N9201A

L39s are awesome birds. For some cool movie footage of them in action, check out Kill Speed (dogfighting L39s and L39 v. Lancair IV-P) and Succubus: Hellbent (aerobatic L39).

James Oliphant of AOPA Insurance is a longtime 201 owner in Wichita - I am betting you can contact him through AOPA Insurance 800-622-2672.

Oh, I DID see some traffic on that potential activity, thank you for that offer. Didn't realize that was you duckguy. But as Cowboy pointed out the logistics of moving 80-90 people around prevented accepting your kind offer. Did not know no one responded to you, however, will follow up on that. Sorry. But we ARE the most fun mass arrival bunch -- just comparison shop and you will see. This year you have one more to choose from, the Cirri join the Cessnas, Cherokees and Bonanza. Enjoy...and come by WA on Friday and say hi. As Cowboy said, you are more than welcome if your plans are not in stone!

Hi Houman, I have had a VERY positive experience on an owner-assisted annual, and all I can say is that - for me - the key was the IA with whom I was working. He was thorough, knowledgeable, and experienced not only on the aircraft, regs and inspections, but also as a manager. So he didn't stand over my shoulder while I did low-skill things like removing inspection plates. At the same time, he freely shared the hows and whys of things only he could do, while gradually pushing me to my limits (like, I am NOT working on brakes, for example). He coached me through higher-skilled things and explained how stuff worked. I learned SO much about what to look for from just working on the aircraft with a highly skilled professional. I feel like it was MORE valuable and would be worth MORE than just dropping and picking up the aircraft, which I had done for many years before this. I am both a LOT more knowledgeable and confident about my bird and its systems. And I had attended the great owners seminar put on by Jerry Manthey and tried to be an involved owner, but some things you only learn when you do them. And +1 on whomever made the comment about cleaning; it's an ugly job, but belly-polishing and clearing all the crud and gunk that can gather even just from time is worth the final result, and makes day-to-day maintenance and troubleshooting that much easier.

BTW Yves, the guy who told me the story is in the Caravan...ask me about it apres une biere ou deux.

Hand propping is DEFINITELY not recommended, and all of the usual caveats apply, but I MAY know someone who knows someone who MAY have seen someone hand prop their J with a dead battery. This only occurred -- if indeed it DID occur -- with a qualified pilot in the left seat holding brakes with chocks in place, and an experienced, careful and agile pilot doing the hand-propping...so I heard, anyway.

Yeah, your city is very nice and offers a snooty foodie some great choices, I have been fortunate enough to sample many of them. And if we were looking for a romantic dinner or dining experience, that would be good advice. I have no idea what Pedro's is like any other day of the year, but trust me, there is nothing depressing about that separate dining room filled with fellow Mooniacs, margaritas, camaraderie and FUN. For many of us, it's one of the most fun evenings any of us enjoy all year. Come out and fly with us sometime, you will see for yourself. In eleven years, I have not heard anyone yet decline to attend because of the venue; but if someone wanted to put the energy into organizing a "better" venue, hey, we are ALL volunteers, I am not sure anyone would object. Thank you for sharing your ideas.

George, if you walk into the North 40 towards Friar Tucks, you won't be able to MISS it. We have been and will be at the bend in the road where Ry9/27 ends. Come by and duck out of the rain, sit and rest for a minute, or recharge your phone and chat with other Mooniacs. It's THE Mooney HQ in the No. 40 all week. Look forward to meeting you!

N9201A...so was he six mph faster than me or do we need to check your prescription?

