EagleDriver

This topic is my block to aircraft purchase. I’m in the south, so it’s mild (generally) but there is ZERO local hangar space. So it’s outside, or no airplane. I’m starting to lean toward the former, or I’ll never own an airplane. Not a great decision matrix. (Note, local means less than an hour. If I’m going to drive two hours round trip to get the airplane, the airplane is just gonna sit. Let’s be honest.)

That’s really cool - congrats on being reunited, even if by (very) reasonable facsimile.

Yes. The normal reason things are published in the AIM.

Thanks for mentioning, and an echo to that thank you. Cheers, all.

Just more info for traveling with kiddos. You can “share” rides with a few different companies, rent someone’s personal car, vacation home, guest home...you can also do it with non-critical (that part is my opinion only) baby gear. Loads of places that do pack and play, stroller, crib, EVERYTHING rental at destinations. Especially if it’s a bigger market. It’s at least worth checking into. I was surprised at the convenience. They’ll flat out meet you at baggage claim in airports with a rental Bob stroller, pack and play, and toys. We personally don’t rent safety items like car seats, but that’s us. I haven’t checked specific FBO’S, but they’ll also meet for drop off or deliver to your VRBO. Don’t see why an FBO would be any different? (Obviously market dependent.) Works great for commercial travel, if it’s available where you’re going it seems even more useful for GA folk.

Bottom Line Up Front

Jealous in a very good way, enjoy and keep the MS world posted!

Same as the Ferrari I drove last year, still a shell of a sports car. No connection, no driving, don’t even need to listen to the car. It doesn’t talk, it does what someone programmed the ECU to do. Traction control, no clutch, speed adaptive steering, etc., etc. What’s the point in driving it? Should a race team call and desire to pay me money to win with their car, I imagine I’d be very happy with the technology advancement. Especially if my new salary is based on winning races. Until then, a Corvette without a clutch and a stick may as well be a Chevette.

The C7 had almost convinced me, and the C8 had officially been the first to make me a new Vette guy. But if this is true? A minivan with auto-opening doors is cooler than a Corvette without a clutch and a stick. Same for Ferrari; drove one in Florence last summer. Still sounds like a Ferrari, but...an automatic? Just get a Kia.

Bragging. I get Idaho for one night then back to Florida. Oh. Goodie. (P.S. Colorado trips all next month! )

USAF 1995-2018; aircraft maintenance, then enlisted aircrew, retired from F-15 test. They ran out of jobs, so I left. I miss the jet, always will. 757 isn’t cutting it, so I now need a Mooney, a super decathlon, and a carbon cub on floats.

I don't have one good reason to counter that. Especially looking at the math of upgrading what may be missing from my "perfect" equipment list. Here's a C, and I'll really show my ignorance. Engine: 32 since a top overhaul with ~1300 SMOH. is the TOH a generally good sign or bad? It depends? Avionics: has the baseline goodies, but a shotgun panel. I haven't ever actually asked the question - is a panel update (placement; maintaining instruments) closer to an updated transponder cost or more like a WAAS GPS install? Additionally: from my understanding some of the non-WAAS Garmin units are upgradable and some are not - true statement? http://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?category_level1=Single+Engine+Piston&make=MOONEY&model=M20C&listing_id=2226877&s-type=aircraft

Wow - thanks to all! Trend data is usually good, and everyone having the same thoughts is reassuring. The top of my personal list includes the frequency of use post overhaul, corrosions, etc. - but thanks for the point outs on the specifics on SB-208 and the laundry list of "look for's" along with the overhaul. On the GPS discussion - in my mind it's a definite want and borders on need, but that depends. If it was an aircraft with zero corrosion issues, solid engine/airframe that has been used frequently and has an IFR usable panel...it might still be the right one. I'd prefer not to soak up the purchase and installation cost of a WAAS solution, but better in my opinion than soaking up costs from neglect or lack of use that are "hidden." I was thinking the asking was a little high as well, for the exact reasons mentioned here (assuming all is as it seems with the items mentioned above.) Vref has it in the mid-to-high $40k range with listed equipment - do you guys find the market pretty well follows those values?

Indeed! We took a look at the Zenith and the little mini-rocket ship they build as well. Not my market (yet) but $25k for a full composite kit seems pretty good. That would be awesome - the C is definitely under consideration; most of my flying is the wife and I. Well, and the dog, but he doesn't really need legroom.

Still very green in the search; enough that when I look at ads and see a laundry list of avionics I don't know if that means unusably old or great! It *seems* to be along the lines of what I'm looking for....anything stand out to the Mooney guru as bad news? http://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/1456827/1967-mooney-m20e-super-21