Alex's M20D (continuous thread)

[MB65E]

Awesome!! Congrats. 

You have a heck of an good Crewchief in that first pix. He's commed up and everything.! 

Enjoy your airplane!! Fly it a few hrs and give everything a second look.

cheers,

-Matt

[Wakeup]

Looks like you are about to take off in someones backyard.  Happy to see you are flying!!

[Hank]

Yeah, I'm jealous of the backyard runway. That's the life!

Go have fun, learn the plane, and fly by the numbers.

[gsxrpilot]

Ignoring the "numbers" and fly by looking out the window works fine for me. Both in the short body I used to fly and the mid-body I fly now. 

[Raptor05121]

So I flew up to Adel, GA today and back. Put three hours on it. So I've flown ~7 hours in 4 days. I'm sure once the "newness" wears off, it will dial back to 15-20 hours a month. 

Great news is with all the 5 hours dual I did, my instructor signed off my BFR which wasn't due until next May, so I am re-upped for another two years. And I knocked the rust off my night currency to get that caught-up with. That PAR46 is BRIGHT! Tonight, she is sleeping in her own hangar for the first time in 11 months.

(Edited to add:)

I guess since she is flying now, I can take off the "dodo Mooney" tag from under my screenname. Hmmmm....
 

[gsxrpilot]

Just now, Raptor05121 said:

 

 

What a great picture. And full respect for seeing it all through and bringing one back from the abyss.  I hate to ask and you might not want to say, but I'm curious as to what the final bill was on the job.

[Raptor05121]

Including the first mechanic, this one, and all work inbetween, I've spent about $10k in maintenance and parts alone. It seems like a lot, but considering EVERY panel has been opened, EVERY joint was either rebuilt or lubed to spec, EVERY electrical connection debugged, a thorough cleanout, and general TLC, it really transformed how sloppy this plane was when I first saw it.

I'm still QUITE a ways ahead for an airworthy Mooney, cost wise.

[gsxrpilot]

3 minutes ago, Raptor05121 said:

Including the first mechanic, this one, and all work inbetween, I've spent about $10k in maintenance and parts alone. It seems like a lot, but considering EVERY panel has been opened, EVERY joint was either rebuilt or lubed to spec, EVERY electrical connection debugged, a thorough cleanout, and general TLC, it really transformed how sloppy this plane was when I first saw it.

I'm still QUITE a ways ahead for an airworthy Mooney, cost wise.

Hahahahahah... That's AWESOME! I would have guessed $25K+. I don't know what others will say, but I think that's a hell of a deal.  And you've now got a great bird.

Well done! Now go enjoy it and FLY.

[Hank]

2 hours ago, gsxrpilot said:

Ignoring the "numbers" and fly by looking out the window works fine for me. Both in the short body I used to fly and the mid-body I fly now. 

Looking out the windows is indeed the way to fly. But for God's sake, set power using the MP and Tach, and lean using the EGT. The MAPA PPP does a good job of explaining this, I didn't try above. Guess I should have.

Good job, Raptor, on reviving a Mooney. Looks like you got yourself a good one. Take my word for it, you really can't fly the wings off it!

[RLCarter]

1 hour ago, gsxrpilot said:

Hahahahahah... That's AWESOME! I would have guessed $25K+. I don't know what others will say, but I think that's a hell of a deal.  And you've now got a great bird.

Well done! Now go enjoy it and FLY.

My guess was 15~20k. great job on keeping the cost down......I warned you earlier that short hops wind up as x-countries..lol

[Raptor05121]

I woke up this morning and realized I had my own airplane at my disposal only miles away, with the freedom to go anywhere I please.

I took me a full minute to realize I wasn't dreaming.

I just wanted to say thanks for all that chimed in with helpful tips, ideas, and all-around good thoughts, and to the many people just reading and following along. I really do believe the Mooney community is the tightest model-base of any type airplane.

[mpg]

you know ive followed closely for a year,,,   now you are there,,,  i am proud and relieved.

44U looks beautiful!

Edited November 19, 2016 by mpg

[Browncbr1]

I love how you kept the paint and interior original.. i love seeing mooneys in their original 60's glory.. 

never get rid of that interior!  ... never get rid of that plane!

[Raptor05121]

Well the paint has nothing to do with the annual, but the interior...that will be going bye bye. It's not original. It was done in the 80s if I remember the previous owner telling me correctly. I plan on getting the vinyl Airtex kit for the side panels in a dark ash color. I'll repair and repaint the plastic panels to a brighter white. The panel, I'd like an 8-hole, clean cut one piece to replace the 5 different pieces of aluminum comprising my current shotgun panel.

All in due time, however.

[Hector]

Including the first mechanic, this one, and all work inbetween, I've spent about $10k in maintenance and parts alone. It seems like a lot, but considering EVERY panel has been opened, EVERY joint was either rebuilt or lubed to spec, EVERY electrical connection debugged, a thorough cleanout, and general TLC, it really transformed how sloppy this plane was when I first saw it.

I'm still QUITE a ways ahead for an airworthy Mooney, cost wise.

Considering you had a complete tank strip and reseal you did really well. I would have guessed higher than that with all the other stuff you had done. She looks awesome and you are going to enjoy her for years to come. Many here have been reading this thread from the moment you got her and it is great to see you persevere and see her through. Congratulations, well done sir!

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[Patto]

Yep, I'm one of those guys that have been watching this thread from the beginning and enjoying your journey.  Congratulations on getting it done and being able to wake up with that thought in the morning.  It's a great feeling!

[Raptor05121]

6 hours ago, Hector said:

Considering you had a complete tank strip and reseal you did really well. I would have guessed higher than that with all the other stuff you had done. She looks awesome and you are going to enjoy her for years to come. Many here have been reading this thread from the moment you got her and it is great to see you persevere and see her through. Congratulations, well done sir!

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Hector, let me know if you have any fly-out plans or anything like that. Maybe we can meet up at Ocala and get a three-wide Mooney picture sometime soon/

[clh]

Good job on the refurbishment.  Now, enjoy your ride for a while.  (It seems like airplanes are a never ending series of upgrades)

[Hector]

Hector, let me know if you have any fly-out plans or anything like that. Maybe we can meet up at Ocala and get a three-wide Mooney picture sometime soon/

You bet! Flew down to Miami this morning to see my mom and sister. Two easy hours in the Mooney vice 6 hours on I-95 if you're lucky. Definitely lets meet up in Ocala or Williston for lunch or breakfast.


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[Raptor05121]

I'm actually going down to Williston tomorrow @ 7am (I'm off work at 6am) for breakfast. Kind of a last-minute deal before our 10am EAA meeting at 24J. No pressure, but if you want to come join!

[Raptor05121]

I was brave enough to stick my new GoPro out on the wing. This is the result. I think the next one will be on the vertical stabilizer looking forward.



Days out of annual: 6
Hours: 11.1
Fuel burned: ~130 gallons
Airports visited: 6 with 2 in another state.

Next week: South Carolina!

[Skates97]

That is a beautiful picture!

[Raptor05121]

It is the standard 2.5x1.5" GoPro sticky mount with 3M double-sided tape. They might leave some residue, but simply comes off with WD40.

[Raptor05121]

32 minutes ago, Hyett6420 said:

Dont you sleep. Its 0500 in the morning over there isnt it?

I work nightshift. 6p-6a

[gsxrpilot]

8 hours ago, Raptor05121 said:

It is the standard 2.5x1.5" GoPro sticky mount with 3M double-sided tape. They might leave some residue, but simply comes off with WD40.

They also come off easy with just a little heat from a hair dryer and then roll the residue off with your finger.