Long range tanks

[Piloto]

For me the LR tanks are a must for trips from Florida to Puerto Rico.

 

My final destination is Mayaguez on the western side of the island. No airline service there from the US.

By airline

1 hour drive to Miami arpt.

1 hour finding parking, unloading bags, TSA inspections and baggage check

3 hour flight

1 hour collecting luggage and rental car at SJU.

3 hour drive to Mayaguez.

9 hours total

Total Cost $700 my wife and myself

 

On my M20J with LR

0.5 hour to KFXE

0.5 hour loading plane and parking car in the hangar

6 hour max flight time direct to TJMZ (typically 5.5 hours) No Customs required PR is US territory.

7 hours total

Total Cost $360 for my wife and myself. No parking fees neither rental car.

 

Going on the M20J we have more flexibility on the departure date and no need to package the Xmas gifts in boxes or suit cases, we just dump them gift wrapped in the baggage area.

 

If you fly at above FL 120 there is no need to contact Nassau Radio. You would be with either Miami Oceanic or San Juan Oceanic. There is some coverage gaps but no more than 20 minutes.

 

If you stop in the Bahamas or the Turks for refueling you will need also to do Customs also in PR. In the Bahamas Expect: "sorry, ran out of fuel but the ship is coming tomorrow" or "the pump is broke, just ordered  a new motor" or "the lineman is at lunch/siesta wait after 2pm" None of these are in the NOTAMS.

 

José

[adrian]

If the $6500 (£4000) install price holds, you only need to fill up 89 times to recoup the cost 

My install cost was $0 - a side benefit of employing an A&P and giving him a Mooney project to work on when there was no real work to do! Can't remember what the kit and the STC paperwork cost - just over $3000 I think.

[ArtVandelay]

For me the LR tanks are a must for trips from Florida to Puerto Rico.

6 hour max flight time direct to TJMZ (typically 5.5 hours)

 

If you fly at above FL 120 there is no need to contact Nassau Radio. You would be with either Miami Oceanic or San Juan Oceanic. There is some coverage gaps but no more than 20 minutes.

Technically, a normal J can make that, unless you have a higher personal minimum of reserve fuel.  How much do you burn on that trip (866nm direct)?  Why the desire not to contact Nassau radio?

[Piloto]

During Xmas I would be visiting relatives in the north and on my way back I fill 100 gals at KISM were fuel is cheap. So on my way to Puerto Rico I may have 90 gallons or less upon departure. Fuel during the climb to FL130 is considerable so you want to make sure you have enough. Also there is no fuel at TJMZ. We fly also to TJIG but no fuel purchase there because is too expensive. On my way back to Florida I refuel at TJBQ in Aguadilla, PR where fuel is less expensive and do the DA (agriculture inspection) at the same time.

 

Nothing wrong with Nassau Radio except they never have my flight plan on file and I have to read it to them. On some frequencies the Nassau transmitter and their repeater on another island at the same frequency create an heterodyne that you can hear at altitude. I also feel safer being in contact with the FAA in case of an emergency.

 

Along the flight there are many islands in view and many boats that you can contact with a marine portable VHF radio. FL130 gives you plenty of range to glide to any of the islands and insure radio contact. It also gives you a better view of the weather ahead since there is no XM coverage just before GTK. Overall is a very safe trip with no cold fronts, no icing, no hail, no IMC and no jet stream but boring. If you are departing FL before sunrise bring paper charts to cover the windshield during sunrise, it is beautiful but annoying. We arrive at TJMZ just in time for lunch.

 

José

[flyboy0681]

During Xmas I would be visiting relatives in the north and on my way back I fill 100 gals at KISM were fuel is cheap. So on my way to Puerto Rico I may have 90 gallons or less upon departure. Fuel during the climb to FL130 is considerable so you want to make sure you have enough. Also there is no fuel at TJMZ. We fly also to TJIG but no fuel purchase there because is too expensive. On my way back to Florida I refuel at TJBQ in Aguadilla, PR where fuel is less expensive and do the DA (agriculture inspection) at the same time.

 

Nothing wrong with Nassau Radio except they never have my flight plan on file and I have to read it to them. On some frequencies the Nassau transmitter and their repeater on another island at the same frequency create an heterodyne that you can hear at altitude. I also feel safer being in contact with the FAA in case of an emergency.

 

Along the flight there are many islands in view and many boats that you can contact with a marine portable VHF radio. FL130 gives you plenty of range to glide to any of the islands and insure radio contact. It also gives you a better view of the weather ahead since there is no XM coverage just before GTK. Overall is a very safe trip with no cold fronts, no icing, no hail, no IMC and no jet stream but boring. If you are departing FL before sunrise bring paper charts to cover the windshield during sunrise, it is beautiful but annoying. We arrive at TJMZ just in time for lunch.

 

José

 

Can I assume a H.E.R.E. is part of the equipment list?

[Z W]

Zane, I'm surprised that you can tell the difference, it's not like the K is underpowered, assume you took on 45 instead of 75, that's like having 1 passenger.

 

While I wouldn't call the K underpowered, it's got a pretty long takeoff roll.  Longer than the C model I used to have.  It might actually be the longest takeoff roll of the Mooney fleet.  Earlier models were lighter.  Later models got more horsepower.

 

It flies fine at max gross.  It just flies better a couple hundred pounds lighter.  On a cold day and a 5000 ft runway, you might not be able to tell.  On a hot day at my typical 4000 ft runway with 50+ ft trees on each end, I can.   

 

I also have a heavy K model with only 875 of useful load.  That's probably got something to do with it.  It's plenty to get the mission completed, but not to carry around a lot of extra gas.

[Piloto]

flyboy

 

I actually use one of this. I have the cap chained to the bottle neck. You want to make sure the cap does not roll under the seat when you have the bottle full!!!!

 

José

[flyboy0681]

flyboy

 

I actually use one of this. I have the cap chained to the bottle neck. You want to make sure the cap does not roll under the seat when you have the bottle full!!!!

 

José

 

TMI

[Danb]

Jose you need to black out the caption on the bottle...