This video brings back so my fond memories. We rebuilt a Moony Mite in my aero science class in high school. The fuselage and wings were wood covered by fabric. I remember taping and sewing the cloth onto the rib then doping them up! The project was recognized in our local newspaper just before completion (1977).
Sliding canopy, control stick, retracts, low wing, narrow nose with a big spinner. How is that NOT painted like any number of WWII fighters! It's fantastic! Thanks for showing it to us!
For those who might not know DuBro is a model airplane company. In the gravel floored hanger where my Scoutmaster had his WACO UPF-7 there lived a Mooney Mite, this was the late 1960s.
Ahh, the memories of a dream. As soon as I soloed (Jun '67), flying the Mite became one of goals while striving toward commercial/instrument/instructor ratings. 50 weeks of USAF tech school and assignment 1200 miles from the plane at Argus Flight Service, Detroit City Airport, kept the Mite off my 'done' list. Occassionally, still wonder "what if...".
I bought a set of plans for a Mooney Mite back in 1975. Neat little plane. Never got around to building it, finally donated the plans to the Port Townsend Aero Museum, they have a junior apprentice program.
I flew this one, 1972. I had a Volks Plane. So we swapped planes to fly. Very enjoyable! Faster than a Volks plane with 1500 cc engines. Great memories!
Started my CPL training in a Mooney M20 before moving to the Piper Seminole to get my CMEL all in one shot. Always loved the Mooney.....in it's day, it was the Ferrari of the skies. Great video!
I had the privilege of flying the Mooney Mite, over 30 years ago . . . what a walk down memory lane . . . it was a blast . . . Thanks Juan ! Bob, San Fran . . .
A next door neighbor years ago had a Mooney Mite he used as his one man business taxi. His father supposedly invented the mobile carpet cleaning truck machinery. He was about 5'-8" tall so he could fit nicely and take a brief case too! Perhaps you could find a Culver Cadet to showcase as well! Great Job!!
Long live the legacy/antique classics such as the Mighty Mite. They are unique and awesome aircraft. And kudos to those keeping the legacy aircraft alive.
What a kick, my uncle Bud from San Diego owned one and flew all over the area! He was also a glider pilot/instructor when the Lindbergh's were waiting for the Spirit of St. Louis to be completed. Bud crewed for both Charles and Ann. He later bought Ann's open cockpit glider when they all were soaring the cliff's at Torrey Pines. What a nice ship, thanks for showing it at Nevada Co Airport.
A friend had one and we used to fly formation with friends, lots of fun. My friend's Mite had a clear window in the bottom under his legs, he said it was very useful in keeping track of the us as we flew and keeping a good watch out to see down with.
Thanks, Juan! The West Coast Mooney Mite Association used to hold their annual fly-in here at KTPV (Porterville) for many years. I loved every minute of it! It was great to see them flying in formation. We had at least 3 Mites based here.
The Lyc 65 had less displacement than the continental 65 (145 ci vs 170), and had the jugs cast into the block, iirc, with the heads unbolting. Flew an o145 powered Cub for a few years in the 90s. It was a formative experience
I’ve loved Mooneys for 60 years. Flew in a Mark 21 with hand great in the early 60’s. A fast little airplane. I didn’t know any mites were still flying.
Awesome! I learned to fly at Buchanan Field in the 80’s in Concord. Never heard of City of Concord’s Mooney Mite. It was a vibrant airport then and for a short while, PSA offered scheduled service to LAX from Concord. Thanks for the video.
I also got more comm/CFI at Buchanan field in the 80s. (If you ever bought fuel from Navajo Aviation, I may have pumped it for you). Aviation is really kind of a small town. I was surprised by the Concord Mooney as well. Never saw that a/c there, but did know of one that was rebuilt and departed from a dirt pad near Baypoint. Also did most of my commercial x-country requirements in an aging M20. If price were not an object, I’d be flying a Mooney. Slippery little birds they are.
Thank you for sharing this! I got a ride in a Mooney in 1966, but it wasn't a Mite. Flew from Kamloops, BC to SFO. I had never been in a small plane before, knew nothing about flying. The pilot gave me a little bit of instructions, "Head it for that snow peaked mountain," and he took a nap for about 45 minutes. When he woke up he checked our location to see where we were, "Not bad, we're right on course." The rest of the trip was uneventful. About 2 months later he put it down on a grass field with the landing gear up. Took some paint off the bottom and required a new prop, $350.
