Introduce Yourself

[orangemtl]

Quote: PilotDerek

Hello,

I’m an active duty Marine out here in California. I am not a Marine Pilot just a private pilot. I recently got my complex sign-off from a Marine pilot with a M20J. After flying his plane I am addicted to mooneys.

[PilotDerek]

Michael,

I may just take you up on your offer one of these days. Hard to pass up the chance to go up in an acclaim. Good luck with your ifr training. I plan on doing the same within the next year. I am hoping to train in my own plane (if I can find it). This is an outstanding forum with loads of information, knowledge, and opinions.

 

[Toflyordie]

Hello All!

My name is Ben, I'm a 15 year active duty Air Force E-6 (TSgt), stationed in Germany.  I'm riding the bench right now, but have all intentions to purchase a Mooney.  I've flown Cessena's; 152, 172, 182 and a ride in a F-15C.  Also, several hours of Flight Sim X.  Looking forward to flying with all of you soon!

[gsengle]

Hi!

Greg here.  Going on 600 hr private pilot, instrument rated, based in Northampton, MA.  I dreamed about Mooney ever since reading about the 'personal airliner' back during my primary training back in the early 90s.  Moved to NYC, gave up flying for a bit, until one day I realized, I'm all grown up now, have a real job, and wow, I could actually afford to fly again.  I bought an Arrow IV to get my instrument rating in, and thought that would be enough airplane for a long time.  But then I started traveling with the plane, and well, 137 knots?  'nuff said...

Now I'm the very proud owner of a '96 Ovation, FIKI (I'm in New England, remember) Skywatch, 430w, etc. etc...  Wow, these aircraft are amazing.  Only about 8 months of ownership and I bet I've logged well over 100 hours.  Florida, Gulf Coast, Oshkosh, and for some strange reason, Ohio quite a bit.  Amazing.

Great meeting you all!

Greg

[carusoam]

Gary, I found the thread....

Everyone,

Have you introduced yourself?

Best regards,

-a-

[marks]

Mark here, living on the island of Martha's Vineyard. Just passed 4,000 hours but over 10,000 landings as I commuted from the island to work 4 to 6 days a week since 1989. The last 800 hours have been in my '89 J model, an Advanced Trainer. Previously I suffered an engine fire in my '83 Beech Sierra in hard IMC and walked away from the crash on the Hyannisport Golf Course during a celebrity golf tournament. I didn't so much buy the Mooney because of its speed. I thought if I'm going to fly over water so often, but not have two engines, I should have a plane that would glide better than my Sierra. Some things were far better in my Beech, while other things are much better in the Mooney. I loved both planes and love this website.

[carusoam]

Nice intro Mark,

While growing up, I used to live in Vineyard Haven during the summers. The Island is Nice.

The Mooney gave me the ability to visit my family in MA from my home base in NJ. $100 lobster roll sandwiches!

Mad Martha's makes the best ice cream. Go Vineyarders!

Anyone else want to add to this old thread??? Don't be shy.

Best regards,

-a-

[Bennett]

I think the introduce yourself thread is a good idea so that the members of the forums can better evaluate the postings. I'm an old pilot. I started flying in 1956 while I was in the Army. I was never a military pilot, I was the Project Engineer for two major weapon systems, but I did have military aircraft as part of those projects (F 86s, a B58, and a couple of Dehavilland Beavers on wheels as liaison aircraft) . One of the jet jocks taught me to fly the Beavers, and in those days, no one seemed to care much about licenses. I flew them for several years in support of my projects, and then left active duty, but stayed with the projects, and others for about 15 years. I didn't fly during those years, but about 30 years or so ago I started again I immediately got my Private, followed by Commercial and Instrument, and Seaplane ratings. I bought a M20K, 231, and had Mod Works / Mod Squad convert the airplane to the Trophy 261 variant. Between Mod Works, Mod Squad, and LASAR I ended up with just about every mod then available. Proved to be a great airplane, and I managed to win a Sun and Fun 60 mile sprint race, and the Columbus 500 - 500 miles of WOT racing in the Caribbean. Over the 16 years or so that I owned that airplane, I flew her to many Caribbean islands, over Cuba, the Caymans, the Turks and Caicos islands, the Dominican Republic, most of the US states, Canada and Alaska. I then sold her, and during the next 10 years or so I either directly owned, or partnered in two Cessna 172s, a Cessna 120 (fully restored), a Piper Archer, a Piper Dakota, a Dova D1 LSA, and now a 1983 M20 J that has been made as close to a new Mooney as I can do. I hangar her at San Carlos Airport in California (KSQL). I plan to fly for 3 more years and "hang up the keys" at age 80. I want to quit winners. I should have flown about 3000 hours at that point (not counting the unlicensed Beaver time - about 250 more hours). I have lots of opinions - most backed up by experience.

