Dave Marten

NOT an issue for our GA aircraft tires. But don't take my word for it. Reversing tires recommended by Mark Rouch, Top Gun Aviation.

201er, I think you just answered your own question: "That said, I've put 500 hours on the plane and about 250 landings since the first tire was changed. It's tied down outside. I fly it hard and heavy. I land in all kinds of weather and crosswinds. I use heavy braking on short runways." Your tire wear/life is normal given your utilization of the plane. 3 yrs and 500 hrs is not bad. You fly more than the average GA pilot, which means you'll be wearing out your consumables faster than the average 50hr a year pilot. However, refine your pilot technique: stay off the heavy braking by rolling out to the end of the runway vs slamming on the brakes to make the mid-field taxiway. I will roll to the end of any runway <3500 ft. Let her roll and use light braking. FOR EVERYONE: Apply increasing AFT YOKE PRESSURE DURING landing rollout and braking by smoothly bringing the yoke aft until you reach FULL AFT and HOLD. Use the elevator to drive the tail down and maximize the load on the mains (increase friction). The '96 version of the J POH includes that statement as note 2 of the Normal Landing Distance chart. Keep the weight off the nose by holding aft yoke. If your chewing through nose tires your probably not using sufficient aft yoke during takeoff and landing.

Agree. Maybe LED wingtip lights, but I won't carve up the cowl. Many ramps are dark. My technique is an LED flashlight out the vent window. Helps spotting tiedowns, clearing obstacles, and even flagging down lineman. The cowling mod could be done on a 337, but high cost low benefit.

What Jose said... Aircraft Spruce for Goodyear flight custom 3. I don't skimp on tires. Get quality tubes also. I do change myself. Use care torquing everything and safety wiring. Leave cheap tires for flight schools who burn through them. You should be concerned with quality and longevity. In my case I chose to replace both mains. One was due and the other had about 25 percent left. Heck, it was my Christmas present from my wife last year. Two fresh Goodyears under the tree-literally.

On most Mooneys the outboard half of the mains show the most wear. Rotate (flip) the tire. Remove, split wheel, reverse tire, and re-install with the meat outboard. You'll increase tire life. If you have one tire wearing more than the other look at a couple factors: - uneven brakes - pad thickness, bleeding - tire pressure - mis-matched tires (Goodyear on left and Michelin on right) - You- are you constantly making a "high speed" turn off in the same direction in order to get to the ramp? slow down! - environment - prevailing crosswinds at the local airport - bent/mis-rigged landing gear - not normally suspect but possible - I also believe that most pilots will apply more pedal pressure with their right foot due to both right hand/foot dominance and negative transfer from your car's brake pedal.

Very cool. Although for those Mooney drivers who are terrified of even parking on grass (not to mention the horrific thought of actually landing on a grass runway) landing on the beach must be shear terror! They're probably amazed you didn't kill yourself. Just because its not paved doesn't mean its not a great landing surface! Maybe I'm biased since I fly off the airfield with the world's longest sand runways - the Edwards AFB lakebeds. If I'm up in the NW then I'll be sure to visit Vargas Island - In my Mooney! I've got a friend who keeps his 252 at a grass field - he's Canadian too! Don't let the lack of pavement inhibit your flying.

Lacee, During your " TIT 1623 @ 22.4 GPH @ 2430 RPM = 194 TAS @ 10,500" run what was your MP and EGT per cylinder? Can't tell if your 1623 TIT number is high w/o reference to MP and clyinder EGT. What was the MP/RPM/FF and TIT during the climb? How is the factory TIT probe tracking with the engine monitor TIT probe?

Since you asked for opinions.....I'll be honest. I think you're priced 7-10k high based on your avionics. What is a KNS 80 and Apollo 360? (Just kidding). If you do intend to keep the J an IFR GPS will yield much more utility. When I bought my Mooney the /G was a mandatory item. Most IFR pilots will either walk away from a non-IFR GPS bird or factor the cost to upgrade into their offer.

Nice work Ned! Frontal boundaries are not "brick walls" in the sky! Proper knowledge, preflight planning, and inflight situational awareness will prevent the giant air mass from sneaking up on you. While many fronts can be negotiated some cannot. Making the right call requires understanding the current/developing weather conditions. The old "know before you go", but coupled with a condtined evaluation of the weather inflight.

