gsxrpilot

Well it's finally complete and I officially own N6XM. It's my first Mooney and first airplane. It will be with Don Maxwell for another week or so getting a fresh annual and several squawks addressed. I'll be even more excited when I can take a picture of it sitting in my hanger here at 84R.

Ok, as of this morning, I'm in for both as well. PM me the details. Cheers, Paul

I am really enjoying this thread and this site in it's entirety. But this is the best post of now 14 pages. In fact I was thinking prior to reading this post that those who are constantly referring us to the PTS can't be enjoying the flying nearly as much as the rest of us do. Thanks for the laugh and I'll likely order an AoA as soon as I have a Mooney to put it in. Cheers, Paul

Thanks! I hope it becomes mine soon. The truth is, it's still at the shop for the pre-buy. I hope it becomes mine soon and then I can have a good look at the panel for you. So I don't actually know the answer yet. I'll let you know... Cheers, Paul

I didn't find anything in the Type Certificate for M20C regarding an EGT gauge. But I did see in the CAR 3 the requirement for a CHT if Cowl flaps are installed. I know the plane has cowl flaps but no CHT. Am I missing something here? This is a 1964 M20C sn 2805. Paul

I'd love to see a picture of the mount on the airplane. Thanks, Paul

Buy a box of CamGuard!

Thanks for all the advice. I'll check with Don and see what he says. I'll have the plane hangered at 84R and there is a mechanic on the field. So that might be an option as well. Thanks, Paul

Thanks for all the replies. The quality of information on this forum is really valuable, especially for newbies like me. The airplane is at Don Maxwell's for a pre-buy to happen over the next few days. Assuming all is well, I intend to extend the pre-buy into an annual. Am I correct in thinking that the labor to install an engine monitor, replacing the EGT gauge, will be significantly less during the annual than at a different time when it is the only reason to open things up? Or am I looking at 20 to 25 hours of labor regardless? If now is the best time because of existing labor during the annual, should I just go ahead and buy the engine monitor from Don? Or would I come out ahead to wait until Sun&Fun, but the item at a discount and then have it installed later? I should probably just ask Don this question when he calls me with the results of the pre-buy. Thanks for all the info! Paul

I guess it really won't matter as it seems both the EDM-700 and the UBG-16 are approved/certificated. Now just to find a used one in good working order and to save a few bucks. Thanks, Paul

Thanks Mike, I didn't realise the EGT was required equipment. Paul

I'd like to find a EDM-700 or UBG-16 to install in the M20C. It's currently got a EI Digital EGT gauge that I'd replace. First, where is the best place to search for such in instrument in good used condition? I see an EDM-700 on Barnstormers for $990. Second, are there any gotchas when it comes to installation? Or will my A&P be happy to install any use engine monitor I bring to him? Third, would it make sense to remove the EGT gauge and stick an engine monitor back in the same hole in the panel? Lastly, if an engine monitor is not required equipment, what does it matter if it's certificated or not? Thanks, Paul

This is the panel in the C i've just put a deposit on... You'll notice the 530W right in the middle. http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20C/1964-MOONEY-M20C/1310233.htm

Wow! Thanks so much for all the input. This is truly the best Mooney resource I've found anywhere online. I met the current owner and saw the plane today. It's actually based at Northwest Regional (52F). I did not fly the plane, but sat in it and gave it a quick once over. My CFI was with me, we flew to 52F in his Cherokee. I really think I would rather have a short body Mooney rather than an F or even J. The mission will be solo flights around the country, occasionally the family will come along. The family is just me, the wife, and the dog. It might be misplaced priorities, but the HSI, WAAS GPS, and autopilot, followed by the speed mods and overall great condition of interior and exterior which seem to indicated a series of conscientious owners are the most important items. AAA sold the plane to the current owner two years ago and he's now having them sell it for him. He's made several trips to both coasts in the plane including Savanna and San Diego. The annual is due in June and the owner told me he's flown 80 hours since the last annual. I would say the airplane looks very well taken care of even for the 80 hours flown in the last 7 months. I will likely try to fly the plane next weekend when I'm back up in the Dallas area. I'll also print out the suggested pre-buy list. Can anyone recommend a good pre-buy in the DFW area? And what should I expect to pay for a pre-buy? I'm also curious about the suggestion to negotiate this into an annual. I really never thought I'd be in a position to buy this much airplane, or really any airplane for that matter. So it is all a bit overwhelming. I've also never flown a Mooney. I'm glad to hear all the good comments about Jimmy and David. From today's inspection the only thing I didn't like was the position of the indicator for the KX-155. It's in the far right corner of the panel. Maybe its redundant with the HSI, but it seems to be pretty useless in that position. You can see it in the pictures in the Controller advert. Thanks again for all the comments and advice. Please keep them coming. Thanks, Paul

