Thanks for the welcome.
Yes unfortunately crashes happen around the area, very mountainous and unforgiving.
I want some speed, good fuel range, nice handling, solid IFR platform, easy maintenance, and decent short field performance. Typically will be flying alone, or with one to two passengers, not a ton of baggage, but will do some long trips with two of us and camping gear while exploring the far north areas of BC and Alaska. Mooney has always intrigued me, but never owned one. The life "Happening " scenario took me out of the aviation world for many years, when my wife passed away, and suddenly I was a single father. Now with my girls all grown up, and moving to Revelstoke, cutting back on the amount I work, but the work i do requires I travel a lot and far, I'm taking flying lessons again since my license lapsed, could have done the minimum to get it back, but with how much I've forgotten, not to mention that things have changed significantly since I first learned to fly in 1989, yes I am old, doing it all over from scratch. While lusting for a new Ovation Ultra, but may well buy a used plane instead. The last plane I owned was a twin (Seneca), will not have another twin, twice the issues, for less performance. My favorite was my 210, and I see a Mooney as an upgraded 210 in most respects, especially since I don't need seating for more than 3. In the past I was changing planes frequently, and older ( hopefully wiser) I would like to be in the same plane 20 years from now, if I can still be flying by then. Honestly the search for my next plane was leaning towards a Bonanza or 210, but soon strayed into the Mooney area, and then fully into looking at what Mooney will it be, reading some here as a lurker, last night decided to register as a forum member. Since I tend to use short runways, and not all are paved, maybe I should be looking at a Husky or even a 182, but my heart is set on the Mooney's love to go fast, on minimal power, and reasonably efficient fuel burn.