irishpilot

I appreciate the logic of stepping up to a turbine, but as a jet/turbine pilot for my professional career, any turbine conversion applied to a piston airframe comes with some pretty large tradeoffs. Turbines are more reliable, especially the PT-6 family, but they have costly mx that adds up as well. I am sure the Bonanza Turbine is a blast, but I personally will only buy a turbine that was designed from factory as such. But that's just my druthers. Back to my original post, I have to stick with my budget and that rules out all turbines, including conversions. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Thanks so much for all the advice and commentary! Well, we locked in a T-Hangar at KSAT so that rules out the PA-46. BTW, hangars are super hard to come by anywhere in the San Antonio area...waiting lists abound. Honestly, the six seats and px would be nice, but the insurance and larger hangar would have added up to another $500-600/mo without even flying. Turbines are out until I hit the jackpot. I'm pretty set on turbos as I plan to fly on O2 and FLs. I've never owned a plane with AC and really need the useful load, so I'm leaning against it.

(technically, the PT6 is a bit big for a four seater...) Yeah, if I had a whole lot more $$ I'd definitely fly a turbine for my personal ride. I fly a T-6A with the PT-6 and it's great. cruise all day long at 400 pph. Gobs of torque, climbs great and is blast to fly. BTW, I don't think a PT-6 is too much for four people! :-) Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Thanks@carusoam! Will check out AAA. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

The Malibu can fly high and 1300 useful load. perfect for 700NM trips. Cirrus can do the same, but useful load is tight. Hard time finding a Cirrus with TKS that doesn't have AC. 90% use will be me solo traveling 700NM to see family every week. 10% will be family use (wife, kids (7&5). only need about 2.5 hrs fuel plus reserve. I think a Bravo can meet those reqs. Cirrus can with about 60 gals of fuel. You are right about the Turbo. Ovations price points are nice. I have yet to fly a Bravo and need to do so. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

px is nice, but not required. BTW, insurance for the Malibu is double a Mooney or SR22T Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Hey all, I'm a former M20E owner and sold because I moved to Hawaii. Well now I'm moving to San Antonio and it's time for another plane! However I'm struggling with choices. My top three are Ovation, SR22T, and mid '80s Malibu. The only one I haven't flown is the Malibu. Insurance is rough and no T Hangars for the Malibu. Here's my requirements: O2, able to fly on FLs, around 200 TAS, 850 useful (min), and $350k or less. Desired is ice protection and maybe AC. Cirrus are awesome but the market is narrow for $350k but the Garmin Perspective is awesome. I am partial to Mooney's because of economic speed but there are so many choices (Rocket, Ovation, Bravo) any help is greatly appreciated. Lastly, shameless plug: anyone with a 200kt Mooney around KSAT, I'd live to go flying. Gas and lunch on me! Ryan Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I think you are on the right path. Let us know what you find out. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I'd say if the gear are swinging at the airspeed you stated, it sounds more like an upswitch problem. However, is it coincidence that you started having gear issues after they were in the panel replacing the transponder? I would take a voltmeter to the gear handle as well (behind the panel) and see if it is consistently making contact. The plane will need to be on jacks. I had two gear issues on mine and once it was the gear handle and the other was the upswitch. r Good luck figuring it out. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Mooney's are pitch sensitive if you are even a few knots fast when you enter ground effect. My two recommends are, keep up on trimming through the pattern and shoot for +-0 knot deviation on short final. With that mentality, you'll notice a tighter shot group of landings. Mooney's are slippery, hence why they are awesome XC machines. Enjoy your plane! Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Congrats on the IFT gig. I did my checkride at KPUB in 1999. I'm doing the Pilot Training Next gig at Randolph and a lot of our casual Lts are heading to IFT shortly. You're getting great advice thus far. I loved my M20E. Shorter range than you are looking for. For commuting, I recommend you get the plane that allow you to fly the heart highest and farthest can. Routinely get into a fight levels going east and fly lowest headwind alt going west. Turbos are great, especially when DA gets high (you'll see DA above 10k in the summer), but mx costs are higher. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Yup, sounds like your up switch going out. It's the one in the gear well. Best way to ensure it is fixed right is to have your A&P put it on jacks, troubleshoot and then fix. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Really nice. It looks ready for another great chapter for your family! Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I bought a plane that had also sat a lot. I had to do a top end overhaul within 20 flight hours of ownership. $2500 per cylinder is the going rate. If you plan to immediately fly this plane for a specific mission, find another bird. If you have time on your hands, use the low time as a negotiation tool. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Glad to hear the great PIREP. I am always impressed with everyone on this site. It is a great community. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I went through this same decision when my M20E needed a reseal. The cost and down time was the main consideration. If you feel 55 gal is restrictive, then seriously consider bladders. If you go for a reseal, make sure whoever does it is not a Mooney novice. It's a nasty job and whoever does it better do it right otherwise you'll be chasing different leaks or worse, you'll have debris in the tanks which is a safety hazard. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Y'all have given me a lot to mull over. I think if I commit to a long body, I'm going to spend for FIKI. I'm also going to mull over price. My $150-180k is a cash buy. I'm trying to avoid financing. Operating costs are not my primary concern in a single. I've got twin time and that's where operating costs really make a difference. Although aquisition twin prices are currently very depressed. I think turbo is also where I'm leaning due to I like to fly high. However, I don't know much about the Ovation. I'll do some more research on that. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Thanks all for the awesome data! This is why this forum is so good. Everyone brings up valid points and for single pistons, everything is a trade-off. I agree that flying into know icing may be legal, but not the smartest. I'm considering a TKS since I've been in areas where icing wasn't forecast and the buildup can be quick. IMHO, TKS gives a pilot more options when transiting. Of note, I have a lot of time in military aircraft which have limited icing protection. Just enough to quickly climb/decend out of it. I don't mess with ice in those planes, and certainly won't be with a Mooney, but it is another tool in a tool kit to help, especially during winter flying. As for primary mission, you are right, East of the Rockies, a turbo is overkill. 90% of my flying will be solo, but speed is a primary driver and high flying gets the TAS up. With my M20E, I used that aircraft for a shorter commute and it was perfect. For family trips, we had to pack light but it was doable (especially since kids are good for no more than 2.0 on bladders). We have a need to fly to AZ and CO on family trips. I have lots of Rocky Mtn flying experience and turbos and high hp are good things to have. Honestly, when I sold the E, I told myself I'd step up to a T210 or A36 because the weight and space gains. However, speed is King when commuting and that's why Mooney's are so attractive. I am still having that debate, but am trying to get smarter on the newer Mooney. Please keep all the great info coming! Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Thanks for the great input. I've been looking at the Bravo's. It looks like for nicely appointed ones, they sit in the $180-220k range. Any of you Bravo owners fly a family of four often? In our E it was tight on baggage space but it was the short fuselage. For flight planning what is the sweet spot for long xc alt, high teens or worth the extra climb time to lower FLs? Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Hey everyone, it's been a while since I've posted. Had to sell my awesome M20E when I got stationed in Hawaii. Moving in the Spring back to the mainland and will need a bird to do a San Antonio to Montgomery commute. Looking to spend around $150-180k. Want to get into the FL and have some ice protection. AC optional. Mooney Recommendations please! Rocket, 231, TLS, Ovation, etc. I'd like to hear owner perspective. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I put a slice in it and then tear it out using my hand. Comes out in one piece. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Bump. I'd be happy to answer any questions about this great plane. Sent from my SM-T817V using Tapatalk

