Alex's M20D (continuous thread)

[rbridges]

looks like you should still be able to make sun n fun.  I plan to fly into zephyr hills and drive to lakeland on Friday.

[Raptor05121]

Yes, I think we have enough time. Its nothing but a list of small things. If nothing catastrophic happens between now and then, I should make it!

[Marauder]

looks like you should still be able to make sun n fun.  I plan to fly into zephyr hills and drive to lakeland on Friday.

Are you a Sun N Fun veteran? I have never been to it but am thinking about making the trek this year. I saw Bob B's video on flying into the airport but am thinking about using a satellite airport. I'll start another thread on the topic.

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[rbridges]

30 minutes ago, Marauder said:

Are you a Sun N Fun veteran? I have never been to it but am thinking about making the trek this year. I saw Bob B's video on flying into the airport but am thinking about using a satellite airport. I'll start another thread on the topic.

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this will only be my 2nd trip.  My first trip was 6 years ago when I first got my ticket.  I had my buddy swap seats at zephyr and fly/land into lakeland.  The main reason I'm planning to stay at zephyr hills this time is b/c they close the airspace at lakeland.  You get certain windows to enter/leave.  I figured this time we'd drive the last 15 miles so that we can come and go as we please.

If you fly into lakeland, you'll probably end up parking in the grass.  My advice would be to leave your girlfriends at home or risk a prop strike when your gear sinks into the ground.

[Marauder]

30 minutes ago, Marauder said: Are you a Sun N Fun veteran? I have never been to it but am thinking about making the trek this year. I saw Bob B's video on flying into the airport but am thinking about using a satellite airport. I'll start another thread on the topic.

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this will only be my 2nd trip.  My first trip was 6 years ago when I first got my ticket.  I had my buddy swap seats at zephyr and fly/land into lakeland.  The main reason I'm planning to stay at zephyr hills this time is b/c they close the airspace at lakeland.  You get certain windows to enter/leave.  I figured this time we'd drive the last 15 miles so that we can come and go as we please.

If you fly into lakeland, you'll probably end up parking in the grass.  My advice would be to leave your girlfriends at home or risk a prop strike when your gear sinks into the ground.

I remember a year or two ago they had a lot of damage due to a storm. It would be nice to get out of Dodge if one came in.

But then again, bringing the girls would ensure the plane wouldn't go anywhere on its own.

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[Marauder]

I did. First mechanic screwed me over. Did half of the work and split town, leaving me with a $2,600 bill. As time progressed, I found out the things he said he did, he didn't. I'm chalking this as a learning experience and now have a permanent mechanic 20 miles away who will do it, but he wants to start all over, as he knows of the first guy and doesn't trust him either.

Wow! You won't be the first owner to have this happen nor the last. Sorry to hear about this. I remember how ready you were to start flying it.

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[Shadrach]

On January 26, 2016 at 9:26 AM, Raptor05121 said:

I did. First mechanic screwed me over. Did half of the work and split town, leaving me with a $2,600 bill. As time progressed, I found out the things he said he did, he didn't. I'm chalking this as a learning experience and now have a permanent mechanic 20 miles away who will do it, but he wants to start all over, as he knows of the first guy and doesn't trust him either.

In reading your other thread, you can't say that you were not warned. Aviation can be a captivating but cruel mistress! Once she's airworthy, it might make sense to take on a partner...especially one with an A&P/IA. 

Edited January 27, 2016 by Shadrach

[Bob_Belville]

23 hours ago, Marauder said:

Are you a Sun N Fun veteran? I have never been to it but am thinking about making the trek this year. I saw Bob B's video on flying into the airport but am thinking about using a satellite airport. I'll start another thread on the topic.

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I have only done it that once though I'm thinking seriously about going again this year, either SnF or OSH. Commuting from a motel wastes a lot of time. I am not a camper but I'd be tempted to go that route. I'd invite someone who had camping gear.

[mike_elliott]

23 hours ago, Marauder said:

Are you a Sun N Fun veteran? I have never been to it but am thinking about making the trek this year. I saw Bob B's video on flying into the airport but am thinking about using a satellite airport. I'll start another thread on the topic.

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make sure you take some "smoke" to placate the bees that love vintage Mooney's in Lakeland, right Bob? If you do come, look me up, Chris. I should be there most every day.

 

[Bob_Belville]

14 minutes ago, mike_elliott said:

make sure you take some "smoke" to placate the bees that love vintage Mooney's in Lakeland, right Bob? If you do come, look me up, Chris. I should be there most every day.

 

The vintage parking area was very convenient at LAL. (Sorry Chris, 1970 and older.)

[Marauder]

14 minutes ago, mike_elliott said: make sure you take some "smoke" to placate the bees that love vintage Mooney's in Lakeland, right Bob? If you do come, look me up, Chris. I should be there most every day.

 

The vintage parking area was very convenient at LAL. (Sorry Chris, 1970 and older.)

I have corns on my toes that are older than that, does that count?

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[Raptor05121]

 

9 hours ago, Shadrach said:

In reading your other thread, you can't say that you were not warned. Aviation can be a captivating but cruel mistress! Once she's airworthy, it might make sense to take on a partner...especially one with an A&P/IA. 

Yep. And I'm not complaining one bit. I knew I would be spending more on maintenance than a normal plane.