Please see MooneyCaravan.com for a listing of all things Mooney at Oshkosh. Sponsored by Mooney International, the Mooney Caravan to Oshkosh Safety Foundation is a 501©(3) charitable organization dedicated to safely aviating Mooney aircraft. The fun starts in Madison on Saturday as we pay visits to those "other" mass arrival launch airfields in an overhead, airborne salute. BBQ tickets available through the website. Come on by and meet other Mooniacs! Saturday, July 18 - Madison, WI 7:00 am - 11:00am - Breakfast 7:00 am - Briefing for Dawn Patrol Mission 9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Practice sorties, proficiency flights at MSN 9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Registration at Wisconsin Aviation MSN 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Shuttle to Pedro's Mexican Restaurante 6:00 pm - Mooney Caravan MSN Dinner at Pedro's (Sponsored by Continental Engines) Sunday, July 19 - Madison, WI and Oshkosh, WI Note: The annual meeting of the Mooney Caravan Tribal Council will immediately follow. 7:00 am - 9:00 am Breakfast 7:00 am - 9:00 am Shuttle to Wisconsin Aviation MSN 8:00 am - Mooney Caravan Flight Leader Brief at Wisconsin Aviation MSN 8:15 am - Mooney Caravan Ground Vehicle departs for OSH from MSN 8:30 am - Mooney Caravan Pilot Brief at Wisconsin Aviation MSN (pilots only!) 10:10 am - Engine Start for Mooney Caravan at MSN 10:30 am - Take-off Mooney Caravan at MSN 10:30 am - Mooney Caravan Ground Vehicle arrives at OSH 11:00 am - Mooney Caravan Arrives at OSH -- Sponsored by Mooney International 12:00 pm - Mooney Caravan Debrief -- Refreshments provided by Mooney International 5:00 pm - Cherokees 2 Oshkosh Wine, Beer & Cheese Social Gathering North 40 Mooney Caravan HQ Tent TBA - Royal and Ancient Secret and Sober Society of the Single Malt North 40 at Camp Cherokee Monday, July 20 - Oshkosh, WI North 40 Mooney Caravan HQ Tent 8:00 am - Mooney Pancake Breakfast (Caravan Registrants only) 10:00 am - 11:15 am - Mooney Owners Forum North 40 Mooney Caravan HQ Tent Sponsored by Lasar (Lake Aero Styling) & AC Air Technology 4:00 pm - 2014 Board of Directors Meeting EAA Forum Pavilions - Forum 3 Join Mooney experts in the fields of aircraft operations, safety, aeromedical, maintenance, insurance, FARs. Hear from Mooney International. Learn about Mooney organizations that support you. North 40 Mooney Caravan HQ Tent Mooney Caravan Educational Safety Foundation 6:00 pm - MooneySpace Forum Social Gathering North 40 Mooney Caravan HQ Tent Tuesday, July 21 - Oshkosh, WI

