Thinking about a Mooney

[Taildragon]

I bought my RV-8 last summer and sometimes I wonder what the hell I was thinking. I'm still trying to figure out how to land it... haven't had a good one yet. Like you I feel like I'll need about 200 landings before I'll take anyone up in it. 

 

Joe - I consider myself poor at most things, but I've become a pretty good TD pilot.  If I can help you in your RV-8, I'd be glad.

 

Come over and fly the Maule - Things happen slower the the RV and it's a good platform to learn on.

[pinerunner]

That would be perfect!  The crazy thing is, I don't even trust my CFI to land the Maule, so a partner would have to spend a ton of time getting proficient.  It took me almost 200 landings to feel safe enough to take my kids up.  Last time my CFI went up with me, we flew over to La Garita (wicked approach and no go around) and then to Hopper Springs (1,500 Dirt) and back to KFTG (home) when we were entering downwind, I asked him if he wanted to practice a landing, he said one word: "Nope!"  The thing is easy to land on dirt or grass, but pavement is a bear!

 

Is it worse then than a Cessna 170?

[Joe Zuffoletto]

Joe - I consider myself poor at most things, but I've become a pretty good TD pilot.  If I can help you in your RV-8, I'd be glad.

 

Come over and fly the Maule - Things happen slower the the RV and it's a good platform to learn on.

 

Taildragon, thanks for that generous offer... I'll take you up on that, and we'll go buzz around in my Mooney, too!

[Taildragon]

Is it worse then than a Cessna 170?

 

Really?  The 170 is a pussycat...  With the 180 upgrade the 170 is a real STOL performer!

[Taildragon]

Hey, Jim.  You need to check out some of "Piperpainter"'s videos on YouTube of him flying his red M20C into some pretty crazy back country places.  After seeing what he can do with it you might decide that you can get by with just a Mooney after all and ditch the Maule altogether.  

 

Jim

 

Yeah - Piperpainter turned me on to this site.  We were going back and forth about Mooney's over at Backcountrypilot.org and said you guy's over here had a ton of good info - He was right!

 

That guy is one hell of a pilot to land where he does and not take out his prop...  Impressive for sure!

 

Jim

[bonal]

went to check out Piperpainter on U tube. very cool helped to pick up my dreary mood.  I like to put up cool Mooney photos on my backgrounds at work and I found this really cool shot of a red and black C low over the desert. So when i ckecked out the Piper tubes to my suprise its the same C

I feel real confident with my landings but watching those did make me a little tense if you know what I mean.  Good luck in your search.

[fluffysheap]

I'm based at FTG too and would be happy to take you up, especially in exchange for a Maule ride.  I have a 231, which isn't as fancy as Joe's Acclaim, but it costs a lot less!  I'm not a CFI, though.

 

As far as winds, if you can stand in it, you can land in it.  I've landed in 25G35 near direct crosswind, and 40G50 at about 20 degrees.  The 25 was pretty much about the limit of my ability, but I imagine a very skilled pilot could manage even more.  The headwind was a nonevent except for the weird feeling of having almost no landing roll.  Don't use flaps in heavy winds.

 

Landing, the Mooney is really very similar to the Arrow, it's just a little floatier, but not that different.  FTG has such long runways that you can float all day and it doesn't make any difference.  Aside from the control arrangement, I think the biggest difference flying-wise is that the Mooney's trim is much more effective, and the Mooney has a strong nose-down tendency when you deploy flaps.

[Taildragon]

I'm based at FTG too and would be happy to take you up, especially in exchange for a Maule ride.  I have a 231, which isn't as fancy as Joe's Acclaim, but it costs a lot less!  I'm not a CFI, though.

 

As far as winds, if you can stand in it, you can land in it.  I've landed in 25G35 near direct crosswind, and 40G50 at about 20 degrees.  The 25 was pretty much about the limit of my ability, but I imagine a very skilled pilot could manage even more.  The headwind was a nonevent except for the weird feeling of having almost no landing roll.  Don't use flaps in heavy winds.

 

Landing, the Mooney is really very similar to the Arrow, it's just a little floatier, but not that different.  FTG has such long runways that you can float all day and it doesn't make any difference.  Aside from the control arrangement, I think the biggest difference flying-wise is that the Mooney's trim is much more effective, and the Mooney has a strong nose-down tendency when you deploy flaps.

