Gearhead51

@carusoam a short fence about 100' from one end and a house about 300' from the other, but corn fields are everwhere if you can miss those two obstacles. I'm looking at the older models that seem to have shorter take off and landing distances (not a K). A Bonanza and Comanche 250 are in and out all the time. If a Mooney can't do it, I'll look at something else. @Amelia no problem. I'm wrapped up in a bit of work anyway. If I was going to get out that way, I was going to shoot south from there to look at a Bonanza and a Vans RV, so it wouldn't have been a wasted trip. @skydvrboy I'm up for discussion. I haven't purchased anything yet, but I'm on a few forums of various makes getting info. Unfortunately, there aren't any Mooneys in the airpark.

Sounds like a great idea. I don't think I should get in something that hot. I'll be disappointed when I get into an older model, but I'll certainly see if I can play hookie for a few hours Tuesday. KALN is 1.5h by car from my home @ 02MO.

He's not necessarily biased. He admits that he doesn't know Mooneys and has had an 225-8 powered Bonanza and his current one is a IO-520 powered V35. He knows they can get in and out of the airpark easily and is mostly concerned with slowing a Mooney down enough to land. We have asphalt as well that is mostly used for takeoff unless it's too wet. I'll continue to fly the 172 for quite some time. I just want to get something in my hangar and start making it what I want, so it's ready when I'm ready. We are supposed to be flying to look at a E35 V-tail with the 225-8 today, but the weather is not cooperating. I appreciate any input anybody has. I wasn't in the market for a Bonanza, but I do like that the 225 and IO-470 can use Mogas. It's quite convenient since we can get ethanol free deliveries to the airpark and a local station has pure 91 octane. If anybody knows of a good F or J Mooney for sale, let me know. I'm checking classifieds here, TAP, and Barnstormers hourly. I like the C as well, but who knows how tall this 7 year old is going to get. I plan to own for the long haul.

I'm a new student pilot (I flew a lot with my dad as a kid in the '80s) living in an airpark near Saint Louis. I'm looking for something that can take a family of 3 on trips and that I can fly for work. A F or J model Mooney seems to fit the bill by the numbers, but a few of the more seasoned guys in the airpark are telling me I should get a Bonanza or Commanche 250. I haven't been in a Mooney before, but I can get a ride in one of the others easily. I'm learning in a 172 and my instructor will train me in whatever I buy. He has a Bonanza and seems concerned about getting a Mooney in and out. We have 2200' of grass and parallel asphalt runways. This airpark is a great place. Multiple A&Ps / IA, flight instructors, and commercial pilots. At least one Van's RV zooms past my office window every day the sun is out. Is anybody on here around KSUS, KSET, or KFYG that wants to give a guy a ride?

Hello Mooniacs. My name is Don. This is my 37th day... sorry. Wrong group. I've been lurking for MONTHS. I grew up with my dad getting his PPL in a Cessna 150. I read every book he had when he was finished, and I always wanted to fly. During the lockdown, I did a little evaluating and purchased a place in an airpark outside of Saint Louis. Now I have a 40x43 hangar on my lot that only has cars and trucks in it. I'm now working on my ppl in a 172. My neighbor is my instructor. I understand that I'm doing things in the reverse, but I DO get to watch airplanes take off from my office window. So, even though I don't have a plane there is a benefit. My work has me covering from North Dakota to Kentucky, and we STILL aren't allowed to fly commercial, so my mission is to cover that area for work and throw in a few vacations, etc. It's just me, the misses, and a 7 year old son. I'm thinking 60% solo, 20% 2 pax (if available), and 20% 1 pax. I THINK a Mooney will fit my mission. My instructor has partnerships in a Bo and a RV6 amongst other things. He keeps recommending the Vans for cost of ownership. I'm not ready to plop down $200k for a RV10, so a RV7 would be what I'd get if not a Mooney. The 7 year old can't go with us in the Vans. Another neighbor has a Commanche and he recommends that. I just keep looking at that fuel burn in the Bonanza and Commanche. In that regard the Mooney compares somewhat favorably to the RV. I'm not a big guy and drive sports cars, so the small cabin doesn't scare me. I'm just torn on getting a $70k Mooney F with 4 seats vs a $110k Vans RV7 with 2 seats. It seems I can do a few upgrades or buy lots of fuel for $30k. I've been an auto technician and in the auto industry all my life. If I have a A&P in the neighborhood that'll check my work, how much more expensive is it to own certified over experimental? The Mooney (even a J) clearly has an advantage over the RV10 when you have $100k left over. ... aaand the RV8 across the street just fired up and is taxiing down the street. BTW, I've never been in a Mooney. If anybody is in the STL area and wants to take me up, I'll buy the cheeseburgers.