Please see MooneyCaravan.com for a listing of all things Mooney at Oshkosh. Sponsored by Mooney International, the Mooney Caravan to Oshkosh Safety Foundation is a 501©(3) charitable organization dedicated to safely aviating Mooney aircraft. The fun starts in Madison on Saturday as we pay visits to those "other" mass arrival launch airfields in an overhead, airborne salute. BBQ tickets available through the website. Come on by and meet other Mooniacs! Saturday, July 18 - Madison, WI 7:00 am - 11:00am - Breakfast 7:00 am - Briefing for Dawn Patrol Mission 9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Practice sorties, proficiency flights at MSN 9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Registration at Wisconsin Aviation MSN 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Shuttle to Pedro's Mexican Restaurante 6:00 pm - Mooney Caravan MSN Dinner at Pedro's (Sponsored by Continental Engines) Sunday, July 19 - Madison, WI and Oshkosh, WI Note: The annual meeting of the Mooney Caravan Tribal Council will immediately follow. 7:00 am - 9:00 am Breakfast 7:00 am - 9:00 am Shuttle to Wisconsin Aviation MSN 8:00 am - Mooney Caravan Flight Leader Brief at Wisconsin Aviation MSN 8:15 am - Mooney Caravan Ground Vehicle departs for OSH from MSN 8:30 am - Mooney Caravan Pilot Brief at Wisconsin Aviation MSN (pilots only!) 10:10 am - Engine Start for Mooney Caravan at MSN 10:30 am - Take-off Mooney Caravan at MSN 10:30 am - Mooney Caravan Ground Vehicle arrives at OSH 11:00 am - Mooney Caravan Arrives at OSH -- Sponsored by Mooney International 12:00 pm - Mooney Caravan Debrief -- Refreshments provided by Mooney International 5:00 pm - Cherokees 2 Oshkosh Wine, Beer & Cheese Social Gathering North 40 Mooney Caravan HQ Tent TBA - Royal and Ancient Secret and Sober Society of the Single Malt North 40 at Camp Cherokee Monday, July 20 - Oshkosh, WI North 40 Mooney Caravan HQ Tent 8:00 am - Mooney Pancake Breakfast (Caravan Registrants only) 10:00 am - 11:15 am - Mooney Owners Forum North 40 Mooney Caravan HQ Tent Sponsored by Lasar (Lake Aero Styling) & AC Air Technology 4:00 pm - 2014 Board of Directors Meeting EAA Forum Pavilions - Forum 3 Join Mooney experts in the fields of aircraft operations, safety, aeromedical, maintenance, insurance, FARs. Hear from Mooney International. Learn about Mooney organizations that support you. North 40 Mooney Caravan HQ Tent Mooney Caravan Educational Safety Foundation 6:00 pm - MooneySpace Forum Social Gathering North 40 Mooney Caravan HQ Tent Tuesday, July 21 - Oshkosh, WI

http://www.mooneycaravan.com/2014-schedule I know the tag SAYS 2014, but it is current ... even MORE events than last year!

Come on out, Banjo, I will fly with you anytime...we'll get that rust shaken off and you'll be fine!

Please come to this discussion and Q+A on all things Mooney. Our panel includes top Mooney maintenance and instruction experts, fellow Mooney owners with other experience and skills relevant to Mooney pilots, and representatives from many of the active organizations that make up our vibrant community. And of course, Mooney International will be there to share what's new and answer your questions. Please join us in EAA Forum 3 at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 20! Presenters: Morten Boyd - Transatlantic Mooney Pilot Don Kaye - Mooney Master CFI, Bravo owner Don Maxwell - Mooney Service Center Chuck Crinnian, MD, AME, 231 owner James Oliphant/AOPA Insurance, 201 owner Robert Davis, CPA, 252 owner Paul Steen - MooneySpace Phil Corman - Vintage Mooney Group/Mooney Flyer Jolie Lucas - Mooney Ambassadors/Mooney Girls Jan Maxwell - Mooney Girls Chris Shopperly - Mooney Caravan ​CEO Jerry Chen and COO Tom Bowen - ​ Mooney International -- Moderated by Larry Brennan, 201 owner

+1 on loading and speeds. Slips are effective and safe if, like anything else, done within the envelope. Practice them AT ALTITUDE and add them to your toolkit. Before l became a Mooney owner almost two decades ago, I heard all of the Mooney horror stories: hard to land, easy to bounce, too slick, too small, blah blah blah. Fortunately I had heard the same things about my primary trainer and first plane, the Grumman AA1B, and had stick time in another plane with an awful rep, the Comanche. Far too many of us Mooney pilots have never landed or taken off without flaps, fly final at 90 knots because "my airplane doesn't like to fly slower," or drop the yoke as soon as the mains touch. Get out there and learn the aircraft. If you want some company, there are experienced Mooney CFIs like Don Kaye who will help. Don't let the "old wives" discourage you.

