alaskan9974

I was kicking around the idea of selling my old 172m, I'm guessing I would get enough from it to look for a $30-45k C or E model, wondering what the market is like on them or is it inflated like everything else and not worth spending time on trying to find one.

I compared the prop clearance between the 182 and a mooney a few years ago, and its fairly close. I'd argue the mooney can keep the front just as far off the rocks, with the strut compressed on the 182 it can get pretty close. The rubber coolant hoses people put on the front struts to keep them from collapsing are frowned upon by some inspectors depending on who might run into you, even though the alternative is running the prop into the dirt if you hit a small divot. I don't do any off airport, its either asphalt or state maintained gravel airports, 2.5k ft+

Thanks, it is nearly $9 a gallon up here so the math brings it in a little closer, I see what you mean. Just for kicks, this is what I am thinking to move from. https://alaskaslist.com/-3/posts/10_Transportation/59_Aircraft/553571_1968_Cessna_182_Skylane_.html I'll see what happens this summer, still on the fence but a mooney has been calling my name for years.

Thanks for the offer, I'm a bit further north then that. The other consideration I have is my plane is close to 1500 hours on the motor, so I would be stuck with it for awhile if I bought a new motor. I don't want to add up how much I spent so far on miscellaneous items. The only comparable 4 seat planes I have time in is an Arrow and a Cherokee 140. Size of those didn't bother me to much, my only thought at the time was about being stuck in the rain without a wing to duck under.

Just wondering if anyone has gone from a early 182 to a m20f or c model, and can tell me what their experience was? I own a 182, typically fly a mix of long cross countries 300+ nm nonstop, or short 100nm hops. The appeal of the same cruise speed at 4gph less appeals to me, two adults and two small children (6&7) is my usual load. On paper these models seem to similar useful as my 182, with close to the same cruise speed but much more efficient. I'm not to particular on o360 vs io360, but leaning towards the IO since I haven't owned a carbureted aircraft before. The four cylinders vs six appeals to me, but I haven't had much issues with mine in 250 hours of owning it, save for one cyl I swapped due 50's comp at annual. I put my 182 on a classifieds post this weekend to see I had any chance to sell after I saw a few nice mooneys under 70k, wish I could just own both. I was surprised to have a few calls already, so it is doable.

Interior Alaska, nothing like that. PAFA Most of the bigger communities have paved runways. Point to point travel is why I wanted my own plane. I have seen a three or four mooney's in Fairbanks but have yet to catch up with the owners on the ramp. Most guys up here like to hunt or fish off airport, but that doesn't interest me much, I prefer taking the family in the boat. Typical routes in state are 150-350nm plus one hour reserve, not like the lower 48 with gas available everywhere. Gas prices can be around $8 a gallon, compared to a 182 the fuel savings alone are significant. Looking at the older C's or E's. I prefer the manual flaps and gear.

Thank you

I'm in Alaska. Been eyeing planes in the Midwest, I'm not IFR rated yet, would like to find someone experienced in Mooneys so I can get a complex rating at the same time, plus cross country experience. Anyone have some leads as to where I can look?

Anyone have pictures of a M20 E-J during an annual, wondering what to look for under the interior panels as far as corrosion, or signs of deep corrosion on exterior skins vs minor. I havent seen anything more then light corrosion so far on planes I have been up close to. Any plane I am serious about buying is going to a A&P for an inspection either way, but I'd like to avoid that if I can find a reason to pass on the plane before I get to that point. Also, I see on the late 60s models a rather wide yellow arc, any concerns operating in this speed range? I tried to search to see what structural modifications were made on later models but came up short comparing the E and C to an F, unless it was just a paper change?

No, no mooney time. I was looking 182's for a few months, but all the good ones get snatched up pretty quickly, hence the reasoning in my head for one a/c for travel and complex/ifr time building, and eventually a simple (inexpensive) cub or similar for off airport fun. A buddy of mine has a Lance and flies out of every airport that I would be operating from. Coincindentally one is for sale in state but is bigger then I need. I haven't taken a tape measure to his prop and ground, or tire comparisons, maybe next time I visit the hangar. He doesn't have any issues as far as I know. I am not intentionally intending any off airport excursions anytime soon.

Yes I was recommended a 182, but for point to point flying, I didn't see anything that matched the efficiency of a mooney. If I ever got into off airport stuff, I don't need anything expensive or fancy. I do fly 450mi+ to Fairbanks occasionally with friends, but I need to finish my IFR cert before I make a habit of it. I have seen a few mid hour M20 G's and F's, I know a few guys up here with the same engines on their cubs and they have no complaints. On gravel I expect to need to pay more attention to throttle inputs, I did a search for dirt ops but didn't see much. Where I live is a mix of caravans and cubs, with not too many mooney pilots in between to bug.

I am a new pilot looking for info on my first plane purchase. I live in Alaska, however most of my flying is point to point, 200+ miles, from state maintained gravel to asphalt. None of my friends have experience in Mooneys, some tried to steer me towards a 182 or similar, but off field abilities don't interest me, I would rather use a boat or snow machine in that case, rather then compromise. I see a lot of 1965-1980 mooneys under my 70k budget, anything specifically to look for besides the AD's and corrosion of cabin spars. How do they do off decently maintained gravel? Will I become a prop shop frequent flyer?