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I’ve gone back-and-forth on how to make a post like this. I want to tell a story of my experience, but it’s also so important to highlight a specific group of people on this forum that helped me accomplish a goal I’ve had for more than a decade. When I was into my 30s I never thought I would be a person who would be a pilot. I loved airplanes but I always assumed it was for other people, not me. I was well-established in a career, and just just really didn’t give it much thought. But that all changed, when my wife gave me the gift of a discovery flight for my birthday in 2009. Without trying to get too deep into that story, the point is I did become a pilot. I am now a pure addict, and will be for my entire life. And when you become a pilot, I think the first thing we all think of is how to get our own airplane. Or we at least dream about having our own airplane while we accomplish flying for a living. But I bet it still comes up as a possibility sometimes. But I also know that for many of us that possibility seems unrealistic. Even impossible. But it’s not. Well... I bought an airplane! A real one! I can’t even type it without welling up. Now there’s a reason that that statement carries such weight for me. I was never a person of great means and was someone who was never really in a position to buy such things. I mean, I’m just a mail carrier... I’m not even a cool one that got to fly an airplane to deliver it! But on the other side of that token, I had also never been motivated as much as I have in aviation - and by the people I’ve met in it. Because of those people, my amazing wife and my motivation, I was able to accomplish and check off one of my great goals in life. I bought an airplane!! I OWN a damn airplane!! How cool is that? This is the part where I have to give people some kudos that have become some of my best friends and just some truly awesome people here on MooneySpace. In addition to that, my first airplane buying experience was truly exceptional. It was about as detached from my expectations as I think it could have been. It was a completely unexpected experience. I’ve been lucky enough to fly so many wonderful Mooney’s, because of these gracious pilots. But I had finally decided that it was time for me to look for an airplane that would be special to me. It wasn’t just a thing for me to own, it really was something I wanted to be proud of and take care of. It was a big deal for me. These wonderful people and good friends gave me advice, tips, spreadsheets, and all of the things to do to find the airplane that was right for me. In addition to that I think they were just as excited for me as I was for myself. And that made it even better. So then one day one of the people I had admired on this forum was selling his best friends airplane, after he unfortunately passed. It was something he was doing for that family and just wanted it to go to a good home. He wanted someone to take care of it, for it to be special. This next part is how I know that people around me were vested in my success. I never had a chance to even see the post, before my friends were text messaging me about this airplane. Within minutes. As I write this though, I realized they may not of actually been vested in my success, they may just have been trying to find a way to get me to stop bothering them to fly their airplanes. Seriously that might actually be the real reason. Nevertheless, they helped me through every part of the process and I can’t thank them enough. But thank you @gsxrpilot, @N9405V, @Bryan, @acdc, @JNDZ, Kiwi. There are others too but, they either don’t use this platform or I can’t remember their usernames. Hehe. But please know that you are included in this, and I am talking to you too. For those of you who know who these people are please feel free to tag them. Now back to my process of buying an airplane. We all know there are tons and tons of stories about terrible buying experiences. Unfortunately there’s a lot of sleaze in this business. But moreover, a lot of un-empathetic people. So my expectations for purchasing an airplane were made very clear to me early on. I was going to probably be dealing with someone with much more wealth than I and would not be very amenable to a process that was financially epic for me. This was not what happened. Not at all. Every person I talked to, told me if I was going to buy an airplane from anyone, it would be this person. They were right. In epic fashion. From the moment I talked to @Yooper Rocketmanfor the first time on the phone until we shook hands on that cold day in Iron Mountain when I bought his best friends airplane - it was the most wonderful experience I think a person could have. He was helpful, patient, honest, friendly and truly one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met. He told me these wonderful stories about his friend and that airplane. And then we flew it together like he and his best friend used to. He was visibly melancholy. I was welcome in his home, with his wonderful wife. I was welcome with his friends. But the most important is that I was welcome into his Lancair IV-P Turbine... My God that thing... I’m not kidding, that was one of the coolest rides I’ver ever had in an airplane! I don’t say that lightly either. I’ve flown in a Nakajima Kate, a Nanchang CJ6 and even a Curtis Helldiver to name a few. But back to the story. Because of my friends, I was able to find an airplane that wasn’t just an airplane. It was its own story. It was this special thing that had memories and history. It was something for me to take care of. That’s when I realized I wasn’t buying a thing, I was being given stewardship. And because of Tom I was able to receive it. I will honor that. I will add new memories and more history to pass on to someone else one day. Probably after I spend too much on the panel and run out of money. Until then though, I will never be able to repay my friends for what they gave me without even knowing it, and wanting nothing in return other than my success. I thank you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have people to go tell all of the details about my airplane to, even if they don’t wanna hear it. And update my MooneySpace profile with MY tail number! 5AA3AE01-7C81-4507-BBBD-FB1F8C11025B.MOV