Nice to see this. I have an 1958 Cessna 150 the 49th one built since 1974 and it has almost been 50 years of flying it. Has treated my very well just takes a lot of money.. N5549E.
Very cool. My brother owned a Mite in the early '80's also Lycoming powered. He was a jockey sized fellow and it was good that he was. I'm pretty sure there isn't a 65 Lycoming that ever really put out 65 hp but they're a smooth little engine. Thanks for the video.
Calaveras county airport is where I got my commercial float plane rating. Also did a couple of BFRs there in float planes. Great little restaurant up the road a ways.
Nice ... the only experience I have with any Mooney ... is a 201 which was a friend's that we flew out of Hawthorne Muni in SoCal and/or FoxField in Lancaster CA and once up to Mammoth Lakes CA to go skiing ... that was a long time ago and only remember cross-controlling it on approach into Hawthorne to lower our speed ... Thanks Keith
Tried my best to buy one of these, but it wasn't to be. I have owned three Mooney's, M20-D, M20-C, and my favorite was my M20-E. And had time in the M20-F. Flew one of the first wooden wing M20-B or As? Got about 1,500 hours in make and models. I used to go to the Mooney fly in at Kerrville, TX. Love Mooney's.
In the early '70s an M-18 with a Continental 65 was hangared at the Hanover airport in Northeastern NJ where I was a teenage lineman. The gregarious proud owner Jim H. was a conservative pilot, having lots of fun with his bird while wisely respecting it wasn't intended for aerobatics! Jim was a sturdy gentleman of no more than 5'5".(my estimate). He was a perfect match for the Mite - at 6'2", I simply couldn't fit into the cockpit! I shared a couple flights around N. NJ with Jim in his M-18, me (on my student's license) tagging along in my dad's PA-12. The Mite would effortlessly cruise along at 110. Most of the Mites were scrapped due to wood decay by the late 60's/early 70's. Jim's bird escaped that fate but sadly was lost in the big hangar fire sometime around '75.
About 50 years ago, I saw a Mite with its owner in the large hanger at Solberg airport.(SBJ). Anyway, as I recall, it was the tenth one built. The first ten had engines that were used in Crosley cars! Anyway, this one had a Continental C-65 engine installed many years prior. The Crosley engines left much to be desired. I remembered the owner was having a generator installed mounted on top of the motor. I wonder if it still exists?
I have a buddy who has 6 airplanes, one of which is the Mooney Mite with the Lycoming engine. With all of those options, he still gets a kick out of flying the little Mite. His came with the Lycoming Engine, but some of the early models had a small belt driven Crosley automobile engine with all of 25 horsepower. The Lycoming gets around 33 miles per gallon!!!
I flew one way back when. I remember having to cross my right leg over my left to bring the gear up. The wing spar AD came out not long after my last flight and the airplane sat for years before someone decided to fix it up. Unfortunately, the mechanic that got half interest in the plane decided to take it up one last time before stripping it down for the AD, it was his last flight.
A very close friend of my fathers had one in the early 50’s. He was a geologist and few that Mite all over the western US. He was sadly killed in his 182 in Colorado in the late 60’s.
And the .020 was a recall upgrade from the belt drive Crosley automotive engine that the first 7 used . You know, the one that the engine block was made of pipe for the cylinders and stamped sheet metal brazed together for the completed block. . . . . . .
It was originally named the Wee Scotsman. How it became more commonly known as the Mooney Mite is something I have wondered about. Al Mooney liked flying them a lot.
If you have a choice, go with the Continental 65-12. Factory electrics. There aren't many Mites that are not overweight if the pilot is over 170 pounds with 10 gallons of fuel.
A superb design. The tapered wings and minimal frontal area probably contribute to good glide characteristics, and it does all this on 65 hp, A modern version (with an electric starter) would probably sell today and fit into the new proposed LSA requirements.
@bernieschiff5919 Great suggestion, use of modern materials, carbon fiber. Relocate the fuel tank(s) to the wings, with adding a few inches a seat for another pilot/passenger.....
