craigsteffen Posted November 28, 2010 Report Posted November 28, 2010 Hello, I'm a fairly new pilot. I got my private in 2007 and got my instrument this fall. I'm flying C-172s from flying clubs at the moment, but I'm looking to buy an airplane in the next few years. I'm really looking at manual gear Mooneys, particularly the M-20F for the increased cabin and seat room. Most enthusiast groups and mailing lists, you can join for free. The MAPA costs $40+ or something? I wrote to them once to ask about a membership, but no one responded. That cost seems pretty expensive for just belonging to the mailing list, and I can't look at list archives to find out what gets posted there, so I can't evaluate if it's worth it. Any thoughts? Thanks for any information. Sincerely, Craig Steffen Quote
flight2000 Posted November 28, 2010 Report Posted November 28, 2010 Craig, Most of the membership dues go towards the MAPA Log magazine which is published monthly. It is all Mooney specific stuff so I think it's worth it. Once you have your membership, you'll be able to download all of the back issues from 2006 (I think, maybe 2007) from the website in PDF format. I just renewed my membership. I forgot, Lela is the office manager and is there during normal business hours. That's normally the way I get a hold of them. Brian Quote
Ned Gravel Posted November 28, 2010 Report Posted November 28, 2010 Craig: There are other benefits to MAPA. The first is the MAPA Log magazine, although I know some may argue its worth. In my opinion, it is a good read and a stable medium for expertise on the operations and maintenance of Mooney aircraft. The second benefit is the MAPA maintenance seminars, although Jerry Manthey is retiring from them very shortly. I still have the book from the seminar he gave up in our neck of the woods and I found it to be very useful. The third benefit is the MAPA Pilot Proficiency program. As far as I know, that program is still in operation and there are one or two members of this list that teach on it. MAPA does not have the immediate knowledge-through-networking benefit of this list, or of the other two lists I know that exist for Mooney Drivers. What it does provide is a home for Mooney expertise. The MAPA membership is worth it for me. YMMV. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted November 28, 2010 Report Posted November 28, 2010 For all the deserved negatives thrown at the former M.O.A the magazine (now defunct, but still available online non-member only issues free access) is a valuable area to read about maintenance and upgrades. Superior to M.A.P.A. (IMO) as it focuses on vintage Mooney's vs. modern (Bravo's, Acclaim, Ovation's). I made several maintenance and upgrades (to include shoulder harness, strobes, HID landing light, volt meter, multi-probe engine monitor) as a direct result of reading (being threatened of death by the editor) M.O.A. That said I also subscribe and am a member of M.A.P.A. and yes, they have excellent technical forum's that have a wealth of experience actively e-mailing...THEY do NOT suffer the ill's of bad grammar, spelling and questions that may be a bit "off" lightly. In other words they are a bunch of crusty old dude's that are set in their ways...thay have a $@#%-load of knowledge and experience of ALL things Mooney. If you are a true Mooniac you should be soaking the Mooney-Kool Aid from wherever and when ever you can get it...even if you are just Moon-curious... Quote
DaV8or Posted November 28, 2010 Report Posted November 28, 2010 I think it's worth it. The MAPA Log magazine is kind of neat to get a magazine in the mail that is about nothing but Mooneys. The MAPA membership is long established and so there is a wealth of Mooney knowledge and expertise over there that is even more rich and deep than what can be found here. If you have a specific question about mechanicals of operation of your Mooney, the MAPA list will answer that question quickly and by the biggest Mooney experts in the world. The archives are very searchable and cover loads of issues, so often your problem has already discussed and the answers are already there and you don't even have to ask. As the Mooney factory winds down and most likely will go under, groups like MAPA will be all important with regard to parts and solutions to keep our birds flying. I am a very new member and have only tapped the resources there a little, but it's really nice to know this depository of knowledge and help is there. I recommend membership. Quote
carusoam Posted November 28, 2010 Report Posted November 28, 2010 My two favorites: Mapa Log and AOPA Pilot. Join both organizations and enjoy the magazines. Spice up your flying life with trade-a-plane printed on paper every now and then.... All three will enhance your knowledge of Mooney aviation in one way or another. -a- Quote
