Hello -
I'm a low time commercial pilot (~300 hours TT) and am starting down the road of aircraft ownership. I'm currently renting from where I did my IFR and commercial tickets, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to schedule a rental for day trips, overnights, weekends and accommodating changes in weather, schedules, etc. They are a training shop first, so they need the airplanes there for the business, I 100% understand it. At the same time, however, I would like to be able to put those ratings to use and take some longer trips.
I attended an aircraft ownership seminar put on by the US Aircraft Expo yesterday in Clearwater, FL (KPIE). I happened to stop and talk for a while with a Mooney Sales Rep -- Lee Drumheller from Premier Aircraft Sales based in Alabama, real nice guy. I mentioned to him that I was starting to look at a variety of used aircraft that could get us (myself, wife and daughter) from Fort Myers to Atlanta in a reasonable amount of time: about 3 hours. Of course, he suggested a Mooney! haha. Specifically, a J Model could get the job done with ease. I have no Mooney experience, other than knowing they are fast and have seen a few on the ramp and in hangars -- but that's it. Lee suggested that I post a message here to see if anyone here is willing to educate me a little bit on the pros and cons of a Mooney, a walk around, or possibly a ride in one.
I'm in Fort Myers, FL flying out of KFMY -- but anywhere near here Punta Gorda, Naples, or up in St Pete, Clearwater or Tampa is also fine, I don't mind coming to you.
In the meantime, I'll start looking through some of the information here and start learning what I can.
Thanks in advance!
