First significant trip

[Htwjr]

I am happy to report that I made my first trip of any significance this weekend in my '67 M20C which I have had for a few months now.  My wife and I as well as two dogs, luggage, cooler and baggage traveled from SC to MS to see our daughter for the weekend.  Everything went great.  We flew back 551nm non stop in 3.9 hrs at 9500 burning 8-9 gph according to the fuel flow gauge.  I am a big fan of efficiency and cannot imagine a plane that could be better suited to my needs. This was not only the first real cross country in the plane but also mine as a pilot.  I got my PPL on 5-25-13 but did not get the official plastic one until yesterday.  It was in the mail when I got home.  I have learned a lot from this forum and enjoy reading responses from pilots that know a lot more that me.  Thanks for all the help.

[co2bruce]

Great job. I'm sure you learned a lot.

[rbridges]

that is the perfect trip for a mooney.  With no direct interstates, I bet the car ride was 9+ hours, and commercial airlines couldn't touch that doorstep to doorstep.

 

when you get a chance, I recommend you get your instrument rating.  It will give you more flexibility on trips like that.

[Seth]

Congratulations!  Using the Mooney the way it was meant to be used.  Keep flying, keep learning.  It's a great to feel accomplished at the end of the day.

 

-Seth

[1964-M20E]

Congratulations on your first long cross country.  Fly safe

 

Begin training for your instrument rating in earnest.  You will be able to complete more flights safer.

 

1. Get real accustomed to your C doing that trip and other 1 to 1.5 hours trips.  I heard or read somewhere that the pilot should be with the controls, radios, instruments etc. of the aircraft like the concert pianist is with keys on the piano never looking but the hand and fingers go where they need to when they need to making music.
2. Start reading everything you can get on flying instruments.
3. Start studying the charts and the approach plates learning symbols and nomenclature used on them.
4. Take some time at an uncontrolled field and fly the approaches in VMC and no auto pilot (making all proper radio calls to local traffic) with your eyes both in and out of the plane to get used to where you are in relationship to the approach and the airfield.
5. Ask questions to CFII and other IR pilots about procedures etc.
6. Find another pilot friend and go fly under the hood practicing navigation and your instrument scan at this stage turn off the auto pilot if you have one. 
7. Then start doing turns, climbs and descents under the hood all while studying for the written.
8. Get back with your instructor and begin officially working on your IR.

[Htwjr]

Its actually an 11-12 hr car ride.  My wife loves the fact that we can now visit our daughter for the weekend which was not feasible before.

[1964-M20E]

Its actually an 11-12 hr car ride.  My wife loves the fact that we can now visit our daughter for the weekend which was not feasible before.

I know the feeling my duaghter is a 10hr car ride and 3.5 to 4 hrs in the Mooney.

[Hank]

Its actually an 11-12 hr car ride.  My wife loves the fact that we can now visit our daughter for the weekend which was not feasible before.

 

Those are great trips, really make life more enjoyable, and will definitely help the wife appreciate the airplane and the time you spend with it.

 

Happy VFR flying! My first "significant" trip was on a Thursday after work; I had finished my insurance dual on Sunday, 270 nm across the Appalchians [8-9 hours by car; 2.2 by Mooney!]. Spend the next few months flying the plane, learning how it handles, typical settings for climb, cruise and descent. Land at as many airports as possible, because they're all different.

 

Once you know the plane and are comfortable traveling and talking to ATC [you do use flight following?], then start on Instrument training. I waited a couple of years, but it all worked out. In the meantime, fly a lot, enjoy your PPL and the freedom of having your own plane!

[rbridges]

Its actually an 11-12 hr car ride.  My wife loves the fact that we can now visit our daughter for the weekend which was not feasible before.

 

I don't know if it's just me, but I can do 2-3 hours in the mooney and still feel fresh.  2-3 hrs in a car in traffic, and I'm exhausted.

[chrisk]

I don't know if it's just me, but I can do 2-3 hours in the mooney and still feel fresh.  2-3 hrs in a car in traffic, and I'm exhausted.

 

I find flying far more relaxing than driving a car. 

[Hector]

Congrats! I have a 67C too and it has been a great airplane. As others have said, keep flying, use flight following, and start you instrument when you can. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[201er]

Awesome use of the Mooney and congrats. I disagree with others though that now is the time to be starting instrument training. You gotta become completely familiar and comfortable with the plane, vfr navigation, communication, etc first. Fly to towered, untowered, charlie, and all sorts of airports. Get comfortable with just the concept of flying and going places before tackling instrument stuff on top of that.

 

That said, you have to remember to accept your limitations as a VFR only pilot when taking these weekend trips in the future. You must be ready to postpone your return or take a car back and never push things if weather is questionable. In other words enjoy your Mooney's speed and efficiency but don't strictly depend on it for getting there on time.

[flyboy0681]

.  We flew back 551nm non stop in 3.9 hrs at 9500 burning 8-9 gph according to the fuel flow gauge. 

 

This has recently become my stated mission as my daughter started two months ago at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The distance is 560 miles and typically takes me 3.5 hours in the J, burning 40 gallons. When my wife drove my daughter up to check into her dorm, the road trip took them 14 hours, stopping just to eat and fill up.

[TWinter]

I agree with the thought of enjoying the plane and learning from it, then learn some more and just keep learning for a while. It has taken me over a year and I think I'm finally feeling comfortable as to what I should expect from a given maneuver and what I expect the feedback of the plane will be. As PIC I try to learn to expect the unexpected. As slippery as a Mooney is you want to feel the plane and not just fly it. Flying it is just a formality, anybody can do a check-off list, rotate and probably land. Learning the feel of the airplane is when the skill comes in. That's what I think takes the most time and practice. When it all becomes second nature is when life is good . As long as I'm there ten minutes mentally before the plane it's all good for me.

 

Keep on keeping on. Sounds like you are having a great time

 

I envy your XC flights and like hearing these type of stories as they are what I bought my Mooney for. Seems like you have a great feel for the plane already.

 

Keep us posted on future XCs 

[rbridges]

This has recently become my stated mission as my daughter started two months ago at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The distance is 560 miles and typically takes me 3.5 hours in the J, burning 40 gallons. When my wife drove my daughter up to check into her dorm, the road trip took them 14 hours, stopping just to eat and fill up.

 

 

not lucky enough to be a Bulldog, but at least she didn't grow up to be a Gator.  

[flyboy0681]

not lucky enough to be a Bulldog, but at least she didn't grow up to be a Gator.  

 

True dat, although my son is a senior at FSU (Go Noles!)

[Hector]

Go Gators!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Hank]

Wow, what an unfortunate change in topic--Tuscaloosa, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Athens . . . . They'll make decent XC stops, some even have football teams. The OP would benefit visiting just to experience different runways and airport environments. Fly often, go new places, learn your plane, the controls and her responses.

Fly fast. Fly safe. Fly Mooney. War Eagle!! :-)