Great aileron roll. It's easy to stall over the top or let the nose drop too steep. It's a safe maneuver in most airplanes when flown correctly. Ask Tex Johnson :D
I agree: Don't try this without getting real Aerobatics training with an aerobatics instructor.
Best advice is don't stall over the top. Push down to Va and honk back on the yoke with full aileron at the start and opposite rudder at the upside down point. Power back at the top and don't let your chewing gum hit the ceiling.
Typical response from the majority of pilots on here telling not to roll non-aerobatic airplanes. If you took aerobatics and knew aerodynamics, then you would realize that this maneuver is quite easy to do. Yes, you can get into trouble but I could say the same for stalls, landing and taking off, etc. Everything we do involves some risk yet your limit of your risk is different than the person next to you. If we do not want to break laws then why do people speed.?
You have to love Mooney's. I would not attempt this in mine, but properly done should be no problem. I bet it was like trying to roll a Mack Truck as the aileron control are not exactly light in a Mooney.
Having just acquired my license this past June, i would not try this in an airplane that is not rated for arerobatics. I will however in the future take aerobatic training to help me be a better pilot but it will occur in an airplane that is rated for not an airplane that is not. Not saying it is stupid but just an unnecessary risk in addition to flying.
Hi Canardflyer- If you are don't have aerobatic experience I would suggest you do it with someone who does! I would have never done this on my own. But with someone who knows what they are doing it is a real thrill. I sold this plane to a MD in Dallas in 2008 and I sure miss it....
Wow, I didn't realize that doing barrel rolls are safe..I would like to use surflobstr's posts as FOI examples of macho and anti-authority.. Also Surflobstr, What do you think happens if a mooney gets into a fully developed spin? I know your a superior pilot and would not have this happen...
You didn't realize that barrel rolls are safe because you haven't done one. YES, they are safe. They are just as safe as flying right side up. By the way, the above video is not an example of a barrel roll, it is an aileron roll. I am by no means anti-authority. The laws of physics cannot be denied, there is no danger in a roll. If it is so dangerous, please explain why our Mooney never fell out of the sky? By the way, I happen to know that a Mooney will recover from a Spin just fine.
First off, you do not know my aerbatic experiance. Secondly, a roll is safe when performed properly. If the roll is screwed up, you will probably wind up going strait down well past VNE. Would you consider this safe? Like I said, I know with your superior piloting skills, this would never happen right? Also, a aileron roll uses down elevator during the inverted part of the roll, I did not see the pitch change.
PS you define macho and anti-authority! Please post your tail ## for the FAA??
Certainly if this if flown correctly the plane can maintain 1 G. The likely reason the FAA prohibits us from rolling our Mooneys is because if you don't perform the manuever correctly you can quickly pick up excess speed. The pull out of which can cause enormous G loads. A Mooney is much more slipery than a Decthalon.
Hi RobertGary1~ Have you seen the Citation roll vid? Very nice. That guy is has taken alot of shots for posting his manuever. I thought we were really doing something when Surflobstr and I rolled my bird. The Citation roll is great. Gotta make lots of great memories for when you get too old to do it anymore! Kit
The FAA cannot "prohibit" anything, they write rules that attempt to prohibit. The real prohibition is either your skill level, your testosterone level or your usable amount of gray matter. The moral: Don't try this unless you are competent, just having the excess balls or insufficient brains will cause you to be an NTSB statistic.
The FAA approved POH for my Mooney says "Prohibited" in the limitations section. I'm not sure what your beef is with English. American Heritage Dictionary defines "prohibit" as "To forbid by authority: Smoking is prohibited in most theaters"
I have rolled Mooneys, Cessna's, Pipers, even a Baron and a Duchess. Nothing is unsafe about it. I bet I could win a Sportsman class aerobatic competition with that Mooney and cause no harm to the airplane. I think Bob Hoover would agree with me.
