Mooney aircraft roll over Kansas

We rolled my M20C just east of Salina on the way back from skiing in Colorado.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Mooney
• aircraft
• roll

[canardflyer]

I have always thought about trying this, however I just don't have the brass to do it yet....

[kitlindsay]

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....

[RobertGary1]

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)

[kitlindsay]

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

[gveasey]

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.

[kitlindsay]

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. :-)

[Surflobstr]

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.

[jdpainter]

The overwhelming majority of CFIs have never even rolled an airplane.

[juandeonisio]

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.

[highfly84]

@kevin13702 Good attitude to have!

[AntiStalinist]

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.

[dtoften]

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.?

[Scrapheap71]

@canardflyer  He certianly had enough altitude to pull it off safely

[dcrogers111]

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.

[kevin13702]

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.

[Stigx1337]

I love Mooney's just for the fact they can do anything.