Mooney in the bush?

[67M20F]

I was wondering whats the worst strip you have landed your mooney on, in talking with my partner I get the feeling he may be done flying after his oops.

Wish I could fit bush wheels under it, that would look cool.

How short have you put your mooney into at sea level? I always was flying in high DA so the best I ever did was about 1000.

[Guest Anonymous]

Mooneys are not really designed for the bush.  I did hear of one guy (actually in Alaska) that had the gear doors modified by cutting the bottoms off so he could land in tall grass.  Even then, the wing is low and subject to flying bits of rock, sand,etc.  The gear is not forgiving of rough surfaces, either.

Shortest landing?  We figure about 420 feet, down and stopped with no brakes on runway 25 at 4S2 (Hood River, OR) during a steady on-shore blow up the Columbia River Gorge of about 40 knots.  Flaps up and then a s-l-o-w taxi upwind to the mid-field turnoff, where a bunch of guys were waiting to grab the wing.  I am sure there are shorter ones, but that was hairy enough for me.

RFB

[fantom]

If there were any shorter landings, the gear was probably still up!

[piperpainter]

go to youtube.com and type in piperpainter  that'll take you to my movies and give you an idea what a Mooney can do when you use ever bit of the performance they offer. They may not be designed for the backcountry/bush but they can do a great job on some of the decent fields out there!

[Jeff_S]

So I've heard and read from many Mooney owners that turf or other unconditioned strips can lead to premature fuel tank leakage as it stresses those seals. Bryan, have you experienced this with all your off-tarmac exploits?

[piperpainter]

When its really rough you have to be careful. I have had leaks but it was before I got into flying into the dirt strips like I do now!!

[csfahey]

Quote: piperpainter

When its really rough you have to be careful. I have had leaks but it was before I got into flying into the dirt strips like I do now!!

[67M20F]

I don't think you can go with bigger tire, but I really really really hope I'm (in my best ron white impression) wrong!

Yea if he quits it looks like it may head up to me and then I will tell you just how small of a sand bar I can put it on!

We did have a mooney not long ago that did just that, and it didn't do  to bad bent some steel though but for emergency  landing it was good.

 

[67M20F]

Anyone know if you could possably fit bigger tires on one?

I would be willing to go fixed gear for the flight I needed the bigger tires, how big if any do you think you could go?

[Ned Gravel]

Quote: 67M20F

Anyone know if you could possably fit bigger tires on one?

I would be willing to go fixed gear for the flight I needed the bigger tires, how big if any do you think you could go?

[67M20F]

Yea I heard about that one, maybe I could just lock the gear so I wouldn't put it up, but I was thinking something like 22's or 26's, maybe I need to get lazer on board to build me a new nose gear to put 31's under the nose now that would look COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!

Yea I know its not gona happen as far as FAA but its fun to think about.