Hi - I have been a semi-frequent lurker here but needed to join today.
I have been working with a potential airplane partner in buying a 182. The plan was to buy a pretty nice used 182 for around $300k. The reason for the 182 was the typical strengths of that airplane, including the ability for our local flight school to put it out on leaseback (IFR pilots only, some kind of reasonable checkout to make sure they are not cavemen. Or cavewomen, etc.).
However the potential partner, who I like, and who is a very cool dude, is facing medical issues. So there is a chance that instead of buying a $300k 182 with him, I could be buying a $150k airplane on my own.
When I was 9 years old (which was in 1979) I mailed the Mooney company for information on their new aircraft and they sent me a buyers package with complete information, pricing, and paint and fabric samples for the new 201 and 231 models. I’ve been in love with them ever since.
Today I have a few hundred hours in rented/club Cessnas and love the high wing for sightseeing, but my wife and I are entering the stage where we want to travel, and nothing says travel to me better than a Mooney. THAT SAID, I have never flown or even sat in one. And I know from internet research that flying Mooneys is “different” than flying a Cessna or even a Cherokee.
I’m 5’7” and I know old man Mooney was some kind of giant, so I may need rudder pedal extensions. And my “fun” car is a Porsche 911 so I’m comfortable sitting on the floor with my legs straight out lol. I have a million specific questions, but I think it would be smart to actually get a flight in one before going any further.
So - any advice on how to do that, or anyone live near KIGQ or KVPZ or KMGC (Illinois/Indiana) that would be willing to take me up for a ride (I’ll share costs to the extent of the law…)?
Thanks in advance for any help - this is a real turning point from the “no brainer” upgrade to a 182 to a true high performance airplane.
PWW
