New England group/forum?

[Flyler]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I am hoping for some recommendations - fly to destinations in the New England area.  My wife and I like to hike, enjoy nature, and aren't too keen on crowded places.  We are envisioning creating a small list of airports with nearby bed and breakfast or cabin rentals for weekend getaways.  Ideally as I become a more experienced pilot we will expand our adventuring radius.

At any rate, I was curious if we had a Mooneyspace group for us New England chowder head types?

[PeteMc]

One place we used to fly to and do a fair amount of hiking was Bar Harbor.  We'd rent a car and stay in Bar Harbor and then go to Acadia National Park for hiking.  Be sure to check out the lobster pots on the way to Bar Harbor from the Apt.  No way I could describe where it is now, but do remember the one we always stopped at was on the right.

And not in line with your hiking theme...  But since it's Thanksgiving it also reminds me of the trip we did a number of times.  Friday we'd fly up to Portland, ME (PWM) and then drive up to Freeport.  That is where LL Bean has its headquarters and where a number of other major names have outlets....  But also a fun little town.  LL Bean is (was?) open 24 hours, so after dinner we'd head over there when there were very few people (compared to the daytime).  

 

ADDED: Thanks @Deb for pointing out my "ME" typo! 

 

Edited November 28, 2025 by PeteMc

[Hank]

@takair should be in this conversation 

[Flyler]

27 minutes ago, Hank said:

@takair should be in this conversation 

It's funny, I bother that man so much, occasionally I feel bad pestering him and will post on Mooneyspace. Half the time he answers here or someone pings him anyways 

[takair]

Never pestering.

There seems to be some big turnover with airport restaurants.  Often, by the time I’m ready to head back to one, they are shut down or under new ownership.  At least there is often someone ready make another go at it.  I usually use ForeFlight and check the airport and FBO comments to get a sense of the food available and other services or fees.  Nothing worse than getting $10 burger and paying a $40 fee.  If the fee is $40, they best charge $80 for the burger.  I will also try to leave a constructive comment once in a while.  

[Kirch56H]

I'd love to see a New England or Northeast group on the forum!

[LANCECASPER]

Talk to @mooniac58. He could make it happen.

[SKI]

I'd love to see a Northeast Mooney. We could do like to Florida group and schedule lunch once a month or something. I'm in Western Pennsylvania but I mean we do have airplanes. As for weekend stops, I flew up to Belfast Maine this fall. Just a day trip as I was craving a lobster roll (Mooney's are awesome!) The airport manager was SUPER friendly. Even went out of his way to track down a charger for my tablet as I forgot mine. He said they have a crew car but I just used my folding bike. His wife was there when I was leaving and they were just really nice friendly people. The waterfront area is like 2 miles from the airport and there's a walking/ biking trail. I'm definitely heading back next year for a weekend trip.

[Flyler]

I will absolutely have to check out the ME destinations. I am always surprised how far you get in the Mooney, it really does make the world a little smaller. Perhaps we can create an iPad app that shows how many red lights you've blasted through at 170mph while enroute..

[802flyer]

Mac Jets at Portland (PWM) and Heritage at Burlington (BTV) both seem to have decent availability of courtesy cars and a plethora of good restaurants within a 15min drive. Both places offer good walking/hiking/biking a reasonable distance from the airport as well (though you may want to uber since both ask for the car to be back in 2hrs or less). Rutland (RUT) gets you within a half hour or so to Killington and Okemo, and the FBO can arrange a rental car for you; just be mindful that Rutland downtown is not exactly a destination itself. 

Martha's Vineyard (MVY) and Chatham (CQX) both have decent restaurants on the field, if you're going for a summer seashore visit. Provincetown (PVC) is always fun but you'll probably need a uber into town; Good food, fun town to stroll through, and nice bike paths. The Bar Harbor area is also great as mentioned previously, though the crew car seems to be in high demand and the airport itself isn't a destination. 

Columbia County (1B1) is an excellent fuel stop on your way too/from, with some of the best prices in the region. Griffiss (RME) also has great fuel prices (cheap self-serve is a ways from the FBO however, and there are fees at the FBO if you decide to drop in) and some cool military aircraft rolling through. 