I'm out as my 530W is at Garmin for a refresh...boo!

When I was looking at renting my insurance rate would have increased from $55/mo to $250-300/mo. That did not include solo flight for non-CFIs. That, plus the 100 hr inspections plus other wear & tear didn't make financial sense. I would start by calling your insurance co and see what they say.

Hey all, I've decided to sell my Mooney versus try to figure something creative out for the next 2-3 years when I'm in Hawaii. The previous owner was a lawyer out of TN and I bought it through Outlaw Aircraft in TN. I've owned the plane since Sept of 2015. The military moved me away from my family so I bought it to commute. I was not expecting a Hawaii move as I was planning on keeping this plane for at least 5 years. The plane does have extremely low time. I've spent the last nine months upgrading and fixing squawks. It is a great flying aircraft. I've also worked out some electrical gremlins, and that is why I put on the Plane Power Alt Conversion. I've basically worked out all of the issues from the plane sitting. I fly it about 15-20 hrs/month and am very happy with the speed and economy. I routinely fly it between 6000-12000' and it shows between 165-155 indicated (depending on how high) all burning 11 gal/hr (I run it rich of peak since I don't have GAMIs). There is no corrosion on the plane as I had a thorough pre-buy as well as an annual done. You are welcome to have my A&P do a pre-buy or one of your choosing. This plane is very clean. The plane has a 530W coupled through a STEC-55X which will shoot approaches down to mins. I routinely fly it IFR and it is awesome, especially with the XM weather. This is the first plane I've flown with a 530W and it is worth every penny, especially if you plan to fly in IMC or file IFR regularly. The interior is in decent shape and good enough for what I use it for. I've got a bunch of photos from the top end overhaul as well as the alt conversion, please PM/email/text me and I'll send you the Google Drive link for all the docs and pics. The price is $54,000. 1650 TT, 1190 SMOH, 60 hrs since top end overhaul, 530W, dual GS, STEC 55X, KT76, KT170B, Wing tanks sealed 2015, new Plane Power Alt conv, new starter sw, solenoid, new gear px sw, 530W factory refresh from Garmin. This plane flown weekly, kept in hangar and meticulously maintained. Feel free to contact Erik Box from Box Aviation as he is my A&P and will give you his assessment as well. Come see why it is the hotrod of the pre J Mooneys. Call or text Ryan at 8013913896. Plane is at KMGM.