Ah yes, the Mooney Mite. Such fun to fly. Trim it out and just lean one way or the other for gradual moves. City of Concord... Buchanan Field -- home turf.
I believe the Mooney Mite was certified with a water cooled Crosley 4 cylinder inline engine. Those probably were replaced quickly by a Lyc or Conti or even Franklin 4 cyl engines when the multiple dissimilar metals started removing to much metal from the cooling system.
Mooney bought the Ercoupe company and built a two seat version and called it the M18, an Ercoupe with a single tail fin to match the Mooney line… There is at least one Mooney Mite site with about 100 members. Think of the Mite as a very high performance motorcycle…. 😃 Al Mooney would fly his Mite on very long X-country flights, promoting the single seater and its capabilities. Al was a very tall individual, so his planes technically fit everyone!
Dang - with that music at first I thought it was Clint Eastwood firing it up. Nice little plane. Am curious about how the tail was designed. Thanks for sharing -
The thought with the forward rake of the rudder hinge line was that at high angles of attack the rudder would be square with the relative wind and be more effective in picking up a wing if it dropped. The whole empennage is hinged up at the stabilizer and pivots with the actuation of a trim jackscrew at the bottom. Mooney carried that idea to Lockheed when he went to work there with the Jetstar and L-1011 tail assemblies.
It kind of reminds me of a little bit larger plane (2 place) that was called a "Culver" that the neighbor owned. He took me up over our local city (Redondo Beach) and over the water and proceeded to make some tight turns, exposing me to probably 2 G's. I was a little guy, maybe 8 or 9 and the noise was so loud that my screaming to "stopp!!!" couldnt be heard. I think he was a bit sadistic.
Ok, dumb question time. 1949 Moony Mite with wooden wings... the original wooden wings? If yes, how do they determine the lifespan of critical wooden parts like that? Does the pilot need to get a yearly inspection by Orkin or Terminix just to be safe? 😉
Yes. The FAA has documents regarding inspection of the fabric, the underlying structural members (wood or otherwise), and just about any aircraft system or component you can think of. AC No: 43.13-1B should get the party started for you IF you really want to know about things like that.
Yours is an excellent question. No one knows for sure how long the glue remains strong. Assuming you have a 1950 model, that glue and wood is pushing 75 years! There is a significant AD on the wooden tail, but the entire plane is getting really old. If it was stored outdoors, it is probably rotted. If stored indoors, the wood may be fine, but how long does glue last. Does anyone know how well the glue in your plane was applied 75 years ago. I loved my Mite, but nothing lasts foever.
@MrGus.1 Well, I'm just curious about things like that, but you brought up something I hadn't considered... glue. I assumed the wings were formed and held together with nuts and bolts, but I suppose in terms of saving weight, glue would be the best option... but nearly 75 years later? It does make me wonder.
@Robnord1 I'm interested from a lay person's curiosity. I'm not a pilot, but worked around aircraft for over 30 years. Airplanes, especially G.A. aircraft, are very delicate on the ground, yet very robust in the air. The designers and engineers that create them have my utmost respect.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
This video brings back so my fond memories. We rebuilt a Moony Mite in my aero science class in high school. The fuselage and wings were wood covered by fabric. I remember taping and sewing the cloth onto the rib then doping them up! The project was recognized in our local newspaper just before completion (1977).
Is she still in the air?
Moonies are all about speed and efficiency. What a great piece of GA history. Thanks Juan!
Sliding canopy, control stick, retracts, low wing, narrow nose with a big spinner. How is that NOT painted like any number of WWII fighters! It's fantastic! Thanks for showing it to us!
For those who might not know DuBro is a model airplane company. In the gravel floored hanger where my Scoutmaster had his WACO UPF-7 there lived a Mooney Mite, this was the late 1960s.
Ahh, the memories of a dream. As soon as I soloed (Jun '67), flying the Mite became one of goals while striving toward commercial/instrument/instructor ratings. 50 weeks of USAF tech school and assignment 1200 miles from the plane at Argus Flight Service, Detroit City Airport, kept the Mite off my 'done' list. Occassionally, still wonder "what if...".
I bought a set of plans for a Mooney Mite back in 1975. Neat little plane. Never got around to building it, finally donated the plans to the Port Townsend Aero Museum, they have a junior apprentice program.