You have spent a few years taking care of all of the deferred maintenance and squawks on your airplane to get it where it is today. Just understand if you buy another used airplane, with no warranty, you will spend the next few years taking care of all of the deferred maintenance and squawks on that airplane to get it where you want it. The one difference will be that right now you will be buying at, what I think is, the top of the market. Hours don't mean everything, how it was flown and maintained during those hours is the intangible that you can't know for sure until you own it, and even then things happen.

Thanks. I'll do what I can to help but I am working with three other people looking to buy airplanes right now. There's slim pickins' and high prices right now. I'm telling everyone that if you can wait, do so. Buying now is "buying high" which means at some point in the future you'll probably end up "selling low" (or at least significantly lower). That advice hasn't deterred any of them so far

Skip, Just finishing off this M20J panel, plan to install tomorrow. Two G3x, Audio panel, GTN650, GNC255, GTX345, GFC500. This is the first 3/4 panel with radiorax that I have done. Two G5's semi flush mounted to match the G3x's along side. I have vinyl labels made, will try something with higher quality. Note the non standard gear / override switch placement as per customers request. Also 3 spare with places per customers request. I would have preferred to put the master/alternator/avionics switch there. Not the overlay panel for the old engine instruments - now contains ELT and dimmer switch - enough space for a USB outlet there too. Aerodon

Note that the A is supposed to point down so that the bleed hole doesn’t drip gas. Next time, just soak them - there’s no need to shake Skip

Big plane-style controls, in a small plane . . . . I love my C!

My friends and I got some great air-to-air shots of each others planes. My Co-pilot is a great photographer and was able to catch these stunning photos of my friends Mooney Ovation over Sedona, AZ.

Out of annual for the last five years. And a few times in the middle if I’m not mistaken. It is now current... I looked at it, in person. It looks to be in very good condition, but the new owner has not, and is not flying it. It was purchased at a bank auction a few months ago. My concern is the engine of course. I don’t believe problems as a result of sitting show up immediately all the time, and given the asking price, it should have a better history. The owner is a broker, and claimed not to own the plane but it’s registered in an LLC the broker owns. Claims it’s flown 9 hours, but flight aware only shows one flight and it’s inside a class bravo airspace. I didn’t appreciate being lied to... caveat emptor

Seems you can split any pilot room 50/50 on the topic Nothing very scientific about the choice, the splits will be clustered into those who fly 2h vs 4h legs, 0h or 2000h left on engine, cheap vs expensive gas, and those who enjoy it vs those in a hurry The EDM900 is a good tool to go LOP with more data than just by feeling !

I’ve read recently that people want to travel more by car than by public means. Pandemic social isolation mode of transportation. Maybe that could be a factor too for demand. And to ga planes too?

Give me a shout tomorrow an we can get a game plan together. I have some propellers to deliver local in the am, but I should be back turning wrenches after lunch. 870-208-8882

I have found the LHS System to be very useful, Although I always check "gear down" on downwind, base, and final, that "Check Gear" announcement after the 70 foot callout always causes me to look again. Where can you find something this useful for under 1 AMU?

Gotcha. Cody Stallings @Cody Stallings is the prop guy. He’s in AR. https://www.stallingsaircraftpropeller.com/contact

If shipping weren’t an issue I’d sent to Cody in a heartbeat. He’s such a an honest valuable resource here on Mooneyspace and knows Mooney’s.

