Parker_Woodruff

Hope you guys are using cheap gas as a reason to go out flying a lot and putting your planes to work. The only way to keep GA alive is by flying and encouraging others to become airplane owners, not 15 hour per year renters.

I kept my M20J outside in Texas for almost two years. Had a couple later departures because of frost, but that's all...

Send it to Maxwell

USAA contracts with Falcon Insurance in Kerrville. Call 800-880-4545 and ask for Michael in USAA

I flew my plane from Central Florida to Don Maxwell for both of my annual inspections when I had my M20K and lived out there. Phil is great as well. He did most of the the non-annual inspection maintenance for me.

What do you mean by babying the engine? Some things do more harm than good (such as pulling the power back immediately after takeoff).

The TIT of my M20K decreased about 30 degrees (maybe more?) when I switched to Tempest Fine Wire spark plugs. LOP in an M20K is definitely a good thing.

Plenty of heat at FL210 in the winter.

Most nice airplanes that have been flown often and are well maintained and well equipped sell quickly and for close to the asking price, If the asking price is reasonable. For a top notch, late model M20J, the mid $100Ks aren't out of the question. I really think you're going to want the speed of the M20K for your KEYW trips. You can buy a lot of M20K in the mid $100s right now.

True statements. Insurance companies' rates for twins would agree with your "many aren't" comment.

You are forgetting the small children that are endangered. Orlando Approach sent me straight through the TFR one time. I was worried, but under their watch/under their orders it is ok.

I just read that you are in Houston. I could do nonstop to Central Florida (LAL) from Dallas or Austin on about 54 gallons. Extended range tanks on a Mooney M20K would make a nonstop trip basically guaranteed. You'd need a higher useful load variant to assure that the W&B would work out.

What do you want to be able to do with your airplane? I've owned both an M20J and a turbocharged M20K. Traveled to KEYW from Lakeland a few times. I liked having the turbo, even in Florida. Jimmy and David at All-American are great. I've also helped a few of their clients with aircraft delivery and flight training. Buying a Mooney out of Texas is always a good idea. You have good Mooney Service Centers (Don Maxwell), you have a good interior shop in San Antonio (Aero Comfort), and there are plenty of great avionics shops around.

It's definitely easy to feel apprehensive your first few times at higher cannula O2 altitudes. Once you get settled in, it starts feeling normal. I wouldn't hesitate to get up there again and enjoy an eastbound tailwind. That misfire could be the result of spark plugs or unpressurized mags. I had an occasional misfire at 17,000 and above in my M20K till I switched to Tempest Fine Wire plugs.

??? It was a light King Air. Unless he had available runway to stop ahead on, you fly that airplane back for landing. A King Air in the flat state of Kansas will not hit anything off the departure end of a long runway and has the performance for a climb. It takes skill and always being ready for one engine to quit. But that airplane will make it, if properly flown.

Twins are great, but only if you fly often and stay proficient. And also have enough horses to fly on that one engine. Baron, Seneca, or at least a Beech Travel Air.

I don't think I has any squawk directly related to the turbocharging system in 2 years and 220? Hours flying my M20K

Here's the figures with video proof: :D 11.6-11.8 GPH which gave me the approximate speeds depending on altitude: 6000 - 160 KTAS 10,000 - 170 KTAS 14,000 - 175-179 KTAS 15,000 - 180 - 183 KTAS FL190 - 188-191 KTAS FL210 - 190-195 KTAS (195 is easy when you're lighter at end of trip) http://mooneyspace.com/topic/9385-m20k-fl210-performance/

A 252 is a great airplane. I had the privilege of owning one for two years. Not too thirsty and more than capable

Somewhere around where the pin is dropped... Spirit Airlines is quite cheap to Los Cabos...

I have been to Mexico (Los Cabos) twice in the last year and would go again. But I wouldn't fly my own plane. Any type of breakdown sounds 1) expensive and 2) like it could take awhile to fix. I was out on the beach one night outside my hotel with a buddy of mine after dark (with no substances in my body or on my person). Cops showed up on ATVs and were insistent upon frisking us. They were stunned when we didn't have anything illegal on us. They let us go, but a million thoughts went through my head about how corrupt the cops and legal system are.

People are not flying enough to keep their basic airmanship skills in good shape. Then add to that the cheap people that have somehow had an $800 annual each of the last 10 years. Then add the stupid mental decisions of get-there-itis. This is how hulls are lost. It's been a nice change of pace as a CFI that the last four people I've flown with in Mooneys have flown with assertiveness, confidence, and with some quality in their flying skills... But there are others that need some serious help. In other words, today's accident rates 1) don't surprise me and 2) are largely avoidable. Get out there and stay proficient.

What's the story on the "longer" range tanks From the typical 64? Or is this the original fuel capacity? Bladders or wet wing?

I'm with you on this one. They might even be able to get a door to fit right.

What's your budget? Why are you making the jump from a J to an M? Both are great planes, but in the middle of those is the turbocharged M20K (231,252, and Encore). It's not as thirsty on gas as the M20M if that is a consideration for you. If cross country travel at 12,000 and higher is a requirement for you, I would go for the M20K. The ability to get that high is there in all M20 variants is there, but a turbocharged aircraft is the best way to do so quickly. I've owned an M20J and M20K. Even living in Texas, I would prefer the M20K for the quick climb to cruising altitude.