I flew this one, 1972.
I had a Volks Plane.
So we swapped planes to fly.
Very enjoyable!
Faster than a Volks plane with 1500 cc engines.
Great memories!
Started my CPL training in a Mooney M20 before moving to the Piper Seminole to get my CMEL all in one shot. Always loved the Mooney.....in it's day, it was the Ferrari of the skies. Great video!
I had the privilege of flying the Mooney Mite, over 30 years ago . . . what a walk down memory lane . . . it was a blast . . . Thanks Juan ! Bob, San Fran . . .
A next door neighbor years ago had a Mooney Mite he used as his one man business taxi. His father supposedly invented the mobile carpet cleaning truck machinery. He was about 5'-8" tall so he could fit nicely and take a brief case too! Perhaps you could find a Culver Cadet to showcase as well! Great Job!!
I did IT work for Mooney for about a dozen years - from IBM. Great little company. Little being operative, in every sense of the word!
Long live the legacy/antique classics such as the Mighty Mite. They are unique and awesome aircraft. And kudos to those keeping the legacy aircraft alive.
What a kick, my uncle Bud from San Diego owned one and flew all over the area! He was also a glider pilot/instructor when the Lindbergh's were waiting for the Spirit of St. Louis to be completed. Bud crewed for both Charles and Ann. He later bought Ann's open cockpit glider when they all were soaring the cliff's at Torrey Pines. What a nice ship, thanks for showing it at Nevada Co Airport.
Very cool piece of history 😎
Hand prop yet has retracts, crazy! 😂
Sounds like peak efficiency to me. Less drag and save the weight of a starter.
@@andrewahern3730 Sounds good but not for me. I happy to have remote start technology.
Love the retro background music reminiscing of that era, ahh, miss it a lot..
A friend had one and we used to fly formation with friends, lots of fun. My friend's Mite had a clear window in the bottom under his legs, he said it was very useful in keeping track of the us as we flew and keeping a good watch out to see down with.
Thanks, Juan! The West Coast Mooney Mite Association used to hold their annual fly-in here at KTPV (Porterville) for many years. I loved every minute of it! It was great to see them flying in formation. We had at least 3 Mites based here.
Best post ever. Love the Mite.
The Lyc 65 had less displacement than the continental 65 (145 ci vs 170), and had the jugs cast into the block, iirc, with the heads unbolting. Flew an o145 powered Cub for a few years in the 90s. It was a formative experience
Very cool relic of an innocent time.
Plus I love the addition of an Endless Summer tune.
I’ve loved Mooneys for 60 years. Flew in a Mark 21 with hand great in the early 60’s. A fast little airplane. I didn’t know any mites were still flying.
KCPU is one of my preferred fuel stops, and now I look forward to keeping an eye out for that awesome little Mooney! Great video!
Love the M-18. One of the most fun airplanes I ever flew. Used to outrun C-172s on 65 HP. Couldn’t fit in one anymore.
Awesome! I learned to fly at Buchanan Field in the 80’s in Concord. Never heard of City of Concord’s Mooney Mite. It was a vibrant airport then and for a short while, PSA offered scheduled service to LAX from Concord. Thanks for the video.
I also got more comm/CFI at Buchanan field in the 80s. (If you ever bought fuel from Navajo Aviation, I may have pumped it for you). Aviation is really kind of a small town. I was surprised by the Concord Mooney as well. Never saw that a/c there, but did know of one that was rebuilt and departed from a dirt pad near Baypoint. Also did most of my commercial x-country requirements in an aging M20. If price were not an object, I’d be flying a Mooney. Slippery little birds they are.
I soloed in N7550B (Obie) in '81 at Buchanan.. there was another Champ i flew there also, (RJ i think)..
Fantastic, thanks for posting that Juan. What a lovely plane.
Every day is a school day...what a delightful little aircraft; thanks for the lovely video Juan
Thank you once again Juan for publishing a series of terrific videos. Love your channel.
I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for the Mooney Mite.
That looks preposterously fun! But also really cool to see how they were working out all those elements in this mini form.