[m20flyer]

I'm a 28 year old recovering freight pilot with about 3000 hrs in stuff ranging from gliders to Metroliners. In that time, the ONLY plane I've flown that I believe is worth owning is a Mooney. I also part time at a local charter company as a check airman and chief pilot...no revenue trips. My 8-5 career is with a huge tech firm in Chandler, AZ.

I still instruct, so if anyone needs a CFI in the PHX area gimme a call. No charge for Mooney owners (just let me fly a little)!

As of this posting, I'm in the market for a decent F model.

[Oscar Avalle]

Great idea. I am Oscar proud owner of a M20C (70) since 2002. I learned to fly in the NYC area in 1992 (CDW) and purchased my first airplane in 1996' before moving to Washington DC. I was based in KGAI. Four years ago I was transferred to La PAz, Bolivia, and I had to put my M20c in storage for that time. In march of this year I took her out of storage and flew her to Guatemala were I will be based for the next three years.

[Bennett]

I think the introduce yourself thread is a good idea so that the members of the forums can better evaluate the postings. I'm an old pilot. I started flying in 1956 while I the Army. I was never a military pilot, I was the Project Engineer for two major weapon systems, but I did have military aircraft as part of those projects (F 86s, a B58, and a couple of Dehavland Beavers on wheels as liaison aircraft) . One of the jet jocks taught me to fly the Beavers, and in those days, no one seemed to care much about licenses. I flew them for several years in support of my projects, and then left active duty, but stayed with the projects, and others for about 15 years. I didn't fly during those years, but about 30 years or so ago I started again I immediately got my Private, followed by Commrcial and Instrment, and Seaplane ratings. I bought a M20K, 231, and had Mod Works / Mod Squad convert the airplane to the Trophy 261 variant. Between Mod Works, Mod Squad, and LASAR I ended up with just about mod then available. Proved to be a great airplane, and I managed to win a Sun and Fun 60 mile sprint race, and the Columbus 500 - 500 miles of WOT racing in the Caribbean. Over the 16 years or so that I owned that airplane, I flew her to many Caribben islands, over Cuba, the Caymans, the Turks and Caicos islands, the Dominican Republic, most of the US states, Canada and Alaska. I then sold her, and during the next 10 years or so I either directly owned, or partnerd in two Cessna 172s, a Cessna 120 (fully restored), a Piper Archer, a Piper Dakoda, a Dova D1 LSA, and now a 1983 20J that has been made as close to a new Mooney as I can do. I hangar her at San Carlos Airport in California (KSQL). I plan to fly for 3 more years and "hang up the keys" at age 80. I want to quit winners. I should have flown about 3000 hours at that point ( not counting the unlicensed Beaver time - about 250 more hours). I have lots of opinions - most backed up by experience.

[Joe Zuffoletto]

I'm Joe and I'm based at Denver Centennial (KAPA). I'm 48 and a business owner. I got my PPL in August, 1985 at Montgomery Field in San Diego. Later that year I flew my first Mooney, a 201. I've been hooked on Mooneys ever since. Bought my first airplane in July, 1999. It was a 1980 Piper Archer II in pristine condition. Traded it less than a year later for a 1998 M20K Encore. I loved the Encore and put 1,000 hours on it over the next 11 years before glassing the panel and trading it for my current ride, a fully loaded 2008 Acclaim Type S. The Acclaim is a spectacular airplane and perfect for my mission. I've been married for almost 11 years but neither my wife nor my stepson share my passion for flying. No problem, I have a lot of friends at the field who do! Cheers to all.

[carusoam]

Bump up... -a-

[Mooney1401]

Hello my name is Jay.

I live in bracebridge Ontario and own a 77 M20J. This is my first plane and I have owned it about a year and a half now. I have put just over 200 hrs on it and can not wait until my next time in it.

I am the proud dad to 3 boys aged 6 and twins born a month ago. I too have become addicticed to everything Mooney. If any of you end up my way let me know. I am always interested in learning more about Moonies

[gjkirsch]

Hi

 

My name is Gordon Kirsch.  I have been a Mooney pilot on and off for going on 20 years.  I have owned 4 Mooneys, with my current being a 1998 Bravo N32CG, prior to that I owned a 1996 Bravo N755TT, a 1985 231 N5810D, and a 1980 231 N111EW.  All great planes.  I am currently based at KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI).

