orangemtl

Guess I need to sign in again

From what I have read it appears you can expect 6 mph increase on the long body and about half that on the short. I don't know if I believe either. I would expect something as it must be somewhat cleaner, especially if the antennas no longer hang out in the breeze. I need to replace several skins on the belly due to the gear collapse so I figured the cost of the materials are going to be more with the one piece but the labor savings over the alumunum for the install might be worthwhile. Also wondering if anyone ever heard of AERO MOD?

GUMPS check, first. Second is the "My, we're going fast: wonder what I can do to make the aircraft go slower?", which occurs at roughly the same moment when entering the pattern. Third is my habit of verbally announcing (either to my wife in the R seat, or to the empty cockpit) "The gear, is down; the gear, with a green light, is DOWN". I'd rather sound foolish in private, than look foolish in public. Fourth, which I've only actually heard one time is Mrs. Mooney announcing the need for putting the gear down. Combination of speed and altitude at the time, rather than actual faiure to drop the gear. So far. Check back in ten years, and we'll see how well my system works.

BTW, Bennett: Nice paint work on your plane. Very unique and appealing. If it's not anyone else's cup o' Java: who cares?

Quote: BrianNC Thanks for the info guys. That clears it up. Just a few more questions. Is there any other Mooney that compares to that speed with that low of fuel burn? And is this the longest body Mooney made? I think the 231 is shorter, but is the Encore the long body? Also, how does it compare to the Bravo? The only reason I ask is that I see the Bravo has its own forum, so I was wondering if there was something 'special' about that model.

A question for flight planning purposes: Mohave airport is of course right next to R-2515, Edwards AFB's Restricted space. Is 2515 typically 'hot' on weekends? Havasu to KMHV is an easy straight shot if 2515 is open, but I really do not want to pick up a personal F16 escort. I'll check with LA Center in any event, but I'd like to anticipate coming up from the south around 2515, if necessary. Thanks.

We're in. Looking forward to it.

Shame on them, indeed (I mean lyc and conti). Meaning no disrespect, but: the two major suppliers of GA engines in the United States for, what the past 60 years, get outengineered by....Austria? That's like having Apple outmaneuvered by Radio Shack. Or losing a war to Wisconsin. Rotax could shove the two of them into the dustbin of history with a solid, higher output engine that many/any of us could retrofit in our current rides. Yes, I know: STC, regulatory costs, etc: but 100LL may or may not stick around. This thing will run on avgas. I see an opportunity here. Anyone for a 6 cylinder, 180HP Rotax next?

Quote: Vref Hope, just wondering you have speedbrakes under your wing also..?...I see something sticking out on your bottom RH wing..

Welcome to the club! Lots to learn, and lots to share among the brethren. And sistern...or something.

Exactly, Hank. Heck of an engineering feat, to produce a basic framework that carries on for 50 years as in the M20. Well done, Mr Mooney; well done, indeed.

Quote: triple8s Ya know I think my old "C" model looks pretty good, she treats me well, and lots of the Mooneys on here look really nice too but Hot Dog is like the Blonde in the miniskirt with fake hooters I just HAVE to look at her!

Wish I could get the top of my plane sawed off, and replaced with a clear canopy, like N20XT. Now there's a plane. Ah, well: a boy can dream....

Personally, I like my Mooney landing gear: but, maybe it's just me. No doubt with 3000 new planes sold per year, a fleet of engineers, a supportive FAA and the sudden plague-induced death of every product liability lawyer in the country, they'd do a better job. But sadly, those things won't happen. Aspen seems to have done a good job, overall. They're no doubt a small company. Times are tight for small companies: but that doesn't say as much about the company as about the economy and GA. As in many things, if you don't like the product, by all means don't buy one. Things fail. It's unfortunate. Best way to avoid failed avionics, like avoiding sudden engine failure, is to ride the bus. Until such time as we choose that alternative, we all accept a finite degree of risk. And, if my glass cockpit fails, it may be a failure of the device, but it's ultimately my error in purchase decisionmaking, and risk assessment. Nobody else's. Without the 'lousy' Mooney gear, and 'outdated' steam gauges, and 'thirsty', 'outdated' piston engines, and 'temperamental' electrical systems, we'd all be on the ground. Thanks to all of those dumb, incompetent, outdated, sloppy engineers with their unreliable suppliers, I can fly through the air. Seems like a more than fair exchange. In other words: count your blessings, everyone. Fine line between focused technical critiques, and b---ing about the world's imperfections.