I find it sad that most modern pilots actually think rolling an aircraft is dangerous. Pilots are taught fear of the unknown and pass it on when the become instructors. Most modern pilot have no clue what to do when the aircraft banks more than 30 degrees. How sad. A proficiet pilot can control his airplane through all phases of flight, in all attitudes, with the ability to apply full use of the flight controls. Flying is a 3 dimensional art form. I use all three.
"Most modern pilot have no clue what to do when the aircraft banks more than 30 degrees." huh? Private applicants are required to perform turns of 45 degree bank and commercial/CFI applicants are required to demonstrate 60 degrees.
I've taught aerobatics in the Decthalon but my Mooney's FAA limitations section prohibits rolls.
I understand steep turns and their requirement for private pilot training. I am a CFI as well, I do it for a living. However, as soon as that private pilot ticket is acquired, they forgot all about it. I see it all the time doing BFR's. Long time pilots cannot do a steep turn cleanly. Everyone flies straight and level all the time and pilot skill is quickly lost.
As far as the FAA goes... They are a bunch of pencil pushers that actually know nothing about flying. They are just another government entity whose sole purpose is to generate revenue.
Also, VNE is not a magical number where the wings rip off. Actually flying past VNE will not damage the aircraft. However, sudden, abrupt control inputs while at high speeds past VNE can cause high loads. The speed does not damage the aircraft, the load factor does. If going past VNE, one can easily recover by closing the throttle and SLOWLY returning to level flight.
I think you mixed a couple of speeds up. Yes, the plane can be damaged if flown over Vne (probably plastic parts will fall off). Va is the speed above which abrupt control forces may cause damage. Vno is the speed above which an FAA gust (1.3 fpm) could cause damage.
Anyone who thinks that rolling a Mooney is stupid, only says so because of a lack of understanding of the rules of aerodynamics. There is ZERO danger in rolling a mooney as shown on this video. There is less stress on the airframe than doing steep turns. This roll was a constant one G roll. It is no different than rolling into a normal turn.
I have calmed down a bit. Tex Johnson did roll the prototype 707 for the Boeing brass years ago and Bob Hoover did his routine. Still, if you did not pull up enough in the beginning of the manuever, you could easily find yourself past VNE. The FAA would chop you up in little pieces, if something went wrong. Insurance is null and void and you set a bad example for beginning pilots. Shame on the aerobatic instructor... he knows better.
I roll my Citabria all the time, but it is an aerobatic rated plane. Even though the G load is very low for this maneuver, it is STUPID to do this in a Mooney. Shame on you.
Well, I appreciate your input. I was with an aerobatic instructor with lots of experience. As a Citrabria pilot, I don't have to tell you that as long as one G is maintained the plane knows not if it is upside down or right side up. Thanks again for your insightful comment. :-)
Great aileron roll. It's easy to stall over the top or let the nose drop too steep. It's a safe maneuver in most airplanes when flown correctly. Ask Tex Johnson :D
I agree: Don't try this without getting real Aerobatics training with an aerobatics instructor.
juandeonisio 1 month ago
Best advice is don't stall over the top. Push down to Va and honk back on the yoke with full aileron at the start and opposite rudder at the upside down point. Power back at the top and don't let your chewing gum hit the ceiling.
AntiStalinist 11 months ago
Typical response from the majority of pilots on here telling not to roll non-aerobatic airplanes. If you took aerobatics and knew aerodynamics, then you would realize that this maneuver is quite easy to do. Yes, you can get into trouble but I could say the same for stalls, landing and taking off, etc. Everything we do involves some risk yet your limit of your risk is different than the person next to you. If we do not want to break laws then why do people speed.?
dtoften 1 year ago
You have to love Mooney's. I would not attempt this in mine, but properly done should be no problem. I bet it was like trying to roll a Mack Truck as the aileron control are not exactly light in a Mooney.