Thank you for sharing this! I got a ride in a Mooney in 1966, but it wasn't a Mite. Flew from Kamloops, BC to SFO. I had never been in a small plane before, knew nothing about flying. The pilot gave me a little bit of instructions, "Head it for that snow peaked mountain," and he took a nap for about 45 minutes. When he woke up he checked our location to see where we were, "Not bad, we're right on course." The rest of the trip was uneventful. About 2 months later he put it down on a grass field with the landing gear up. Took some paint off the bottom and required a new prop, $350.
Nice to see this. I have an 1958 Cessna 150 the 49th one built since 1974 and it has almost been 50 years of flying it. Has treated my very well just takes a lot of money.. N5549E.
The Mite trim/flap control is a great bit of aero-engineering.
Very cool. My brother owned a Mite in the early '80's also Lycoming powered. He was a jockey sized fellow and it was good that he was. I'm pretty sure there isn't a 65 Lycoming that ever really put out 65 hp but they're a smooth little engine. Thanks for the video.
Beautiful functional design Juan. Looks like it could be a good kit plane.
Reminds me of a Fournier RF4D that I used to own & fly, great fun 👍🇬🇧
Calaveras county airport is where I got my commercial float plane rating. Also did a couple of BFRs there in float planes. Great little restaurant up the road a ways.
Thanks for showing this really cool plane from aviation history never knew about the Mooney Mite just the Mooney.
Love the video of the mighty mite! My Piper PA-15 Vagabond S/N 11 still flys with its factory original Lyc 0-145 B2. I love it!
Nice ... the only experience I have with any Mooney ... is a 201 which was a friend's that we flew out of Hawthorne Muni in SoCal and/or FoxField in Lancaster CA and once up to Mammoth Lakes CA to go skiing ... that was a long time ago and only remember cross-controlling it on approach into Hawthorne to lower our speed ... Thanks Keith
Cool shot of the Mooney over Concord! Thanks Juan.
I ferried a Mooney Mite from Dallas TX to Lawton OK back in the 80's for a guy, cool little machine
Cool! Great to see a non-accident video on an oldtimer!
@@GamingKingGlobal8000 hmm - let's stay positive!
That’s the kind of plane that just makes me want to smile. From the chuckles I hear on the video I think Juan would agree!
Thanks for showing us this cool plane. Had no idea Mooney made this.
Tried my best to buy one of these, but it wasn't to be. I have owned three Mooney's, M20-D, M20-C, and my favorite was my M20-E. And had time in the M20-F. Flew one of the first wooden wing M20-B or As? Got about 1,500 hours in make and models. I used to go to the Mooney fly in at Kerrville, TX.
Love Mooney's.
ty, jb...pretty handy how the gear pops up
Growing up in Indiana many years ago, I remember the local A&P at the local airport had bright yellow Mooney Mite he flew every weekend.
Fun! As confirmed by the chuckling at the end 😂
Love the western themed audio trck JB.
Thanks for this Episode. Cool aircraft.
Take care and fly safe. 🤟🏽🖖🏽
Mooney mite brings old memories from my father.
I was lusting for one of those Mooney Mites way back in the 60’s. When I was about 20.😊
Too late now. You should have bought one then. 🤨
Me too in 68. Started flying then from a short narrow paved strip south of Ft. Worth when flying was less complicated.
I've got a couple hundered hrs in a J model Mooney...but this is the Mooney that I'd REALLY want a go at!
I have a 63 M20D and I’ve been wanting to fly one of these and get it into my logbook so bad!
The gear warning is the cool thing about that plane.
Really like the combination of features. Would love an evaluation on how it flies.
In the early '70s an M-18 with a Continental 65 was hangared at the Hanover airport in Northeastern NJ where I was a teenage lineman. The gregarious proud owner Jim H. was a conservative pilot, having lots of fun with his bird while wisely respecting it wasn't intended for aerobatics! Jim was a sturdy gentleman of no more than 5'5".(my estimate). He was a perfect match for the Mite - at 6'2", I simply couldn't fit into the cockpit! I shared a couple flights around N. NJ with Jim in his M-18, me (on my student's license) tagging along in my dad's PA-12. The Mite would effortlessly cruise along at 110. Most of the Mites were scrapped due to wood decay by the late 60's/early 70's. Jim's bird escaped that fate but sadly was lost in the big hangar fire sometime around '75.
