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Lots of public highways go through reservations all over the country. I fly into airports on tribal land fairly frequently, but they're public airports not marked PVT. I grew up in SoDak and owned property there until recently and have lived most of my life in AZ, and in both states a fair percentage of the land is reservations. I've spent lots of time on the reservations in both states, and in AZ there are places where you need permits to go on the reservations, but it's usually not too big of a deal to get the required permits. This really isn't much different than special use areas off the reservations. The canyon area this guy was visiting is one of the reservation special use areas that requires permits just to be there, so that was already a similar thing, and hundreds or thousands of people go there every year since it's a very popular area. It's also possible and frequently happens that somebody runs afoul of some local authority or pissing match between authorities off reservations as well. This case doesn't seem to be any different from what I can see, so from that perspective this isn't a tribal thing it's just a typical thing of running afoul of somebody who wants to exercise their authority. I had the US Border Patrol threaten to seize my car because we stopped at a checkpoint when I was taking a foreign colleague (Kiwi from New Zealand) to Tombstone just to do some tourist stuff. He didn't have his passport with him, so the threats were that I was going to get busted for transporting an illegal, they were going to seize my car, arrest me, deport him, etc., etc. This was not on a reservation, it was on a US public highway. We were detained for hours. Because he didn't have his passport on him. It's not a tribal thing, imho. You can run into it anywhere.

But albatross soar. This little guy was 4 months old, and flapped his wings for 11 days without pause! Absolutely amazing! Plus he found New Zealand.

It certainly is for me! At my last IR check flight, I was so nervous that I made a couple of really stupid mistakes that I would never make flying solo. For example, I didn't read the part of the SID chart which said to contact XYZ immediately after takeoff. I passed, but I honestly didn't feel like I deserved to, given my performance. Here's another fun fact: Due to my extreme test anxiety, I was super nervous before my English proficiency exam. We need those here in Switzerland. I am now Swiss, but I spent the first 29 years of my life in the US and got my PhD from Boston University, so I think my English is ok. When I got into the room, the Swiss guy judging my English learned his English in New Zealand. His accent was so strong and so strange that I couldn't understand him at first. I thought for a second, "I'm actually going to fail this thing!"

This might be a duplicate post but I can’t find the original. At any rate I will be working in New Zealand for 9 months starting in September this year. Are there any Mooneyspacers who live or work in NZ? Can anyone tell me about Pilot licensing in NZ? Feel free to send email to: aeroncadoc@comcast.net Henry Hochberg N355RZ@KPAE M20M

John did my rotorcraft - helicopter practical test. Afterwards, I was the first one to fly the first R-22 he and his partner obtained when they started Sirius Flying. I flew with John a number of times for currency over the years. He flew Hueys in Vietnam and spent time in New Zealand flying helicopters and instructing in them before coming back stateside. I always enjoyed flying with him. The last time was maybe eight years or so ago shortly after his wife of many years passed away, He doesn't currently show up on the FAA DPE list and Sirius Flying. LLC in Palo Alto appears to be defunct, so I assume he has retired. Skip

Yeah, switching from variable rates to fixed rates was one thing that US has learned during the 2007 crisis. It seems like a bunch of other countries still continue to do that, namely UK, Sweden, New Zealand. They are at a greater risk, because even if they keep their jobs, their mortgage payments are more unaffordable. Whereas in US, your other expenses are growing, but your mortgage is not. Furthermore, prior to the crisis, it was normal to be paying interest only, nothing towards the capital. That's a ponzi scheme that relies on an expanding economy and sector. Of course, I realized that back in 2005 when I heard that "many people in US only pay interest on their homes". I mentioned that to some random person from NYC finance world whom I happened to encounter at a personal get-together in 2006, and I told him that US economy will pop, not do "soft landing" or "deflate". I was immediately put down in my place for being a lowly engineer nerd who doesn't understand how the "market" works. You know, the market "creates" jobs, the market "destroys" wealth, and the market "always grows in the long term"; just the way God gives providence and takes away stuff to test you and everything happens for a reason because God "has a plan". I guess I just don't have too much faith in the market god... Sinner as charged. Our planes used to cost 50k$ back in the 60s. That's today's 300k. Whereas, a new plane costs 900+$ nowadays. That means, it's 3x less affordable. That keeps the demand for older planes high. Our planes have appreciated in real terms (above inflation) during covid, because more people wanted a plane. So, I don't think that their values are diminishing (maybe not you Acclaim or Bravo guys, maybe that's more for us pre-J guys). Maybe they will become scrap metal when they will be deemed un-green. Dunno.

