Aspiring_M20_Pilot

Hello there, As one can tell by my first post (http://mooneyspace.com/topic/11584-ive-just-got-here-first-of-all-thank-you/page-2), I'm considering a Mooney as my first plane. From the replies you guys gave me, it appears a Mooney may be the plane to go. One significant detail is that I've never been in a Mooney and, being 6´4", I believe the next logical step would be getting some air time in one and experiencing it first hand (with an experienced pilot or instructor). This May, I'll be taking my wife and son to the parks in Orlando and I think it would be a good opportunity to get closer to a Mooney. Any tips about where/how to accomplish that goal? Thanks in advance Ary, an Aspiring_M20_Pilot

Thank you Marauder. That's a variable that I wouldn't imagine. Precious info there. Thank you. Thanks, jlunseth. Thank you, Mooneygirl. It would be great to be able to attend the homecoming and although I've got interested by the doc teaser, unfortunately, I won't be able to travel this April. Congratulations on the documentary. Thanks, Carusoam. Thank you, AlanA. Thank you, JBird. Thank you, MooneyPTG. Guys, Thank you for the many useful information you have shared. For what I've amassed so far, I have a green light :-) I guess it's time to assess costs... I'll do it in another post. Ary

Thank you for the warm welcome, guys. Many, many useful answers there. So far, I've amassed this: - Mooneys can make a fine first plane. They're not too hard to learn, but one should do a proper transition, pay close attention to airspeed and prop clearance - precision flying; - Regarding operational costs, they are a good choice as low fuel burn compensates the extra shop hours needed when servicing. However, corrosion and fuel leaks may be an issue - pre purchase should be done carefully. - Older Mooneys work better on well maintained grass runways than newer ones (heavier and longer). Thanks carusoam. Other than corrosion and leaks, any common issues one should be alert to? Just to get a rough notion, how much $$$ would that be? I know it depends on every event, but hypothetically... Thanks Bob_Belville. Was it a depression? FDO? Would you mind telling me about? I've got really curious... specially about how much money one spends on a event like that. Thanks PMcClure. That's great info. Bush flying isn't my thing. The Mooney idea came up so, in the future, family could accompany me more. A Bonanza could be an option but, so far, M20 has my attention. Great piece of info, N601RX. Not only it is a great vacation suggestion, but i t perfectly illustrates the grass strip issue. OK. but, in your opinion, the Mooneys are more expensive than a C182 or BE35 to operate and maintain? Hi N4352H. Apparently you're also an upholder of the "a Mooney should not be the first plane one buys". Would you mind sharing a little more on the subject? In May, for two weeks, I'll be taking my wife and kid to the parks in Orlando, FL, what opens a good window of opportunity. If someone has intel on clubs in the area that operate M20, where I could get some dual time, it would be nice. Or in the event of some member living in the area, who's willing to chat personally, that would be great. KG1, on 11 Mar 2014 - 2:36 PM, said: (...) Although I don't regret it, there is more plane than I need.(..) be sure to buy the right plane for you and the home field. Excellent argument KG1. Would you mind pointing a downside of having chosen a Mooney? if I understood you well, considering that Mooneys operate not too different from the alternatives regarding $$/mile flown, I don't see the immediate con of operating a Mooney on prevailing VMC. Unless the con would be less flexible site choices in contrast with a more style closer to bushflying. Zane Williams, on 11 Mar 2014 - 3:23 PM, said: (..) And any plane that's good for bush work is so slow, I couldn't hardly stand to fly it to the unimproved strip. That's one of the reasons I'm considering a Mooney. It's fast and can accommodate the family. If I fill like bushflying, I could rent. piperpainter, on 11 Mar 2014 - 3:44 PM, said: I love the exemption status i've been getting! Y'all can do just what I do. Practice makes perfect!! Sure, I agree, but I'm not aware of how many lifetimes of practice it takes to balance gift. :-) Awful_Charlie, on 11 Mar 2014 - 4:37 PM, said: One of my frequent haunts is a grass strip, (...) after prolonged rain, (...) is un-taxiable(...) it doesn't like the soft stuff anywhere near as well as many others Thanks Awful_Charlie. Although, I mainly operate paved runways. This is a precious info. scottfromiowa, on 12 Mar 2014 - 12:20 AM, said: My answers to questions. No, No, No, Yes, Yes*, Yes. *If they are short, unimproved, on a ledge/side of a mountain, have water at each end, have trees at both ends...Otherwise, well maintained grass strips of decent length are no big deal in a Mooney. Thank you. Hank, on 12 Mar 2014 - 01:45 AM, said: (...) If you would rather fly with less precision, a more forgiving steed will be more appropriate. Suggest looking up the "Rookie Mistakes" thread . . . Hope everything goes well for you! Thanks Hank. I'll check the rookie mistakes thread. Does anyone have an approximate figure of the average overhaul (TBO)? I understand it should vary with the model, so, if possible, please specify type. Regards Ary PS: since there is a limit and I could not quote more messages in my reply, I used a gray color to differentiate.

Hello Folks, First of all, thank you guys for maintaining this great forum. After flying basically rented planes, I'm considering buying an acft. Although I've never flown one, there's this notion that Mooneys are great machines and for what I've been reading it appears to be true. Therefore, here I am, newcomer trying to learn from the vets. Since this is my first post, I won't throw the zillion questions I have... just a few. - I once heard that the first plane one buys should not be a Mooney. Is that true? I understand that they are not as easy to fly as a Cessna or Piper. Is that the reason? - Are Mooneys too expensive to operate? I understand that speed isn't cheap, but apparently, for the numbers I've pulled out of spec sheets, costs are not that alarming. Are there hidden Mooney money pits that doesn't show until you own one? - Not counting that PiperPainter guy, who apparently has mastered all aspects of his M20, is it to hard for the average pilot to operate Mooneys on dirt or grass runways? Is the Mooney a paved-airport-aircraft? I understand that they roll real close to the ground and read about prop strikes resulting from bounces. Thanks in advance Ary, an Aspiring_M20_Pilot