We are a volunteer organization. Cowboy and I probably have as much time volunteering to get pilots proficient as anyone, but Madison is our one chance for all of our Leads and safeties across the US and Canada to fly together and have fun. We are able to do things like our 10-ship C2Osh "salute" flight and advanced stuff. Given the Bo, Cherokee, Cessna and now growing Cirrus interest and sharing of events, there are plenty of opportunities for interested pilots to get to a clinic and become proficient. Many of our pilots fly with other groups and we accept their pilots at our clinics. That said, if you are interested in the Caravan and for whatever reason cannot get to a clinic anywhere with anyone, we will get you proficient. But our limited resources (we aren't a paid group) forces us to focus on pilots who have registered and committed to fly the Caravan. To my knowledge no one who has committeed and registered has been turned away because they could not make a clinic, and we have had pilots register from Canada, Australia and Europe. So if you're serious, sign up. Read the materials and study them. Watch the video'd class, and go up and practice some basic stick and rudder skills (land amd takeoff without flaps, take off at 70 knots, and try a flight or two looking outside and ignoring your gizmos). You'll be able to fly the Caravan after a few flights. See you in Madison! Larry "Joker" Brennan N9201A 1978 M20J

Tenth year in a row. Camped, hotel'd in OSH and nearby, and rented a house. Haven't done Fisk and watched Caravans improve arrival from only slightly less stressful than Fisk to quite simple and FUN! Originally came for the planes, but keep coming back for the people. It's a week with fellow aviators of all stripes. Stopping midsentence to watch an airplane take off isn't rude like "normal people" think the other 51 weeks of the year, it's expected. And you could literally "bump into" aviation legends like Bob Hoover, "Bud" Anderson, Burt Rutan, Patty Wagstaff or scores of others. For me during that week, Oshkosh is the greatest place in the world.

My tail no. is N9201A and please send to @yahoo.com. Thank you!

Don't wait for spring! Sign up at the "community" tab on the mooneycaravan.com website to ensure you receive updates of clinics and practice opportunities. There will be an AZ clinic as well as a West Texas clinic (El Paso) as well as clinics in CA. It would be a shame to miss them.

Yves did an awesome job flying wingman on what became a more challenging final than expected due to a sudden rainstorm that kicked up a little gustiness. We also got our planes cleaned as the rain burst reminded us that it ALWAYS rains on the Caravan ... although this year the annual Sunday rainstorm caught us on final instead of at our BBQ. Thirty-six planes stuck their landings on a newly-slick runway as briefed, not before the "purple dot" aim point. The landings and over 20GB of video collected will soon be available on the Caravan website. Please sign up for the Caravan forum (mooneycaravan.com, "community" tab) even if you're not going to OSH with us. Keep up with local Caravan events in your area, which are chances to stay current or learn a new stick-and-rudder skill. Bien fait, mon camarade!

NOOO!! You are NOT excluded from ANYTHING except the formation flight. So come to any Mooney event. Note that you may not be able to expect free food and drink that are INCLUDED with registration, like the pancake breakfast or BBQ. But you can register for the BBQ separately. And the Cherokees2Osh wine/cheese soiree is invitation for Caravaners only from the Ch2Osh guys, so it would be bad form for us to bring the entire Mooney community. But the Mooney-sponsored North 40 HQ Tent is open to ALL Mooney pilots and will be a hub of all things Mooney during the week, not only a Mooneyspace social (some Caravaners are active here), but we also count VMG and Ambassador pilots among us. We will have a Continental seminar and an "Ask the Experts" Q&A presentation with WINGS credit. See you in Oshkosh!

