deftone

Thank you for the advice, My plan is indeed to get my instrument ticket, I would like to use my own aircraft if possible. I see it as more hours in the aircraft I will eventually be flying alone, with a CFI beside me. I also agree that I am far from ready to undertake my stadium goal. This is a future goal, perhaps in the next year or two. My first goal is to get past the checkride, then get my instrument ticket/complex and onto commercial. I would like to get this all done in the next 12 months as I would like to fly into Oshkosh next year...driving from Texas is getting old! I feel a year experience+ IR+Comm certs will allow me to handle the craziness of landing at OSH. Should that go well I can consider moving onto the stadiums/Major metro areas. Im in the Houston area, so have a little experience with Class B here, but generally stay under the shelf.

I did the first 18hrs of my PPL training at EYQ, landing on such a narrow runway with every landing being a crosswind landing really helped my development. Crosswind landings are one of my strongest points now!

After hearing some corrosion horror storys during my research, I do plan on keeping it in a hanger. Hanger space down here in Texas isnt too hard to find for reasonable rates. I have begun looking for a mechanic already as I plan to get an inspection on whatever aircraft I choose. I have also considered using a broker...has anyone had any experience with brokers? Worth the money? As an example of what I have been looking at...I found this 1976 M20C for $41k. Low hours, perfectly usable panel, 430 WAAS, perhaps needs some paint, but could help with negotiations. Good deal? http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/aircraft/Single+Engine+Piston/1976/Mooney/M20C+Ranger/1777417.html

I understand that $50k is pretty low for a panel with low time engine and upgraded modern panel, the reason for my set budget is that I dont really want to have a loan for the aircraft. The panel is not as important to me as a good quality airframe and powerplant. As long as the panel is solid and usable for IFR, I will be happy.

Thanks for the prompt replies! I should mention that my initial post is a copy and paste from my original PoA posting. At this point I have really decided that Mooney is the way forward, not a twin. As such, I will be moving right into my IFR cert when I complete my PPL Checkride, Ideally I would complete the training in my own aircraft.

Hi everyone...new member and first post, although I have been lurking and doing research! I was pointed to this forum when asking questions over on PoA. Im just about to take my PPL checkride, and assuming I pass I plan to buy my first aircraft. To give a bit of background...I started out in a Piper Warrior, before changing schools to follow my CFI to his new job. At this new school they are all 172. I much prefered the warrior over the 172, and as such have been tailoring my search to the PA28 series of aircraft. However recently I have been questioning if it fits my mission..or if I just feel a sense of attachment to them as it was the first aircraft I had flown. My mission is as follows... As someone who works a 28day on, 28day off schedule, I have plenty of time to fly. I want something that will allow me to travel long distances, without leaving me homeless and broke. Payload is going to be myself or myself plus one, along with bags. My mission within a mission is to visit all the MLB ballparks within one season I put some thought into one of the smaller twins, with the idea of going straight for my ME before Instrument to allow me to build up the ME hours...I still have the dream of flying for a living, however I am unsure if this is unrealistic right from gaining my PPL. I have budgeted $50k, although I would like to stay nearer $40k to allow for anything that pops up on first inspection to be covered. I love the Bellanca Super Viking, however finding a nice one within budget is a little tricky. This led me to the world of Mooney! There are some nicely priced mooneys out there, now I have never flown one, or even sat in one, although I have had a good look at a few in person. What concerns me is the thought that this might be too much airplane for a low time pilot. I understand it is fast and slick, and through reading various forums I have heard tales of it being tricky to land for a noob pilot. Is this something that I should worry about? Will the mooney suit my mission?