2013 MOONEY CARAVAN TO OSHKOSH!

[jasonwojo]

The 2013 Mooney Caravan website is up and running!  I look forward to meeting more Mooniacs at this years Caravan into Oshkosh.  If anyone has any concerns, reservations, or just general questions about the Caravan, please do not hesitate to ask.  I have been a participant for many years and would be glad to share what I know.  The Caravan is the easiest and safest way to get to Oshkosh!  In addition, hanging out with a bunch of other Mooney drivers/owners isn't too shabby either!  Register at www.mooneycaravan.com. 

 

[fantom]

The 2013 Mooney Caravan website is up and running!In addition, hanging out with a bunch of other Mooney drivers/owners isn't too shabby either! 

 

 We know Jason, we know...

[jasonwojo]

Gary, I can't help that I am excited for Oshkosh...LOL!  This is one of my two "Mancations" (the wifes term) for the year and cant wait.  Are you going to make it, too? 

[bd32322]

Does a caravan mean its some sort of formation flight. I have no such experience and I have never been to any of the big fly-ins.

I definitely want to go this year because I have exa vacation to burn?

Also can someone leave before the entire event is over?

[KSMooniac]

Read all about it here:  http://www.mooneycaravan.com/

 

And yes, you can leave anytime.

[yvesg]

I think you need a minimum of 500 hours total time and have followed some formation flight training. I would like to go too. Me and the wife are regular tent campers and here in Canada camping equals camp fire.... my wife is asking, with all this fuel around, no camp fires will be allowed right? How will she manage to stay warm at night?

Yves

C-FQKM

[fantom]

Gary, I can't help that I am excited for Oshkosh...LOL!  This is one of my two "Mancations" (the wifes term) for the year and cant wait.  Are you going to make it, too? 

 

Control yourself, Wojo

 

So what's your other 'mancation'?

 

I attended in 2012, so my next date is 2014. Have a good time in the sky with 40 other Mooneys, and be extra careful on the landing, please!

[bd32322]

I think you need a minimum of 500 hours total time and have followed some formation flight training. I would like to go too. Me and the wife are regular tent campers and here in Canada camping equals camp fire.... my wife is asking, with all this fuel around, no camp fires will be allowed right? How will she manage to stay warm at night?

Yves

C-FQKM

I didnt see a minimum hours requirement, just a 3 hour formation training requirement at the B2Osh (bonanza to OSH) clinics

[yvesg]

I didnt see a minimum hours requirement, just a 3 hour formation training requirement at the B2Osh (bonanza to OSH) clinics

From the Caravan web site:

Pilot Requirements: All pilots will be expected to have the following minimum experience:

500 Hours Total Flight Time

Instrument rating, Commercial or CFI certificates are not required, however advanced training is a plus

50 hours Mooney time

Minimum 25 hours last 6 months

Demonstrated competency by attendance in a B2Osh, Mooney or equivalent clinic and/or demonstrated competency with a Caravan Formation safety pilot

[Riq]

Ive tried looking, but cant find info on when/where the clinics are this year.

 

Ive found this ....

After registration, you will be contacted by a member of our formation team who will help coordinate this process.

 

..but im not sure if I want to register yet.

 

My homebase is a MSC with about 30 mooneys, can a mooney skilled cfi give me the appropriate training?  

[fantom]

I don't know why not. Anyone with knowledge and experience flying formation should be OK. It would help if they had a second Mooney available Where is your home base???

[jasonwojo]

Yves...you are your wife's heater...only bring one sleeping bag!  If that doesn't work for her, leave her behind...LOL!

 

Gary...sorry we will not be seeing you this year but I look forward to seeing you in 2014!  My other "mancation" is in Crossville, TN where my buddy and I play 72 holes of mountain golf, play some poker, and enjoy expensive bourbon with 24 other friends.

 

Everyone else...I believe most of the times listed on the Mooney Caravan site are reccomendations.  I am sure there is flexibility on an individual basis if you can show some formation experience.  There are multiple ways to show this experience to include clinics or doing some one-on-one with an Mooney Caravan authorized Mooney pilot.  Contact the Mooney Flight Operations Officer Dave Marten (dandtmarten@hotmail.com) for specifics.  Formation flying is not hard with the right training and is a lot of fun.  If Oshkosh is in your sights, consider the Mooney Caravan.  This is my favorite way of arriving at the world's largest airshow!   

 

[carusoam]

Can we get a flight of long bodies together?

Best regards,

-a-

[jasonwojo]

I am sure that is possible as long as enough long bodies register and show up.  You don't want to fly next to my medium body?  LOL

[carusoam]

We'll be coming in at 90kias, right?

Probably won't matter too much.

If we could do 180kias, it would be a little more important.

As a group, do we get to select an air speed? I flew in only once, not in formation. Level at 90 kias was a little uncomfortable. High nose, near the ground, going slowly... 10 kias faster would be slightly better, no?

Best regards,

-a-

[fantom]

As a group, do we get to select an air speed?

 

No, lead gets to determine your speed.

 

Just keep your head off the gauges, and on the other guys.

[carusoam]

I want to be behind the fast guy!!!

Best regards,

-a-

[Dave Marten]

120 KIAS enroute, 30 min hop. 90 KIAS on final, slowing over the fence.

[carusoam]

Thanks for the details Dave.

I pictured loose formation at 90kias with my cowling pointing skyward. Seemed a bit uncomfortable to me.

I'm good at following, my wife told me so...

Best regards,

-a-