2jbens

I'm flying into RIL, and weather permitting, we'll be there from around 7/7-7/11.

Thanks peevee! I'll be up in the Rifle/Glenwood Springs area after the 4th of July. As far as weight goes, the three of us are somewhere between 500-525 lbs, and I'd like to be able to go approximately 3 hours with reserve. My estimate is approx 60 gal fuel load for that, so 875lbs-ish plus some bags. We travel light, and we won't be going on extended trips, so I'd guess I should be in decent shape. (Trying to be smart about getting the right aircraft for most missions. Of course, I'd love to be able to take 1500 lbs, four hours at 200kts on 8gph - if any of you can find that unicorn, please let me know...)

Thanks carqwik and AZM20C!

Thanks 201MK!

Thanks KLRMD.

Carusoam, Sure, I'm a longtime professional pilot (USAF C-130/T-1A, short stint at UAL pre-9/11, corporate Falcons/Gulfstreams). I have very little piston aircraft experience, but I would like to begin doing more personal (maybe "real"?) flying with my family. I've thought about it on and off for years, but now that my son is approaching the end of high school, I've decided it is time to get on with it and have some fun with him and my wife. We love, and have family in, Colorado, want to escape the heat by going to northern AZ, and I have a brother in SoCal. My guess is an aircraft which can go about 500nm with the three of us and handle high density altitudes should work well. From everything I've seen, the M20K is great bang for the buck. Not sure anything else comes close to the speed, capability and operating costs for what I would like to do with it. That said, I'm green when it comes to small aircraft and aircraft ownership, so I'd love to find a local network or mentor I can turn to to help avoid the plethora of pitfalls this aviation disease can cause. Cheers and happy flying!

Thanks Oldguy. I'm about 6'1 with a tall sitting height but don't have a problem in my brother's Arrow. Just want to make sure before I go too far down the path...

Hi all, I'm a prospective Mooney owner in the Phoenix area (Scottsdale). I'm looking for an aircraft to fly the family on fun excursions throughout the Southwest and California. Since I'll need to deal with the mountains and high density altitudes, it seems like turbocharging is the way to go. From my initial research, it seems like the M20K (231 or 252) would be a great fit for my family of three. It's quick, efficient, relatively inexpensive, and has performance for the mountains. However, I've never owned an aircraft before, and I've never been in a Mooney to see if it "fits". Are there any owners in the Phoenix area who would be willing to lend a newbie a hand and share their thoughts on how the M20Ks work in AZ, CO, and CA? Also, would I be able to sit in one (and maybe even fly as a passenger)? Thanks in advance!