Today's flight for 2017

[MIm20c]

Cold weather up in Michigan this week. Many nights at or below zero. Pulled the plane out yesterday with the car thermometer showing 3 degrees but I’d guess the hanger was closer to 15-20.  Clouds were at 2500-3000 agl but clearing to the east.  Had planned on shooting some approaches but instead put the power in at a large clearing to climb into clear skies.  

The old C held 25/25 all the way to 13.5k which was about 750 ft/min. I left the power and it quickly accelerated to a 210 kts ground speed with the healthy tail wind.  I think I could get used to that speed!  I was amazed how hard it was to drop the altitude. I pulled back to 2350/19 to keep the heat in the engine (-25c oat) but it was very difficult to keep the needle from pushing well into the yellow with anything more than 300-400 ft/min decent.  I’ll have to be a lot more careful with altitude planning in the future.  Had a good time but was a little cold by the time I landed. Hope to get up again before the new year. 

[gsxrpilot]

6 hours ago, MIm20c said:

Cold weather up in Michigan this week. Many nights at or below zero. Pulled the plane out yesterday with the car thermometer showing 3 degrees but I’d guess the hanger was closer to 15-20.  Clouds were at 2500-3000 agl but clearing to the east.  Had planned on shooting some approaches but instead put the power in at a large clearing to climb into clear skies.  

The old C held 25/25 all the way to 13.5k which was about 750 ft/min. I left the power and it quickly accelerated to a 210 kts ground speed with the healthy tail wind.  I think I could get used to that speed!  I was amazed how hard it was to drop the altitude. I pulled back to 2350/19 to keep the heat in the engine (-25c oat) but it was very difficult to keep the needle from pushing well into the yellow with anything more than 300-400 ft/min decent.  I’ll have to be a lot more careful with altitude planning in the future.  Had a good time but was a little cold by the time I landed. Hope to get up again before the new year. 

Nothing wrong with a little "yellow" speed in a C. They can take it. I used to do most descents in my C at just below the red line. 

[Skates97]

3 hours ago, gsxrpilot said:

Nothing wrong with a little "yellow" speed in a C. They can take it. I used to do most descents in my C at just below the red line. 

If the air is relatively smooth my typical power on descent is usually right around 170mph IAS, sometimes creeping up close to red line (189mph IAS). Just push the nose over and trim out for a 400-500fpm descent, walk the power back and mixture in as you go down to keep MP and EGTs the same as cruise. 

I know a few others including @Hankdo the same thing. 

[Hank]

48 minutes ago, Skates97 said:

If the air is relatively smooth my typical power on descent is usually right around 170mph IAS, sometimes creeping up close to red line (189mph IAS). Just push the nose over and trim out for a 400-500fpm descent, walk the power back and mixture in as you go down to keep MP and EGTs the same as cruise. 

I know a few others including @Hankdo the same thing. 

Yep, 500 fpm power on gives me a consistent 170 mph, which is just below the yellow for me. Vintage Electric from the factory has the higher 175-200 mph yellow!  

[L. Trotter]

Yesterday, I picked up the Acclaim (in San Marcos, Tx-KHYI) from it's 1st annual since I purchased her .....ouch! ALOT was missed in the pre-purchase inspection by another Mooney shop. The good news is she is up to factory specs and fly's like a dream. The trip home to Chesapeake, Va (KCPK) was uneventful, that is if you did not look at the ground speed! Yes, I know I had a ridiculous tail wind, but to cruise at FL230 to take advantage of the wind was sure nice. This is my personal best GS in a Mooney. I did hit 280 kts of smooth flying.

[BradB]

I have been doing transition training at Legacy in Vero this week.   Today is the first day that I got to fly my new bird.  Even stopped by KFXE for a bit and saw my (was my) Acclaim.   The speed is a little faster.   The extra power is slightly terrifying and addictive at the same time.  A shout out to Legacy for the training.  I am pretty sure that if you gave me a couple of scrap VW’s Beatles and a PT-6, I could build one of these now (might take me as long as @Yooper Rocketman).

brad

 

[Steve W]

And here's my last flight for the year. The rest of the weekend will be spent working on the house. Flew Newport(ONP) to Florence(6S2) to north of Newport and back to Newport for a stunning 1.1 hours.

The grey bridge is over Alsea Bay in Waldport, OR. The airport is Newport. The green bridge is over Yaquina Bay in Newport.

[peevee]

I have a similar pic flying from kcec to Tillamook over onp. I like to crab there. Delicious little bastards. 

[kpaul]

Last flights of the year.  Flew to KLHW - Wright Army Airfield near Savannah, GA to visit my son who is stationed at Ft. Stewart.  We were lucky with great weather both days.

Contrails near Jacksonville FL.

Moon reflection in the marsh near Savannah, GA.

My son and I.

Amazing how small a 65lb dog can make himself

Heading back to FL

Final into Defuniak Springs, FL.

 

[ragedracer1977]

Last one for the year!  Tried mounting a gopro on the wingtip.  Came out OK.  A videographer I am not, lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9DrWB7AoyU

[bonal]

Thanks to all of you that took the time to share your Mooney and other adventures hope everyone had a good 2017

John

[Skates97]

1 hour ago, bonal said:

Thanks to all of you that took the time to share your Mooney and other adventures hope everyone had a good 2017

John

It was great to read the stories and see the pictures. I have one more to add to this thread and by the end of the day one to add to your new thread.

[carusoam]

Bonal/John,

Looking forwards to the new thread of a similar title!

Its a perennial favorite.

 

Best regards,

-a-

[bonal]

17 minutes ago, carusoam said:

Bonal/John,

Looking forwards to the new thread of a similar title!

Its a perennial favorite.

 

Best regards,

-a-

Already placed the new thread. Hope lots of folks contribute