MikeOH

Thanks, Paul! That may be the best way to go.

Thanks guys! Most appreciated. I was thinking about the MAPA PPP, but I'm not sure I can get an IPC signoff, or just the FR?

My policy is to get an IPC every 6 months...and it's coming up! I'm based at KPOC (Brackett Field, Pomona, CA) and I like to switch around CFIIs to mix things up Any suggestions for a good CFII in the SoCal area? Thanks!

I have seen the Pyramids of Egypt. I've even witnessed a grown man satisfy a camel. But never in all my years have I witnessed something as improbable, as impossible, as what we've witnessed here!

Maybe his wife found out what he was up to?

That's the one I have, too. Happy, so far.

I REALLY like the recent use! If you are going to tie down instead of hangar, maybe the weak paint is actually an advantage (I'd hate to put a plane with nice new paint outside!). Just make sure the paint isn't peeling/flaking off. Nothing wrong with a G; I would have considered one but they are not as common. I have a PowerFlow on my F and no issues, but since it was on the plane when I bought I can't comment on any performance differences, however. Also, very happy with my STEC-30.

Hmm, not upset, and I kinda get what you're saying, but...here's a different perspective to consider: Many of us, for sure myself, are unlikely to own 9 airplanes in our lives. I've always liked Mooneys for the 40 years I've been a pilot. Always wanted one; rented one for nearly a decade. Finally got to a point in life where I could squander my money on my own plane...so, my first plane is a Mooney. I think it's not so much of 'getting used to the maintenance' as it is making sure you buy a plane that isn't going to require an inordinate amount of maintenance (i.e., screwing up and buying a dog!). Buying a 'simple' single like a Cherokee just lessens the amount you'll be out if you buy a dog, that's all IOW, don't buy a 'starter' plane over the fear of maintenance if it's not what you really want. The 'move up to a Mooney later' costs (both $$ and hassle) are not to be ignored as insignificant.

100% understand. I was't trying to come across as harsh; just concerned that you might be looking at low-end planes because money was tight. Far better to pay $10-$15K more for a plane, than spend the first year or so putting that amount in to bring a low-end plane up to snuff. While the same amount of money in the end, the second method would be far more aggravating.

^^^ THIS ^^^ It isn't the purchase price that's gonna kill ya.

My method EXACTLY!

OK, I'm probably the LEAST experienced owner here...I've only owned my M20F for a year and a half. I shopped for many years and looked at a lot of planes; sad to say, most were dogs that had sat unflown. That is the BIGGEST red flag to me. I walked if the plane had only been flown a few hours in the last year. Many hadn't been flown in many years. Non-use was a deal breaker to me. While I paid $1K for a PPI at a MSC, and would do so again, they don't find everything! My point, as others have stated, is to make CERTAIN you can afford unknown repairs that you can be CERTAIN will arise! For example, not a month after purchase I noticed the prop was leaking...should have that been found at pre-buy? Yeah, I think it should have. But, there was $1500 for a re-seal in the first month of ownership. I'm a fix when I find kind of guy when it comes to my airplane; there was only $2K worth of things to fix at my first annual at Top Gun. However, all-in, (fuel, hangar, taxes, maintenance,...) I spent $18K to fly a little under 100 hours my first year. I had hoped for $1K/month my first year...hopefully, I'll do better this year. But, I just dropped 1.4AMU on an oil cooler refurb and new oil lines last month My advice: make sure you can afford to spend $1K-$2K per month to actually maintain and FLY what you buy.

Dude, this is the BEST frickin'' deal I've ever seen! Jump all over it. I'd say good luck, but you've already got that!

Hmm, per that SB one is suppose to record ANY overspeed, even less than 5%??? I wonder how many 2740 rpm overspeeds (2700 rpm redline) get recorded in the engine log?

Ok, I'll come out an say it: This TERRIBLE news A slow moving, hugely bureaucratic, government subsidized behemoth company buys an agile successful company...what could possibly go wrong? SHEESH! I give it year, huge price hikes, forced Jeppesen charts, zero customer service...I'll be looking at FlyQ. Well, I'll continue to enjoy FF while I can.

Never more than 50 hours. But, remember, this is what came out of my PLUGGED up oil cooler; no telling how long that 'oil' had been festering in there since I've had the plane for a year and a half and have always had the oil temp run high (i.e., oil cooler has been plugged the entire time I've owned). Log history does show the oil was changed at less than 50 hour intervals. Previous owner (for 13 years) ran, and I have continued to run, Aeroshell 100W+

Mechanic said it was 'a gray sludge'...no engine parts, but I wasn't missing any... I don't think Anyway, I should be all set for summer. I'm excited to see if my CHTs drop a bit; I'm always fighting #2 that will head north of 400 in a climb in warm weather if I don't back off power a bit. We shall see.

Wanted to get back with outcome. Turned out to be plugged oil cooler; vernathrem checked ok. Sent off to Pacific Oil Cooler. Decided on new oil lines/fittings just 'cause I was in there anyway Oil cooler is now getting hot and OT is stabilized at 180ish. Another AMU+... oh, well!

Yeah, I'm with you 100%. I got my PPL back in 1977 and still only have 5 hours of night logged. Not to sound like Dave Barry, but the problem with NIGHT, is that it is DARK! And, if I fly at night I'm exposed to the risk 100% of the time of having to dead stick into someplace I can't see if the engine quits. I'll fly SE IFR but rarely do the clouds go all the way to the ground; I'll be able to at lease SEE where I can set down if I have.DAYTIME engine failure. No criticism to those that fly at night. We all are taking higher risks flying GA small aircraft than the general public. But, I choose not to up that risk by flying at night; I just don't trust the ONE engine that much. As you say, if the engine quits at night, no matter how good you are, the outcome is going to be based almost entirely on luck.

I have a theory as to why there are derelict airplanes rotting on ramps everywhere...they were purchased by owners that failed to realize they need to be financially able to spend $15K - $25K every year to actually maintain and fly them.

I'm pretty sure if you keep throwing money at the problem... the money will go away

SkyTrekker is right about the hangar costs; highly variable. I'm in Southern California and pay $365/month; a decent percetage of my total.

Hmm, not sure I like the engine issues right after the field overhaul. As he says, "Radios are terrible"...seems like you could do better for a first plane.

First year ownership of my '70F I spent $18K, all in, for about 100 hours. Could have been better (I had hoped for $12K, i.e. one AMU/month)...but, could have been much worse, too

WOW! That’s the way to turn CASH into TRASH, for sure