M20F

The Executive model offers many fine accessories such as a cigar lighter and a retracting step. Truly the best of all the Mooney Models. Spend $700k on an Acclaim and the step doesn't even retract, forget about having one ashtray let alone two.

I have only taken my F to 25,000 feet it took about 56 mins. It was cold :-(

The one gap there is there is no redundancy to the electricity itself. So a fire or some sort of electrical catastrophe and you are SOL. Vacuum is a separate and non-related back up system. Having both provides the highest level of redundancy and it is cheaper to boot.

If the goal is redundancy then vacuum and electric provides the best option. Personally I am not a fan of all vacuum or all electric set ups.

All the rivets on my F are smoking rivets, because it is so fast.

Can confirm speeds are correct

I guess my take is if half flaps is most lift than that is what I would want departing or doing a missed. I don't really see a compelling reason not to. I generally don't use full flaps for landing though unless the runway is really short.

Half flaps for take off, thus I like having half flaps for the go around. I always fly with the intent of a missed, not a landing. My thoughts on the topic.

The FAR's do the same

99.9% of NTSB reports I read are people doing things I scratch my head at. I have over the years had friends crash and die, great pilots who did things I scratch my head at that result in their death. I think what most miss is it isn't lack of AOA, stall horn, or a lot of other stuff. It is just a momentary lapse of reason in most cases that leads to an unfortunate incident. They are called accidents for a reason, don't succumb to the notion of invulnerability.

Pitch and power always go together to get to vRef. I can fly 18" at a lot of differing speeds depending upon pitch; I can fly 120MPH at a lot of differing pitches/power settings. Generally I find when people are having problems with glideslope, landing, etc. it is a pitch issue. They are flying a power setting per the book or other reputable source to try and hit a speed but with too much or not enough pitch (AOA). Pitch (AOA), power, and speed are all directly related so all 3 have to come together to be consistent. I will say 18" gets me to about 120 then gear at 1 dot and then 1/2 flaps at FAF coupled with 2-3" reduction puts me @500 FPM down the G/S at @ 95mph with about 5 degrees of pitch. This has worked for me in F, J, E, C's with pretty minor modifications depending on weather, weight, CG, etc. but emphasis on minor.

When the big sponge goes flying past the windshield you will know you forgot to remove it, carry spares.

Big sponge makes excellent cowl plug, for about $5.

Do not use pneumatic on the prop and review previous log entries to see what type of prop grease they are using. I use my pneumatic to do the gear.

Nothing to sell but highly recommend a Subaru Outback, I have 500k combined miles on my two. Tires, brakes, and every so often I change the oil. Both have original spark plugs. Hauls a ton inside, on the roof, and will pull a reasonable trailer. Gets great gas mileage if you get the small engine.

Could do KLAX to KSAV today in 8.5hrs with IFR reserves if I happened to be in LAX and if I finally get around to putting Jose's marvelous invention in during 2017.

Temp, weight, altitude, etc. are always going to change the MP setting to fly a Vref. It certainly helps to have a baseline to dial into as a start and go up/down as needed. One issue people have as well is failure to keep a consistent AOA/pitch to go with an airspeed. I can fly to final at 90mph with 5, 10, 15, etc. degrees of pitch which obviously will impact needed power. Keep playing with it and eventually it just sort of becomes second nature.

+1 it is a $1000 installed for the Turbo with Oil Cooler. Zero fuss and works great. Light bulbs and other things are just a hassle in my opinion. In the grand scheme of airplane ownership a good cheap investment that works flawlessly even in North Dakota winters.

Black hills are nice. What are you looking to do, would help with suggestions.

All American

This is what I do, if I boost a bit too much it just takes more blades. When it starts to fire I add the mixture in slowly. I find that just cranking with no boost (shutdown at 1000 and just crank) doesn't work.

I posted here once I think my 3-way speed runs with atmosphere conditions but if not will dig out and post next week. I get 130-170kts (Rayjay). As others have made the point it is highly dependent upon a lot of factors.

Second antenna is a nice to have for redundancy in event of a loss. If we are discussing accuracy though GPS is the solution for that. Other than for fun I can't remember the last time I actually tuned in a ground station.

Parked various airplanes outside for 30yrs have yet to notice much difference to parking inside. Don't over think it.

I don't view it as criticism. For some people maybe the Mooney is the most spacious and comfortable plane in the world, but for most who make that argument passionately they are just delusional. I bought a Mooney because it was the best mix of everything for the price. I would much rather be in a lot of other planes, but for my needs the Mooney fits the bill. To the Commander advocate I learned how to fly and have about 600hrs in a 19 54 or 56 (can't remember) 560A. Fill 7 seats with full baggage and gas and you don't even need to do a W&B. A leisurely 140kts at 24gph but it was without a doubt the best and most stable plane I ever flown, and I have flown a lot of models.