Gabe Bowen

There may be some beer involved, too. Sheesh, I'll be moving on to other parts of the site now where there may actually be something to be learned...

Thanks everyone! Been "working" and away from the forum this week, so glad to see this info and hear from some folks in the region! Marky - I'll PM you, would love to get down to your neck of the woods for a flight and to escape our inversion! Dfgreene - it's a little harder for me to get up your direction with this winter weather, but I will definitely be headed up to Pocatello sometime this spring so maybe I'll drop you a line when I go that way. There is actually a turbo arrow down here in the city for sale right now that I have taken a look at. I'm not fundamentally adverse to the turbos, just a matter of costs and benefits. As someone else pointed out on here every plane involves trade-offs! I have also read that the turbo arrow is somewhat of a lackluster performer, but Sounds like it worked well for you. I plan to stay out of conditions that could turn my airplane into a giant ice ball if it all possible! Just not an essential part of my mission profile to be in winter IFR. And flight2000 - if you get a hankering to head out this way just let me know, I am always up for a new flying experience!

Thanks Trailbossauction! Flew into KOGD for the first time last Sunday, it was a beautiful day for flying! Good luck in your search. You make a good point, I think, in that moving from a 172 to a J won't exactly be a step backwards in any sense!

midlife - most of my time is in the C172N (160hp), more recently a bit in an AC114. I hear what you are saying...I don't have much experience but enough to have seen how a summer day w/ DA of 8000' affects climbout, especially w/ my 220-lb CFI on board! I haven't spent any time with the POHs for these aircraft, that's a good suggestion. Was able to find a pdf version for a 201 online and I see that I could anticipate an obstacle clearance distance of >5000' on some warm days at gross around here, something to keep in mind. I haven't been able to find a POH for the 231...anyone know where I can view an example w/o buying one? Thanks!

Thanks all - yes I've definitely been looking at the M20K as well. Am not sure about the cost/benefit tradeoff for me...seems like there is a significant added cost for operations/maintenance and also for acquisition (at least for the late year or upgraded models with the LB and MB engines), and I anticipate my family won't be too excited about flying w/ oxygen. One the other hand, the better climb rates and added speed between 8 and 12,000 MSL would get us over a lot of the topography out here...

Hi everyone - I'm a new ppl with an interest in aviation and Mooneys dating back to my teens. That was 20+ years ago, and life has finally settled down to the point that I've been able to pursue this passion! I'm looking forward to spending some time around here and learning, thanks to all who share their knowledge and experience. I'm also in the early stages of shopping around for a potential first plane. I'm considering a range of options, but the 201 has always been my dream bird and I think fits my mission profile pretty well (mostly covering ground in and around our scenic state and the western USA w/ my wife and our two young kids). That said, I've never actually sat in a Mooney, so I'm also exciting to try and find opportunities to meet and visit w/ Mooney drivers in our region, pick their brains, and maybe even hitch a ride or two and get a feel for the airplane. If you or someone you know is in the vicinity and are willing to coach a newbie please let me know! Happy flying...Gabe