I'd be happy to see a Northeast group open up as well. 

Edited December 2, 2025 by 802flyer

[PeteMc]

I'll second @802flyer's recommendation of Columbia Co (1B1) as a great fuel stop.  But if you're heading more along the north shore of LI Sound, don't pass up a little jog up to Sky Acres (44N).  It also has consistently good fuel prices and was my Go-To Apt when I was flying out of FRG. FF shows both 1B1 and 44N at $5.15 right now. 

There is also a restaurant there (check when it's open) and if it is your first time there... You'll love the taxi UP to the pumps.   

[Flyler]

@mooniac58 has graciously created a new New England forum for us!

My hangar is at 44N! Breakfast/lunch is Friday-Sunday.  Good fuel prices. Some great classic flying around there!

[Flyler]

On 12/2/2025 at 3:32 PM, 802flyer said:

Mac Jets at Portland (PWM) and Heritage at Burlington (BTV) both seem to have decent availability of courtesy cars and a plethora of good restaurants within a 15min drive. Both places offer good walking/hiking/biking a reasonable distance from the airport as well (though you may want to uber since both ask for the car to be back in 2hrs or less). Rutland (RUT) gets you within a half hour or so to Killington and Okemo, and the FBO can arrange a rental car for you; just be mindful that Rutland downtown is not exactly a destination itself. 

Martha's Vineyard (MVY) and Chatham (CQX) both have decent restaurants on the field, if you're going for a summer seashore visit. Provincetown (PVC) is always fun but you'll probably need a uber into town; Good food, fun town to stroll through, and nice bike paths. The Bar Harbor area is also great as mentioned previously, though the crew car seems to be in high demand and the airport itself isn't a destination. 

Columbia County (1B1) is an excellent fuel stop on your way too/from, with some of the best prices in the region. Griffiss (RME) also has great fuel prices (cheap self-serve is a ways from the FBO however, and there are fees at the FBO if you decide to drop in) and some cool military aircraft rolling through. 

I'd be happy to see a Northeast group open up as well. 

Thanks for the KRUT recommendation. That seemed like a good first decent solo xc for me.  Weather was looking good so I made the flight from 44N.

Did my best to do what my instructor taught me. Felt great and confident the whole way. Really nice to have a bucket of CFI teachings to pull from.  Had a nice 35kt tailwind and flew at 7500ft on the way out.  Was seeing 180Kts over the ground.  150-155kts calculated TAS and the plane was very happy to cruise there. Got there in about 45 minutes.

Valley approach from the South was amazing! I turned off the AP and followed the valley in. 

Cheerful little FBO and they had local Maple Syrup to take home for the wife.  I didn't do any exploring, who cares about shops when you just bought a FRIGGIN MOONEY?? So I got back in and flew home before the forecasted winds rolled in.

I did notice that there's a trailhead to the AT about a mile down the road.  I think we will visit KRUT often!

[802flyer]

Thanks for the KRUT recommendation. That seemed like a good first decent solo xc for me.  Weather was looking good so I made the flight from 44N.
Did my best to do what my instructor taught me. Felt great and confident the whole way. Really nice to have a bucket of CFI teachings to pull from.  Had a nice 35kt tailwind and flew at 7500ft on the way out.  Was seeing 180Kts over the ground.  150-155kts calculated TAS and the plane was very happy to cruise there. Got there in about 45 minutes.
Valley approach from the South was amazing! I turned off the AP and followed the valley in. 
Cheerful little FBO and they had local Maple Syrup to take home for the wife.  I didn't do any exploring, who cares about shops when you just bought a FRIGGIN MOONEY?? So I got back in and flew home before the forecasted winds rolled in.
I did notice that there's a trailhead to the AT about a mile down the road.  I think we will visit KRUT often!

Sounds like a great trip. The approach from the south is definitely pretty; just be mindful that it can get bumpy when it’s windy, so I’ll often stay on the west side of the mountains until the Route 4 gap when VMC, or just go fly the approach from the north and circle to land. Just a few extra tenths in the logbook for a smoother ride if it’s windy.


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