NickG

Looks like there are some J's in that range. Best performance/efficiency for the price out there.

Question #1 - what's your budget?

I sold my Cherokee 235 and bought an Ovation. I had 500+ hours and an instrument rating. I love my Ovation and wouldn't swap it for any other bird. I will say however that transitioning from a 235 to an Ovation was not easy and it took me literally 40 hours of transition training before I felt comfortable. The sight picture, performance, landing etc were very different and it took a while for me to "unlearn" my Cherokee 235 habits (like big flares etc). You ABSOLUTELY should upgrade to a Mooney (whatever model) - just be prepared for a learning curve and make sure you have a Mooney CFII lined up!!!! You'll love it.

Battery life is about the same, maybe a bit better. Speed is much better tho.

I get about a 5 KTAS penalty in my O

Here is a link to articles by John Deakin https://www.avweb.com/features/avweb-classics/pelicans-perch/pelicans-perch-index/. Numbers 8, 15, 16, 18, 19, 43, 63-66, 77 & 78 deal with engine management and running LOP.

I had the same questions before I bought my Ovation. Richard Simile was kind enough to arrange a sit in (lol) for me in St George, a couple of hours from where I live in Las Vegas. I had a Cherokee 235 and was considering a Saratoga. I had heard all of the rumors about the small Mooney cabin. My Ovation is about 1 inch shorter than a Saratoga, The cabin width is a but wider than a Cherokee, but was more comfortable. As has been mentioned, you sit more akin to a sports car than an SUV. It's very comfortable. The long bodies have a ton of baggage area and the back seats have plenty of leg room for adults. Getting in and out is, as has been mentioned a bit of a pain the ass but everything in life's a tradeoff, right? I'm 6ft, 275 and wide. No issues. Wife is petite but my regular flying buddy is 6' 4' and 220 and we both fit up front with no issues (seats are staggered). My son is 6' 2" and 190 and sits in the back no problem.

I am now selling my iPad Mini 6 with 64GB, Space grey. Screen perfect a couple of little nicks in the bezel. Works perfectly. Let me know if you're interested. $250 (I know the title says $275- don't know how to edit it)

Just replaced my mini 6 with 512GB Cellular Mini 7. Exact same form factor between the two. Faster processor and for me, loads more storage. I am now selling my mini 6 with 64GB, Space grey. Screen perfect a couple of little nicks in the bezel. Works perfectly. Let me know if you're interested.

Me too. M20R TKS with 310HP STC and 1100 lbs UL. Very happy.

Yes. This is sage advice. Couldn’t agree more. IR should be mandatory and is a lot more challenging than people think. The best way to approach it is when you’re still in the training mode. If you plan on xc flying its is indispensable. Yes, flight following is ok (until they get busy and then you hear “radar services terminated”) but if you want to climb above or descend through a layer on an otherwise vfr flight, you’ll need it. Most of my trips are xc and almost all filed IFR. Enjoy your new privileges and I agree with those who recommend that you don’t waste hours and money in a 172 - you’ll want to build hours and experience in a Mooney if that’s what you want (good choice!)

Main difference is how lean and what RPM. I cruise at 2550, others 2500 or 2400.

WOT 14000 176KTAS 11.4GPH

I had a Bruces made for my Cherokee a few years ago - its was cheaper than Mac and of good quality. My Ovation came with a Mac canopy cover and empennage cover. I would say the quality is a little better but not enough to chose one over the other. My Macs cover has Velcro opening sections so I can get into the cockpit and/or baggage area without taking the cover off. I dont know if that is an option for Bruces or not.

My fuel flow, max power at sea level is 29 GPH

I use basically the same method on my 94 O with 310HP except I climb WOT, 2700 full rich as I climb lean to keep 1250 on EGT to altitude. My home field is 2550 AGL. John Deakin's articles are gold!

I fly with a 5gallon container of TKS fluid int he cargo area which doubles as ballast.

Do you have the 310 HP STC?

I believe I asked @CAV Ice the same question a few months ago. I think the panels are the same thickness. Primary difference is backup pump and heated stall warning system. Plus I think (I could be wrong) FIKI needs dual alternators, TKS not. i have a 94 O with TKS. Have used it occasionally before I got icing. Glad to have it, but it’s only a way to buy time so I can get out of icing asap.

I just had the Garmin AOA installed in my Ovation - I have a G3X Touch. I pick it up Monday - I'll let you know how it is!

I would keep my Mini 6 but I now run ForeFlight and garmin pilot on it so there’s not enough internal storage. I’ll upgrade to the 7. I also have an IPad Pro with cellular but it’s too big and cumbersome. Because I have a G3X and all glass I actually dont use the ipad much at all in flight - it has my POH and manuals on it so I usually connect to avionics so the logs and EIS data will update, send the flight plan to the 750 and then put it in the floor pocket. I use it for charts( very useful) etc and if the 750 or G3X isn’t giving me the flight plan view I want (which is rare). Flight planning is where I use it the most. Anyhow, gonna upgrade because I need the space. Probably disconnect the cellular on my big iPad and get cellular on the mini.

I have an Ovation (310 HP) based in Las Vegas. My mission is flights to LA, Houston, Oregon and Denver. There’s no route the Ovation cannot fly - I’m usually at between 12 and 16k, have on occasion gone to 18k plus but no full face mask so sort of capped there (I could get one tho…) Las Vegas to Houston in about 6 and a bit hours. My O is 170-180 KTAS in 11.5-12.5 GPH LOP at those altitudes. There’s also flaming dragon mode if you want to kick it up closer to 190 KTAS and burn 17+ GPH (I don’t ). I have a useful load of #1100. I was seriously considering a Bravo but decided for the O after running through multiple scenarios (east to west, west to east) and my mission and useful load requirements. The O will outperform the Bravo at mid altitudes and do so sipping a lot less fuel. The Bravo will shine in the Flight Levels. You’ll love the bravo but I couldn’t think of a better cross country bird for me than my Ovation.

Fantastic! My home field! I just registered…

12.4 gph 175 ktas at 9k or so. Will generally get 172 or so 10-16k in the 11-12gph range

Sent you a PM. Yes, WOT. Assuming you have GAMI’s?