Give this a second look... MSer’s prop guy... Known to have and share all the details required for good prop decisions... Owns an M20K Rocket... When it comes to mangled pieces of prop... I went with something completely different... I couldn’t tell where the damage ended, and the good prop began... and if a metallurgist would be needed... MS has a metallurgist... There are such great forces on the prop... and the slightest imbalance can have disastrous results... as in losing parts of the prop can be really bad. Make sure you get the right shape for the airfoil... the whole length of the blades... People dynamically balance their props for the near perfect balance... They dress out any bumps and nicks for near perfect strength... See if there is a way to let these blades go... to somebody with much shorter blade requirements... Pp thoughts only, not a mechanic... Best regards, -a-

MVP-50 in my Maule almost 10 years ago I’d guess? The MVP had a lot of functionality, especially if you get the audio. I mentioned once to Rob Roberts at EI about how sexy she sounded, then found out she is his Daughter in law.

Nothing to see yet :-) Looking at buying that M20M and trying to understand the finer details of maintenance and what to look extra hard at for the pre buy.. Promise to post some pictures later (if everything goes according to plan)

I used 2 Gopros (8 and 9) plus 1 DJI Osmo and a Garmin Virb. Magix was the editing software.

I've got video!! Of your Lancair, not of my flying abilities. IMG_5279.mov

I did this almost exact thing in my F recently. The only thing that was kept was the GTX345. The actual work came in at 300 hours and the whole plane was pretty much re-wired. I chose to go with the JPI900 and CiES senders. I also showed the state of my panel just prior to the work (JPI830 was upgraded to the 900). Like others have said the three axis GFC500 (Trim, Pitch Roll) came in at 57 hours alone. Cincinnati Avionics did my panel an it took just over 9 weeks to complete. Edit: Seeing your above edit about the EIS sensors and fuel senders already being installed it looks like about 40-50 hours were utilized for sensor and sender install/calibration and such. So the rest of the work was 250 hours.

Friday’s flight to Troutdale. Left ‘84L for annual.

Don’t get me started. They’re called “patients” but they are so impatient sometimes! If you see 30 other people in the waiting room and you showed up to the ER for the abdominal pain you’ve been having for 2 years because you don’t want to wait until tomorrow for the CT scan your doctor ordered today but you get upset that there’s a wait... @aviatoreb, I know it was a typo but I thought I’d play along. I’m not saying my job is never exciting, it’s just that when it’s exciting something really bad is probably happening. Just like with flying, I put a lot of effort into preventing exciting situations from developing. With ForeFlight, ADS-B and XM I found that my flights are way less exciting than they used to be. I do miss going off frequency to talk to flightwatch, though.

Now... In light of the recent concocted story... Do you really still trust her, when she says she tied it down? Kind of a study on risk taking... Simple risks can be incredibly costly when everything goes south... Best regards, -a-

Finally got around to taking more of these for you, Skip @PT20J. Apologies for the nighttime lighting and the fact that my bird needs a bath.

I could swear that Bob Kromer addressed this at one of the last two Mooney Summits, but since the cowl flaps on my C are fixed I don't recall the details. Being open around an inch in the "Closed" sounds right, although a full inch may be a bit too much.

yeah, realized that we were talking about a Bravo just after I hit "post" Had already deleted it when you replied

Bravos burn 18-20 gallons per hour at cruise and a lot more than that getting to cruise.

No, there's no telling if and when they will start installing them again. It could happen, just not certain when and at what price. Won't be cheap.

I couldnt tell you if its normal but my 77 J is setup with about a 1/2 gap when closed. I have never cruised with them anything but closed. In the winter ill even take off with them totally closed. Summer time I keep them open for take off, and then around 5k ill put them to half, once I level off ill fully close.

Yeah, it’s a tough call. On one hand, accident rates go down with TAA with ADS-B, but on the other hand if you intentionally disable it for the purpose of evading detection then get caught by a camera doing something illegal and stupid you might lose your license. I think I’m ok with keeping mine. If you’re bored enough to want to track me go right ahead. I intentionally lead a very boring life.

