Alex's M20D (continuous thread)

[Raptor05121]

Update on N6744U...

...Not much. The past six months have been hectic for me. I've been busy working as an aerial survey pilot in a 172 working on a project on the east coast, in a different hotel room every night. The plus side is I was within 2 hours of home, so if there ever was a stretch of bad weather, it was cheaper for my boss to buy gas and let me fly home versus having me sit in a hotel for days on end. Also, my mechanic was cheaper than most guys on the road for scheduled maintenance, so two reasons to visit home. I've only flown the Mooney once or twice in the past few months and I feel guilty.

We flew the piss out of these planes. In January, I flew 142 hours in a 30-day period. We were averaging about 8.0 Hobbs a day, my longest being a 10.5. With that, I eclipsed 1200 hours total time, which put me past Part 135 hiring mins. And that played a crucial part shortly thereafter-

Since December I've been on every online hiring board trying to find a more permanent job. Survey was fun, but you got paid per flight hour, so a 10-day stretch of weather means you are eating beans for two weeks. Plus, I haven't had health insurance in close to two years now and IRS 1099 plain sucks.

While out on the road, I found a job posting for a Cessna 208 Caravan pilot position for a Part 135 on-demand cargo operator in the Northeast. I am familiar with the operator as two of my very close friends fly for them and visiting them up in Maine, I've been able to talk to them about the job and they have had absolutely nothing bad to say about it. So I applied online and called my friend. "Hey," I said. "Wiggins is hiring. I just put in an application." My friend replied: "DUDE! Send me your resume, I'll go walk it into the chief pilots office right now!".

The next day, while over South Carolina at 3,000 feet and listening to the Spice Girls, my phone rings and its got a 207 area code- New Hampshire. The base state of Wiggins. I scrambled to answer it while holding on my survey line with my knees. I'm yelling over the roar of the engine and tornado of wind that exists due to the 12" hole in the floor. "HELLO!?...." a friendly female introduced herself as HR and wanted me to do a video chat interview in two days. I was ecstatic! My coworker and I drove to a Mens Wearhouse that afternoon and with my last $100 I bought a dress shirt, tie, and blazer. No pants. Because why? The interview went smoothly. They asked me one question- 'how did you get into aviation?' I spent about 7 minutes giving them a love story. I told them about the Mooney. The endless nights of ramen noodles. My experience ferrying from California to Florida and my family who are all pilots. That must have resonated with the chief pilot because he loved it. They offered me a conditional job offer, and even better- a choice of bases! I chose Bangor, ME because of the friends I have up there.

A week later, my replacement was hired and I spent a day with him in the 172. I felt great, not only for moving onto something bigger and better, but the fact my 1200-hour self wasn't hogging the great hour-building experience that is survey. Something that would better benefit a 250-hour guy (who my replacement was). I got him squared away and went home to pack. I quickly decided against bringing the Mooney up at first and would come back to get it once I get settled in. So I packed both of my cars and my girlfriend drove my Toyota and followed me in my Mustang. I can't live without my Mustang- its too damned fun to drive but I also knew I didn't want to drive it in the salt nor would it last long before ending up in a ditch with Florida summer performance tires on it. So we drove both and I'll keep the Mach 1 parked until spring. 10 hours to our first stop in Norfolk, VA where my sister lives. I visited her for a day, also got to see the BB-64 U.S.S WisKy (I love naval history and ww2 ships) and continued the rest of the 10 hours to New Hampshire for indoc.

Getting past Delaware, I saw snow for the first time in a long time. And first time driving in it. I'm sure I was getting a lot of looks with my Florida plates and a Mustang doing 40mph in New Hampshire while I was getting passed by everyone in a Tahoe and 4WD trucks. I took the Toyota up to Maine on my first weekend off to scout for an apartment and got caught in what I call a snow storm but some of you probably call a sunday afternoon. Roads slushed over, even with brand-new All-Season tires on my FWD car, it still broke loose at 20mph. I lived, got to experience Maine some and went back to NH to finish indoc.

Training went well. 8 days of Hazmat, company policy, 135 ops and requirements, icing basics, and all the basic paperwork stuff. I got to sit in the airplane and realize how much over my head it seemed I was in. All 1,400 hours I currently have are in 1960s airplanes with their factory panels. I've got maybe 4-5 hours behind a GNS430, and my only 3 GPS approaches are from my multi checkride two years ago. Turbine operations, G1000, autopilot, A/C, FIKI, and of course Part 135 rules- made this seem daunting.

After indoc, they airlined me over to FlightSafety International in Wichita, KS for three days of ground school and five days in their Level-D simulators. So far we've done everything from basic VFR hand flying to feel the weight of the plane to IFR approaches down to minimums on the fully coupled AP with the wings fully iced over, generator offline, and half of the displays blacked out. I've also accidentally shut down the entire G1000 suite on an approach when I closed a guarded backup switch and introduced a failure that I, nor the instructor, had planned on, but I got points for quickly going to the "steam gauges" as my hand quickly undid the last action I took to get everything back online. So quite fun so far.

