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Thinking about some recent Facebook post, What are all y'all's thoughts on configuration warnings, for example: "Takeoff Warning" - flaps in the wrong position, speed brakes out, etc? "Landing Gear Warning" - Based on throttle position (some say manifold pressure, but it is really throttle position), flap position (full (landing) flaps without the gear down), etc? Different stall warning? Different landing gear warning? Etc? (you name it. Just getting some ideas to look at why (fatal) accidents happen … from a total aviation geek's perspective Pull!

After finishing the written, I recently started training for the IR in my '68 C. This thread serves to address learning snags along the way, particularly those specific to my model. As an initial step, I adapted the "IFR by the Numbers" table in the MAPA Proficiency Course for the C model to my own format: I've found a good experienced instructor who has taught in the proficiency course before, so Mooney ignorance is not a barrier. However the old J-bar birds may present some distinct challenges, and I want to refine my model-specific knowledge and modify procedures based on the real world experience of people here. Two initial issues to address from my lesson yesterday: (1) Configuring for a precision approach descent as in the MAPA guide (2300, 18", gear/flaps up) leaves me WAY faster than the 120mph on the chart to stay on glideslope - more like 140mph. Then I had to chop power and level off to get to the 120mph gear speed, which still put me irretrievably above glideslope. What approach settings do others use, and how do they slow to gear speed around the FAF (assuming they need to keep speed up prior to that)? (2) Going missed with the J-bar has its own issue - I have to get the speed down to <90mph or the gear retract is going to be physically undoable. What procedures do folks use related to getting the gear up when going missed? So far I've left the gear down when going around vfr to keep things simple, so I don't have any hardwired habits to help me. Also any other tips and/or deviations from the above numbers that people find handy in the J-bar C model or similar birds?