On 1/26/2016 at 11:32 AM, rbridges said:

 

If you fly into lakeland, you'll probably end up parking in the grass.  My advice would be to leave your girlfriends at home or risk a prop strike when your gear sinks into the ground.

The grass taxiways are normally hard as a rock, but going into the field would be a different story. With that said, the hundreds of Mooneys I see there yearly didn't complain. Full back aft on the yoke and keep the tires inflated.

On 1/26/2016 at 1:47 PM, Marauder said:

I remember a year or two ago they had a lot of damage due to a storm. It would be nice to get out of Dodge if one came in.

But then again, bringing the girls would ensure the plane wouldn't go anywhere on its own.

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Its was a freak tornado and it lasted but a few minutes. Good luck even getting out of the parking lot with that.

[rbridges]

Just now, Raptor05121 said:

 

 

The grass taxiways are normally hard as a rock, but going into the field would be a different story. With that said, the hundreds of Mooneys I see there yearly didn't complain. Full back aft on the yoke and keep the tires inflated.

 

Tell Marauder to send you a pic of his girlfriends and you can apologize to me later for saying I'm wrong.

[Hank]

3 hours ago, rbridges said:

Tell Marauder to send you a pic of his girlfriends and you can apologize to me later for saying I'm wrong.

Oh no! Marauder, please send pics by PM!!

I was at Tornado n Fun (2010?). Other than thinking that Hangar E was going to fall on me, and my worry about the tent and my plane as I dodged downed trees and smashed tents, had no problems. I did stay one more night due to the softness in the parking area at the approach end of 9, and heard a Cessna strike it's prop taxiing in on Saturday, which confirmed my decision to not leave yet. Taxiing on Sunday was a. Kemal grass field experience (slow and full up yoke).

When you do leave, pull the plane out into the aisle first. This is not only nice to those parked behind you by aiming your prop blast away from them, but gets your tires out of the ruts they develop from sitting for several days. May have to go again soon, it was fun!

[Raptor05121]

Hahahahahaha!! This thread has gone off topic far enough. How about some pictures of my plane with air under its wings?

[Marauder]

Hahahahahaha!! This thread has gone off topic far enough. How about some pictures of my plane with air under its wings?

Photoshopped.

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[Guest]

On January 26, 2016 at 10:56 AM, Marauder said:

Are you a Sun N Fun veteran? I have never been to it but am thinking about making the trek this year. I saw Bob B's video on flying into the airport but am thinking about using a satellite airport. I'll start another thread on the topic.

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Oh no, a Sun nFun virgin!  Who would have guessed?

Clarence

[gsxrpilot]

19 hours ago, Hank said:

When you do leave, pull the plane out into the aisle first. This is not only nice to those parked behind you by aiming your prop blast away from them, but gets your tires out of the ruts they develop from sitting for several days. May have to go again soon, it was fun!

I've never been to Sun N Fun, but at OSH I bring three plastic cutting boards I got in the kitchen section of Walmart. Park with the wheels on the boards for the week, and rolling out is much easier.

[Raptor05121]

So no flying to SnF for me. Mechanic says its "going to be another month" before he can get around to it.

How in the hell are you guys doing 2-3 day annuals? I'm going on 6 months....

[carl]

Just now, Raptor05121 said:

So no flying to SnF for me. Mechanic says its "going to be another month" before he can get around to it.

How in the hell are you guys doing 2-3 day annuals? I'm going on 6 months....

Alex ,

Me too , I went in at thanksgiving.

ok Im going to order parts from Mooney, so they want 120 days to make them . I checked with Lasar , Dan checked  , He has one hinge in stock and the other has to be made from Mooney.  Maybe they are  faster than 120 days  and they just say it .   

carl 

 

[Raptor05121]

Carl, what are you waiting on?

 

[bonal]

Alex and Carl I'm sorry you guys are having such a tough time getting your birds back in the air. A lot of guys speak out against going to Mooney service centers and yes they may be more expensive but no one is better equipped to deal with the problems that can be uncovered when we get into these first annuals. My first cost me a buss load of dollars but we got things done in very little time. I hope all will be done soon so you are ready to fly when the good weather arrives. 

[Hank]

Just had my first ever 3-day-weekend annual since I bought her in 2007. IA pulled his trailer to my hangar. All inspection panels and belly were already off. On Day #3, he was doing paperwork, I was greasing the landing gear and putting the belly back on (cowl, spinner, wing and tail panels were already back on). Wonderful experience, I'm used to spending 3-4 weeks in the maintenance hangar. I guess not having any other jobs, both of us there together all day, really helped.

Edited March 8, 2016 by Hank

[Yetti]

I kind of talked the IA into it. Told him I would do all the dirty work.   Since he did not know me from Adam we kind of had to build the trust.   Luckily I showed up with my own mandrels to rebuild the flex brake line (thanks dad)

It was 5 days and I was very sore after it.  In addition to the brake line, the added thing was replacing the front seal on the engine.   He made me pull the prop and then properly safety wire it going back on.   I showed up with a pre filled in 100 hour inspection and then on day 4 he sent me home with the AD list to do the homework on.  About 5 hours of homework and then another 2 hours going through it with him.

 

[carl]

240014-903 Hinge Block, Flap 1  mooney out of stock

240014-901 Hinge Block, Flap 1  mooney out of stock

and a stringer I think mooney has this.

But i must admit , here in Pennsylvania i hate the hangar in the winter .So i have not been pushing it

 ill  find it or order it this week. 

carl