Most of my time is high-wing but I've flown various
low-wing planes - SR20, Mooney, Grob, a couple of hours
in Cherokees. They all have something in common compared
to high-wing planes - they feel like they land flatter.
Don't try to full-stall them in a really nose-high
attitude. I managed to hit the tie-down ring in the SR20
doing that once. Of course when I say "flatter" I don't
mean "flat" - there is still a fair amount of nose-up
and the mains touch first but it is a different feeling
and sight picture than the Cessna.

Of course the other comments are all true too, especially
speed control.

John

Jon Kraus wrote:
We just purchased a'79 M20J 4443H. I am in the middle of getting my 10
hours with a CFI for Insurance purposes and I have to tell you that this
thing is a lot different to land than a Skyhawk. So far I am glad that
my CFI has been with me because 75 percent of the landings have not been
pretty. They are safe (mostly) but nothing you'd want the wife to film
with the video camera. I've got the speeds down good (100 on downwind,
90 on base and 80 on final) but getting it to the runway smoothly has
been a challange.

I've never flown a low wing plane before the Mooney and I am having a
problem with the sight picture working out for me. Is this a pretty
common issue in transitioning to these planes or should I just resign to
the fact that I'm not going to get as nice a landings in my Mooney as I
did in the Skyhawk .

Right now any stories would help out tremendously!! Thanks.

Jon Kraus
PP-ASEL-IA
Student Mooney Owner
'79 M20J 4443H @ TYQ