I've had instances of the FD trying to take me elsewhere and I'm sure I was telling it to do something wrong, but almost to the FAF I didn't have time to fart with it- so I just hit the AP disconnect and looked at my paper charts and hand-flew the rest of the VOR approach. The instructor gave me props for reverting back to "what I know" and hand flying. But I know I have to learn the G1000 system better. I've downloaded two books on it and spend most of my free time in the hotel room reading about shortcuts and ways to make it work for me. (This next shot was last 15 minutes left of our session- we decided to have a little break and do some STOL competition in Alaska. Got it down and stopped in 600feet)

I return to Manchester tomorrow and starting next week I get my first taste of flying the real airplane with an instructor. But one thing has surely stuck in my mind- this higly dictated, scheduled world of Part 135 sure does not seem like fun flying. I know I have to get the Mooney up here ASAP. I'll need a break from flying and go flying to clear my mind from flying with some good flying.

Edited March 12, 2021 by Raptor05121

[RLCarter]

Congrats, and remember if things get skinny and your back on Beans and Rice you can change it up with Rice and Beans..

[Skates97]

Alex, thanks for sharing. I have loved following along on your journey and looking forward to more updates. Congratulations.

[EricJ]

Cool to see!    Caravan experience will be good as there are a lot of those out flying for a living, plus they seem like cool airplanes!

 

[hammdo]

Congratulations! It's what you worked for! As they say 'be careful what you wish for, you might get it'. 

Props to your girlfriend too! 

-Don 

[Keith20EH]

I have been flying the same dream corporate gig for almost 20 years, and the things we talk about over the ocean? our first real world flying jobs and the lessons they taught us about flying, people, and business.  Enjoy the experience, the rest will follow. Not sure about keeping your Mooney? There will always be another one...best of luck

[Raptor05121]

8 minutes ago, Keith20EH said:

 Not sure about keeping your Mooney? There will always be another one...best of luck

I think at this point I'm going to keep it. This new job has pay that is almost a third higher than I've ever made in my entire professional career so I think I should be able to hack it

[Pasturepilot]

Alex, like others have said, great reading your saga of aircraft ownership and you entry to professional flying as both unfolded. 
 

Keep us posted. 

[carusoam]

Fantastic update Alex!

Kind of defines what people mean when they say Onwards and upwards...

Might just be a New England saying...

-a-

[Brian E.]

@Raptor05121Great update Alex.  Congrats on landing a 135 job during this period.  If you need anything I'm 1 flying hour away at DAW...

 

  NE is a great rec flying area that you'll love in the Mooney.

 

[Raptor05121]

4 hours ago, Brian E. said:

@Raptor05121Great update Alex.  Congrats on landing a 135 job during this period.  If you need anything I'm 1 flying hour away at DAW...

 

  NE is a great rec flying area that you'll love in the Mooney.

 

I'm doing training at MHT for the time being

[gsxrpilot]

My Mooney has been all over that part of the country. A few years ago, tired of the Texas heat, we loaded up and flew the Mooney to Portland where we rented an apartment and spent a month or so. We flew all over Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Mass, and even down to NYC once. 

We'll be back probably next summer to spend some time in the Canadian Maritimes with our Mooney.

[Raptor05121]

Update on all things N6744U:

So the precipice of selling or keeping N6744U mainly was hinging on this. The girlfriend and I bought a house in Florida. The rates were too great to pass up and with the new job means I could (barely) swing keeping both.

Of course with all great things, I got a nice little house warming gift from the girlfriend. At this point I'm not sure if its a conversation piece or a reminder on where my paycheck is coming from to keep the mortgage.

The fun didn't last long. I had about 6 hours to move stuff from our rental into the new house. We cracked open a bottle of champagne from our realtor, cooked some spaghetti and I got to spend one night in my new house before loading up the Mooney and beginning the trek up north for work.

It was about 8.5 hours from Florida to Maine with fuel stops. A massive low pressure system over the midwest gave me great tailwinds the first few hours of the trip with ground speeds approaching 175kts. A quick stop in NC for gas and up to New Jersey. Cute little airport called New Garden Flying Field. Of course I saw a handful of Mooney's on the ramp and didn't realize it was home to the MSC I've read so much about on here.

Trekking north, I got to experience the NYC skyline tour which was neat

And a few more hours later, dodging some storms on the last 30 minutes of my day

She has been sitting there for over a month waiting in line. The mechanic texted me today and said he's pulling her into the shop. This is my first time not doing an owner-assisted annual. Its kinda nice not having to bust knuckles and knowing shes getting a different set of eyes looking her over. But I'm not looking forward to the bill (who ever is?)

