Bravoman

This is a terrible story. Precisely the thing that gives GA a bad name in the eyes of the general public. Perhaps this pilot should have been bluntly told that given his cavalier and irresponsible attitude he had no business flying planes. The worst part about it always is the non-pilot victims who placed their lives in the hands of someone they mistakenly believed to be a competent, responsible pilot.

Same here. Sold the Mooney a couple months back and miss her. Wish I could have justified keeping her. The new plane, a Mirage, is great with all of its capability but the comparison is sort of like a Vette vs an Escalade.

+1 on Camguard and Phillips 20/50 in everything I’ve flown, including the Bravo. Always good results.

Wow that is a beautiful paint scheme. Looks like it is going 215 standing still!

Lance, I have big time second thoughts about parting with the Mooney. It has been such a great plane. A real pilot’s plane. I have never enjoyed flying flying anything as much. My decision is based upon the practicalities of my situation. I have two planes and am trying to get myself in a position to retire in the next couple years down to St augustine where I have only one hangar. The Mirage seems to be the best of both worlds between the Mooney and the PA32, plus it has Pressurization and FIKI and cabin space that will allow us to travel the way we want with our pets and friends. When we retire we really want to try to use the heck out of the plane to explore the nooks and crannies of the US, Islands, etc. I am actually going to be doing my transition training in Vero. In a perfect world I would love to have a Meridian or TBM, but who wouldn’t!

Nick good to hear from you. Hope all is well. Where is your new plane from? Coincidentally, I am putting mine up for sale as well, along with my Saratoga. Buying a PA 46. Never thought I would be doing that, but such is life! The bravo is fabulous. You’ll love it.

Joe Cole of Cole Aviation, a MSC, holds both the IA and ATP, and many other ratings.

+1 on Phil Jimenez.

Kevin is a buddy of mine. Known him for years.

Also curious as to whether the quotes were for 1 million (or more) smooth limits or split limits on the liability coverage.

Dan Kendall, who founded DLk, received factory training at Mooney. He has since retired, and I do not know whether anybody at that shop, which I understand is now owned by his daughter, has Mooney specific training.

I’ve used Cole for years. That does not sound correct. I don’t know what you mean by “major work” , but it certainly seems like there is always a considerable amount of it going on there. I’ll ask Joe about this next time I speak with him and report back.

What happen with the fuel pressure gauge reading if you leave your boost pump on? Does it hold steady?

After almost 8 years of ownership that is more incredible to me than ever!

I paid 65K for my factory reman back in 2016. I am assuming that an overhaul by a good shop would be somewhat less than that.

In case you don’t have it, the number for the company is 972-247-7498. I had to send my annunciator panel back for overhaul a few years back. As I recall, circuit board(s) had to be replaced.

My dad had a couple of O’days back in the 60s and 70s with the centerboard and tiller and little outboard evinrudes that you wound the pull cord on the little pulley on the top. Brings back memories.

I ponder this all the time. I think I would do the same as this pilot in keeping the gear up if I didn’t know the integrity of the turf. Looks like the plane will fly again too.

Very cool. Never knew about the Master with convertible gear.

I get my Avionics work done there. It is a good shop. And they stay busy because they’re good. Real nice panel!

As an update, I installed the Reiff XP system. Seems to work great. We have had some days down into the 30s here, although I know it is a little bit warmer in the hanger. I have used it once, plugged it in the night before and it heated the oil to about 114°. Thumbs up so far!

Assuming you are talking about Corona?

I’m actually toying around with the idea of adding FIKI to my bravo at some point. I know I’ll never see my money back out of it, but I know what I have with the airplane at this point, and like the Lycoming engine(vs changing out for the Acclaim). By the way, I do not have much to add on the OP’s questions beyond what David and Anthony have said above, other than reiterating that the first couple of years are going to be the most expensive to shake the bugs out, and as with any Mooney that’s 20+ years old make sure to check for corrosion in the usual spots, most particularly the tubular structure.

Were the Plessy’s installed during certain years of the Bravo production run only, or were they randomly installed the whole time the Bravos were made? I had my back spring installed a few years back so I am assuming I do not have a plessey in my 98.

The paint on my 98 has held up really well. Whoever did the paint job for Mooney back then did a really good job. Unless I get bored of looking at the same thing I could see the paint holding up fine another 10 years minimum.