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San Jose, CA to Grand Turk in the Turks Caicos is my longest trip to date. If I recall it was 548 nm's East of Miami to Provenciales where we cleared Customs in the Turks, and then on to Grand Turk. It was the trip of a lifetime. We've crossed the US several times, loved it each time.

On my instrument check ride the examiner broke me so badly when he had me close my eyes and put my chin on my chest while he did his thing to get me out of whack that I didn't get better afterwards. After recovering the airplane and getting level and on course, etc., I was feeling sick with a...

I've made many crossings at Friant and have done so in the winter, but never in an underpowered airplane. When I was flying my 180 Cherokee our preferred route to Las Vegas was direct PMD-HEC, and then into Vegas. This route is low and the Cherokees are capable of making the flight. From my...

I believe so strongly that horsepower saves lives that I'd buy a more serious plane than I needed for this mission.

It'll fast track him at an airline.

Hey Kent, My logic could be flawed regarding this, but since you asked I'll share it with you. I power pack to 53% power in order to make 150 hp which is what 200 hp M20J should produce at 75%. I do this by going LOP with the MP just a tad under 20" and about 2275 rpm. With just me in the...

Just thought I'd admit to powering back at times sine it was alluded that we pilots don't do that. If I'm alone or just wanting to fly for the sake of flying I like to go into what I call my Mooney mode. Having drank the cool aide years ago that the 201's are the MPG kings I like to tease...

After his judgement his brother came in to pay us for the ELT work performed in the days before his crash. His brother said that Chris felt vindicated by the judgement. We heard that the 20 year old run out lycoming had a porous cast on the inside of the case and that is what the payout was...

I'm not ready to write off Ben just yet. Not that my situation was similar to his because I don't know him, but I started shopping for airplanes long before there was any way that I could ever actually have one. I even got myself on a hangar waiting list in 1985 and finally got one about 2008...

Last night in another thread I shared a loading scenario on my plane for a potential buyer to take into consideration. Ron you followed me with this helpful advice to the potential buyer: "Also check the actual W&B paperwork for any plane you examine. Do not rely on manufacturer's claims or...

I called to check on a friend who flies a Cherokee out of Reid after reading this. His was not the accident pilot, and acted hurt that I thought he was 67 years old. He is 73. :rofl: What a wonderful ending to this story really. The search and rescue was successful and they found him...

I agree with Ron in regards to running W&B calculations on the actual airplane you intend to buy, especially on a Bonanza if you go that route. The empty CG's can vary by as much as 3 inches on the same models basically turning a 4 seater into a 3 seater on some airplanes. I know of S35 and...

Ash I learned a lesson about fuel burns early on in my flying. The wife and I had a Cherokee 180 and would take trips with her parents who were flying their 260B Comanche. For an hour or so trip to their lake house we would take off first and I'd hear them take off about 15 minutes or so...

The only place I've had this declined is at my home field KRHV in San Jose. The missed encroaches on San Jose Intl. so at Reid NorCal wants a full stop with another clearance before taking off for another lap. Because of this I usually don't bother, just head over to the coast where the the...

I'm based at RHV as well and have nothing to say but good things about the instrument instructor I used. If you would like his information PM me and I'll get it to you. I'd use him again without question.

Ben I see you are flying out of Reid Hillview as am I. I followed some of your adventures on BT, but I can't recall posting or commenting on any of it. Of course there are some people that have become popular of famous in the BT world that may or may not carry over to life. Who cares, it's...

Here's a great article on traffic patterns titled "The 45 Degree Zealots." http://www.avweb.com/news/pelican/182100-1.html?redirected=1 I'm not saying this will change any minds here, but the thought put into this was based on a lifetime of flying experience from a professional pilot. At...

Kristen I think you are right about the wing on the Comanche at altitude having the edge.

I have an S35 Bonanza and my Father in Law has a 260B Comanche. I think the word is out enough on the S35 that I don't have to brag it up constantly even though I don't understand why everybody doesn't want one, but regarding the 260B I can't say enough good. His is highly modded out since he...

A 285 horse engine running LOP at 10 gph is within about 3 horsepower of a 200 horsepower engine running at 75 percent. So at the same weight is the Mooney airframe dramatically more efficient than the V-Tail? Really?