Flight Planning My Mooney’s Route Home

[Chuck Balogna]

I just purchased my first Mooney (M20J) and will be flying it home at the end of June. 
Harrisburg, PA to Kalispell, MT (KMDT to KGPI) over the course of three days.
 

Rather than just B-line it home I figured I’d ask suggestions for unique airports, air museums, must see’s, etc along the way.

[Hank]

Stop in Rapid City, KRAP, and visit Mt. Rushmore. Drive out to Devil's Tower; i didn't do that, we just saw it from the air. They have a laser show at night, makes a good stopover.

I need tomcheck my old logbook, there's a little airport not too far west of Springfield, IL, that has an outdoor aircraft museum with some interesting retired military planes; there may be an indoor portion, we landed af supper time because Sprinvfield was black down tomthe ground and wherever we were was still sunny (going from Cody back to WV as a one-year, VFR Mooney owner).

[Pinecone]

Just did a lunch flight to Bowling Green.  National Corvette Museum.  And a pretty good lunch grill.  The Jalapeno Crisp burger is GREAT.  And leave room for the Bourbon Bread Pudding.

Nice FBO.  One caveat, the fuel price is BEFORE tax.  $5.99 full serve, $6.23 with tax.

About 4 hours or a bit more from Harrisburg.

[Greg Ellis]

4 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Just did a lunch flight to Bowling Green.  National Corvette Museum.  And a pretty good lunch grill.  The Jalapeno Crisp burger is GREAT.  And leave room for the Bourbon Bread Pudding.

Is it 8 hours bread pudding to throttle….

[MikeOH]

11 minutes ago, Greg Ellis said:

Is it 8 hours bread pudding to throttle….

Is the bread pudding in a bottle?

[Chuck Balogna]

14 hours ago, Hank said:

Stop in Rapid City, KRAP, and visit Mt. Rushmore. Drive out to Devil's Tower; i didn't do that, we just saw it from the air. They have a laser show at night, makes a good stopover.

I need tomcheck my old logbook, there's a little airport not too far west of Springfield, IL, that has an outdoor aircraft museum with some interesting retired military planes; there may be an indoor portion, we landed af supper time because Sprinvfield was black down tomthe ground and wherever we were was still sunny (going from Cody back to WV as a one-year, VFR Mooney owner).

KRAP is definitely the main choice right now for that last stop before MT. I will look into the museum in Springfield. Thanks

[Chuck Balogna]

5 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Just did a lunch flight to Bowling Green.  National Corvette Museum.  And a pretty good lunch grill.  The Jalapeno Crisp burger is GREAT.  And leave room for the Bourbon Bread Pudding.

Nice FBO.  One caveat, the fuel price is BEFORE tax.  $5.99 full serve, $6.23 with tax.

About 4 hours or a bit more from Harrisburg.

Oh man, that's substantially cheeper than the fuel in my neck of the woods.  haha!

[hubcap]

1 hour ago, Pillows said:

KRAP is definitely the main choice right now for that last stop before MT. I will look into the museum in Springfield. Thanks

My wife and I have been to KRAP several times and love it. We try to go the week after Sturgis.

[EricJ]

1 hour ago, Pillows said:

KRAP is definitely the main choice right now for that last stop before MT. I will look into the museum in Springfield. Thanks

If you're going to stop at KRAP, you can hit the South Dakota Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth AFB.  They have a very decent collection of stuff.   Lots to do in the Hills.

 

[hammdo]

7 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Just did a lunch flight to Bowling Green.  National Corvette Museum.  And a pretty good lunch grill.  The Jalapeno Crisp burger is GREAT.  And leave room for the Bourbon Bread Pudding.

Nice FBO.  One caveat, the fuel price is BEFORE tax.  $5.99 full serve, $6.23 with tax.

About 4 hours or a bit more from Harrisburg.

Next time try Montanas for a meal - awesome  - Roosters is a great ‘simple fare’ place too.