Parker_Woodruff Posted November 28, 2010 Report Posted November 28, 2010 Let my membership lapse when I knew I was going to sell my plane. Now that it's sold, I probably won't join again unless I buy another Mooney. The magazine is ok. Read a few good articles, but some really didn't do anything for me. Classifieds had some good stuff worth looking at if I had been in the market. Quote
Sabremech Posted November 28, 2010 Report Posted November 28, 2010 I'm in my first year with MAPA and with owning a Mooney. I'm on the fence about renewing when the time comes. I'm an A&P/IA and do my own maint on my Mooney. I haven't encountered anything that requires rocket science to fix it. I much prefer Mooneyspace forum over the incessant amount of e-mails received from the MAPA digest. The magazine is OK, I thought I would like it more but can zip through it 30 minutes or less. I plan on finishing the year with it and will make my decision then. Quote
drpep Posted November 28, 2010 Report Posted November 28, 2010 I have subscribed to Mapa off and on for close to 15 years. From time to time it produces very informative articles but for the most part the mag is mostly repeated adds and info on Mapa meetings etc. I have stilled held on to my old mags and from time to time I re read them. One respondent on this thread stated that he found it was a quick read and I would agree. Mooneyspace is far and away more informative and responsive. drpep Quote
craigsteffen Posted November 28, 2010 Author Report Posted November 28, 2010 Great, thanks for all the responses! Quote
MooneyMitch Posted November 28, 2010 Report Posted November 28, 2010 With regards to keeping MAPA LOG's over the years, I find myself sitting down at the hangar from time to time and referring to some of the older issues [all the way back to the mid-80's for me]. A wealth of information from those past, that are indeed quite knowledgeable on Mooney aircraft and beyond. Having a single point cohesive location for Mooney owners and pilots is an important factor. The magazine is the case in point. Yes, we see repeat advertisements from those that make a living from such things. Nothing wrong with that at all. What else we see are technical articles, things for us all to buy from MAPA, classifieds, MAPA Safety Foundation, PPP and more. Of course, we love MooneySpace, the MAPA forum, mooney-tech, but in my opinion, it's stiil very good to have the brotherhood/sisterhood [whoops!] of MAPA for all of us Mooney lovers. Quote
mooniac227 Posted November 28, 2010 Report Posted November 28, 2010 Quote: drpep I have subscribed to Mapa off and on for close to 15 years. From time to time it produces very informative articles but for the most part the mag is mostly repeated adds and info on Mapa meetings etc. I have stilled held on to my old mags and from time to time I re read them. One respondent on this thread stated that he found it was a quick read and I would agree. Mooneyspace is far and away more informative and responsive. drpep Quote
Piloto Posted November 28, 2010 Report Posted November 28, 2010 Got back my identity. I think this forum is suffering from alzheimers desease, it keeps forgeting about me. José Quote
rorythedog Posted November 29, 2010 Report Posted November 29, 2010 Quote: Piloto Got back my identity. I think this forum is suffering from alzheimers desease, it keeps forgeting about me. José Quote
JoeSpeed Posted November 29, 2010 Report Posted November 29, 2010 MAPA is worth every cent. I have saved thousands with the maintence , SBs and AD advice and the classifieds offer members the opportuntiy to buyy/ sell within the family and greats savings. The MPPP offers expert training and saves more than the cost in Insurance discounts. Quote
mooneygirl Posted November 29, 2010 Report Posted November 29, 2010 I have to agree with the above posts that see the value in the MAPA membership. I have also often thought about the [sometime] criticism about the MAPA Log articles. Why not contact Trey Hughes at MAPA and submit an article for the Log? In the process of writing the article you would certainly learn a lot and share your knowledge with other Mooney owners. Work to be part of the solution is my idea. Personally I would love to see what interesting places you all have flown, or uses for the Mooney that might not always be highlighed. We have a wealth of experience here on MooneySpace! trey_hughes@sbcglobal.net is the email for Trey. Quote