Climb 120 KIAS: 40" (36" intercooled) / 2700RPM / Full Rich / Cowl flaps open. Transitioning through 10K you should be able to partially close the cowl flaps. Hold the climb MP and 2700 RPM all the way to cruise altitude. At 120 KIAS you'll be optimizing efficiency (cooling and performance). Fly the airspeed not the VVI (you'll be easily exceeding 500fpm). Many will call the 120KIAS climb a cruise climb or Vz climb.

Sorry Paul. The front that pushed through SoCal yesterday resulted in some downright dangerous winds through the mountains and passes. Lesson re-learned: Continued VFR through lowering cielings and mountain obscuration at sunset with undoubtedly significant turbulence and wind shear is a reciepe for disaster. Too many CA based pilots neglect the effects of the mountainous terrain in which they fly. It seems we have atleast one SoCal CFIT in the coastal ranges annually. Get-home-itis can be fatal....an overnight in Palm Springs could have been the cure...as always, the weather is beautiful this morning.. FLY SAFE!

Oh well...let's see where this takes MAC. Meanwhile perhaps a new Mooney Caravan logo is in order? All in good fun! Atleast now I'll fit in better when flying with my CJ-6 buddies!

N201MKTurbo offers some sound advice - get it up on jacks and properly troubleshoot. Don't push a landing gear issue!

Jamie, Just give Huntsville your destination. If your route of flight is needed, they'll ask. Don't sweat it - don't over think it. Enjoy the flight!

Well flown sir!

Our fine feathered friend may be on his way to establishing an unofficial world record for a piston single between LDJ and HYI. I can't imagine anyone else choosing that city pair. Smart guy: log 10+ hrs on your mooney and fill up 90 gallons for $90. No cheaper way to get to TX!

2/3 of the way done. Holding 120KGS (as planned w/ 20kt HW). On the curve. Let's hope the GS stays above 120. Even if the winds get him and he stops short that's one heck of a flight! GREAT JOB. Testiment to a solid plan, great airplane, and competent pilot. Thanks for sharing your flight with us. Godspeed Mike! P.S. Mike, change your username from 201er to 201ER (extended range), and please NO damn surveys on how many gatorade bottles you filled! BTW - for you guys watching the total distance on Flightaware the direct (great circle) route is 1318NM. Flightaware displays statue miles as the default distance.

Lacee, Good luck. Keep us posted. Look forward to meeting you in AZ.

Lacee, Glad to hear you're getting your bird back. Personally, I'd go to Mena myself and accept delivery on-site. Conduct your own test flight (with a the shop's pilot if needed) and ensure everything is up to snuff before you depart. If you'd like an independent A&P to inspect then bring him to Mena with you. Call it way overboard, but If it was me I'd ask for the airplane to be de-cowled (and maybe even on jacks so we can run through a gear swing). You're right to "trust but verify". A whole lot easier to resolve any issues in Mena before 'accepting' the airplane vs. after arrival in El Paso.

Keep up the good work!

Jonathan, Congrats on a successful trip! Your Mooney is a superb traveling machine...enjoy it!

Gents, Keep in mind it's a blog by a "futurist" (After I drink enough beer I'm a futurist too!). I support AOPA's (and others) efforts to defend GA but I hardly think now is the end of the VFR world! I'm far more concerned about the impact of the current economic and fiscal policies on GA. Heck, we made it through some other "futurist's" prediction of the end of the world when the Mayan calendar ended in Dec 2012! Help support Aviation........GO FLY!

Fetus, see ya there! We're planning to fly up Friday late afternoon. Given enough time to rehydrate after a 6-9 hr engines running ground test tomorrow in the 100 degree heat! SARDOT

Dave, Please, Pick a spot and SET SOMETHING UP! (Simple meet at airport X for lunch at the cafe is OK) Post it here, EAA, AOPA, fly-ins.com, aerovents, etc. All offer free event posting! If you're feeling ambitious then contact the hosts of a local airport day, fly-in, etc and display your Mooney. Tell the folks about your airplane and GA and now you've just become a Mooney Ambassador Your PA and NJ buddies are pretty active over there. Stretch your legs and join them OR invite them up to your area! Maybe 201er and Maraduer can race to Maine! Also, get involved with your local EAA chapter or pilots association - great way to meet folks and enjoy your airplane.

What the heck, let's fly! I'll put my flight authorization on request with my wife. Hopefully we'll be there! Looking forward to my first trip to Tahoe!