-Don

[201Mooniac]

Best museum is the AF museum at Wright Patterson in Dayton.  I also enjoyed the SAC museum at Omaha.  I agree with the KRAP visit.

[Pinecone]

19 hours ago, Greg Ellis said:

Is it 8 hours bread pudding to throttle….

The claim bourbon soaked raisins, but they it is cooked.

[Pinecone]

10 hours ago, 201Mooniac said:

Best museum is the AF museum at Wright Patterson in Dayton.  I also enjoyed the SAC museum at Omaha.  I agree with the KRAP visit.

Naval Aviation Museum is also excellent, but not on the way for the OP.  And it reopened for visitors in May.

[201er]

On 6/18/2023 at 12:18 AM, Pillows said:

I just purchased my first Mooney (M20J) and will be flying it home at the end of June. 
Harrisburg, PA to Kalispell, MT (KMDT to KGPI) over the course of three days.
 

Rather than just B-line it home I figured I’d ask suggestions for unique airports, air museums, must see’s, etc along the way.

Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but perhaps the safest bet, is to just focus on your flying. Can't count the number of Mooney accidents and gear ups that happen on a new owner's first flight or first trip. Unless you already have a lot of experience in Mooneys, it may be better to avoid the distraction of additional travel planning.

You are more likely to encounter maintenance related problems on a plane that's been sitting or who knows how it was maintained? It may have had a prebuy or recent annual but that too can leave you open to premature failures.

I would suggest giving all your focus toward flights, rest, and planning. Enjoy traveling with your plane after you've gotten through the "break in" period.

[Andy95W]

1 hour ago, 201er said:

Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but perhaps the safest bet, is to just focus on your flying. Can't count the number of Mooney accidents and gear ups that happen on a new owner's first flight or first trip. Unless you already have a lot of experience in Mooneys, it may be better to avoid the distraction of additional travel planning.

You are more likely to encounter maintenance related problems on a plane that's been sitting or who knows how it was maintained? It may have had a prebuy or recent annual but that too can leave you open to premature failures.

I would suggest giving all your focus toward flights, rest, and planning. Enjoy traveling with your plane after you've gotten through the "break in" period.

⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️   THIS +1!  (Unless you have a CFI with you- which is also a good idea)

Just flying your new Mooney will be excitement enough!

[Hank]

1 hour ago, 201er said:

Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but perhaps the safest bet, is to just focus on your flying. Can't count the number of Mooney accidents and gear ups that happen on a new owner's first flight or first trip. Unless you already have a lot of experience in Mooneys, it may be better to avoid the distraction of additional travel planning.

You are more likely to encounter maintenance related problems on a plane that's been sitting or who knows how it was maintained? It may have had a prebuy or recent annual but that too can leave you open to premature failures.

I would suggest giving all your focus toward flights, rest, and planning. Enjoy traveling with your plane after you've gotten through the "break in" period.

6 minutes ago, Andy95W said:

⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️   THIS +1!  (Unless you have a CFI with you- which is also a good idea)

Just flying your new Mooney will be excitement enough!

My understanding is that he us flying his new Mooney home--buying the plane in Pennsylvania, looking for interesting stops along the way home to Montana. 

Or should he live in PA for a couple of months, sorting out the plane and learning to fly it well before taking it home???

Can't do good flight planning until you know your stops, and no J (other than Stinky Pants'  ) will gonfrom eastern PA to central MT without at least two stops . . . . .

[Chuck Balogna]

1 hour ago, Hank said:

My understanding is that he us flying his new Mooney home--buying the plane in Pennsylvania, looking for interesting stops along the way home to Montana. 

Or should he live in PA for a couple of months, sorting out the plane and learning to fly it well before taking it home???

Can't do good flight planning until you know your stops, and no J (other than Stinky Pants'  ) will gonfrom eastern PA to central MT without at least two stops . . . . .

I zero argument against taking time to learn a new plane, but Hank has hit the nail on the head here.