Thanks Paul. It looks at this point that something will work out. -Fred

Way to plan the future Tigers! Do they have an aviation department where you work? We have at least one LEO that is flying at work... See if I have any of these memories correct? Best regards, -a-

If you don't get it done with @FoxMike I can probably help you any early evening, or I also have availability on Wed.

I've seen JD use a thread repair file. It's amazing what that tool can accomplish in skilled hands.

I just chuck the oil filter on the lathe. as long as you catch it right, it won't sling oil all over the place. For the spark plug cleaner. https://www.harborfreight.com/pneumatic-spark-plug-cleaner-32860.html?cid=paid_google|||&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&gclid=CjwKCAjwm7mEBhBsEiwA_of-TPlWMUArwUpbTx-eJdalbq5Cf7vwRMtNnfFgzucue5jZ_XsCMr32phoC6AwQAvD_BwE

I had that issue so I ordered a new fuel line too. Probably should have ordered the other three. I have hand recut threads on a bike bottom bracket with a properly cut tool steel from a lathe blank. Of course it was the night before a race, so had to be done.

You have a PAR-46 size landing light on the nose of your Statesman and from my research, you can't upgrade to a newer WAT HID BoomBeam landing light. Whelen and Lopresti merged to create Whelen Aerospace Technologies (WAT)in 2019. So what we can do is probably replace broken components that you have now or get you into an LED landing light. The PAR-46 Parmetheus Pro has a fantastic lens that rivals the older Lopresti HID landing lights. All things considered and generally speaking, HID will be a brighter light than LED although LED is generally a more reliable technology. If you want to replace our BoomBeam and go to LED, I recommend the Parmetheus Pro or we can try to fix your HID landing light. I also have the less bright Parmetheus Plus in that size landing light. Please email me your model of Lopresti BoomBeam (Check your logbooks) and we'll work to troubleshoot if you want to fix it. gallagheraviationllc@gmail.com <-- Email me here https://www.gallagheraviationllc.com/whelen-aircraft-lighting.html <-- Check out my website here 1-833-425-5288 <-- Call me here James Gallagher

Dies are great, but they will only do one size. A thread repair file typically has eight threads on it, and diameter doesn't matter. For those without skill / practice, give your machinist buddy a few bucks or lunch to do it for you using die, file or something special from his bag of tricks.

I assume you know the plane geared-up in ‘06 and porpoised into the runway in ‘09.

Congratulations! Glad that airplane found a worthy owner. Take care of her and she’ll take care of you and you both can create countless new memories together Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

A couple comments and questions: I see some pics of your plane online. SARLTaylor-N4262H-64.jpg | Sport Air Racing League (sportairrace.org) KGYI-MooneyM20-N4262H-71.jpg | Sport Air Racing League (sportairrace.org) Your cowling doesn't have the ram air found on most Missile conversions like this: Do you have extended range Monroy tanks? I assume you do not since your A&P used 64 gal in his calculation. Where did your A&P get the Arms? The POH says the wheelbase is 5 ft. 11 9/16 inches or 71 9/16 inches. The nose wheel center should be 5 inches in front of the Reference Datum (service manual says should be within 0.06 inches of plumb line from nose gear trunnion which is station -5. See 32-50-02). That means the Main Gear Arm is 66 9/16. Your A&P used 64. Are your nose gear discs collapsed and the nose wheel displaced back? My Missile was weighed by Rocket. 2,169 lbs empty and CG 41.63 inches. I have a standby vac in the tail which adds weight. It is inconceivable that your Mooney is that far out of forward balance. However I see all these pics of it racing. Do you think someone took the weights out of the tail for some sort of speed mod? Regarding Rocket - mine was one of the last Missile conversions. It was done in 2001. They hadn't done any in a while at the time and they actually made a mistake setting up the IO-550. They had to get the Continental Rep out to help remind them - I was there when it happened. Their focus even in 2001 had almost entirely shifted to turboprop conversions of Piper Malibu's. There are some threads here saying Rocket committed to support the STC for 17 years - not sure from when but the last Missile or Rocket was done 20 years ago. They support as a curtesy now but let's be realistic - they haven't worked on a Mooney or internal combustion engine in 20 years. There probably are few if any employees still there that actually turned a wrench on a Mooney. Darwin Conrad is in his 70's. Whoever is helping you has to go dig in the files.

