MyNameIsNobody

335 install underway. Dropped off plane yesterday. Ended up NOT doing blade antenna. Didn't come with shipment (wasn't charged)...We shall see on certification without the blade. Installer was leaning toward putting GPS antenna at front of plane (just to right of right overhead front air duct.). I have a 696 exterior GPS antenna on right side at front. Fingers crossed for uneventful install and all systems functioning on flight test... Stay tuned.

Ouch. I give you a free grumpy pass until back in hanger.

'Git 'r done...

AND Men based on photos.

Come on -a- tell the story. No names, of course, but what transpired?

I was done with flight training and had joined a flying club. After 172 I flew a 180 Cherokee. Knew I was a "low wing guy" from first flight. Found a retract-complex Arrow and owner that was CFI. Got used to retract and speed. Bought Aviation Consumer Used Aircraft Guide-Expanded Third Edition. Belvoir Publications (1989 printing). The Mooney M20 was whispering to me over and over again on pages 145-151. Beauty. Speed. Efficiency. Price. Safety. Johnson Bar Gear. Hydraulic Manual Flaps. No MooneySpace yet so I had Trade-A-Plane. Bought the first Mooney I ever flew in. You have MooneySpace. Share where you live and pay for some gas. Get to know Mooney. As others have stated: Beware They are sexy in photos, but once you fly in one you will become a Mooniac. Have fun. You have no excuse to be an uniformed buyer. There is so much great wisdom to be gained from the pages of MooneySpace. I wish I would have known "then" what I know now. Didn't bankrupt or kill me, but both are possibilities if you don't choose wisely and do proper due diligence. But I digress... Have

I really think the appropriate time is before the job is done. Simply ask: "How much for ___ Battery? What is installation charge for labor/logbook? What is your rate for labor___Thank you. When can you install? Thank you. I would like you to do that. Send bill to____.

My co-owner and I will be ponying up $4-4.5 Grand this week for the privilege of continuing to fly in our Class C based airspace. I don't feel cheap. I feel mandated. Buying "new" yokes over purchasing salvaged yokes and shafts allows $ to be spent on other hobby's that appreciate with time vs. depreciating mooney-pit pleasure hobby's. My counter-point is totally unsupported by anyone else on Mooneyspace. There is a shocker for this evening. Thanks Jim. Don't bet me on "needing" Mooney support anytime soon. I will gladly out myself if I do.

Do you actually read the thread you attached? I think not. Look at the entry's for M20E Mr. Common sense wizard. Show me one item that is not "check availability". The stocked items are for more modern aircraft. Read through and find me one item of value Mr Common sense purveyor of wisdom.... How about a replacement control wheel and shaft? Oh, got one of those from Bass Aviation at salvage price along with seats and interior for $200 bucks. How about converting to electric gear and flaps? How about NOT. How about an external power port. Not available for less on Aircraft Spruce or any number of other vendors. You try and be wise and make my point... Funny, your common sense is neither common nor does it make sense, but there are loads of Modern wealthy Mooney pilots that can't get others to buy "their brand". Why is that? Is it this lowly 50 year old owner the problem of Mooney's lack of success in the two or three or more bankruptcy Phoenix company? I don't run in the circles that buy "New" Mooney's. Wouldn't buy one if I did because they are like all new airplanes tremendously overpriced. THAT is the problem, but please do continue to siren call to Mooney's defense. Roll your brand loyalty to a fault my way because I dare to state a fact based on my experience and practice as a vintage owner for 15 years. Funny Ha Ha AND Funny Strange.

Maybe I will go over to the Mooney Website and peruse all the advertising for vintage parts support...

Or an ass. They will kick you when you aren't looking and they are stubborn. Some of you fly modern airframes. A couple have examples of support for vintage owners. Again, Glad they are there making $750k airframes that I will never own. Glad some are having success with support. I have not needed them. I do not foresee needing them...for anything. Not holding my breath for that "opportunity" for them to shine for me.

Are we talking about being a good host and tour guide or talking about support for vintage vs. modern fleet. My plane has not been manufactured for over 50 years. Your example of the "fleetwide" AD that required hardware...bolts to "fix" for a reasonable price is fine. It impacted ALL the fleet NOT just vintage birds. I have a different expectation for support of modern automobiles and motorcycles. I don't think Ford and Chevy are the "go to" for vintage and antique parts replacement either. Nice to have them in business? Yes.

You can have an accu-Trak turned on and running a GPS course and the Accu-Flite running off an input from the Heading bug on the turn coordinator. Yes, they would be working with/against one another if both on. If you pushed the yoke button it would shut down both as they require the vacuum to work the servos in the wing leveler to control the direction as input. There would be no reason to shut off while going cross country unless you wanted to maneuver with yoke. You can always defeat with yoke inputs as the force to overcome is not significant...If the deviation was significant it might "lose track" and need to be brought back on course and then re-started to trak again.

I have used Brittain extensively to refurbish and provide installation for older 1960's systems support. My vintage Mooney has The OEM speedo that I have sent in for refurbishment. Fuel Gage's are OEM. Gear indicators OEM. Rest of the panel is updated and customized. Mooney help for a Modern Mooney? YES. For a vintage Mooney? Not so much. They did help the FAA ground a vintage bird on a ramp check because of some hanger rash though. They help vintage owners in interesting ways...

No, that would not make sense. The yoke valve is for maneuvering flight to "defeat the PC". The Accu-Trak is electric taking inputs from a VOR or GPS and outputting left right analog signal that move the vacuum driven servos. Accu-Flite uses a heading bug and control to do the same.

Glad they are there for you Paul. I mean that...

Seriously, do you read my other posts on this thread. I hope Mooney survives and builds great planes for a long time. That said they are NOT "into" the support of the vintage fleet at a price point that I find attractive. That is O.K. The vintage fleet has plenty of parts from salvaged airframes. You need to chill man. You are picking a fight and finding offense where there is none. R.E.L.A.X. Mooney doesn't build or support my 1966 M20E they have moved on and build planes you and others like to fly. To bad there are not more wealthy persons that choose to support the purchase of a $750k Mooney airplane. Maybe you need to talk to your friends...

That is nice. My plane had a hideous genuine simulated replica of wood facia that I first painted. Second I found a used aftermarket plastic grey version. Then I had Hendricks and my local avionics crew fabricate the pilot and co-pilot panel. Rattle canned in a lighter BETTER than original appearance color.

Their are hundreds of 1960's airframes with salvage parts available for purchase. There are those that make custom parts and sell them as well as putting them on their planes. I will at NO POINT buy a part from Mooney that could not be found and purchased for less elsewhere. I don't fly an M. I fly a Vintage E. Stop selling me man. My opinion has ten plus years of experience in being developed. You act like you are taking it personally... STOP with the "You will" mantra. I WON'T... and that is O.K...

Dude, it is you that is missing my point...

Tires, glass, avionics, brake pads, lights, step, elevator, flap, antennas, prop, brittain servos, seat foam, interior plastic. Mooney? NOPE. Zero, zip, zilch, nada.

Actually I don't. I have never replaced anything except a $5.00 baggage door hold open that is now unobtanium at $80 from a Mooney owner that makes them. AGAIN, NOT ONE PART ON MY PLANE since purchase over a decade ago with front to back refurb has been Mooney. O.K. Fuel cap gaskets...also available aftermarket...

When I see photos of Mustangs I always think: bloated, fugly, company killing failure. That is just me.

I do not depend AT ALL on the current Mooney for the maintenance, parts and care of my 1966 plane.

VERY Nice! Like it a lot.