Raygun15E

I know why Buster went with the Bo, especially this particular one... Just look at the last two numbers in the N#... ;-)

The NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency) produces the data. Like posted above, it can be available depending on who you are. The problem is getting the data to 'talk' with the hardware. I too wish I could just download the data to a card and then upload it into the airplane. That's what I do at work every month...

Hedge, Welcome! Congrats on the E. The guys here have a huge amount of information to share. I've been learning a lot! Chris

Hey guys, just got back from a student XC. That is a pretty cool article about the F-4. A lot of the senior guys in the squadron when I 1st showed up to SJ were former F-4 guys. Especially all the sim instructors. Same goes for the sim instructors here at Laughlin. Now the AF is modifying the F-16 for target duty... I always considered them targets before, so nothing new! ;-) I'm hoping to find an airplane with fully working avionics. It might be a tall order, but that's the goal! It sounds like everyone has had Murphy present new problems/issues in the 1st year of ownership.

Sorry for the delay, long days at work. Yes, the airplane in the example I gave has been on the market for a while. The owner thought he was moving a long time ago. The AF is finally moving him to San Antonio now. It only took them over a year to decide. If there was a gear up on this plane, it isn't in the FAA online incident searches. The current owner hasn't had a gear up in the past couple years. I'd have to check the logs to be sure of the possible gear up. I do want the avionics to work and will make that a stipulation of purchasing the plane if it comes down to it. The higher time on the engine is a concern, I'll admit that. The owner is having his mechanic looking into the Brittain autopilot. It currently turns right everytime it is turned on. The plane is flying up to Dallas tomorrow so the owner and another IP here on base can get their ATPs. I'm busy over the next week or so, but hopefully I'll be able to go fly the airplane, if anything, just to see how it flies and how the turbo works in practice.

Thanks for all the info guys! Some of you are making it difficult to decide between a F and a J model. Just as you should! I know I've narrowed it down to the mid-length body since I want enough leg room for friends or if/when the kids need leg room in the future. Here's an example of an F model that's nearby I can easily check out. http://www.aso.com/listings/spec/ViewAd.aspx?id=144593&listingType=true&IsInternal=True&pagingNo=1&searchId=7728196&dealerid= 1968 M20F Turbo! All the speed mods you want, plus Gamijectors, JPI 700 & Garmin 430 tied into the pilot control yoke. 201 cowling, digital tach, vernier throttle/mixture/turbo, KT-76C transponder, ADC oil filter, Plane Power alternator, skytec starter, LASAR wingtips w/ anti-collision lights, one piece SWTA belly, flap/gap seals, one-piece windshield (not 201), PS6000M audio panel, 4-pl oxygen, precise flight speed brakes, 3-blade black-Mac Scimitar & fresh annual as of 1 Dec 2012. Logs missing prior to 1986, but a completely solid airplane. TTAF: 3684 Engine: 1611 SMOH Prop: 212 SPOH

Yes, the T-38 is a lot different than it was. I flew the T-38A in UPT, flew IFF in the T-38C and now instructing in the C. You can see the differences in the pics below. As far as the Rajay goes, I don't plan on going out of my way to find one, but probably won't dismiss a plane if it has one. I've heard mixed reviews as well on the turbo. Willy was a great location, too bad it was shut down before I had a chance to go there.

Based on everyone's input and my research on Mooney's I've narrowed it down to an F or early J. Like Seth said, you can get a lot for your money with an F, 90% of a J performance and some of the best useful loads out there. One reason my budget is what it is, is I am doing my best to account for that 10% spent on misc items during the 1st yr of ownership. So what does everyone think of a M20F with Rajay TN? It looks like it provides additional options on top of the standard NA models. I'm assuming it really doesn't add much to the resale value, but is a bonus for anyone who buys it. Obviously it has more value to someone based in the Rockies vs. somone based on the East Coast. Nope, not a ton of Mooney time. A friend has one and is willing to show me a few things, so that will help some, but not all.

I definitely don't want to spend the time and money on any major upgrades like large avionics or airframe mods. It does look like a heavily modded F with some decent avionics is right up my alley as far as what I want. Yes, I do have that Mooney lust now! I'm definitely beating up the search function on the forum and the internet. I will ask if I can't find the answer, lots of mooney brains to pick. Upstate NY, grew up right between KFZY and KSYR. I've been up towards KPTD, but have never stopped by. I think I checked out Clarkson when I was in HS, but ended up going to a small school in the foothills of the Rockies... Rainman, thanks for the offer and info on Zef's books. I just might have to take you up on that offer!

Yes, family is something I'd like in the future and I don't plan on buying a plane just to need a larger one in 2-3 years. I'd like to buy one and keep it for a long time. I do the same with autos if I can. This is why I'm thinking a mid-body is the best size for me and my needs (including near future). As far as avionics go, I'd really like to have IFR GPS for all those rnav gps approaches becoming available. I'm kind of spoiled in the T-38C with the glass cockpit and EGI, but I'm ok with not having a G1000 or Aspen 1000! I'm thinking the Garmin 430W is a reasonable want in a M20F or M20J, but it may make it so I can only afford a F with one already installed. It looks like installing one after the fact is expensive! ($10k-$12k). Thanks for all the replies.

Hopefully I can make a similar post in a little over two years! Sounds like you're really enjoying your M20K.

right on the border at Laughlin. Thank you, I and everyone in the service appreciate the thanks!

Thanks Hank, The C model does sound like a great deal. I'm looking to get the most I can afford right now. I also like fuel injection and the extra room the F model or older Js provide. From what I've read, your C model is one heck of an airplane though! I know what you mean about landing nervously with 'low' fuel. The T-38 might be fast, but she doesn't fly for long! Those 3900# of fuel don't last long and normal recovery fuel of 800# doesn't leave a whole lot of room for error.

Good questions, 1) Mission: Cross Country flying with IFR capability. Not likely to make the long trip home to NY often, but 500-650nm hops would probably make up at least 1/2 my personal flying. 2) Budget: Best for the least. Right now Looking in the $50-$65K range. Basically a decent F or older J. I need the leg room!

Hi everyone, new guy here. I joined last summer and I've been reading as much as I can about GA flying and Mooney's. Lots of great info here. I'm in the AF, have approx 1800hrs in fast movers, and I'm currently a T-38C IP here in TX. My FAA ratings are SE Land, Instrument, Commercial, ME Land centerline thrust restricted (need to get rid of that!). Unfortunately, I have very little GA time. I finally took my parents and one of my sisters up for a sightseeing flight in a C-172 when I went home to upstate NY last summer. It was the 1st time I'd flown a GA aircraft since I tried to give them a flight on a low ceiling, windy day back in Dec '01! I looked at getting an airplane back in 2011, but it wasn't the right time to do so. Since I've moved to west TX, I've been looking into it more and have decided a Mooney would best fit my needs/mission. A friend of mine has a M20F TN and he took me up on a quick hop to get fuel and bring the plane back to his home field after some mx. I liked the flight and it confirmed a Mooney would probably be the best fit for my needs. Now I just need to figure out all the ins and outs of a/c ownership. I've read "Buying and Owning your own Airplane", now I just need to put that info to work. I'm looking forward to continue learning from you guys and participating in a great forum. -Chris