 

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On the Caravan side of things...

During my training, my instructor was going down the list of approaches we need to do. "Next up" he says, "is what everyone has trouble with. VOR approaches. And no autopilot!" I smiled. He read right through it. "Why are you smiling?" "Because I love VOR approaches! Its the only other approach I could do for 5 years in my Mooney". Needless to say that turned out to be my Part 135 checkride. Pass is an understatement- he praised my hand-eye coordination and lamented that owning my plane has been severely advantageous compared to other new-hires.

I've got about 75 hours so far solo in the Caravan and G1000. Very potent aircraft for what its needed for. Almost 9,000lb ramp weight. Holds 2,000lbs of fuel when needed. Of course with almost 2500lbs of cargo we cannot fill the tanks. Rotate at 75KIAS, and climbs at 1,000fpm at gross weight. Of course we're burning almost 70gph with 1800ft-lbs of torque at 1900rpm on takeoff. The stink of JetA is slowly permeating my uniform.

Our OPSPEC allows us down to 1800RVR and its pretty challenging going from a 1960s VOR panel with high personal mins to doing some lower-than-standard mins. But boy is it exciting busting that first time. The TKS system in this bird holds 20 gallons of fluid, which it really needs. The gear, struts, etc all pick up ice very quickly but the TKS handles it very well. I can see why it would be opted for over an air conditioning system on newer Mooneys.

I haven't bought 100LL in a long time sans the ferry flight up here and I'm already looking at a sectional trying to decide what I want to explore and I can't believe the price of fuel. Average is almost $5/gal up here. Far cry from the $3.20 in Florida I left. It seems like everything in Florida is cheaper. I'm renting a 1br apartment for 1.5x the cost of the entire mortgage of my house and land.

I'm right at 1,450 hours. 50 short TT for ATP for the airlines, which won't take but another month to acquire but I still only have 7 hours multi. I need approx 25 hours to apply to the airlines and that's my next worry. Anyone nearby with a twin want to split some time?

Edited May 23, 2021 by Raptor05121

[carusoam]

Way cool Alex!

You have really achieved some awesome goals!

Keep up the good work.

Best regards,

-a-

[Andy95W]

Alex- @Raptor05121- put your applications out anyway.  I would start with Silver that flies turboprops all around Florida.

While some airlines might have a hard rule for the 25 hours of multi, it's usually just a hurdle that says you can handle their training program of simulator engine failures.  That applies to CFIs that have been instructing in C-172s.  They would rather have you with your experiences in real winter flying a real turbine aircraft than another 172 flight instructor just because he/she happens to have 25 hours of multi time.

And the 135 checkride you passed is pretty similar to 121, and your sim time is pretty much identical as well. The regional airlines know that and they’ll be glad of your experience level. The only thing you’ll have to prove is your ability to handle an engine failure at V1 and a single engine go around. 

Edited May 23, 2021 by Andy95W

[carusoam]

Great insight Andy!

Thanks for sharing it...

Best regards,

-a-

[Raptor05121]

The 25 requirement is in regards to 61.159 ATP minimums- You need 50 hours multiengine to take the ATP checkride during indoc. You will accumulate 25 hours in a sim to help you make the 50, but you have to have at least 25 to be hired.

I'm not a guy to ask people for airplane rides, but I spent most of today cold calling owners of twins I see parked on the ramp in hopes of buying a ride, any ride. Every little .1 is that much closer.

Edited May 25, 2021 by Raptor05121

[Andy95W]

Crap, I didn’t realize that.  20+ years ago I rented a POS Piper Apache death trap with a friend and we split time in it.

I wish I could help, sorry I can’t.

Is that the same girlfriend that helped you get your M20C up and running?  She’s a keeper.

[Raptor05121]

Yes. We've been together for 8 years now. She is for sure a keeper.

Her first ride and the day I took N6744U home almost five years ago.

[Raptor05121]

Well my annual inspection is complete. New shop meant I was placed on the bottom of the list so shes been grounded the past two months but today she took to the air with plenty of new goodies onboard. The shop didn't have any quams about our owner-produced down-lock blocks. They were very pleased with the documents and they fit perfectly. During the test flight I cycled the gear and it just has a solid "CLASP"....kinda like a door on a new car. I love it. Thanks to David for spearheading that endeavor.

Now that I'm loose with an airplane, I plan on properly exploring New England. I've got a camping trip scheduled the weekend of August 13th up at the old Loring Air Force Base (if anyone wants to join, more is merrier!). I'd also like to head south and explore Cape Cod, Nantucket, Block Island, etc etc.

 

Edited July 22, 2021 by Raptor05121

[carusoam]

Get the fancy life jackets for island exploring… 

Find the LandRover shop on Nantucket…. We have an MSer there… 

(fuzzy memories of MSers around the world…)

Best regards,

-a-