Talking to a Mooney Mite Owner!

[@larryturley9268]

My father worked at Mooney when they were building the Mite. He was taxing out to swing the compass and the gear wasn't fully locked, the gear collasped and broke the prop, some of the other workers came out, lifted it up by manpower, lowered the gear, towed it back,did the inspection. The only damage was the prop.

[@dlkline27]

Thoroughly fascinating interview. Thanks!

[@SilvaAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Dave5500]

Beautiful airplane, owner seems super cool too!!

[@SilvaAdventures]

He was a great sport to let me pester him for this!

[@JulieSchiro]

Awesome interview, Chris! Keep ‘em coming!!

[@buzzz241]

Great video! How is maintenance & finding replacement parts? What would happen if you found wood rot? Could you get it repaired?

[@lagyro]

I met Gary at Santa Ynez Airport Day couple of months ago, and had the same conversation with him... A very neat aircraft, and a very nice guy...

[@tinolino58]

Open canopy changes the static port pressure! Those 10 miles speed loss are probably mostly instrument error.

[@SilvaAdventures]

Good suggestion. You can always do a 3 way speed test to verify accuracy.

[@billhowsley7467]

Great interview! Thanks, you asked all the right questions.

[@SilvaAdventures]

It is easy when I am excited about the plane as well!

[@mooney-m18x]

Note the coat hangar shaped fuel vent (Just behind the canopy and the fuel filler cap). This permits full aft movement of the canopy.

[@ButchNackley]

I love this plane. Someone made a really nice model of one for Microsoft Flight Simulator X years ago. I used to fly it a lot in the game. I've not seen one for MSFS2020,,, yet. The only real one I've ever seen is hanging at the NASM. They are certainly very cool little airplanes. Gary's is absolutely beautiful. He's taken wonderful care of it.

[@easttexan2933]

When I was a kid working at the airport in Nacogdoches, TX (1965) my CFI, John Trimble, owned one of these. I never did get to fly it, but always thought how much fun they would be. John soloed me in 8 hrs in a C150. Great guy. He bought my Browning A5 12ga. so I could continue to take lessons. Wish I had it back lol

[@buzzz241]

How much were lessons & instruction back then? Back in 1977 when I was learning C-150 was $13/hr. Instruction was $6-$8/hr. 😊

[@easttexan2933]

@@buzzz241 Best I remember, a C172 rented for $12/hr, a C150 was $9/hr. We also had C140's and they were $6/hr. The CFI rate was $4/hr. I built time flying fire patrol for the TX Forest Service in the C140. Lots of great memories. I haven't flown PIC since 1988. Got too expensive, lost interest but I keep up with it.

[@buzzz241]

@@easttexan2933 Thanks for replying. Interesting history. 😊 I flew out of Mangum airport, near Fort Worth, TX, in 1978.

[@easttexan2933]

@@buzzz241 awesome.

[@richardthompson9836]

I saw one of these for the first time a the old Vandenberg Airport East of Tampa back in 1969. What a little beauty!

[@SilvaAdventures]

They are cool looking!

[@davidhoward8951]

My father own two of those one of them burn up in the hanger I remember the second one he bought had Snoopy on the tail and I also vividly remember going out and helping him start the engine he had to hand profit My father flew his money every day after work he was a postman and an avid pilot he was an instructor he flew he got his training in the Army Air corps my Dad loved to fly as much as I did as a kid I can remember when he'd take us up in a Cessna and scare the pants off of us Daddy had a retractable gear as well as the one you're interviewing you had to roll it up very stable airplane and fuel efficient My father flew aerobatics also I asked my daddy what do you do when you're up flying and you got to go bathroom and he said you hold it well I told him we should run a clear tube out the back of the tail and put a milk jug in there where you could go to the bathroom and when you fly over the house you could pee all over Clarksdale Mississippi My father flew with his canopy open also he liked to smoke but I don't think he smoked too much when he was flying it it does make a difference with the canopy open and closed he ended up selling it to a doctor in Jackson Mississippi I remember going to Greenwood Mississippi and a car and followed him while he was flying over me batting his wings back and forth maybe he was peeing on the windshield cuz it felt like it was raining I liked it because it was just like a original World War II airplane it had the stick it sounded good it got good gas mileage and he loved it great to see a Money m i t e

[@douglasrodrigues8361]

The first and last time I saw a Mooney Mite was at Vista Airport in Sparks, Nv in 1968.

