EagleDriver

As soon as I get some Mooney time I'll let you know! Though my friend I mentioned earlier flies both and can probably already tell you. (He's on his second, so it can't be bad!) KLM - thanks for the point out! That's quite an interesting sale, seems close to fitting the bill for sure!

That's an F?! May as well be a 787 cockpit from I'm used to looking at! Aw come on. We get at least 300-500 feet per gallon! (I guess the trade off is 13 miles per minute in a rush, but still)

Fantastic insight - all is much appreciated! I'm still mostly in research mode - granted, it took me 3 years to buy a truck. I'll just say I don't take purchase options lightly... As far as avionics, I have to cage my comments a bit. Believe it or not, any well equipped GA aircraft, or foreflight, FAR outpaces the actual avionics in the Eagle. Google a photo of the F-15C cockpit...take away the radar scope and tactical display? It's all steam gauges and round dials. That being said, they are well placed, which is totally subjective but I think most would agree based on what I've seen in GA that accompanies an "updated cockpit." All of that to say, if it isn't shot gunned, that's all I define as a need. ADI at top center, airspeed left, altitude right, compass card (preferably HSI, I admit) low center, VVI bottom right, turn & slip bottom left. Simple as that. That being said, I do look for a WAAS capable GA aircraft just because of FAA inertia. It wouldn't stop me from buying an aircraft on its own, but I can't fly any GPS approach in the Eagle, so I'm not even downgrading there! I was remiss in my "needs" and "wants" earlier, to a degree. Nothing different, but I'm basically in tune with one of the suggestions mentioned verbatim: the best, well equipped (not newest) aircraft in the budget. GA is definitely a go, so we're leaning more towards a long term solution than a "try and see." So omissions from earlier on "the list": Engine sweet spot, 500ish to 1200ish. Low/higher less important than recency and consistency. It's mechanical - use it or it goes bad. Avionics: T config, bonus items are an HSI for familiarity and WAAS for growth (not absolute showstoppers.) Airframe: seat adults in the back, assuming that and luggage would put a significant pinch on fuel load/range/etc. Good words, gents - much appreciated!

Ahhh, the magic question. Well, it depends? Since I've no aversion to the older legacy birds, that creeps into the cash buy option. But you bring up an excellent point - as I become more and more convinced the best value in a purchase is NOT upgrading avionics or staring at a quick overhaul, I quickly find myself into newer aircraft or such fine examples of older aircraft that the initial purchase isn't much different, which would lead to a financing path. You point of the fine line between rates and terms causing a huge swing with only (relatively) slight differences in price has definitely come up. A search here has turned up some good insight on financing options, and rates are good enough right now that I'd rather leave cash in places it receives a return. (That's getting close to changing, though.) Mcstealth - Thanks very much! Yes, she's convinced and after spending a decade married to me and doing lots of traveling (required and leisure) she's pretty convinced that the convenience is worth the price. Not to mention, no one prefers an airport terminal over fun stops at an FBO. That's a great point out, I saw that bird! 1964 - Well that's just rubbing it in, then, if you can see the pattern from home! Unfortunately, it seems to take some combination of media credentials, established as a pretty handy photographer under contract, or so good at football/baseball/basketball that you could likely afford to just buy one! Then again, if you find a bead on a P-51 you'll be ahead of me...

1964 - I missed that by a couple of weeks, talk about terrible timing!! And thanks for the kind words! (Sidebar: you have a whole squadron even closer down there in NOLA!) Deuce - I'll get you a PM. I'm almost positive his airplane is sitting right behind my squadron. At least someone's Grumman is!

Thanks for the replies, all! I think the end of this opening discussion will probably answer the M20S discussion...I'd love to saddle one up but we're probably looking pre-J so I can enjoy flying (more importantly, keeping it flying) AND staying married! Funny the wife was mentioned, we'll just call that one marked off of the checklist. She has shared almost all of my time in a Bonanza, some of the 172, has C-310 ride along time I don't even have and....drumroll - she and my daughter are the only members of my household that actually has flown in a Mooney. How's that for backwards? Close friend and member here M016576 took them on an airport run when we were back in Oregon. Unfortunately for her, he has a Missile with more glass than my day job (literally) so she'll have to tune it down a notch. Budget -- under $65K-$70k. I had planned on (and may still end up there, I've no aversion) a vintage M20, leaning towards an E or F and a bit lower budget. But, things change, so I've opened up the search slightly. This is an example of what's on the scope http://www.mooneypilots.com/sales/Jones.html but mostly vintage models so I have the recommended 10AMU from the start, maybe even plus some. 90% mission -- This has taken the most time to settle, still not convinced this is final, but hey, it's 90%, right? - Needs: The wife and I and the dog for the overwhelming majority. Maybe room for growth for a tiny human. I have two daughters, but they are older and the youngest about to move off to college. Panel config: this may be odd in a need, and I can probably move this to "want" once I'm smart enough on reconfiguration cost and feasibility, but multiple conversations with peers have come to discussing negative transfer from years of instrument flying for work. I either need a standard configuration instrument layout, or stay VMC until it's fixed. - Wants: Efficiency and range, and who doesn't want speed? Hence, the Mooney and Comanche on the draft board. Love the Bo minus the tail wag, not keen on their (relative) operating expense. Comanche makes me a little nervous in this regard as far as parts/availability. My traveling career isn't over, so it's very difficult to tag a "standard trip range." Right now, fairly short and flat terrain. Next year? Should be back in Oregon - longer trips and certainly different conditions. 5-10 years? Combination of both or could be firmly back into easy terrain and thunderstorm avoidance in the summertime. Why the long body? If the companion list grows on certain trips, it wouldn't bother me to rent - but I'd like to keep that to a minimum and still be able to convince adults to ride along and get into the back seat. I don't feel strongly about manual vs electric gear, but I do like the idea of the simpler solution. Everything else is the great unknown, and every time I think I've read it all - I find something new. 180 or 200 HP? Long or short body? Manual or electric? (Insert dozens/hundreds of "little things" here as well; window shape/size, nuances within different years of the same model, etc.) So, still reading! Cheers

If I could sell it, I'd be a rich man just from friends and family. And that's with a discount!

Hello all, just thought I'd take a slight break from browsing and searching to say hello. Finally throwing around the idea of an aircraft purchase - after a couple of years of reading and flip-flopping among just about everything on the market. I've finally determined that my 90% solution is a Mooney, with the Comanche a close but definite second. All of this, of course, based on what I've researched with no basis in reality nor experience. Background is currently an instructor in F-15C's at Eglin in Ft Walton Beach with just under 1000 hours. On the civilian side; ATP, current with the aero club to get my GA fix, most civilian time is C-172 with a dab of Beech Travelair time, some Cherokee 235, a bigger dab of Bonanza and mostly C-172. One of these days I'll figure out *which* Mooney fits my liking, maybe even find someone in the local area that would like some free gas with the tax of me as a passenger so I can actually check the old girl out. Wonderful wealth of info I've found already - this seems like a great place. Cheers