Here I am again with my rather expensive idea of bringing a Mooney over to New Zealand. The local airplane market is quite limited, with lots of microlight or Cessnas. I am after a short body M20 that would perform well on short strip and grass. Is it reasonable to ship a Mooney in a container and re assemble it here, Or the cost of dis-assemble and re-assemble will come up to the price of a newer machine ferry flown. I am not looking for a quote but more for advice on how to choose the plane to make it a little more worthwhile if I was to resell it here. (plane purchase/shipping cost) What you guys think of finding a project plane, or a wing damaged plane or even one that need rust repair around the tubes of the cabin, in which case the purchase price would be lower than a good plane and the repair price would be partly offset by the need to crate the plane. In other words, I won't be removing wings of a good plane for nothing else than just shipping. Florent

New Zealand seems like a tiny little place. Can't see why you need such a fast airplane. My Cessna's wings came off with a couple bolts. I've read (here, I think) that removing a Mooney's wings is a really really big deal, as is assembling them. I think you'd have an easier time buying, shipping, and assembly a kit plane.

I’ve shipped a large helicopter in an open container. They are called Flat-racks. They have vertical Posts on the corners and are fully stackable. Everything must fit with in the confines of the perimeter. They are nice because you can hoist things onto the rack strap them down and be done. Only issue is that it’s open to the elements. I used Matson and shipped to hawaii. There in New Zealand you have some awesome warbird restoration places that could put an M20 together in no time. It’s not a bad idea especially if you found one already apart in the states. Unfortunately for you, all pieces of my airplane are in flying formation. Except for the Exhaust Crack I discovered today. ;-). -Matt

We have a couple of New Zealand MSers… that have been discussing buying Mooneys… -a-

I will let you know..... so far a lot of interest but no commitment or at very low price. I am looking at flying the M22 to New Zealand where I will residing for the next couple of years.... I am happy to consider serious offer but it needs to be sensible and fair for the condition of the aircraft and the money I spent to keep it as it is.

I have no idea how the cost would add up, but Mooney had very deep pockets to do this because they were developing a process not for a single plane but start process for importation and certification in China. But at least initially the same people that disassembled went to China to help re-assemble it - without that continuity you'd spend a lot more time documenting and inventorying all the hardware and parts for re-assembly. I can't imagine it being worthwhile on a Vintage budget, nor being able to recoup those cost on resale down the road. But since you have the time, why not purchase a more capable modern Mooney and fly it to New Zealand? Maybe there is even one in Australia you could get?

Hello from New Zealand folks, I am in the market for a Rocket preferably a 1986 on example or one that has had the frame epoxy primed as part of a repaint. It doesn't have to be too fancy just an honest, well maintained, regularly flying example with good engine data is what I am looking for. An owner that was up for an adventure flying it to New Zealand and having a holiday on us flying it around here before handing over would be the match made in heaven. https://skyvector.com/?ll=6.891525890546765,-127.79296875192452&chart=302&zoom=16&fpl=N0175F180 KSMX PHTO PLCH NSTU NZAA Morning mists in our valley

Hi guys, Did you end up ferrying one to New Zealand? Florent

Hi all, I am Florent, from New Zealand. First post here but been reading from sometime now. I have never flown a Mooney and I hope I'll have the chance to do it sometime. MS might be the right place to find an Auckland based Mooney syndicate. Or even to form one! Florent

I didn't get any FAA rating for them. I just had the USHPA ratings. I think I technically needed something more for the PPC, but the guy who loaned it to me for a trip around the pattern didn't care, and I figured, how hard could it be. I have an NZHPA (New Zealand) PG2 rating, an HGFA (now SAFA Australian) HG Advanced rating, and a USHPA Hang 3 rating in the US.

Hi from New Zealand, I have a question that may have been answered on the forum previously, forgive me in advance.. We have a '64 M-20C on maintenance, s/n 2802 which has rotten flaps. We also have access to flaps off an M-20 E which have been refurbished. So the question is, can the 240000 flaps be replaced with the 240014 flaps? They are of different construction with different fairings but were fitted to C's from s/n 2923 on. Thank you. Pete Garlick Northland Aviation Whangarei New Zealand

Quote from ILC’s link.... by cutting off the arrival of new cases and choking out existing ones with the restrictions. “We have the opportunity to do something no other country has achieved: elimination of the virus,” My take on that... great plan... Great execution... The author... holed up for four weeks... I think more people live in NYC then the entire country of New Zealand... Each time the virus survives, for whatever reason.... the elimination project starts over. How do you get 300 million people to get on board this train... I like the idea... In NJ, Parks opened for the first time in a month... I didn’t go visit... won’t go until tomorrow... late... The nice weather brings people outside... They have to be long distance runners to be where I will be at. hard to run any too far and be carrying a virus... too. Best regards, -a-

