! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

201 with PowerFlow, multiple trips to 17,500 to take advantage of winds. And +1 on concerns in 20s in unpressurized aircraft. Some chamber time helped illustrate the importance of one's "time of useful consciousness" being greater than the "time to safe altitude." Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yves, Thanks for taking the lead on this. I will be there, as - of all goes as planned - I should be parked nearby! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congrats Jolie and keep at it! IFR is a great skill to have in the toolkit. And once you have it, stay current!!

Best thing to do if you're interested in arriving at OSH in style is sign up at the website for updates so you're on the email distro list. Many of us on MS also fly form and go to clinics, but it's hit or miss geographically. The east coast wing (MAG) has grown rapidly and is very active. Email me at my username at yahoo dot com or PM me and I will be happy to connect you with someone near you.

A good way to ensure fairness of buyout terms is to empower seller to become a buyer, for example: "you set your sell at such a great (high) number, now that's the number at which you must buy me out." +1 on hashing things out in advance. If your partner becomes your adversary, you've both failed. No good outcomes there.

And they may leave telltales. Had an annual at which mechanic who saw telltales on both sides, equally spaced, said "oh, you hit something"...uh, no, but now I know I need a new mechanic! Thanks!

+1 on PF. Agree with all written.

I'm at Whiteman.

If your only concern with PowerFlow is noise, I would re-examine that premise. I fly in and out of pretty noise-sensitive areas without a problem. In my subjective experience (not having done objective testing), prop, not engine, noise is the source of complaints. The performance gains many MSers have experienced - and documented - are real, and the cost in the upgrade is offset if one has to replace one's system anyway. Then again, there are probably some recent PF upgrades who have used systems available. (I traded mine to the mechanic who did my upgrade). Not shilling PF, just sharing my personal experience.