Mixed Mooneys

[201er]

On another topic I was just thinking about various Mooneys going some place together. I was wondering if you guys do in fact fly together with Mooneys of differing speeds (or in fact other airplanes as well) places? What kind of groups have you been in? Or does the Mooney M20TN go ahead, have lunch, and get home before his buddy in the C even gets there? I've never flown the same place as someone I know in another plane so I'm just wondering how you go about it?

[takair]

Can be fun, make it a race or try formation.  I used to go with my E model and my friend in his Cessna 150.  Just be sure to coordinate, talk to each other and don't bump into each other. 

[kris_adams]

I've only flown with a M20C.  I let him take off first and flew with him.  I "only" have a J so it wasn't a big deal for me.

[AustinChurch]

I regularly fly formation with a Cessna 210 and Comanche 250.  Since the 210 is the slowest of the three aircraft, he takes point and the Comanche and I fly off of each of his wings.  We just set our speed to his.  Prior to take off, we establish the altitude, climb rate, and speed at which the 210 is going to fly at.  We take off in a stagard formation and once off the ground we move into our positions.  When it comes time to land, we move back into a staggard formation, the 210 first on the left, the Comanche second on the right and me back on the left.  Pretty easy to do and a lot of fun!

[AustinChurch]

*erased double post*

[Hank]

Wow, Austin, you do it fancy.

On local feed runs, we usually take fastest plane first unless someone is slow getting ready. Flights are usually 15-20 minutes for my C depending on winds & destination; passing is rare unless the A36 gets behind a 172. Typical group is me, an F, an A36 and a couple of 172s. Often the restaurant has other aircraft coming in, and we blend in as we arrive. Often the next plane is entering the pattern as the preceding one is landing, unless changes are needed to blend in. Bringing in our group from the SE with other traffic from the S, W and N that ranges from Champs to Twin Cessnas can be interesting!

I traveled 1300 nm with a Skyhawk who wanted legs 3 hrs or less. We would preflight together, they would crank up and leave, then I would top off my tanks, stretch, sort papers, pass them enroute, fill up and have a ride waiting when they landed.

The important part is communication. We ALWAYS use flight following, and talk to each other on 122.75. You gotta know where the guy in front of you is before ATC points him out to you. I say 'him' because it is the rule of English grammar; our group includes 3 female pilots. I have never tried formation flight, but have taken nice pictures passing Champs and 172s from 1000' above and ½ mile or more offset.