Brian Scranton

All good suggestions! Proper turn coordination? Now there's a novel idea--I'll ask my A&P about it

Thanks guys--i'll take a look at your suggestions. Don, the turbo is off when this happens so it's not bootstrapping. And the gauge reads correctly, it just takes 3 seconds to catch up to my power adjustment.

So, I've been able to fly my new-to-me M20F about 10 hours since I got her last week. What a dream. TIGHT controls. Nowhere near as hard to land as all the reading would suggest--just fly 80mph abeam your spot...and honestly, I am blown away by how much fun she is to fly. A couple questions: My MP gauge lags any change in throttle setting by 5 seconds-ish. The engine gets there--you can hear it, so I am not worried that I am not making power. Just wondering if anyone has experienced this. Spent gauge? My Century III tracks heading, nav and gps--plus the pitch wheel works...however, the Alt Hold is INOP. I set it--it holds for 2 mins, then the trim wheel starts moving in one direction or the other. Thought maybe it was the tight controls so lubed those to no avail. Maybe the altitude box isn't talking to the pitch servo? Maybe a blue connector needs to be cleaned? I dunno. She has a slight but noticeable right turn tendency in cruise--so, I just need my A&P to mess with that. I make 23.5'' on take off (KMTJ=5751') so my climb rate out of the airport is lame. Maybe 300 fpm at 110mph...the RAYJAY makes all the difference!!! I can bump that up to 27 on take off and problem solved! 600fpm at 110. Being used to a 230hp in my 182, I was scratching my head--then realized, you're not in Kansas anymore. Anyway, I've been flying the hell out of her to learn all the characteristics. Full stall series. Landing with no through full flaps. Cross winds. Small runways. Mega runways. Varied approach angles. In a word: AWESOME. Go Team, Brian

We had a pretty unhelpful cross wind, so TAS was around 5kts slower than GS during level flight. I was pretty impressed!

Everything went to plan! Great pre buy--and over all awesome experience digging into the plane. Flew our new (to us) M20F w/RayJay home on Friday. PSC>SUN>MTJ. Averaged 155kts the entire way, 12gph, at 13,000ft. Hit 174kts for a while at 15,000 and rolled the nose over for a hot second and BAM, 195kts. Never left 25'' MP. Wow. Thanks for all your advice and information--it helped immensely.

Yes, their rate sheet is: 2.99% under $50K 3.99% under $100K (I think) 4.99% under $500K The terms were 15% down, 5 year fixed on a 10 year loan...after 5 years the rate adjusts once to their current aviation loan rates. $140 for title search, no other closing fees. They put it together in a week. Awesome to work with.

So, not in this instance! My 182 had the 79 gal tanks...the Mooney had 54gal...useful load for both planes is just over 1000lbs!

I've owned a 182 for the last 3 years...lots of fun but very ready to move up!

The day has finally arrived. Tomorrow, I head up to fly, inspect and if all goes well, purchase my first Mooney. It will be hard to push my excitement aside and play the role of the skeptic--though I will do my best to follow all I have read here and scrutinize this bird with the prowess of a tiger and the instinct-driven wit of Sherlock Holmes. 1975 M20F Turbo? Yes please. Here's a photo to aid in collective drool induction.

2.9% at Wings Financial. Those guys were SUPER easy to work with.

Good call cliffy...I am heading up this week to fly and buy. I'll take her high up and check it out.

You guys are super entertaining. I appreciate the passion. Sadly, this is not helping the super rich. Or even the slightly rich. Just a girl and a nervous dog who has a unique opportunity to pee on Ben Stiller's leg. She's worried that the pup will not have a pleasant experience in pet cargo and knew that I know lots of pilots who fly east. Of course, at the end of the day, United will do...but when it comes down to it, the posts/arguments above were well worth the price of admission.

Truth be told, they are both kinda hot.

I think she did. But this dog isn't there yet!!!

A longshot, but a friend of mine has a dog that's up for a role in a new Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Ben Stiller flick. She (owner and dog) is looking for a ride from Western Colorado (KMTJ, KTEX, KDRO, or KGJT) to NYC on or around 2/28...if anyone is heading that way, there will be Hollywood-style compensation (whatever that means)! I know. And yes, this is for real.

Thanks for the info guys...truly appreciate it. My offer has been accepted and I'll head up to check her out (and take her home) next week. Go Team!

WINGS FINANCIAL!!!! Those guys ROCK! Thanks Mike...

I know fellas. Logic evades this...banks are saying no, left and right! Again, though, AOPA seems like they will be able to help. I'll keep ya posted.

And that was with missing logs?

Gents--trying to finance a bird with missing logs and I am running into brick walls at each turn. Wondering if anyone has any recommendations (beyond "find a plane with complete logs") for me. AOPA finance seems like they might be able to help...so, I am not dead yet. Short story: great 1975 Mooney M20F with turbo, 430, nice in and out...Vref is near $70K, deal is for $52K--logs since 1991 (when my seller acquired it) and a certified statement that although logs are missing, the previous A&P states that all ADs and Annuals were compiled with. Every A&P I speak with states that is a non issue from an airworthiness perspective--it is just about the resale. And for the banks, its about if they had to repossess the airplane, it would have a zero value due to missing logs (or so they say). Thanks for your help! Brian

Thanks John!!!!

Thanks Mike! I sent you a PM--hoping I can call you and ask some Qs.

Thanks Hank! I'm hoping for more than 20kts since my 182 is slow as shit. It has a great STOL kit, so I can fly her at 40mph all day long--but cruise was always around 125kts. The plane is 600 miles away, so I will most likely put my trust in a prebuy, fly up there on United with my CFI, and fly her home (if all goes well). I wish there were PPPs around Montrose--for sure in Denver, which is only a 1 hour flight.

Hi guys, first time caller, long time listener... I'm at 200 hours and about halfway through my IR—I am looking for a fast efficient bird that can take me from western Colorado to CA, TX, WA. I just sold my 182L and was debating between a V-tail and an M20F. I think I can get more for my money with the F and have found one I have quickly fell in love with. Nice IFR flier, RJ turbo, Insight graphic engine monitor, 950 SMOH, 430, 3-axis AP, nice interior/exterior, same owner (and A&P) for last 26 years, just had its annual last week wth minimal squawks...any advice? Thanks!