This is an interesting article about New Zealand. I have a friend who is a medical student there and it sounds like their approach and response has been quite different from ours. I wonder if they may be able to hold large events this summer given their early success at dealing with the virus. https://apple.news/AvqL8-vIKSEOAN24XNUvaBQ

Hello everyone. I just sent Erik a PM about his start ignition that I notice is the original OEM type. I wasn't going to post publicly as this is not really the correct forum to discuss this issue but after further consideration, I thought I would anyway given its importance and is something I was not aware of before it happened to me. I am sharing the PM for the benefit of those who may not be aware of a problem associated with the original type. I have previously mentioned this in at least one thread some time ago, so for MSers who may not have been around or remember and still have the original, I hope this post benefits you. Years ago, Mooney moved away from the original and installed into their production models the new type that uses the Medeco key. Needless to say, I also had the new type fitted post accident, as did many other Mooney owners in Australia as a result of what happened to me. I don't remember the upgrade as being overly expensive at that time. Please don't ask me how this could suddenly stop an engine as I cannot remember in technical terms plus I am electrically illiterate. There was no ATSB investigation, however my mechanic and some highly regarded electrical engineers did their own investigation and arrived at the conclusion the old ignition was the most likely cause. The New Zealand authority must have been onto something. Mods - Please feel free to move this to another forum if desired. The PM - Hello Erik. I notice in your beautiful photo in the Today's flight in the year 2020 thread that your Mooney has the old style ignition and key. The reason I brought this up with you is 12 years ago my J suffered a sudden engine failure and although the investigation was inconclusive, the smoking gun culprit was thought to be this type of ignition, which was the original OEM fitted system such as yours. No other fault was found. I and a lot of other Mooney owners here in Australia had the latest ignition system fitted, which includes the Medeco key that you may have noticed some forum threads and discussed occasionally. Mooney changed to the new style some years before my issue and therefore all new Mooneys have that type. In my case there was evidence of much carbon built up through arcing behind the ignition switch. It is interesting that neither Mooney or the FAA have mandated any type of inspection or replacement of the ignition switch whereas the New Zealand and another country's authority (I can't remember the country) have a 500 hour inspection mandate. Australia's CASA could not care less. It might be worthwhile talking to your aircraft mechanic about this. Victor

Hey folks does anyone know this aircraft? https://barnstormers.s3.amazonaws.com/media/docs/305KM_For_Sale_buNTTQg.pdf For New Zealand we really need the epoxy coated frame however...

On the way to Antarctica from New Zealand in a C-17 a few years ago. The view from the cockpit is amazing. From the back, not so hot.

It is! And not to be sniffed at. It is a proper adventure and you need to be well prepared. If you limit to Part 91 and exclude helicopters... from NTSB data. 73% of ferry pilots that ditch survive the splash down and the sea survival. 87% of ditchings result in all souls saved. 93% of forced landings on land result in no fatalities though injuries including burns are a lot higher. This is Paul Bertorelli on ditchings http://www.equipped.com/ditchingmyths.htm While in Australia I tracked down Ray Clamback to talk about his 300 or so deliveries from the US to Australia and New Zealand and his two open water ditchings http://www.equipped.com/1199ditch.htm That route is a probably the most typical avgas route to NZ though I think some are avoiding Cassidy these days as you have to position fuel there in advance. East is way, way harder from a handling, not getting shot down, mugged, ripped off, sold barrels of avgas full of water etc. perspective and a lot more expensive. You can go North and through Russia and Asia if range is limited but the water is much colder and land is not that much safer to land on in an engine out scenario. Sea survival, temps, sea state, shipping movements, inReach PLBs and ground crews, tropical CBs, limited approach nav aids, Hobbits and real life Dragons you have to contend with Westbound. Believe it of not SEP can actually be safer then MEP when so tanked up that one engine will not keep you in the air even in ground effect for the first 1/4 of the leg. Lots to think about, and a real achievement to get done safely, even with GPS.

Welcome aboard Henry... We have many Australian MSers... and a few New Zealanders that show up every now and then... Try this on for size... see if anything shows up... https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q=Zealand Best regards, -a-

Greetings spacers: i will be working in New Zealand for nine months starting in September this year. Anyone on Mooneyspace live or work there? I’d love to connect with any pilots, Mooney or not! I’d also like to find out about pilot licensing in NZ. feel free to contact me at: aeroncadoc@comcast.net See you soon. Henry Hochberg M20M N355RZ @KPAE