PilotDerek

It just looks fast. I like it, very unique especially the cowl. I would love to see more pictures.

Wow, that is a loaded panel. What year/type Mooney do you have? The panel looks really high.

Quote: PilotDerek Mike Busch recommends 50 hrs or every four months from his column on AvWeb.

Mike Busch recommends 50 hrs or every four months from his column on AvWeb.

How many of you change your own oil? Is there a reason why you do or don't? Do you always send a sample out for analysis? As a new owner I'd love to hear the different approaches everyone takes to their aircrafts oil cahnges.

I liked the card, but the wife said it didn't really portray the Christmas holiday like many of the other cards so we went with a more Christmas themed card

Quote: rdav I had a similar issue trying to decode my weight and balance sheet. I have a few mods on my plane, and the W&B amendments for each one will have some margin of error. That error just accumulates the further you get from factory new. To be certain of the result in the end, I had the shop put the aircraft on scales and give me the true weight and C of G numbers.

I'm in the always set takeoff flaps group. Just don't see a reason not too and it'll become muscle memory so you never forget them. Trying to figure out if runway length is adaquate to use/not use just doesn't make sense. There is a reason why there is a setting for takeoff on our flaps indicator and checklist. Always side on the side of safety.

I have the 16 gb Ipad 1 and use foreflight w/ all maps for CA, AZ, & NV with plenty of storage for a few other apps. I'll echo the same as many others if you plan on using it for more than just aviation, web surfing, netflix, and email I would get the 32. Better to have more than not enough.

Quote: orangemtl You're right about the bang:buck ratio. I hope to attend the next get-together in the Western states. PilotDerek? You coming?

Quote: jbreda I have a set of Mooney cowl plugs I will not be using. E-mail me if interested at johnabreda@yahoo.com Thanks, John Breda

From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; -Shakespeare A great many thanks to my Brothers and Sisters that have served or are currently serving. To those currently in harms way, "Give em Hell" and come home safe!

Quote: orangemtl Love the paint scheme. We'll have to get a photo of 2930L and 730ML side by side one of these days, in 29P or at KHII. Let me know if you're working on the plane in the next few weekends, and I'll take a hop over to say 'hi'. Sounds like a plan. If I can escape for a long lunch I've been planning to fly out there. I heard they have a bbq joint on the field. Any good? I'll give you a call when I plan on heading out there.

I had less than 80 hrs with 5 hours complex time (all in a Mooney) when I bought my Mooney. When I was going for my PPL, I told my instructor that I was looking at planes, mostly fixed gear; I really like the look of the Grumman (American General) Tigers. My instructor kept telling to buy a Mooney. He said they were the best planes out there. At the time I was not interested in a complex aircraft, I had heard all the rumors about being difficult to land, overshooting the runway, etc. After I got my PPL I looked for someone to get my complex endorsement and found a fellow Marine who not only was a CFII he owned a M20J. After my first flight with him in his plane I was in love. Squashed were all the rumors I had ever heard about Mooney, this was the aircraft I wanted. Less than three months later I have my Mooney.

Quote: xftrplt As a communicator in the Marine Corps, I continuously have to watch how I talk on the radio. Many people are named “roger”, many don’t understand “Lima Charlie”

Quote: sapientia After that I plan on building my time up in rentals and buying my first plane next spring/summer which I plan on being a Mooney!

Quote: flyboy0681 Try the Everglades.

I like flying at night, but out here if there is no moon it is DARK. I might as well be in a cloud. The few lights on the ground can quickly meld in with the stars. Also you better know where you are out here as there are plenty of mountains that just will not move out of your way. I was flying with my instructor/friend one night in his plane, had the autopilot on and he turns to me and said "are we flying straight?". Because the I-10 was lit up and slanted from our view it made it seem we were not straight and level (which we were). If it gets too dark (and I believe that is possible for VFR pilots) trust your instraments. Flying at night out here is very smooth.

Where are you stationed in the States? I'm sure one of us with an F model would be willing to take you for a flight. Size 44 jacket. I am more comfortable in my Mooney than the C-172 I used to rent especially with the leg room up front.