About 50 years ago, I saw a Mite with its owner in the large hanger at Solberg airport.(SBJ). Anyway, as I recall, it was the tenth one built. The first ten had engines that were used in Crosley cars! Anyway, this one had a Continental C-65 engine installed many years prior. The Crosley engines left much to be desired. I remembered the owner was having a generator installed mounted on top of the motor. I wonder if it still exists?
Just Having a good time. I Love It!!
I have a buddy who has 6 airplanes, one of which is the Mooney Mite with the Lycoming engine. With all of those options, he still gets a kick out of flying the little Mite. His came with the Lycoming Engine, but some of the early models had a small belt driven Crosley automobile engine with all of 25 horsepower. The Lycoming gets around 33 miles per gallon!!!
According to wikipedia, the first 7 were Crosley powered but all were recalled to be refitted with a Lycoming
@@bobroberts2371 Talking about home builts. and ultra lights,
It has a big engine rumble to it. It is a very nice personal aircraft.
I flew one way back when. I remember having to cross my right leg over my left to bring the gear up. The wing spar AD came out not long after my last flight and the airplane sat for years before someone decided to fix it up. Unfortunately, the mechanic that got half interest in the plane decided to take it up one last time before stripping it down for the AD, it was his last flight.
A very close friend of my fathers had one in the early 50’s. He was a geologist and few that Mite all over the western US. He was sadly killed in his 182 in Colorado in the late 60’s.
"... and it has an .049 engine, which was an upgrade from the original .020 engine..."
And the .020 was a recall upgrade from the belt drive Crosley automotive engine that the first 7 used . You know, the one that the engine block was made of pipe for the cylinders and stamped sheet metal brazed together for the completed block. . . . . . .
@@bobroberts2371 Hahaha, funny. But I think you missed the spirit of my references :-).
@@Graham_Wideman I love the smell of nitro methane and castor oil in the morning. . . .
@@bobroberts2371 Yes, that's the "spirit" I was referencing 🙂.
Cool Mooney and I love the music too.
It was originally named the Wee Scotsman. How it became more commonly known as the Mooney Mite is something I have wondered about. Al Mooney liked flying them a lot.
Max Karant coined the term "Mite" when he wrote a pilot report back in the day.
And it has the same Mooney "whole tail" trim movement, too. Cool.
There is a picture at the Offutt Aero Club of Curtis LeMay driving a Mooney Mite. If it was good enough for him, it must be a good airplane!
He probably would have bought one, but there's no bomb bay! lol
What a treat. Thanks for sharing Juan.
Sat in one in the hangar 1978 as it was going through an annual. Like halfway between an R/C model and a 'real' plane. Mfd Kerrville TX.
My dad had one before I was born... would be cool to have today.... Its what the Go-9 was to the Do-335.....
If you have a choice, go with the Continental 65-12. Factory electrics.
There aren't many Mites that are not overweight if the pilot is over 170 pounds with 10 gallons of fuel.
What a joy to see this! Thanks!
Great living flashback...thx
What a long wingspan for such a small plane. It must be a delight to fly.
A superb design. The tapered wings and minimal frontal area probably contribute to good glide characteristics, and it does all this on 65 hp, A modern version (with an electric starter) would probably sell today and fit into the new proposed LSA requirements.
@bernieschiff5919
Great suggestion, use of modern materials, carbon fiber.
Relocate the fuel tank(s) to the wings, with adding a few inches
a seat for another pilot/passenger.....
@@mikemontagne2703 if you do all that, then it is no longer a Mooney Mite although plans for an experimental were sold for many years.
This is a cool plane. If it's a 1949 my great grandfather probably touched it.
Love that twang backing track. We need more twang!
There has to be a fair amount of shits and giggles that comes along with this fine little bird.
Beautiful little bird 👍😃🛩️
There's one sitting in a hangar at 00C, neat little plane
Ah yes, the Mooney Mite. Such fun to fly. Trim it out and just lean one way or the other for gradual moves. City of Concord... Buchanan Field -- home turf.
Nice to see one preserved.
Always wanted one Such a sleek bird
Man, I would love a little plane like that!