 

Cool!  My hanger is in the Wind-chaser T85 Complex, just to the west of the doppler ball.  I'm going to try go up for a little while Sunday morning (was thinking about tomorrow morning, but it's just going to be sloppy and wet).  Let me know if you're going to be around.

 

Jim

[Mooneymite]

Good luck with the hunt.

 

PS All American Aircraft in San Antonio (major Mooney dealer/broker) has two seemingly outstanding F models listed right now.  Higher prices than average, but they look to be very good values IMO.  Lots of 201 parts and updates.

I just looked at Barnstormers.com and called up all the Mooneys. I was shocked! There are a lot of them for sale.

Good time to buy, I guess.

[Taildragon]

I just looked at Barnstormers.com and called up all the Mooneys. I was shocked! There are a lot of them for sale.

Good time to buy, I guess.

 

Yeah... That's what I was thinking.  

[Joe Zuffoletto]

Cool!  My hanger is in the Wind-chaser T85 Complex, just to the west of the doppler ball.  I'm going to try go up for a little while Sunday morning (was thinking about tomorrow morning, but it's just going to be sloppy and wet).  Let me know if you're going to be around.

 

Jim

 

Maybe I'll head up to FTG in the morning too if you're going to be around. What time?

[Awqward]

On x-wind:  The Maule has a very low demonstrated x-wind capability and my personal limit is around 13MPH of direct x-wind.  Beyond 13MPH, it's hard to taxi.  It really limits where and when I can fly (as evidenced by the last two months of no flying because of the wind here in Denver).  So, I've read the specs and understand that a lot of it comes down to pilot skill; but what is an average top x-wind these will handle?

Here in Aberdeen 15G20 at 70-90 degrees across the runway is the norm at this time of the year....and absolutely no problem for the Mooney

Anthony Q

[Taildragon]

Maybe I'll head up to FTG in the morning too if you're going to be around. What time?

I'm getting checked out in a 182rg at 9:00 - Should take about an hour.  My hangar is T83-5e - I'll head over to the hangar as soon as I land (probably be at the hanger by no later than 10:30).

 

Sound good?

[fluffysheap]

I'm not sure I'll make it out there that early, but if I can, I'll be there.

[Joe Zuffoletto]

I'm getting checked out in a 182rg at 9:00 - Should take about an hour.  My hangar is T83-5e - I'll head over to the hangar as soon as I land (probably be at the hanger by no later than 10:30).

 

Sound good?

 

Sounds great but I can't make it after all... I have a long list of things to do, including my taxes, before I head off on vacation tomorrow. Good luck on your checkout!

[Taildragon]

Sorry you couldn't make it - X-wind was 15G20...  Really like the 182RG.  We were seeing ground speeds of 140'ish.  A little faster than my bird, but not much.  Much more stable in approach (weight) and, obviously, love that I can land it in heavy x-winds!

 

Jim

[Joe Zuffoletto]

Sorry you couldn't make it - X-wind was 15G20...  Really like the 182RG.  We were seeing ground speeds of 140'ish.  A little faster than my bird, but not much.  Much more stable in approach (weight) and, obviously, love that I can land it in heavy x-winds!

 

Jim

 

15G20 no problem. Pretty typical at KAPA.

 

Their noses are pretty heavy in the flair, though. Especially with 40 degrees of flaps. Protect the nose gear. You can sure slow 'em down in a hurry, though. Like 140 KTAS on short final. Can't do that in a Mooney. Or maybe I should say that I have never tried.

Jim

 

140KTAS on short final would not work in a Mooney. I was forced to "chop and drop" coming into El Paso from Cabo last year. El Paso tower cleared me to land 5 miles out and 5000' AGL. I was showing 159KIAS when I was cleared to land. I pulled the power, raised the nose and slowed to 130KIAS to drop the gear, and then I deployed the speed brakes to get down to 105KIAS, which was flap operating speed, then I dumped the flaps and stowed the speed brakes. Descended at a very steep angle, flared, and executed a perfect landing at 75KIAS. That can be done.

 

But if I was cleared to land on short final (inside 3 miles) and I was showing 140KTAS, I'd go around.

[Taildragon]

Made an offer on a Mooney 201 MSE today - It's a long shot, but looks like a nice bird.

 

We'll see what happens...

[KSMooniac]

Good luck!  You'll like owning it much more than a 182RG.  I flew one of those in a club for a few years and really liked it, but writing checks for the Mooney is a lot easier.  Especially related to the landing gear.  The 182RG is a very nice plane, though.  It can carry a load, but at 50% more fuel burn for equivalent speeds.