Transitioning to a Mooney 201J.......
09-08-2006, 08:03 AM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,947
What a fun flying machine!
I did my complex in an M20J after doing my private training in the 172, so my experience was very similar to what you might have.
The Mooney will taking some getting used to and it will be much easier after the very first time you approach an airport and realize you're too fast and can't get it to slow down! There isn't a whole lot of drag on the thing -- narrow fuselage, flush rivets, and more. If you do a brief 60 degree bank somewhere near entering the pattern that could help you drop some speed.
I like how the yellow arc doesn't start until 176 knots! I remember going into HPN one night during my instrument training and NY approach asked us for our indicated airspeed. I replied "180." He then said, "Northwest ### slow to 180 for spacing into White Plains, you're number two behind a Mooney."
It is loud -- have a good headseat and consider earplugs and ANR!
Don't get it into a spin. The man who I did my CFI lessons with was a test pilot for his whole career and did GA stuff. A friend of his bailed out of a Mooney after realizing the thing would not recover from the spin. As he put it, "If you spin this airplane and don't bend metal, the manufacturer would like to know how you did it."
Easiest plane to land I've come across so far.
The prop is 9 inches above the pavement. One bounce, two bounces, propstrike. If you bounce twice on landing GO AROUND.
Have fun flying this thing! You will love it! And you'll forever appreciate those unique Mooney tails when you see 'em on a ramp.
I did my complex in an M20J after doing my private training in the 172, so my experience was very similar to what you might have.
The Mooney will taking some getting used to and it will be much easier after the very first time you approach an airport and realize you're too fast and can't get it to slow down! There isn't a whole lot of drag on the thing -- narrow fuselage, flush rivets, and more. If you do a brief 60 degree bank somewhere near entering the pattern that could help you drop some speed.
I like how the yellow arc doesn't start until 176 knots! I remember going into HPN one night during my instrument training and NY approach asked us for our indicated airspeed. I replied "180." He then said, "Northwest ### slow to 180 for spacing into White Plains, you're number two behind a Mooney."
It is loud -- have a good headseat and consider earplugs and ANR!
Don't get it into a spin. The man who I did my CFI lessons with was a test pilot for his whole career and did GA stuff. A friend of his bailed out of a Mooney after realizing the thing would not recover from the spin. As he put it, "If you spin this airplane and don't bend metal, the manufacturer would like to know how you did it."
Easiest plane to land I've come across so far.
The prop is 9 inches above the pavement. One bounce, two bounces, propstrike. If you bounce twice on landing GO AROUND.
Have fun flying this thing! You will love it! And you'll forever appreciate those unique Mooney tails when you see 'em on a ramp.
09-08-2006, 08:53 AM
#12
New boss = Old boss
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: Ca B737
Posts: 2,762
I taught in Mooneys for a while at a Mooney dealer. It was cool getting to fly around in factory new 201s 231s and the 252. I took a 252 up to FL290 one time with the new owner. The 252 has pressurized mags and was certified to FL290 so we thought we would give it a try. We had a little hypoxia experience while up there.
I had briefed the student all about the importance of oxygen and given him the standard precautions about preflighting the oxygen system etc...While we were up there I looked back at the O2 fitting and saw the green flow indicator so I knew we were getting O2. But something occurred to me, what if the flow indicator was stuck on green. How could I be sure we were getting O2 flow? I figured I could pinch the hose just upstream of the flow indicator and when the green when to red, I'd know. When I did, the hose expanded and popped off the fitting
Now I was holding a piece of hose in my hand trying to put it back on the tiny fitting. The whole time I'm thinking, "30 seconds of useful consciousness." I looked over to the student to tell him what happened and then I noticed he had blue lips. His hose was kinked or something and he was just flying along with this big grin on his face.
I managed to put the hose back on the fitting and then straighten out his hose. We decided to descend. It was scary at the time but we laughed about it on the ground.
As far as flying the Mooney I can affirm what the others have said about landing flat. Just remember to be on speed. Too many people land 5 to 10 kts fast. You must be on speed to avoid bouncing. Also, starting the 201 can be a challenge. The engine can get vapor locked fairly easily. You really need to start it with the mixture out and slowly bring it in to fire it up. I backfired the engine one time while starting at the fuel island to taxi back to the ramp. When I shut down, smoke poured out from the cowling. I had somehow ignited the air filter and burned it out by the time I got back to the ramp. I wonder about all the ash and crap I sucked in to that engine. I don't think we ever told the owner.
One more thing. When you practice engine out, check out the difference in glide between the prop forward and pulled back. It is amazing how much better it will glide with the prop back.
Have fun and remember to put the gear down.
I had briefed the student all about the importance of oxygen and given him the standard precautions about preflighting the oxygen system etc...While we were up there I looked back at the O2 fitting and saw the green flow indicator so I knew we were getting O2. But something occurred to me, what if the flow indicator was stuck on green. How could I be sure we were getting O2 flow? I figured I could pinch the hose just upstream of the flow indicator and when the green when to red, I'd know. When I did, the hose expanded and popped off the fitting
Now I was holding a piece of hose in my hand trying to put it back on the tiny fitting. The whole time I'm thinking, "30 seconds of useful consciousness." I looked over to the student to tell him what happened and then I noticed he had blue lips. His hose was kinked or something and he was just flying along with this big grin on his face. I managed to put the hose back on the fitting and then straighten out his hose. We decided to descend. It was scary at the time but we laughed about it on the ground.
As far as flying the Mooney I can affirm what the others have said about landing flat. Just remember to be on speed. Too many people land 5 to 10 kts fast. You must be on speed to avoid bouncing. Also, starting the 201 can be a challenge. The engine can get vapor locked fairly easily. You really need to start it with the mixture out and slowly bring it in to fire it up. I backfired the engine one time while starting at the fuel island to taxi back to the ramp. When I shut down, smoke poured out from the cowling. I had somehow ignited the air filter and burned it out by the time I got back to the ramp. I wonder about all the ash and crap I sucked in to that engine. I don't think we ever told the owner.
One more thing. When you practice engine out, check out the difference in glide between the prop forward and pulled back. It is amazing how much better it will glide with the prop back.
Have fun and remember to put the gear down.
02-08-2011, 01:42 PM
#13
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 1
I will be transitioning to a Mooney 201J almost immediately after I get my PPL. It's a family plane and has been offered for the purpose of building time. I know it has a bit of a reputaion for being "slick." I was wondering if anybody could offer some advice as to how I can prepare for the transition from a 172, to the Mooney. I have a healthy respect for this undertaking, I just want to make sure I'm prepared. Any advice you might be able to offer would be greatly appreciated!!!
02-09-2011, 04:01 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
You might actually have to hunt this guy down and find out how the transition went since he posted the thread over 4 years ago
I know.....I've been bitten by the old and dead thread revival too a few times!
USMCFLYR
02-09-2011, 07:55 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: DHC-8 SIC
Posts: 634
I was however a little surprised to see a lot of folks chime in on their Mooney experience in a relatively short amount of time. Thanks for the heads up USMCFLYR! Next time I better pay attention.