The immediate XC flight is to ferry it home, which will require a few stops. Might as well make them interesting!

And yes, my CFII will be sitting right seat for the trip.

[PeteMc]

Living in MT this may not be as great a recommendation as for someone out east or in the south.  But consider Mt Rushmore as a stop.  I don't know that I would have gone there if we weren't on one of our X-US flights to WA and also looking for places to stop.  

And if you need a CFI(I) to do some training with, I can put you in touch with a MAPA Safety guy I fly with.  I think he'll be in NJ this summer (he's transitioning to FL).  And do seriously consider going to a MAPA Pilot Proficiency Program (PPP) in the next year or so.  You'll learn a LOT about your plane and how to fly it!!!  

[Chuck Balogna]

On 6/19/2023 at 6:05 PM, PeteMc said:

Living in MT this may not be as great a recommendation as for someone out east or in the south.  But consider Mt Rushmore as a stop.  I don't know that I would have gone there if we weren't on one of our X-US flights to WA and also looking for places to stop.  

And if you need a CFI(I) to do some training with, I can put you in touch with a MAPA Safety guy I fly with.  I think he'll be in NJ this summer (he's transitioning to FL).  And do seriously consider going to a MAPA Pilot Proficiency Program (PPP) in the next year or so.  You'll learn a LOT about your plane and how to fly it!!!  

If I was living on the east coast I’d be all over that.

In addition to my CFI(I) flying home with me, I have transitional training setup with a CFI who owned a J.

thanks for the MAPA PPP suggestion. Looks like there a few more this year I’ll certainly try to make.

As of now, the trip is looking like stops in Springfield then Rushmore before crossing the mountains home.

I am really appreciating all the input I’ve been getting here.

[Adverseyaw0317]

I just bought a Mooney and flew it back to Philly from San Diego. Have fun! Hope the weather cooperates!


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[Chuck Balogna]

On 6/22/2023 at 9:06 PM, Adverseyaw0317 said:

I just bought a Mooney and flew it back to Philly from San Diego. Have fun! Hope the weather cooperates!


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Weather is a big concern this week. Definitely playing it safe.

I’ve heard horror stories about people’s brand new planes getting hammered by mid-west hail while parked and waiting for weather to pass.

[exM20K]

On 6/17/2023 at 11:18 PM, Pillows said:

I just purchased my first Mooney (M20J) and will be flying it home at the end of June. 
Harrisburg, PA to Kalispell, MT (KMDT to KGPI) over the course of three days.
 

Rather than just B-line it home I figured I’d ask suggestions for unique airports, air museums, must see’s, etc along the way.

Congratulations and welcome to the Mooney family.

You chose well, in my not-unbiased opinion -dan

[Chuck Balogna]

Best laid plans.

I could not have picked a worse weekend to fly from PA to MT.

Our direct route was blocked by massive convective storms throughout the Great Lakes and Midwest.

Circumvented all the convective activity and made it home to Montana by way of North Carolina, Tennessee, Nebraska, and Idaho.

The Mooney flew beautifully, and it sure was nice having autopilot through Nebraska.

[good2eat]

“and it sure was nice having autopilot through Nebraska.“

Ain’t that the truth!  We flew through Nebraska bring our J to Oregon from Maryland and it seems to take forever to get through Nebraska!

Congratulations on your new J!

[Adverseyaw0317]

5 hours ago, Pillows said:

Best laid plans.

I could not have picked a worse weekend to fly from PA to MT.

Our direct route was blocked by massive convective storms throughout the Great Lakes and Midwest.

Circumvented all the convective activity and made it home to Montana by way of North Carolina, Tennessee, Nebraska, and Idaho.

The Mooney flew beautifully, and it sure was nice having autopilot through Nebraska.

Nice plane I almost bought that one …. Would have saved me the ferry flight from San Diego. Glad you made it back. I had a similar detour down south to avoid weather on my way to PA.