fantom Posted November 29, 2010 Report Posted November 29, 2010 What is MAPA membership these days? Under $50, I think. If that's gonna bust your budget, maybe airplane ownership isn't for you. MAPA, good or bad, is the Mooney focal point. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted November 29, 2010 Report Posted November 29, 2010 Gary, It has nothing to do with busting the budget...It's about getting a quality product for the price...or any price. I also subscribe to Car & Driver and am a member of Ruffed Grouse Society...These are excellent publications, creative, etc...yes they have a lot more resources/subscrbers, but that being said you have a level of expectation regarding content, photos...Could they feature an aircraft...like AOPA does...BUT A MOONEY EVERY MONTH and take some nice photos? Interview the pilot and discuss his/her mods...avionics...where he/she flys and why? Discuss maintenance done recently (optional and required) and where they were done? The content in MAPA is acceptable, but what changes? Medical review, insurance review, Accident review, Maint questions and NOT a lot of Mooney specific stuff with pilot/owners...$#@!, if they (MAPA) put a form together and asked questions most owners have digital cameras and could take photos...Isn't that what MooneySpace people do...lurk and drool or go cool or UGGHHHhh while looking at photos?! MAPA could intern a graphics/english student and transform MAPA... MAPA mag is stale and THAT is why I left...I came back because of the online and back issue access, but will likely leave again if no changes are made because I can fly an hour for $50 and get more pleasure than I do seeing the employee of the month at MAC... Quote
georgeb Posted November 29, 2010 Report Posted November 29, 2010 Quote: edgargravel MAPA does not have the immediate knowledge-through-networking benefit of this list, or of the other two lists I know that exist for Mooney Drivers. Quote
DaV8or Posted November 30, 2010 Report Posted November 30, 2010 Quote: scottfromiowa ...because of the online and back issue access, but will likely leave again if no changes are made because I can fly an hour for $50 and get more pleasure than I do seeing the employee of the month at MAC... Quote
fantom Posted November 30, 2010 Report Posted November 30, 2010 I agree, in general, that MAPA, the log, the site, and the conventions, are all a bit antiquated and could use some new blood, Scott. Don't tell them, but I hope that's where Mitch and Jolie are headed. http://mooneyspace.com/s1106/ernaehrung/food-drink-smilies.html'> Quote
mooneygirl Posted November 30, 2010 Report Posted November 30, 2010 Gary, you crack me up. Like we need something else to do? HA I think Trey and Lela do a wonderful job. There are some new things for 2011. So, keep your eyes open, and your memberships current! Quote
MooneyMitch Posted November 30, 2010 Report Posted November 30, 2010 We are in complete support of MAPA and all it represents. MAPA is the mothership, so to speak, for all of us Mooney loving groups. MAPA is a wonderful focal point for all of us Mooney lovers and we do need that commonality. Yes, we are all getting more mature [older!!] and things do change. Having been around the Mooney life for many years, I have seen some of these icons leave us. Just to name a few, I think of Norm Smith [The Mooney Miser], Ed Penny [met him at the MAPA convention this year], and some close friends that were my Mooney mentor's when I started. Everything changes [pretty much]. As the old retire or leave us, we do wonder about the future. At the convention, I saw lots of gray heads and lots of bald heads [thank you very much!], and a few young looking heads. Of course, as I look back through the old MAPA LOG's, I see the same thing and wondered the same thing then..................where are the younger Mooney people? With the Mooney Ambassador events, we have indeed seen younger heads popping up. That's a good thing. Younger heads such as Michael Coyle, Quinn Walton, Fernando and Karen, DaV8or, and many more. There are even more younger heads here on MooneySpace for example. We certainly cannot predict the future, but I'll bet there will be positive changes ahead in our Mooney world. Let's all stay involved, keep MooneySpace, Mooney-tech, MAPA forum all going and help keep our "mothership" strong. See you at your airport day! Mitch Mooney Ambassadors Share the Passion! Quote
fantom Posted November 30, 2010 Report Posted November 30, 2010 Quote: mooneygirl I think Trey and Lela do a wonderful job. Quote
MooneyMitch Posted December 30, 2010 Report Posted December 30, 2010 For those that are not MAPA members [or those that question whether they should be], the December MAPA LOG arrived yesterday [is this late for Central CA?] with a very informative article on the history and operation of the TCM TSIO-360 engine in the K models. Seems to me, even though I don't have a great K, and even if I did, this information appears of good value. Another reason to be a MAPA member.................well worth the annual dues, in my opinion. Happy New Year to everyone! Quote
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