This is shaping up to be the most Mooney-intensive Oshkosh ever: From gatherings in the weeks before, Mooneys mingling "show central" on the Madison WI ramp, 40+ Mooniacs in the Caravan, a Mooneyspace social or "Ask the Experts" panel (with WINGS credit!!) with dinner at the North 40 "Mooney HQ tent sponsored by Mooney," a Mooney pancake breakfast, or multiple organizations and experts presenting at the Mooney Owners Forum, this year is shaping up to be a very active one for all Mooney enthusiasts. Sunday, July 20 - Paso Robles CA - Caravan Practice / Proficiency Clinic Thursday, July 24 - Sioux Falls, SD - 5:00 pm - Pre-Caravan Kickoff BBQ Friday, July 25 - Sioux Falls, SD and Madison, WI - 9:30 am - Briefing for formation flight from Sioux Falls (FSD) to MSN 1:00 pm - Mass arrival at MSN by the West Coast and Texas Wings (flight from FSD) Saturday, July 26 - Madison, WI - Dawn Patrol, Practice sorties, proficiency flights at MSN 6:00 pm - Annual Pre-Caravan Dinner at Pedro's presented by Continental Engines Sunday, July 27 - Madison, WI and Oshkosh, WI - Take-off Caravan XVII 11:00 am - Mooney Caravan sponsored by Mooney arrives at OSH in style! The first Acclaim off the production line will be in the lead element. Come to show central and watch the Caravan land. Join the North 40 post-flight festivities! 5:00 pm - Caravaners welcome at Cherokees 2 Oshkosh Wine, Beer & Cheese Social Gathering - North 40 Monday, July 28 - Oshkosh, WI 8:00 am - Mooney Pancake Breakfast - North 40 Mooney HQ Tent Sponsored by Mooney 10:00 am - 11:15 am - Mooney Owners Forum EAA Forum Pavilions - Pavilion 8 Join Mooney experts in the fields of aircraft operations, safety, aeromedical, maintenance, insurance, FARs. Hear from Mooney International. Learn about Mooney organizations that support you. 6:00 pm - MooneySpace Forum Social Gathering - North 40 Mooney HQ Tent Sponsored by Mooney Tuesday, July 29 - Oshkosh, WI - 11:20 am - Mooney Acclaim Auction - EAA Fairgrounds - Mooney Display Tent Back in production, Mooney returns! Watch the auction of the first Acclaim off the production! See and hear exciting Mooney developments! 11:30 am - Mooney Press Conference EAA Fairgrounds - Mooney Display Tent 4:00 pm - Mooney Caravan Annual BBQ / Prizes - Best dinner in the North 40! North 40 Mooney HQ Tent Sponsored by Mooney Wednesday, July 30 - Oshkosh, WI 5:00 pm - "Operating and Maintaining Most Efficiently" presented by Continental Engines North 40 Mooney HQ Tent Sponsored by Mooney 6:00 pm - Pizza and "Ask the Experts" Panel - North 40 Mooney HQ Tent Sponsored by Mooney Bring your questions, our experts have all the answers…or so they told us! Get FAA Wings credit for attending (click here to register). Please bookmark the schedule to update yourself, or join the site to have updates sent to you: https://sites.google.com/site/mooneycaravan/2014-schedule

+1 Right on Prof! There is no reason to be pushing on in our airplanes in these conditions...how many more NTSB reports do we have to see before the collective GA Mooney consciousness realizes it is usually not a good idea to be "penetrating a cell"?

"25 years ago" -- Did you like me have that discussion with someone, between drags on a cigarette, driving to the airport without seat belts...? It IS progress, right? This is what's great about this forum and pilots interacting generally: The critical thinking steepens the learning curve and makes those of us willing to invest even a little time much more informed. There is so much to know even without the Old Wives' Tales (can I say that now or is it Old Spouse's Tales?) My CFI-I checkride I was all fire and brimstone, like the Gordo Cooper portrayal in The Right Stuff. That examiner had never seen the likes of me before, he was really going to learn something. About five minutes in he began a conversation about airspeed...easy, right...that slowly (thankfully, still fast enough!) underscored that "there was a whole 'nother can of whupass" to be opened! Even knowing what I needed to know in order to instruct, I didn't understand it as well it could be understood. There was a whole other level of understanding beyond what mere competency required. It was an enlightening experience that for me reinforced how important it is to keep asking questions and getting better. I appreciate everyone in these discussions because enable us to "open that can" and really drill down on what we know...or THINK we know. And I want to keep learning.