benpilot

You guys rock, agree. I will get checked out in the Mooney M20F and build time than get my IFR ticket. Not rushing into a rocket or 231 yet. For me, being safe is the key. I will also get in touch with Don Kaye for dual training if I decide to buy a Mooney. @FlyDave- your humor is interesting. I know MANY new pilots who go out and buy fast planes after they get their PPL. One guy bought a Bonanza another a Saratoga. So it can be done safely with dual training. I am patient and not rushing anything just doing some research and making baby steps. Get my complex in a Mooney 20F and then IFR then commercial. Build time. Plus I need to save up a big chunk of cash anyhow to buy a plane. Financing rates are high and tough to get from a bank.

Thanks guys, This is great advice.

How much does a reman engine cost for a Rocket? Does Rocket Engineering even make these anymore? My biggest concern besides the pre buy and not being able to actually fly the bird is parts and support from Rocket Engineering.

This is a good discussion. As I look to buy my first airplane, I am weighing cash versus finance as well. I can pay cash but would end up with a lesser plane or finance a fancier plane.

Tony, yeah thats my biggest concern Plus the plane is far away from me and I see tons of Mooney in California for sale that I can go fly and check out. The owner would have to give me a screaming deal.

Owner is willing to deal on price. Just wanted to see if the price was right would you consider it?

Looking at Mooney Rocket and seller is willing to deal on it: http://www.lasar.com/w/id/114/new-plane-details.asp Does this look like a good plane to consider? Owner tells me the engine has been pickled and would be hard to do a test flight on it. More info: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mooney-Rocket-Nicest-Available-Price-SLASHED-Must-sell-now-/171186406827?forcerrptr=true&hash=item27db8145ab&item=171186406827&pt=Motors_Aircraft Thoughts?

Yep both Killing Zone and Beyond the Checkride are two of my favorite books that I've read as a student pilot besides the required AIM/FAR and training books, POH. I also recommend the following: Flying the Weather Map Aviation Weather Weather Flying Flight Discipline Tips to Fly By Cheers, Ben

Thanks, yeah I will get checked out in the Mooney M20F for my complex endorsement then can have an understanding of flying it from start to finish. Since I've flown a couple of different Mooneys in the past, this will definitely be helpful.

Indeed. I had a blast flying KPAO-KSAC-KOVE and taking my dad flying as well. Granted, it was a Cessna 172SP rental but still loads of fun and watching my dad grin ear to ear flying with me as his son and PIC. Next step is to get checked out in a Mooney M20F at West Valley and then find my ideal plane that works for me. Mission is 2 passengers and myself on long flights.

Thanks everyone. I had a great flight today from KPAO to KSAC for dinner with family. It was nice to beat holiday traffic and soar in the sky. Now my friends and family want me to take them flying places! Anyways I will get checked out in the Mooney 20F when I get back into town for my complex endorsement. Then I can cross the next step in learning and also move on to instrument/commercial ratings. My checkride was a great learning experience.

Happy Thanksgiving my Mooniac friends! I just wanted to let you all know that I passed my private pilot checkride this week.

Thanks Mike, Good advice, I will find a good Mooney instructor from MAPA around KPAO to do transition after passing my checkride.

Get a portable ADSB+AHRS unit with ipad and save a lot and then you can take it with you. Avionic upgrades are way too expensive to make it worthwhile for most vintage aircraft with a hull value less than 100k. When I buy, the plane will at least have a Garmin 430W/530W or better.

Agree that's why I do yoga and lift weights.

Agree the big bore 550R is one amazing engine. I see a few Mooney and Bonanzas with it. Would be useful for getting over those mountains out west safely.

I did a checkout in the 172 and Piper in the local club with an Aspen EFD and Garmin 430W glass panel. It is a bit different after training on the standard six pack steam gauges and glad that I learned both. Agree on using slow plane for PPL training which is what I did. Will finish checkride and then do Mooney training with a good CFI before IFR work. We also shot a GPS approach a few times to give me a taste of how that works. If I do buy a plane, it will definitely have a Garmin 530W. I like the Aspen glass panel and finding one with it would be nice.

RJ, I know how two doors matter little to veteran pilots but look at who buys new aircraft today wealthy consumers who tend to be low time pilots with money to spend. Cirrus marketing gets this and sells carlike interiors with luxury appointment like that found in a new Mercedes or BMW. That's why they've captured market share. I'd take a Mooney Acclaim S over a new Cirrus SR22 any day but many newbies get oohs and has over the double gull wing doors and nice fancy interiors.

Agree. One can buy a nice 231 for under 90k.

@mike_elliot, I spoke with a fellow club member who told me slower planes are better for IFR ratings due to more time to setup instrument approaches and so forth. But thinking would behoove me to train for the instrument rating in the actual plane that I buy and fly long term to develop the best experience on the systems familiarity. If I do end up with a Mooney instead of a Bonanza or Socata, then I will find a qualified Mooney instructor for dual training. Since I want a newer plane rather than a vintage craft, late model Mooney are a great buy now. I checked and used Bravos and first generation Ovations/Eagles are selling for under 250k compared to what they sold a few years ago. +1 BigTex, I agree! Learning the aircraft systems first is key then IFR training second.

After getting checked out in the F model, I'll consider it for instrument if I don't buy a plane by then.

Thanks I will check into the insurance. After passing my checkride, I plan to get checked out in the M20F for my complex and build some time.

@BigTex, thanks yeah I do like the manual flaps in the Piper even though they do take a bit of getting used to them. At least they work even if electrical system fails unlike the electric flaps in the Cessna. Whats funny is that the Piper has N for neutral for takeoff trim like a car setting. After flying Piper, fitting in a Mooney should not pose an issue for me since they are close in cabin size I think.

Thanks guys, I agree finding the right plane with decent avionics is really important consideration. Upgrading avionics is time consuming and a financial adventure that I'd like to avoid. Lots of Mooney for sale but alas most have crappy avionics from the stone age! The Mooney Rocket that I flew had garbage avionics and dude wanted 140k for it! Then I had the chance to fly a nice Mooney 201J for sale with a sweet avionics panel with a Garmin 650 GTN and Aspen MFD. That was quite nice and only 80k half the price and performance of the Rocket but better avionics.

I am doing my private pilot checkride in either a Piper Warrior or Piper Archer II. I started in a Cessna 152 and did half the training in a 172 but prefer the Piper low wing to Cessna high wing. I have no regrets because if I need to take my father on a trip, I can rent a Cessna 172 since he is disabled and would have a tough time climbing into a Mooney. I don't plan to take him a lot of places so thats not really a long term factor. I've done a bunch of training in both aircraft with steam gauges. Love the Piper it reminds me of a slower Mooney! Most likely I will get checked out in the club Mooney 20F and may do my instrument and commercial ratings in it unless I buy a plane right after my PPL which depends on many factors. Right now its cheaper to rent but since I love flying buying could work well in the long run and the freedom is priceless to have full access to my dream bird.