Hello all,
I am brand new to the board as I have started doing a little research into possibly getting a Mooney for a commuter / family plane.
I am leaning toward the M20K 252 or similar as it seems like it would be ample performance for my commute over the mountains between Arizona and New Mexico and is probably the only "modern" variant I would be able to afford since the newer ones are well outside my budget. My wife would also like to get a faster plane to potentially go on family trips with our two kids. Useful load seems to be a limiting factor, but fuel stops are no big deal and we need bladder stops anyway. The Mooney is particularly appealing because they seem fairly economical for their speed. There are other quick planes out there, but many seem to drink avgas like it's free or are otherwise out of my price range.
Before I get too excited, however, I wanted to see if there was anyone nearby with an M20J, K, Encore, Bravo, etc that would be willing to let me sit in it to see how it fits. If you're going flying and wouldn't mind taking a passenger along, that would be even better. I'd hate to waste time doing a bunch of research and looking at planes for sale if it's not even a good fit for me. Non-Mooney people say they are cramped inside, while Mooney people seem to say that they are great for tall people. I'm 6'2" and right about 200 lbs. My height is mostly in my legs with about a 34" inseam.
I live in Queen Creek AZ, so if there's anyone in the valley that's up for it please let me know. Especially if you're based at CHD or FFZ, since those are so close to me. I work in Socorro, NM, so in the off chance anyone is near there, that's a possibility as well.
Any other feedback is also welcome.
Thanks!
Chuck