HawkGT

@Fly BoomerThats the plane with the issue, N231JN. I have found at least one other archived sales ad for a plane listing the same STC and if I cant find anyone here with the paperwork then I will order the FAA CD for that tail number...or rather I will let the owner/broker order it if they want to try and resolve the issue. The owner is an A&P/IA so Im sure he knows the options if he really wants to rectify the issue.

@LANCECASPER That is all sound advise and I have put the seller on notice that this must be resolved prior to purchase. I have found similar posts to mine but they didnt list the tail number so I dont know if its the same plane or indicative of a shop that was sloppy with paperwork. Either way, I dont fashion myself as any smarter than others but willing to put forth some effort if it can be resolved...otherwise I will walk. The reason I have hope the STC holder signed the log versus every other 231 who may want to put a -MB on the front of their bird but maybe this too is wishful thinking.

I am under contract to purchase a M20K that has the 252 FWF conversion installed but the 337 was never filed with the FAA. Looking through the airframe log book I see the conversion was done in 1997 and Robert H Meier, the FAA documented owner of STC SA2445CE, signed off on the work. I understand that Mr Meier passed away in 2020 along with some of his ModWorks/Mod Squad partners. The FAA still shows him as the owner to the STC so its clear he didnt release it to the public domain. I have the FAA CD for the aircraft and the 337 and STC are not there. I am looking for someone with the same conversion that has a copy of the STC to assist in filing a field approval to get this cleaned up. (ref: STC SA2445CE and DWG #3172B or maybe its #317213) Thanks! Jason

I am shopping for a Mooney right now and will admit to searching the FAA registry for Moonies within 100 mile radius and then reaching out to the owners. No joy so far. As a buyer the market is tough right now. I have also solocited for leads and contacts on local flight groups Facebook pages, talked to local mechanics and anything else I can think of to find a decent plane. I did have one owner call me back and offered to sale his cherokee six that had an inch of dust on it in a communoty hangar and poor avionics for $180k. I thanked him for calling me back and kept looking. @TSC1020

@TSC1020Thanks for the contact, not sure how I missed that one. I have a call into them.

Cash buyer looking for a M20 C/E/F/ or low end of the price range J. I would love a K but that seems to be outside my range. Not afraid of a plane that needs some love but its got to be airworthy and I prefer it to be actively flown. Ideal plane: 67 F with a RayJay, IFR GPS and manual gear but those are rare birds. An early J with IFR GPS, mid-high time engine and fair paint and interior is equally appealing but it seems like most of the Js are outside my grasp. C/E models are interesting if priced right. I was just under contract for a 67 C but the pre-buy found spar cap corrosion so I walked. If you have a $90k C, Im sure its amazing but Im not your buyer. My last plane was a A36TC partnership which was amazing but I move to much to be in a partnership and my wife was never comfortable in a GA plane so Im looking for something for the kids (10, 10 and 9) and I to create some memories. Im on Jimmy's lists, FB groups and monitoring TAP, Controller, Barnstormers, and Hangar67. Heck, I queried the FAA registration for Mooneys at my local airports and started making cold calls. Shoot me a note if its time to move on from your current bird or life is getting in the way of you being able to fly. Lets keep these planes flying and active! Jason

Not Mooney related but I had this happen in a A36TC with my nine year old son sitting right seat. It happened just after rotation on a short field, he screamed bloody murder. My right arm went around him, more for comfort than to hold him in since his seat belt was on, and I flew the plane in the pattern and landed again. I was shocked by the lack of performance in climb to pattern altitude with the door open and gear down but in retrospect time had slowed to a snails pace. I didn’t want any part of trying to close the door so close to the ground, especially with him scared to death. Once on the ground the door was secured and triple verified. I was on an instrument flight plan so I called approach to let them know what happened and get a new release time and made sure all three kids were comfortable giving it another go. Interestingly the poll shows over 50% of people have experienced a passenger door that came open. Moral of my story is doors pop open across many different makes/models and flying the plane is your number one priority. It was extremely scary for all of my kids, especially the one looking out the door, with the noise and the wind blowing but after a few seconds everyone realized it’s not like the movies. I’ve heard of all kinds of tricks like stalls and slips to close the door in flight but I want nothing to do with this when the remedy can be accomplished on the ground. My $0.02

@Huitt3106. The market has really cooled off but luckily I am here to help you by taking this fine Mooney off your hands at a modest price. Lol! The market is still very hot with planes that are priced well selling in hours. Some people are asking ridiculous amounts and those are sitting. The VREF quarterly report indicated a modest slowing from peak numbers in late spring but still showing above average demand exceeding supply. Jimmy Garrison also commented that Jet sales, a leading indicator, remain strong and you can see a lack of inventory on his site. Best wishes if you decide to sale.

I would offer that KMNV is a great option. Its 30 minutes south of Knoxville along the Smokey Mountains. They are expanding the airport with new hangers. Its right along I75 for easy access to Knoxville or Chattanooga. Its also not far from Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge if you want to get in that mess.

I started my PP training just over a year ago at a small rural airport that had an old Cherokee 140 and a Cessna 152 trainers. Both planes had steam gauges, old radios and well worn however the rental price couldn’t be beat, especially with low cost fuel at that airport. Half way through my training I relocated to an area with class B airspace and my local airport has 4 schools all with late model Cessna/Cirrus planes with G1000s and all the bells and wistles, and wet rental prices starting at $175/hr. I’m glad I have had the opportunity to train in a full glass cockpit with A/P and fuel injection but I must admit that I never would have started this at over $200/hr once you add in instructor time. I’m not saying the planes or instructor’s time isn’t worth what I am paying, I’m just pointing out it creates a higher threshold for new people starting on their pilots license. Back on topic, now I just need to find a local Mooney owner who will lease/rent me time in their plane until I find my own Mooney!

A flight school at my local airport has a M20-R Ovation they rent. Its not on the web site but you could call. Its in Leesburg, VA at KJYO. http://www.av-ed.com

Fair enough and thanks for the link. I will also point out i have found a fellow MooneySpacer, is that a word, at my local airport and he has been extremely helpful in offering advice. I just like the ideas posted here on keeping planes flying and helping new pilots. i have called about two local non-mooney bulletin board fractual ownership postings and neither seemed very interested selling, let alone selling and mentoring.

As a new pilot looking to build hours and experience in all things aviation, I would love to find someone who would partner/mentor me. I can go buy a Mooney and learn the hard (i.e. expensive) way to own my first airplane or i could find a mutually beneficaial relationship with someone who isnt flying their plane but wants to stay involved in aviation. My uninformed guess is there are more new pilots who would be interested in this type of arrangement than owners willing to allow a low time pilot fly their pride and joy. I hope someone will prove me wrong.