[tonyk628]

Tony here.  I'm a E/A-18G pilot in the Navy with about 1000 military and Commercial MEL/SEL and CFI-I with about 400 hours in a 1961 M20C.  I'm currently in the market for a '66/'67 M20E/F, but I'm open to the right deal coming around on just about anything.  

[rob47v]

Hi all Robert here, not entirely new to Mooneys last recent aircraft Bellanca super Viking wow super aircraft, but unfortunaly requires hangering which in the near future will not be possible. Resurrecting a F model a gear up landing. this things are tanks. About 1000hrs flying everything from 150's to bonanzas to pipers, bellancas and mooneys of course. A&P for the last 27 yrs.

[orionflt]

Tony here.  I'm a E/A-18G pilot in the Navy with about 1000 military and Commercial MEL/SEL and CFI-I with about 400 hours in a 1961 M20C.  I'm currently in the market for a '66/'67 M20E/F, but I'm open to the right deal coming around on just about anything.

Hey tony,

Welcome to mooneyspace. Where are you from, and if you don't mind my asking, what's the N and serial number of you mooney.

I'm a retired Navy P-3 Flight Engineer, and I'm flying a 61 M20C also, only a few came off the line in 61.

Brian

[EDNR-Cruiser]

Hi all

I am Bernd Almstedt from good ol' Germany and proud Mooniac since April 2013 when I could not resist to exchange some "coloured paper" for a great '66 M20F in pretty good shape.
Despite my age of 52 years I am a real newbie, not only to Mooneys or this forum but to flying in general. After spending years with various flight sims I decided in fall 2010 that I was finally old enough to go for the real thing...  
I joined the local flight club, spent the winter 2010/2011 learning theory, started flight training in April and got my PPL end of July 2011. In summer 2012 I began looking for an own aircraft but with little luck - although I checked various aircraft (PA-24, C182, TB-10, PA-28R...).
I was just about to sign a contract for a PA-28 Arrow IV when I got a call from the owner of a M20F, asking if I might be interested in a Mooney, too?!   
Today I have about 200 hrs flight time in total and 60 hrs with my Green Lady... - apparently things are getting better the older we get... 
 

[Oscar Avalle]

Welcome to this forum of crazy but very nice and helpful people!

[DrBill]

Berndt,

I'm glad you joined us and I'm sure you will not be dissappointed.

BILL

[bonal]

Hello to all the Mooney fans. I'm John and I got my PPL in 2010 in a C150 that I bought to train in. Started looking to upgrade last year and was lucky enough to based at Lampson field where LASAR is located so I got exposed to lots of Mooney's so I started to focus on finding a mooney. We have flown all over CA as far south as San Diego and Boulder city NV and north to Ashland OR. We flight plan for 140KTAS and always beat that. New to mooney space lots of great info and enthusiasm for these great aircraft. Ours is a 64 Converted D model with low times new paint and interior. I love to watch our Gps speed even on calm days I see up to 200mph on the Garmin the darn thing is always in the yellow arc. Love it! Next big trip to Butte Montana to visit my wife's family.

[John Pleisse]

Hi.... I am John, a  6'1"-tons of fun- Pieces, turn-ons- Camguard, turn off's- LOP's OPs. Looking for a "know-it-all-Obamaphile" to make my life complete. Dream plane, 1985 C185F Skywagon , one owner, no loops, never dipped in water or on skis, under 1000TT, in estate sale and ready to redfurb. Not available? I'll take a 1954 C195B any day. The M20J is still the best all-around plane ever built.

 

John Pleisse, Com-Inst SEL, 1200 hrs, solo'ed 16th b-day, PPL 17th b-day (good wx both years),1979 J, owned 16 years, based Frederick, MD, fresh engine, nice avionics. Big fan of Mooney Service Centers and the work they do....47, long Wash DC- Baltimore media career, BA MD-CP,  family oriented, 3 kids, have a Grady White Fish 222, fish Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. 201 mission, revised since family outgrew it, 10 biz trips a year, teaching my kids to fly. Just coming off a 1 year medical-vision lay-off...... Mooneyspace is great...it is a fantastic resource- and a great national forum to better augment the long held, "Tex-o-centric", aging, Mooney boys club.

[John Pleisse]

Couldn't help it :)  For an encore, I'll do "White Lines".....Glad the thread was reintroduced.

[neilpilot]

Hallo Bernd,

 

My good friend keeps his M20K at EDML (Landshut), and I know a M20J owner also based there.  Have a little Mooney time Munich-to-Berlin.

 

I have 2000 hr in a 64E that I bought in 1989, and that was totaled in a bean field after a fuel injection failure (July 2012).  I now partner a 65C hangared at KAWM.  Relatively new to Mooneyspace, but have been a lurker on mooney@aviating.com and Mapalist for some time.