CFI in Denver area

[Clint466]

Hey everyone,

Very excited, I'm flying up to Denver tomorrow to close on a Mooney M20S but need to get checked out in the plane.  I have my complex but not high-performance sign-off so I was needing to get that along with some mountain flying. 

Does anyone know of a good CFI in the area that you would recommend?  I am beyond frustrated, I've called Rocky Mountain flight training, Leading Edge, and Front Range flight training MULTIPLE times and can't get anyone to call me back!  It's freaking nuts.  In Houston the flight schools would be beating your door down to get business. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! 

[midlifeflyer]

I am assuming you have already searched for lists of "Mooney instructors".

The issue might be a lack of Mooney qualified instructors, particularly in an S. Two Colorado-specific suggestions.

The site seems to be down right now, but search for Colorado Pilot Association Mountain Flight Instructors. As I recall, their bios sometimes mention type specific qualification. 

Less satisfactory but a possibility... try the flight schools at Centennial. Aspen Flying Club (it's a commercial op, not a private club) generally has a large complement of independent instructors. Centennial Flyers is a much looser organization but if you get someone on the phone they may have a referral. 

[Jerry 5TJ]

There are two Mooney CFI in Colorado listed on the Mooney Flyer list of instructors.  
Mooney Flyer CFI List

 

[skydvrboy]

My mountain flying instructor was Don Dolce out of Longmont.  I thought he was an excellent instructor and is a previous Mooney owner of many years (I believe he flew a J model).

If you want to contact him, his number is 303-870-8066.

Let's also see if Paul @gsxrpilot has any recommendations.

[gsxrpilot]

For a Mooney CFI in the Denver area, I have to recommend our own @Vance Harral. He's my go-to Mooney CFI.

[midlifeflyer]

4 hours ago, gsxrpilot said:

For a Mooney CFI in the Denver area, I have to recommend our own @Vance Harral. He's my go-to Mooney CFI.

Nothing beats a personal recommendation but if Vance is not available, looking at the Colorado Pilot Association list now that its accessible, I would have no hesitation recommending (in alphabetical order).

Rich Barclay, Jer Eberhard, and Brian Jones. I personally know all three. I used to fly and teach out of Centennial.

Note that even with a "Mooney instructor", not all will feel qualified to teach in all models.

 

[carusoam]

Clint,

Which powerplant does your new-2-U Eagle have?

If 310hp Screamin’ Eagle... go out of your way to get somebody familiar with it...

Gobs of power... power management is everything. Specially near the ground...

More of a health issue than anything else... it’s good for your health... 

Best regards,

-a-

[Vance Harral]

I'd be glad to help Clint, but it's important to note that I have zero M20S time.  All my Mooney time is in Fs, Es, and a bit of time in Ks.  I also tend to demure on mountain instruction to folks who spend a lot more time flying the mountains than I do.  A man's got to know his limitations and all that.

With that said, Clint, PM me if you can't find any other solutions.

[gsxrpilot]

5 hours ago, Vance Harral said:

I'd be glad to help Clint, but it's important to note that I have zero M20S time.  All my Mooney time is in Fs, Es, and a bit of time in Ks.  I also tend to demure on mountain instruction to folks who spend a lot more time flying the mountains than I do.  A man's got to know his limitations and all that.

With that said, Clint, PM me if you can't find any other solutions.

We should go fly in the mountains. It would help both us out. 

But seriously, @Vance Harral is a hell of a good pilot and M20S experience or not, I doubt you'd know the difference watching him fly one.

[midlifeflyer]

On 8/16/2020 at 11:05 PM, gsxrpilot said:

We should go fly in the mountains. It would help both us out. 

But seriously, @Vance Harral is a hell of a good pilot and M20S experience or not, I doubt you'd know the difference watching him fly one.

As @carusoam said, if a Screaming Eagle S the issue isn't flying the plane as much as engine management.  I never got checked out in it but my club had one for a while. The checkout was a very extended one because keeping CHTs in line was a BIG issue. I guess it was something about the way it was cowled, but it sounded very different from my experience with the C, J, K, and R models.

[carusoam]

CHT control for the 310hp is very much a FF setting...

Done properly by your favorite mechanic...

There is plenty written about that around here...

 

Full flap go arounds are my biggest concern for somebody new to the 310hp...

Very similar time the 180hp M20C... just things can go awry much faster...

 

PP thoughts only, not a CFI...

 

Best regards,

-a-