dcrogers111 1 year ago
Having just acquired my license this past June, i would not try this in an airplane that is not rated for arerobatics. I will however in the future take aerobatic training to help me be a better pilot but it will occur in an airplane that is rated for not an airplane that is not. Not saying it is stupid but just an unnecessary risk in addition to flying.
kevin13702 1 year ago
@kevin13702 Good attitude to have!
highfly84 10 months ago
I have always thought about trying this, however I just don't have the brass to do it yet....
canardflyer 2 years ago
Hi Canardflyer- If you are don't have aerobatic experience I would suggest you do it with someone who does! I would have never done this on my own. But with someone who knows what they are doing it is a real thrill. I sold this plane to a MD in Dallas in 2008 and I sure miss it....
kitlindsay 2 years ago
@canardflyer He certianly had enough altitude to pull it off safely
Scrapheap71 1 year ago
I love Mooney's just for the fact they can do anything.
Stigx1337 2 years ago
During my private pilot training I was in a -4 G dive with a mig(over Kansas). My instructor got a great polaroid. Who said 152s can't dance!
t008er 2 years ago
Cool!
Thanks for sharing!
canuckbabe80 2 years ago
Ya i have a mooney eagle 2 and i did this once,,never again though cause my charts were flying all over the place,i had fun though
dannyegypt20 3 years ago
Wow, I didn't realize that doing barrel rolls are safe..I would like to use surflobstr's posts as FOI examples of macho and anti-authority.. Also Surflobstr, What do you think happens if a mooney gets into a fully developed spin? I know your a superior pilot and would not have this happen...
paulflyer 4 years ago
You didn't realize that barrel rolls are safe because you haven't done one. YES, they are safe. They are just as safe as flying right side up. By the way, the above video is not an example of a barrel roll, it is an aileron roll. I am by no means anti-authority. The laws of physics cannot be denied, there is no danger in a roll. If it is so dangerous, please explain why our Mooney never fell out of the sky? By the way, I happen to know that a Mooney will recover from a Spin just fine.
Surflobstr 3 years ago 4
First off, you do not know my aerbatic experiance. Secondly, a roll is safe when performed properly. If the roll is screwed up, you will probably wind up going strait down well past VNE. Would you consider this safe? Like I said, I know with your superior piloting skills, this would never happen right? Also, a aileron roll uses down elevator during the inverted part of the roll, I did not see the pitch change.
PS you define macho and anti-authority! Please post your tail ## for the FAA??
paulflyer 3 years ago
Certainly if this if flown correctly the plane can maintain 1 G. The likely reason the FAA prohibits us from rolling our Mooneys is because if you don't perform the manuever correctly you can quickly pick up excess speed. The pull out of which can cause enormous G loads. A Mooney is much more slipery than a Decthalon.
-Robert, CFII (Mooney instructor and aerobatics instructor)
RobertGary1 4 years ago
Hi RobertGary1~ Have you seen the Citation roll vid? Very nice. That guy is has taken alot of shots for posting his manuever. I thought we were really doing something when Surflobstr and I rolled my bird. The Citation roll is great. Gotta make lots of great memories for when you get too old to do it anymore! Kit
kitlindsay 4 years ago
The FAA cannot "prohibit" anything, they write rules that attempt to prohibit. The real prohibition is either your skill level, your testosterone level or your usable amount of gray matter. The moral: Don't try this unless you are competent, just having the excess balls or insufficient brains will cause you to be an NTSB statistic.
gearhead5770 4 years ago
The FAA approved POH for my Mooney says "Prohibited" in the limitations section. I'm not sure what your beef is with English. American Heritage Dictionary defines "prohibit" as "To forbid by authority: Smoking is prohibited in most theaters"
RobertGary1 4 years ago
RobertGary,
There is no way to barrel roll at constant 1G. A CFI would know this.
dooverlaki 4 years ago
Yes, there is. Bob Hoover did it all the time. I have even seen video of a 707 doing it.
slrman 3 years ago
The overwhelming majority of CFIs have never even rolled an airplane.
jdpainter 3 years ago 3
You need a better aerobatics instructor if you believe that.