[@rsn2012]

Al Mooney was 6'4" and he logged more time in a Mite than in any other plane. How do you explain that? I'm 6'2" 200 lbs and looking for a Mite. I have yet to see one in person or try and fit in it. Anyone over 6' ever flown a Mite? Let me know.

[@danielpearson6306]

Beautiful plane but I am 6ft 210#. Need a shoe horn. The plane I fantasizing about is Glob Swift. Found one that is IFR equipped. There is a version that has tandem seats but only have seen one 35 years past that came in and overnighted where I worked. Did get talk to the pilot. May it was originally a trainer for the military in the early 50s.

[@SilvaAdventures]

Thanks!

[@frederickwoods5943]

There was one of these at the airport less than a mile from where I currently live, that was in the late 1950's/early 1960's. We played in the Cubs in the hanger (got scolded) but never tried to get in the Mite; we were too tall...I am still 6'4" at age 72 or I'd buy one of these! Airport is now called "Eagle's Nest" in Waynesboro, VA.

[@SilvaAdventures]

They are really cool looking planes! It does look like a tight fit, though. I didn't try to get in.

[@flyer5769]

You can stick your arm out the side window of the DC-3 as well. As long as all maps and paperwork are put away!

[@SilvaAdventures]

Love it! Next time I get in the cockpit of a DC-3 I will try it!

[@flyer5769]

@@SilvaAdventures Okay sir in that case, I strongly recommend removing sunglasses and headset before opening side window for the first time. Just saying, seen to many sunglasses removed during the first time opening side window. Not particularly strong at first. But they forget and get too close. Then it gets strong! Never happen to me. Grew up around DC-3's.

[@edbenelli5374]

Bravo! Not Mooney Bravo, just Bravo!

[@rustyclam238]

Nice plane for a lot of alone time LOL 😊

[@tinolino58]

My Mooney trims with the complete tail moving up and down. How gets this speedster trimmed?

[@mooney-m18x]

The Mooney M20 trims the same way as the M18 Mite. In fact, the M20 is just a large M18.

[@leer3286]

I have a PPL, but GA flying is now a rich man’s past time. (Hobby) In 1997, I could rent a 152 for $ 37.50/hr wet. I gave up flying when it went to $50/hr.

[@SilvaAdventures]

It certainly takes a financial commitment. For me, I drive a cheap car. While many of my neighbors are driving their expensive SUVs, I am flying a small plane.

[@yorinov2001]

I learned to fly in 1978 flying a Citabria 7ECA, 13 hr solo, 19 hr with instructor. I also flew a 1947 J3 Cub @ $8 hr

[@iainmillar1532]

Why am I watching this? I’m 6’4” 😢

[@SilvaAdventures]

You just might fit!

[@iainmillar1532]

​@@SilvaAdventures it would make a funny video of me trying 😂 beautiful aircraft though, I love it!

[@davidhakes3884]

I think Garys last name was Franco not Falco.

[@cabinvibesebaystore8956]

New sub! Liked 🙏😀🤓

[@hadleymanmusic]

Wasnt there a motor glider version too?

[@SilvaAdventures]

I am not aware of that plane!

[@parrotraiser6541]

Cute little machine. The only downside compared to most other small single-seaters is that as a production aircraft, it has to be maintained (or at least signed off) by an AME/A&P.

[@Philscbx]

Required test ripping the tail off - I know- we had to do it.

[@kenprice1961]

And.......SO WHAT?

[@parrotraiser6541]

@@kenprice1961 Unless an owner is an AME/A&P or the local equivalent, maintenance is going to cost a lot more than for a homebuilt or ultralight. (Precise terms will vary by jurisdiction.)

[@mooney-m18x]

My mite is in the experimental category and with gap seals and a C177 spinner, it cruises 125mph @75% down low, 130mph @ 75% @ 8000ft ASL. The Mite in the video is the 65 Hp 145 cu in Lycoming powered version. 1953 and later were 170 cu in Continental A65 with better performance.

[@parrotraiser6541]

@@mooney-m18x Sounds nice; the best of both worlds and useful performance.

[@fredbrillo1849]

In 1972 I owned N4153. Sold it in 1973 and lost track of it.

[@apfelsnutz]

You sholuld try TORQUE CERAMIC COATING [wax]... just great ! Easy to apply, I use it on my Navion.