PMac2277

Really glad this ended well. When I got my 231 I tried doing T&G's once and it scared the crap out of me. I tried it again a week later and it scared the crap out of me. No more T&G's. Too much to do, not enough runway to get it done!

Not my first post. I was a member previously and couldn't remember my username much less the password. Just saying that there are no guarantees regardless of how much prep work you do. I have a much more interesting story about trying to have my oxygen system regulator rebuilt. It was "overlooked" during the pre-buy. Seems all of these world class MSC"s weren't sure who they used to rebuild this part. Now you would think that any of these top name MSC's would certainly see enough Mooney aircraft to need an O2 regulator rebuilt on a regular basis since it is required to maintain compliance. They were willing to tell me but none could get me an actual name. "Well we had a guy but he doesn't do them anymore, not sure who we use now." I heard similar stories from 4 different major MSC's, including the "big 2" here in Texas. If I sound a bit jaded about MSC's you couldn't be more right. I finally found someone on my own in Florida and $1500 later I was in compliance. Keeping in mind this was due to be rebuilt prior to me buying the plane and should have been caught on the MSC pre-buy. I don't want to sound negative. I loved my 231, it was awesome. My experience with anyone having anything to do with any of the MSC's was unbelievably bad. I realize that there are some good shops and two of the best are here in Texas. The point I am making is that many pilots believe they can purchase quality maintenance by going to "Shop A or MSC B". No one cares about your safety and the safety of your passengers as much as you do. Get involved! Find out how your plane works. Understand the systems and be proactive in any work that is done to your plane. I am aware that there several MSC's with bad reputations and I know most of you are up to speed on that. All I am trying to do is give those who haven't had the pleasure of owning the most incredible piston powered plane on earth a little information. Information all plane owners gain, usually the expensive way. Learning your plane's systems inside and out gives you much more confidence both as an owner and a pilot. I am very excited at the prospect of being an owner again. Hopefully, with the knowledge gained the first time around I can save myself some headaches and money on my next Mooney.

Guys, no matter what use or maintenance an aircraft has had, there are no guarantees. I purchased a 231 that had flown 3 hours the previous year and about 20 the year before that. The pre-buy inspection and repairs were done by a MSC. I flew the plane 13 hours the first day to get it home. Had one "dead stick" landing on the way home and noticed the engine sputtered anytime the throttle was retarded for landing. Once home, paid a local field mechanic $175 to figure out the fuel pressure was 40% below minimum allowable. Paid to have all corrosion corrected from the MSC prior to buying. Half ass doesn't begin to cover what I later found. Over the next 14 months I flew the plane 234 hours with virtually no problems. So whether a plane has or has not been flown means very little. Having an MSC do your pre-buy means very little. I am once again shopping for a Mooney and I can tell you who will do the pre-buy, my A&P with me helping. I will personally inspect every inch of the aircraft with my own eyes. Assisting with my annual was the best thing I ever did. I understood every part of the aircraft and I was shocked to find corrosion on the aileron actuators and flap actuators that had obviously been there long before the MSC pre-buy annual. My advice to anyone looking to purchase an aircraft is to inspect the plane with your mechanic. The recommendation to have 10% of your aircraft's value sitting in the bank to cover unexpected expenses is a good policy. Compression numbers are meaningless and anyone advertising them in the description is suspect at best. I flew my plane 2 out of 3 days most of the time I owned it which certainly helped with the minimal maintenance issues but even that is no guarantee. Looking back I was very lucky to have bought and flown my plane that many hours with so few problems given the horrific pre-buy work. I am looking forward to being part of the Mooney family again. I never understood people's emotional attachment to their aircraft until my departed without me in it.