I believe the Mooney Mite was certified with a water cooled Crosley 4 cylinder inline engine. Those probably were replaced quickly by a Lyc or Conti or even Franklin 4 cyl engines when the multiple dissimilar metals started removing to much metal from the cooling system.
Wow what a find! When I saw the gear retract I was blown away! Seems like an old ercoupe competitor.
Mooney bought the Ercoupe company and built a two seat version and called it the M18, an Ercoupe with a single tail fin to match the Mooney line…
There is at least one Mooney Mite site with about 100 members.
Think of the Mite as a very high performance motorcycle…. 😃
Al Mooney would fly his Mite on very long X-country flights, promoting the single seater and its capabilities.
Al was a very tall individual, so his planes technically fit everyone!
Love the mini Moonie….another fab video, not sure about the hand start🤣
Dang - with that music at first I thought it was Clint Eastwood firing it up. Nice little plane. Am curious about how the tail was designed. Thanks for sharing -
The thought with the forward rake of the rudder hinge line was that at high angles of attack the rudder would be square with the relative wind and be more effective in picking up a wing if it dropped. The whole empennage is hinged up at the stabilizer and pivots with the actuation of a trim jackscrew at the bottom. Mooney carried that idea to Lockheed when he went to work there with the Jetstar and L-1011 tail assemblies.
@@5695q My A&P instructor told us that the rudder was a copy of 1/2 of the aileron for economic reasons.....
@@5695q Did it work? Was it more effective in picking up a dropped wing? I'm assuming a "dropped" wing would be a stalled one?
Been a good 40 years since I last saw one!
Love it, simple is best
65 hp, 120 mph @ 3.5 gal/hr? That gets better mileage at speed than I believe just about every combustion engine automobile - wow!
They're very slick airframes. Not a lot of drag at that speed, and *just* enough power to do it.
Was that gear indicator made by the same DuBro that made model airplane parts?
Two of the sexiest looking planes: Globe swift, moony mite.
82ND AIRBORNE
That's a Cool little Airplane!! Solo Rig!!
It kind of reminds me of a little bit larger plane (2 place) that was called a "Culver" that the neighbor owned. He took me up over our local city (Redondo Beach) and over the water and proceeded to make some tight turns, exposing me to probably 2 G's. I was a little guy, maybe 8 or 9 and the noise was so loud that my screaming to "stopp!!!" couldnt be heard. I think he was a bit sadistic.
That’s a really nice looking airplane!!!!
Wow! Great piece of Av history. While on Mooneys, any idea why they shaped the tail forward like they do?
That's just the signature Mooney style. It doesn't do anything aerodynamically that any other vertical stabilizer shape can't do.
It makes it easier to build, the leading edge is really a straight cylinder, flattened into an airfoil. Easy to build in plywood or aluminum.
Always wanted to buy a Mooney Mite
I for one, get the Du-Bro reference!
Ok, dumb question time. 1949 Moony Mite with wooden wings... the original wooden wings? If yes, how do they determine the lifespan of critical wooden parts like that? Does the pilot need to get a yearly inspection by Orkin or Terminix just to be safe? 😉
Yes. The FAA has documents regarding inspection of the fabric, the underlying structural members (wood or otherwise), and just about any aircraft system or component you can think of. AC No: 43.13-1B should get the party started for you IF you really want to know about things like that.
Yours is an excellent question. No one knows for sure how long the glue remains strong. Assuming you have a 1950 model, that glue and wood is pushing 75 years!
There is a significant AD on the wooden tail, but the entire plane is getting really old. If it was stored outdoors, it is probably rotted. If stored indoors, the wood may be fine, but how long does glue last. Does anyone know how well the glue in your plane was applied 75 years ago.
I loved my Mite, but nothing lasts foever.
@MrGus.1 Well, I'm just curious about things like that, but you brought up something I hadn't considered... glue. I assumed the wings were formed and held together with nuts and bolts, but I suppose in terms of saving weight, glue would be the best option... but nearly 75 years later? It does make me wonder.
@Robnord1 I'm interested from a lay person's curiosity. I'm not a pilot, but worked around aircraft for over 30 years. Airplanes, especially G.A. aircraft, are very delicate on the ground, yet very robust in the air. The designers and engineers that create them have my utmost respect.
That hand crank engine move requires balls of steel.