Now, how could ANYone dislike that plane? Even if you despise their color choices (which I don't), you have to give the owners credit for imagination, and just the pure joy they obviously derive from that aircraft. Well done. Let's see more Hot Dogs, and less 'white with a beige stripe'.

Quote: Vref The Aspen is by far the better unit and is significantly more capable. I have flown both. The Sandel is more relavent if you already have a King compass system istalled, otherwise, you are flying your Mooney back in time. If I had a Lear 35, the Sandel would work well. I have an Aspen 2000 system. I have flown it 50 hours since last April without a hitch. Every new product has to cut their teeth (sorry for the pun).

Thank you for the comprehensive explanation. My aircraft (31-0036) was inspected and cleared. Good to know not that the vast majority were fine, but that others were found and corrected. We all understand the fanatical level of detail necessary in issuing ADs, and the necessary 'overkill' that results. Such is the nature of imerfect human beings, flying heavier-than-air machinery, assembled by other imperfect humans, and maintained by same.

Quote: KSMooniac Check my photo gallery here on Mooneyspace. I worked with a scheme designer that has lots of Mooney experience, and HIGHLY recommend him. The price is very reasonable, too. A few others here have done the same, with great results. Check Fantom's gallery too since you like blue.

Perhaps a modified BMW scheme? The lines on the original scheme are a bit sharp and clumsy, but it can be readily modified into a very nice two color mod, with wingtip flourishes in both tones. Just a thought. Alternately? Take a look at Ebay (yes, Ebay) under photos, military, aircraft: some striking and yet technically simple classic schemes there, that can be readily translated with the colors of your choice. Whatever you choose, enjoy the process! Post pictures for all of us.

Just found a 1952 Flying article in "I learned about flying from that" about a P38 pilot getting lost on the way to Kingman, north of me, and finding his way to the airport (which changed in position and radio beacon frequency since his outdated map) by pairing up with a Mustang pilot on his way to the the same locale. Won't see too many Mustangs flying over AZ, anymore:what a time. What a great resource! Thanks for posting this link.

The Sandel units really seem to be a nice balance between classic round gauge technology and glass panels, without breaking the bank. I can see shifting to the 4500/4550 if I were updating a panel but didn't want to rip out the whole thing, with the attendant costs. What's the Aspen system cost in round figures? Just curious.

Among the things I most like in a glass cockpit: Moving map. Reassuring and useful. Engine monitoring: CHTs, EGTs, etc. Synthetic vision (not a necessity, but still: nice) Weather and lightning info Constantly revised distance/ETA info from origin to waypoint. Elevation info, including highlighted 'excess' elevations. Reassuring, when flying at night. Nobody ever intentionally flew into a mountain they knew was in front of them. I suspect many of these (exc engine info)can be placed on an IPad (or 2), and mounted/placed conveniently in the cockpit w/o messing with existing gauges. Extremely cost effective, and provides incremental info. There IS an app for that: and that, and that too. If I had a pure round gauge panel, I'd do this, and pocket the $000's otherwise spent on an Aspen. Many things are not a necessity. But: so what. Planes aren't either, for many of us. Nor GPS in our cars. Nor satellite TV. If ever I find myself the owner of a CJ6 Chinese trainer, it'll remain a pure steam gauge device, becasue I don't have to go anywhere in it. Ditto a Cub, or Navion, or vintage Vtail B35. For a new aircraft to come out with 1985 technology, however is simply indefensible.