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20C/1964-MOONEY-M20C/1310233.htm I intend to see this one tomorrow. Any comments would be welcome or any questions I should be asking. The quick summary, for those not following the link... 1964 M20C 5745TT 825SFO GNS-530W WAAS coupled to Century NSD-360 HSI, lots of speed mods, 6pac panel, autopilot... Asking $57,500. Thanks, Paul

Just to add my $0.02 to this conversation. I'm also shopping for my first Mooney and can't wait to own one. In fact, I wish I hadn't waited so long to start this search. But the truth is, my only regret in this whole flying thing, is not finding an instructor and starting sooner. I spent years waiting to have more money saved up, or trying to decide if I should buy first and learn in the plane, or if I should save up first and do the whole PPL in a month. Finally on the advice of my brother, an airline captain, I when shopping for an instructor. I interviewed "flew with" 5 CFI's before I settled on one. I would call up the CFI, explain I was wanting to learn to fly and looking for a CFI and ask if I could schedule an hour flight with him. After the hour flight, I'd pay him and thank him for the time and explain I'd get back to him. After I'd interviewed several, I settled on the one I thought matched up with me the best and one I'd enjoy spending time in the airplane with. Then I just started flying. There was no schedule or program, just fly as often as I had the money, time, and the availability of my instructor and the airplane. It was a Cherokee 140, by the way. I've found that the lessons were just as enjoyable as the 300 hours of flying since the PPL. I just flew and flew and flew... somewhere at about 11 months, after a fun flight with the CFI, he told me he wouldn't fly with me again. Or at least not until after I took the check ride. I was a bit surprised and shocked that he even thought I was ready. I was just enjoying the lessons. But I scheduled with an examiner, had a very short check ride, where the examiner said he wanted to meet my CFI as he'd not seen anyone as well prepared. And it was done, I had a PPL. I just wish I'd quit thinking about all the other stuff and just started with a CFI many years sooner. Now with nearly 400 hours, an IA, HP+Complex and nearly 100 hours in fast Bo's and Comanche's, I'm happy to be shopping for a Mooney. Best of luck and welcome to this exclusive little community of us who fly. Paul

Here's the first draft of the sorted list. It's subject to change and I'm posting here asking for comments and advice. The budget will be $50K. I'm interested in how far down the list or how many items on the list would fit into that budget. M20E or M20C - after the advice here and another day of reading... I really think either would do just fine. No frame corrosion Engine < 1000 SMOH Regularly flown Standard 6-pack panel IFR Certified Autopilot Dual Nav/Comms HSI WAAS GPS Airframe < 4000 TAT no AD on prop 1 piece windshield Tank bladders or sealed tanks Engine monitor Exterior paint Interior condition 2 blade prop Damage history Thanks for all the help guys, Paul

Do tell. The long range tanks would be at the bottom of the list for me.

Thanks, very good information. I am instrument rated and one of the main reasons for a Mooney is cross country capability. Thanks again, Paul

I'm beginning to seriously shop for an M20E. After a few years of researching while living abroad, I'm coming home and ready to get serious about owning. As I try to learn the current market for M20E's I thought I'd ask this group for advice and impressions on these two adds from Barnstormers. Obviously there is a significant difference in age and that might explain the difference in asking price. But I'm curious if just based on this information, does anything stand out about either of these? Are there any obvious red flags? Is one over or under priced? I'm just trying to learn all I can before diving into Mooney ownership. Thanks, Paul 1966 MOONEY M20E SUPER 21 • $39,500 • Wonderful 1966 Mooney M20E, Super 21, $39,500 OBO, 4010TT, Engine 750 SMOH, quiet and smooth 3 blade Hartzell Prop 575 SNEW, Weep-No-More re-sealed tanks (permanent solution to leaky tank problem). Upgraded grey leather interior installed 2006, KLN90B GPS, Garmin Digital Transponder, Premium Leather Yoke Upgrade, Digital engine monitor (talks to you if something is wrong!), annual inspection done in April, updated panel. Great plane for cross country and local flights. Flown regularly. 75 20E MOONEY CHAPARRAL • $55,000 • Lycoming IO-360 200 hp fuel injectedApollo/garmin 55 GPS Dual King175Bnav/coms STec 30 AP w/alt hold 2300 TTAF 600/S FOH 370SN prop and hub, elec/gear windshield mod, Tanis heater,4 place intercom EVERYTHING works, 10gph at 145/150kts Hangared very clean April annual this is a solid 8+ in and out and is a great airplane that needs nothing.

I'm interested. I'm relocating back to Austin after 4 years in Sydney Australia. And I'm definitely in the market for a Mooney. I'm new to this forum, can I post my email address here? Or do you send me a private message? Anyway, I'd love to discuss this further. Cheers, Paul