rainman

I just got my cracking cowl repaired and some paint touch ups done this week. The painter was able to buff most of the plane to like-new condition except the areas which had metallic flake and no clear coat. My recommendation would be to stay with solid colors. My paint job had been Imron.

A PLB is for me the single most important item. I keep it in the pocket next to the door. It's part of my passenger briefing. Being prepared for water, weather, medical issues are important, but I also want help on the way ASAP. PLBs are not that expensive, and once you register with NOAA you're good to go for years on the battery.

I had the same thing happened to me at Llano the first flight after a new tube had been placed at the annual. It turns out that the tube had gotten pinched on the side and blew out. The guys at the airport had a wheel dolly and towed me off and then they flew to another airport to get a new tube. No problems since.

Andy, I fly my 231 into Y47 several times a year to visit family. I agree that speed on final is key to making good landings.

I had my first gyrocopter lesson yesterday in Taylor Texas with Lone Star Magni Gyro. Very cool experience. We flew the Magni M16 open air tandem. Rotax engine. Easy to fly. I plan to continue training there and fill my Mooney with $2.95 100LL while there. Check it out.

I start gyro lessons with Dayton at Lone Star Magni Gyro at Taylor tomorrow. I usually get BBQ at Louis Mueller when I'm there for lunch.

The three blade is definitely quieter. My comparison is based on flying in my plane (three blades) and another 1979 M20K (two blades) on the field.

MPG, I flew IFR from 5C1 to KALM via PIO on Saturday. On Sunday I filed direct for the return trip but saw the proposed routing via BWS to PIO then 5C1 on flightplan.com prior to departure, so that's what I was planning, but was aware that things change. I prefer to do my cross counties IFR when possible to get practice in the system, and it makes traversing the numerous SUAs safer. It was a good learning experience for me in a unique airspace with that narrow corridor between Holloman AFB and the highway, and the MOAs and restricted areas. Thanks for all the insights.

Thanks Paul. I did pick up my clearance airborn, but right after I got off the ground. I had filed on flight plan.com and before I left it showed that my routing would be straight out 2 miles to the BWS VOR then direct to PIO which is right on the line for San Antonio. Obviously things changed, and had I circled above the airport to 13K before calling as suggested perhaps then he would have sent me straight to PIO. I appreciate the insights. Lesson learned.

Paul, I filed direct but the clearance was for vectors to the south along the El Paso corridor while he sorted out the activity in the restricted areas. By the time he sorted out the multiple restrictions he transferred me to El Paso. I had not penetrated the restricted area prior to my contact with center. The DP from KALM is for a very out of the way detour north to the Corona VOR so I didn't file or request that. This was my first experience with a hot restricted area and was perhaps too passive by staying IFR and accepting the long diversion. Once hot, the restricted area was not available IFR or VFR. My question is could I have cancelled IFR, gone VFR and returned north until I got past the restricted area, then headed east thru the MOA?

I had filed direct and offered to climb to 13K once the vectoring south began so I could turn east. ABQ center had me continue south and transferred me to El Paso approach. By then, El Paso advised I stay on that path. Had I cancelled IFR and turned back north, I would have only traveled about 20 miles out of my way. As it turned out, by staying IFR, I was vectored almost 100 miles out of the way. I picked up the clearance once I got airborn, and perhaps I could have gotten it all sorted out if I had called on the phone while on the ground?

I flew to Alamagordo NM on Saturday for lunch with a friend. I filed IFR from KALM to my home base at 5C1 near San Antonio on Sunday morning. When I called to pick up my clearance, I was told that restricted spaces R-5103C, R-5103B, and R-5103A were all "hot". I was vectored all the way south to El Paso in the narrow VFR corridor. I chose to remain IFR, but perhaps I could have cancelled, gone VFR, turned north, and returned to KALM then traversed the series of MOAs when I turned east toward Texas. This is the first time I've had to divert that far. What should I have done?

Can the Mooney broker in Brighton recommend someone?

48 flights and 100 hrs, lots of BBQ trips around Texas and a few trips to Michigan from Texas.

I have his book on parrot training, and met Mike after his nonstop flight from NJ to San Marcos TX. Super pilot, performer, trainer....way to go Mike

I've made many skydives at Deland over the years, and flew my Mooney there a couple of years ago. Good service from the FBO, and the skydive operation is among the world's best. Sounds like fun!

Not my camera, but I flew there today in a friend's plane. Diner is closed on Mon-Tues...just FYI.

Thanks, I'll check the rod and clips on the bench seat bottom mañana. If it works out I may be able to bring bulkier items. AeroComfort redid my interior a few years ago (still looks great), but I didn't see the install. The upper bolts on the seat back are visible and should be easy to remove. Ray

Chris, those gyro instructors at the airport in Taylor TX have a great reputation and cool modern gyros.....I'm thinking about it!

How is the back bench seat cushion attached? I'd like to fold mine down sometimes.

I love Fs as well, but the photo was behind all the text that was printed on everyone's posts. It's fine now??

each thread I open has a photo from a for sale F model on each post. It's in different forums?

Congratulations on your purchase. What did you get? Photos? As stated by others, get good transition training from a Mooney experienced CFI. Also, when flying cross country (TX to MI), my wife is most happy in our Mooney when I remove the co-pilot seat and she sits in the back and has all that room in front of her. It makes entry/egress easier as well...strange but true. Ray

There is a rocket at Boerne Stage 5C1 that is looking for a partner. PM me and I can get the info for you. Ray

I visit South Lyon near Ann Arbor and park at Y47 several times per year. Check with the Mooney broker in Brighton for maintenance recommendations. I flew to Traverse City, Charlevoix, and Mackinaw Island this year.....all good summer stops. Ray