-Robert, CFII, basic aerobatics.
RobertGary1 2 years ago
I have rolled Mooneys, Cessna's, Pipers, even a Baron and a Duchess. Nothing is unsafe about it. I bet I could win a Sportsman class aerobatic competition with that Mooney and cause no harm to the airplane. I think Bob Hoover would agree with me.
Surflobstr 4 years ago
I find it sad that most modern pilots actually think rolling an aircraft is dangerous. Pilots are taught fear of the unknown and pass it on when the become instructors. Most modern pilot have no clue what to do when the aircraft banks more than 30 degrees. How sad. A proficiet pilot can control his airplane through all phases of flight, in all attitudes, with the ability to apply full use of the flight controls. Flying is a 3 dimensional art form. I use all three.
Surflobstr 4 years ago
"Most modern pilot have no clue what to do when the aircraft banks more than 30 degrees." huh? Private applicants are required to perform turns of 45 degree bank and commercial/CFI applicants are required to demonstrate 60 degrees.
I've taught aerobatics in the Decthalon but my Mooney's FAA limitations section prohibits rolls.
RobertGary1 4 years ago
I understand steep turns and their requirement for private pilot training. I am a CFI as well, I do it for a living. However, as soon as that private pilot ticket is acquired, they forgot all about it. I see it all the time doing BFR's. Long time pilots cannot do a steep turn cleanly. Everyone flies straight and level all the time and pilot skill is quickly lost.
Surflobstr 4 years ago
As far as the FAA goes... They are a bunch of pencil pushers that actually know nothing about flying. They are just another government entity whose sole purpose is to generate revenue.
Surflobstr 4 years ago
Also, VNE is not a magical number where the wings rip off. Actually flying past VNE will not damage the aircraft. However, sudden, abrupt control inputs while at high speeds past VNE can cause high loads. The speed does not damage the aircraft, the load factor does. If going past VNE, one can easily recover by closing the throttle and SLOWLY returning to level flight.
Surflobstr 4 years ago
I think you mixed a couple of speeds up. Yes, the plane can be damaged if flown over Vne (probably plastic parts will fall off). Va is the speed above which abrupt control forces may cause damage. Vno is the speed above which an FAA gust (1.3 fpm) could cause damage.
-Robert, CFII
RobertGary1 4 years ago
Duane Cole would push Stearmans way past VNE. What the manual says, and what the airplane is capable of are two totally different things.
Surflobstr 4 years ago
Oh sure there is no guarantee that the plane will fall apart at Vne but a pilot should not expect the plane to not fall apart.
RobertGary1 4 years ago
Anyone who thinks that rolling a Mooney is stupid, only says so because of a lack of understanding of the rules of aerodynamics. There is ZERO danger in rolling a mooney as shown on this video. There is less stress on the airframe than doing steep turns. This roll was a constant one G roll. It is no different than rolling into a normal turn.
Surflobstr 4 years ago
I have calmed down a bit. Tex Johnson did roll the prototype 707 for the Boeing brass years ago and Bob Hoover did his routine. Still, if you did not pull up enough in the beginning of the manuever, you could easily find yourself past VNE. The FAA would chop you up in little pieces, if something went wrong. Insurance is null and void and you set a bad example for beginning pilots. Shame on the aerobatic instructor... he knows better.
gveasey 4 years ago
I roll my Citabria all the time, but it is an aerobatic rated plane. Even though the G load is very low for this maneuver, it is STUPID to do this in a Mooney. Shame on you.
gveasey 4 years ago
Well, I appreciate your input. I was with an aerobatic instructor with lots of experience. As a Citrabria pilot, I don't have to tell you that as long as one G is maintained the plane knows not if it is upside down or right side up. Thanks again for your insightful comment. :-)
kitlindsay 4 years ago