@"Chocks", thanks for posting this. You have already given something back to our community with your post. Sometimes Mooneyspace breaks down into minor squabbles about various things, but your post is what Mooneyspace is really all about. People, aviation and people's love of aviation is what keeps us coming back every day.

Hopefully this is on-topic enough, but I saw a ton of Mooneys in Santa Fe last Saturday. After finding this thread, I'm guessing the PPP explains why they were all in town. Anyway, I caught some video of the Mooneys at the airport and thought I'd post it in case anyone was interested: Tail numbers include: N93KS, N58144, N618TG, N304MA, N1156Z, N257KW, N30EV, N59FM, N201FQ

I’m in the 30ish hour /3 month range. For turbo engines, one benefit of more frequent oil changes is more frequent opportunities to get eyes on your exhaust system. Know the weak spots (V band clamps in the bravo and transition in the TN). Old oil won’t turn your plane into a Roman candle. A failed exhaust can. -Dan

100% correct....but I am only home a limited amount of time and want to use that time to fly....not get greased up. Me writing checks as large as it takes should be enough. But its not. So I am not sure what to do at this point. An owner should be able to communicate what he wants and the mechanic/shop owner should be able to do the job correctly in exchange for money. I make sure my checks clear,,,,if we could just get the mechanics to do the job correctly life would be good. I know very little about A/C mx procedures. But I know throttles should not disconnect on the first flight and new tires and tubes should not be flat when picking them up on day 1 from the shop and I have a pretty good idea that carb heat is a required item on a carb equipped airplane not to be dismantled. Is there really something wrong with me? Or is it that mx shops are running a bit loose with a lack of FAA oversight.. I pay my bills the minute received. That should be enough.

Used car prices are up some. Used pickup prices are way up! Just because they all need a computer chip that's in short supply, blamed on COVID, and many auto makers have "paused" production . . . .

Head over to the Mooney Mite Section of Mooney Space and check out the 1953 Mooney M18 Wee Scotsman (Mite) sales brochure. It includes a Mooney M20 Debut Sales Ad.

As an economist, what we're seeing is as much of a lack of supply issue as it is an increase in demand. Whenever supply shrinks and the monetary printing presses run (whether it’s from countries hoarding materials or because of reduced production) we stand to see stagflation as the resulting economic phase. Stagflation (high inflation, high real unemployment and slow growth) is not desirable whatsoever. The high inflation is being caused by a shortage of supplies due to many companies being being either offline or partially offline over the last year and countries and people hoarding materials. The high real unemployment is a direct result of the flawed Keynesian economic theory that governments can actually stimulate the economy. This is a complete farce. Governments can no more stimulate the economy than sugar can build muscle. The only historically proven way to see economic growth is to free the economy from restraints and let markets be markets. The other force working on the lack of used aircraft on the market is simply the positive wealth effect. The better people feel financially, the more they hang onto luxury items (like aircraft...). A series of restraints (increase in taxes, rapid rise in insurance costs, an aging pilot population, etc) will eventually cause the supply to pick back up and the cycle repeats itself again.

Sounds good, just remember that the long timers at the airport might know more about the airplane and it’s history than you might know. Don’t hesitate to call or waste time because the retirees love to be part of anything airplane and many are there already day to day.

Letting the thread drift a bit... I actually think we're in a pretty great place right now for "graceful degradation" of flying activities. With no major medical issues, a person who finds herself behind the airplane can step down to a well-equipped LSA and enjoy the heck out of it. And if the LSA becomes too much, she can step down to a Part 103 craft with a super-low stall speed and a ballistic parachute, requiring no pilot certificate and no medical. We're all creatures of habit, and I know that it feels like a really big deal to have to sell our pride and joy because it's gotten to be too much airplane, but I love the fact that we've got good options for lower and slower flight befitting longer reaction times that could add many years of enjoyment to a flying hobby.