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Lots for sure! Grab ‘em while you can ;o) Looks like I’ll be settling tomorrow... -Don

Congrats on a beautiful panel. Fun video... keep the vids coming! -Don

Looked just like mine! Was worth the effort to get it done... -Don

Ok, so the bill of sale for my B is in the works and the settlement should be done this month. Once that is done, N74562 will be parts unless/until someone salvages it. So, the good news... I have been having a discussion with David (Sabremech) and the plans are for me to buy his plane (N2652W) and give it a new home! We’re working out the timing and the details but, knowing how David is, she’ll be in great flying shape. Yes it WILL have the new Sabremech cowling (drool ;o) I’ll be patiently waiting for David to get his FAA STC paperwork done for his new cowling. Once the stars align, we’ll get the deal done. David and I spent about an hour on the phone tonight going over the details and, needless to say, I’m excited. With all the speed mods, new interior, and all the great work David is doing to her to get it ready for me, I’m expecting an exciting flight back to Texas when the time comes. David and I spoke about him doing the annuals for the next couple of years with me doing an owner assisted so I can get to know the plane. I’ve always believed things happened for a reason and maybe this was the ‘plan’ all along. It’s going to be fun and I can’t wait to fly her... -Don

Lol, gotta have some fun ;o) it will be a couple of months before both of us are ready. That gives me time to get the settlement done and hopefully my medical is issued. Going flying in the F this week and get my ifr training started. It’s been a long month... -Don

Check the FAA registrations - if you’ve done a title search, you should be good. Bill of Sale is necessary for registration to prove ownership.

Well, spoke with my aviation lawyer this morning. Was really an eye opener. If you don’t do a title search and, there is a lien, and you pay cash for a plane, YOU now own that lien in the eyes of the FAA and law. Just an FYI for those out there looking at planes and not financing. I have an insurance question to resolve with the lawyer (who just happens to be one of my past CFIIs !) but, looks like the settlement will be what it is. On the UP SIDE, a very exciting development happened over the weekend on a future Mooney - gonna keep quiet as to not jinx it ;o) -Don

Boy, glad I got mine... Lasar may have them. Might try there... -Don

Finding the a&p that will let me do the work in Caddo Mills is the main problem — that and I run my own business so taking the time is the other. Since I’d rather fly than rebuild ‘another’ plane again (been there done that), I’m going to accept this outcome. Maybe 10 years ago I would for sure but, after all the things I’ve had to deal with recently, I’d rather fly. Appreciate the input! -Don

Yeah, there moving along finally. I’m looking at B-Fs. Just seeing what is out there. Once the settlement is done, I’ll see what I have saved and what I can ‘spend’ per the ‘boss’ ;o) -Don

Well this saga is coming to an end. She is officially totaled. I was able to get most of the avionics covered so that hurts a bit less. The lien holders we so kind as they worked with me to get a lien release. They reduced the lien low enough so that was especially nice. Now I’m just waiting on the claims adjuster to finish up and do the settlement. I’ll be Saving up for my next Mooney. Got news from the FAA on my medical and the board meets end of June. The gentleman from the FAA medical branch said it was a great sign so fingers crossed. Now to do some flying just for fun with my CFI in the F for a bit while the wheels turn... -Don

It’s all up in the ‘air’. No real good solutions as the insurance will obviously try to keep payout low as possible - if I fix it. I’m going to contact the aviation lawyer on Monday to see what my options are. I’m not a quitter - this is a very ‘trying’ situation when looking for the best outcome. The lien really puts a monkey wrench in things... -Don

As soon as I know they are for sure fixing it, I’m ordering them. Already have the $ for them ;o). It was actually next on the list with the dual fuel gauge... -Don

Really appreciate that. Me too...

Well, strange set of events... I have 30 days from pickup to notify the insurance of improvements and hull increase (with all the upgrades, I'm moving to $45k). Since I picked up the plane last week, doing that now. Second, the claims adjuster is now looking into repairing the plane. This is really due to the existing lien and what it would take to clear it. It's been a roller-coaster. Still waiting to find out if they've moved the plane... -Don

Still waiting... now I have to find out if they’ll cover the avionics since I just got the plane back that day - after fixing An issue with the avionics and the new items installed. Didn’t even have a chance to call to get them added to the insurance yet. Not sure how that works out... Sent a note to my broker to find out... didn’t have the plane but about 30 minutes with all the new stuff working... -Don

Ah, ok. That one! Yeah, Bank on the checklist ;o) -Don

True but, ADS-B is going to be required for DFW, that adds 2k to the cost, plus pre purchase inspection as necessary, flight out there... Little things start adding up.. -Don

Believe me, I’m looking @ that hard but, need to settle mine first.... She is a bit far from Texas (I’m still waiting on my medical) and looks like she’ll need avionics... ADSB for sure if it’s not on her already - before a cross country trip... -Don

I’ve done both: bought a warrior years ago, flew it until rebuild time — pulled fuel tanks, interior, AP next to my hanger rebuilt the engine etc. flew it 2 years after that and sold it. Bought a Velocity SUV kit to build - all the was left was hang the engine and install avionics— sold it due to the financial crisis in 08. This time I wanted a flyer that needed a little bit of work - avionics mostly but not past what it was worth - well folks know how that finally ended. Now I’m wanting another flyer so I can fly — don’t want a builder anymore - maybe a avionics upgrade but not much else... I’m lucky there is a Mooney for rent around here -Don

-Don

Yep, that is what we did, several times we attempted the restart. I’m not sure how soon I’d find out. Was purring along like a kitten then just simply stopped — no hesitations, no rough running, no burbles, just stopped running - smoothly I might add - kinda felt like pulling the mixture full lean to shutdown - That’s the best way I can describe it. Quickly after she stopped (well, just after I said ‘What the heck just happened’ and a second of disbelief) I pushed all controls full forward, then we attempted to do restarts. After that things happened really fast... I can tell you it was a very sinking feeling - no pun intended... -Don

Insurance is getting it moved. They work with Texas Air Salvage. I contacted the lien holder to get it taken care of. I’ll search for those threads though. I do have AOPA legal services so may use that to help. Don't think this one could be flown out - when we rotated the prop, starter was still engaged and didn’t feel any compression. That could have been due to the limited movement... Pretty sad situation but, I’ll give it time before I look for another plane. Right now, I need to get past the medical. After that then I’ll decide once insurance is done. This one was a really good deal - or so I thought ;o)... -Don

While I’m dealing with all of this, decided to get my IFR ticket. Probably will use Zulu Aviation’s F as it does have a Garmin 430W and IFR goods. I really like the Mooney — more now after seeing how strong they are. Don’t want to lose sight of my goals so, this seems a logical step while I’m waiting for my medical and outcome of the insurance claim. I had budgeted 50 hrs a year with my plane and break even in 4 years of ownership but, that is gone. IFR equipment was set for about that timeframe so... Just moved up the timeframe... Folks who pay cash for your plane? Do a title search and make that part of your purchase agreement... -Don

My AP/IA said it would be a crapshoot. By the time I had the plane inspected and torn down, if the crank was cracked - ouch. What I’ll get vs buyback and fix he felt was not worth it. I wanted to fix it but it doesn’t seem like a good investment plus, to insure it again may just make it unreasonable... Engine and prop would probably be 35k alone... also don’t know the underlying damage too — firewall etc... I’d probably have to fork out another 30k above what insurance would give — that would but me into an F or good E... It breaks my heart but, I have to move on — probably rent for a while until the right plane comes along again. Probably will save up more so I can get an E or F... -Don