Mooney Mate checklist

Original post: 12/5/1999
By: John Bartholomew

Replies: 0

My wife and I were out on this beautiful afternoon to apply what she learned in the "Mooney Mate" course in San Antonio this September. She did great and was surprised how well the autopilot did and that it was so much easier that the simulator. The following is adapted from the generic check list she was given by Flight Safety. Did I miss anything?

John Bartholomew
'82 M20J SUX
Dakota Dunes, SD

___________________________________________________________________

MOONEY MATE CHECKLIST

1. STAY CALM and “SAY A PRAYER."

2. Fly the airplane!

Turn on the AUTOPILOT

Push buttons marked:

1. ALT
2. HDG
3. push up autopilot switch

THE PLANE IS NOW ON A CONSTANT HEADING AND ALTITUDE

3. Set transponder to 7700

4. Call for help on the current radio frequency

"MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY!"

If no response tune in 121.5, 122.7, 122.8

"This is Mooney N339PB. The Pilot is incapacitated. I am not a pilot. I want to be vectored to the nearest MAJOR airport with rescue equipment. I have _____ hours of fuel. The autopilot can capture localizer and glideslope."

5. When asked to descend, push "ALT" and "DOWN" for 2 seconds (500-1000 ft./min.) When altitude reached push "ALT" again.

6. When about 20 miles from airport, decrease MP to 17". Plane will slow to about 120 knots.

7. When vectored to intercept the localizer, push "APPR" on the autopilot (Tickle pilot to see if they are faking or maybe could land.)

8. Decrease MP to 15" and lower the wheels, Flaps to FULL down; speed not less than 70 Kts.

9. When runway made, pull the black knob (MP) all the way back and try to keep the plane about 5 feet off the runway. KEEP PULLING BACK; YOU’RE DOWN!!! SEE HOW SIMPLE IT IS?

Revision: 10/28/2010