benpilot

Thanks guys this is great advice! I'm finishing up my PPL in a Piper and will do a checkout in a local club Mooney 20F that is available for my complex endorsement to get familiar with the aircraft dynamics.

I like Mooneys but when I obtain a quote from a local insurance broker on a 252K or Mooney TLS Bravo, the full insurance was over 6k per year! Does anyone have recommendations for insurance deals for a new low time pilot? Looking at newer Mooney 201MSE as well.

I also prefer the lever based quadrant controls over the push/pull controls. One thing that I really like about planes like Piper and Socata is that they have this over the push/pull controls.

@David, makes sense if you have a Rocket unless you'd need the TKS, would agree with you that the cost to upgrade to a Bravo would not be worth it.

Cool thanks guys. The electric trim makes things nicer for flying any plane. I use it in the C172S I fly right now. Of course the hand trim in the 231 Rocket that I flew was easy to use as well. To decide, I'd have to fly a Bravo and 252 Rocket to compare how these feel to me versus the 231 Rocket. The Mooney offers best speed value for the buck though among single piston singles without a doubt. After my checkride I will join MAPA and do some more research and get checked out in a Mooney. Then I can decide.

This is a good discussion. My questions for you are: 1. Would you choose a Rocket over Bravo for same cost? 2. Which is more reliable: rocket of bravo? 3. Which is more fun to fly? 4. Does the electric trim in the Rocket work well to make it easier to hand fly? 5. Would you take a 252 Rocket over a 231 Rocket? I am impressed with the amazing climb rate of the Rocket that I flew in. Goes like a bat out of hell :-)

I would need to fly a 252 Encore and Bravo TLS before deciding how they stack up against the Rocket. The Bravo is newer and has more long body than the Rocket. Not sure how the controls feel or handle. If lighter and more fun to hand fly the Bravo would be the plane to beat.

Well for the money, I find used Mooney a better value than new Cirrus.

Indeed better to pay bit more now than much more later. I grok what you guys are saying and as a fan of RAH have read most of books as a kid.

congrats what a sweet bird!

+1 Zane, I checked out a few planes and they were cheap for good reason: ancient avionics that most likely would need to be upgraded, high engine time, etc. So I learned a lesson: TANSTAAFL! I have heard its better to find the plane with what you want rather than the hassle of upgrade costs and time.

Agree I took notes on the dates for the annuals performed on the airframe, prop and engine yesterday. All good experience in preparation for future aircraft purchase and ownership. This is how the local DPE starts the checkride by opening with oral exam on aircraft maintenance and then onward to cross country oral part.

Agree would rather skip the Piper and get checked out on a Mooney after my PPL.

I agree. Awesome book. Reading it right now thanks to recommendations from folks here I'd never find else wise. I like the section on short field pattern work.

Wowzer! I am sure glad to be patient and do my homework and so forth before rushing anything. You guys rock, save me thousands of $$$ and potential deathtrap as well. I hope to pass my checkride in 2 weeks been practicing with a former DPE who is helping me polish my skills. Spent today reviewing maintenance logs for the plane I am using on the checkride too.

Well I have seen Bravos for under 200k which is similar to asking prices for 252 and Rockets. Ovations the newer ones, no these are EXPENSIVE! BUT I see older ones for under 200k in few cases. It takes time and patience.

But for what Parker is selling his 252, I can buy a Mooney Bravo or used Ovation.

Yeah it would be cool to see Mooney back making awesome planes.

Yes I have noticed parallels between real estate, aircraft sales, and commodity prices. Here is a useful tidbit, it appears that movie ticket prices mirror hourly minimum wage levels. As a numbers freak, I like watching these things. I have the used aircraft valuation guides which have tips on what to look out for in different aircraft. For instance, Bonanza V-tail are famous for their tail waggle and pilots have to do the Bonanza Boogie. Mooney are very stable airframes but have different feel. So like you say, fly them all, find what you like best and thats the key. If I end up with a Mooney, I'd need the rudder pedal extensions since I am short.

Agree- right now my mission as a single guy is 1-3 pax with a plane that is fast, comfortable and will be reliable and fun to fly on long trips. I've narrowed it down to three that fit this: Mooney, Beechcraft, and Socata. All have merits and limits so it really is a trade off. I think flying other Mooney will help since Rocket is unique and other Mooney pilots with whom I've spoken with say long body Mooney like Bravo and Ovation would better fit my goals. So for a Mooney, I'd be looking at these or perhaps a 252 TSE. I need something that can be valuable for IFR and high density altitudes like flying over mountains.

not claiming to be an expert just what I am seeing from watching the market as an observer. The 2001 Aviation price guide list used Mooney for 50-100k more back then compared to current market prices. So you can buy a late model Mooney TLS Bravo which was the flagship before Acclaim for much less now than 10 years ago.

I have the aircraft buyers guide and from 2001-now prices have fallen on used aircraft quite a bit. Used Mooney and Bonanzas are great performance bargain compared to Cirrus and Diamonds.

Nice I am going to fly some different models of Mooney to get better picture. I've flown different Bonanza and Cessna models just need to experience more Mooney land. Fuel efficiency and speed is very attractive to me as well as the very stable feel of the Mooney. I like Bonanzas too but they do not feel as stable in turbulence as the Mooney Rocket I flew. After my checkride this month, I can get checked out in a Mooney 20F or 201J and make a better more informed decision!

Unfortunately these days the marketplace is trying to woo newbie pilots with gee whiz bang computers plastic airplanes versus well built fast planes.

Both are great planes for different missions. Having a superfast Mooney Bravo and Bonanza A36 would be nice.