Pilot boy

This was me! and yes I found about 2 the same week being worked on in various shops or owners finally returning from winter vacations. It was kinda odd. I've now been able to sit in a C and an E both with the manual gear.

So I've been hunting for a plane for months now and I'm down to these. My debate right now is operating costs. The vintage Mooney M20 C or E with the manual johnson bar gear and constant speed prop...how much more do these factors add in maintenance costs versus a fixed gear Grumman Tiger (or 172 etc) without the cs prop?Also, any insights into the M20C and E differences. Both planes I found have mid time engines, both have the manual gear, both seem well cared for. The E the local avionics guy told me it is an excellently maintained plane. It looked meticulously beautiful. Great paint. The only downside is the guy wants a fair bit for it and the panel has a 430 WAAS (nothing newer) and is a shotgun panel - not standard 6 pack...the owner doesn't fly IFR hardly at all and I plan to do it quite a bit - owner suggested I add a G5 if it's an issue. It does have an autopilot, I believe an STEC 20? or 30?, and a JP? engine monitor. The M20C has slightly older paint job, but a superior panel. It has the Garmin Audio 345, Garmin GPS 355 WAAS and a standard 6 pack - ADS B IN/OUT. I am unsure if the C has an autopilot but my guess is that it probably at least has the wing leveler. Both of these are priced exactly the same (mid 50s). The E model has fuel bladders, the C model was stripped and sealed in 2011. I am also concerned about the differences between the O 360 and the IO 360. I've heard the fuel injected you can get better GPH by about .5 GPH, but that the engine is more expensive to overhaul and can hit overhaul sooner, whereas the bulletproof O 360 can often go past TBO and cost less to overhaul. What price difference for the overhauls? The E sounds like it gets about 155 knots versus 140/145 knots on the C but I really don't care that much about that sort of difference though speed is always nice.I did find a Grumman for mid 40s but EVERYTHING is outdated. Low engine hours (400) not flown much last 1.5 year but it has original radios, VORS with the frequencies on a dial in them (ancient) everything. I'm thinking $20k probably to upgrade to a GPS WAAS and get an indicator for glideslope that can link to the GPS and ADS B out/in transponder.Any insights appreciated. I'm looking mostly to time build but need something that can do decent multi state hops. My wife also really doesn't like turbulence and the Tigers seem "tinny?", small? The Mooneys just look like they'd be able to handle rough weather better - they look like real planes. Don't be offended if any Tiger owners they just always look like thin metal or cheap to me. Though I do like to save money and they sound cheap to maintain.Thanks everyone, getting close, getting excited, already have a hangar lined up!

Yes I have been posting on several forums hunting for one. I am amazed actually how few of the vintage Mooneys are around Omaha. I actually found about 3 Grumman AA5s to try around here but couldn't find a single Mooney. I found one now and the owner does hangar about an hour's drive outside Omaha as well. It was also a C model which is the one I was really wanting to see. Left shoulder is very pressed against the glass but it was large enough we could definitely stagger the seats and no problem for my small family.

I may end up heading down to Texas to find a Mooney though. They have the most options of anyone in one place as you said it seems.

Fortunately my local airport actually had a Mooney M20C come through for a bunch of avionics upgrades this week and I was able to sit in it for a bit. Not bad little snug around the elbow shoulder area but plenty of room for the legs and kiddos in back. I am going to see if the owner will take me up once the panel is done as he lives close by.

I am nearing purchase time for a Mooney M20 C, E, F or G but I really would like to sit in one or go up. Anyone around Omaha, Des Moines or KC that has a vintage Mooney? Thanks everyone!

I am looking for a good C or E model if anyone can point me towards some! I have looked at several on the major websites but it's hard for me to tell what is good or not honestly. Any insight or links to good ones is appreciated. Also hints as to current market pricing on a good C with at least a 430 WAAS GPS. Congrats to the OP that must be awesome!

Yeah sorry i asked - I missed it at first and after I asked I saw that it had already sold. If you guys see any good C or E's around $50k let me know!

It has 1750 hours SMOH, not 1450.

What's he asking? Any idea?

Is this plane still for sale? What's the asking price?

Awesome, thank you. I'm open to other models like the C and E also. I'd really like something with a GPS WAAS already installed or I need to budget another $15k to put one in...

Hello all, I have the green light from the other half to purchase the plane. I am hunting for a model C, E, F, or G. I've detailed my mission previously (basically 2 parents and small child for x country flights). I am looking for the best plane I can buy for around the $50k mark. Preferably IR and WAAS GPS capable with at least a standard 6 pack panel. Anyone have or know any good ones for sale, please let me know. Thank you for any tips or leads. -Ben

will do. thank you

Hello all, I am getting closer to a purchase decision and wanted to get some additional info on who would be a good person to conduct a pre-buy. I'm in Omaha, NE. I heard there was a shop in Wilmar, MN but I have had trouble getting through to them on the phone multiple times I've tried. Are there any other good Mooney mechanics or shops in the midwest that would be good for a prebuy or ongoing work? I'm looking at planes in Oklahama, Kansas City, and possibly California at this point so probably need a guy somewhat close to those owners. Is there a list somewhere on the forum of good shops? I also have relatives in Minneapolis i thought I heard there was a shop in Red Wing that's good. Thank you, -Ben '

I think 670 would work for me and wife and baby. We're probably around 430 with no bags.

I run the boat business out of Omaha, NE believe it or not. We have several large lake complexes within 3 to 6 hr drives and we allow renters to trailer the boats there. Yes speed is probably by primary driver in all things I do....I work in the auction world in the off season.

Hello all, I'm considering purchasing vintage Mooney M20 due to the speed and low GPH they enjoy. However, I haven't had a chance to sit in one on the ground, or fly in one to see how they handle. If anyone has a plane hangared around here or regularly travels to Omaha, NE let me know. I am thinking post virus I would like to go up. Though if you're in Omaha with our low number of cases so far I might just chance it if you're up for it or at least visit a hangar and sit in one maintaining 6 ft of distance.

Aside from your 3x hangar fees in southern CA it doesn't seem bad. That's a really good insurance rate, where did you get that from? I just know of Avemco basically and someone mentioned they weren't really the best over on the Grumman site. (Looking at Grumman Tigers also just hard to find those and not quite as fast...) Comparable with what I'm getting for fixed gear but I'm just about to hit 200 hrs now in Cessnas. My goal would be $12k since the math is easy per month.

I don't think I have the patience for this sort of work. I'd rather be flying than becoming an A&P. Though I do maintain a fleet of 11 rental boats every summer for my side business...now that is a beast of work.

Okay, that is about the amount of flying I anticipate doing which should save me some money from the rental fees and taxes I currently am paying now. To do 200 hours in a C172 at the flight school would cost me $30,000.

I'm looking at buying as well - what do tanks typically run to fix? $10k? How often do you have to do it for a Mooney - every 10, 20 yrs?

All in are you including the fuel for 90 hours in that $16k per year or all in everything but fuel basically?

Oh fuel price around here is typically $4.50 to $4.75. I think some places are now in the lows 4s with the oil excess supply issues. Midwest - Omaha NE

$130 per month for hangar, $2200 per year for insurance thru Avemco for an M20C last I checked a few months ago. I have my IR. I will get some transition training. The biggest numbers I want is how much it averages per year for maintenance of these older birds. $15k per year for maintenance etc with the annual etc. I'm more focused on ongoing costs. I posted a thread awhile back but I will take any info I can get. Is it costing you $10k in maintenance per year, $15k, $20k I need to know how much I need to plan for. Thank you all!