HopePilot

Well, the '77 is a fine plane, but it doesn't have push/pull controls (which I favor and you get more leg room). Also, the landing gear speed increased to 150 mph in 1978 and emergency gear retraction also changed. Ultimately though, I wouldn't pass on a killer '77 at the right price (Parker knows I wanted one in Arizona, but missed putting down the deposit by minutes), but with no price discrepency I'd rather wait for the right '78 or later. I figure if I waited this long...

I think you're probably right about not posting anything really interesting that has potential, until it's a done deal. Maybe I should just have everyone PM me if they hear of anything? I really appreciate everyone's feedback, and I guess I've just come to the conclusion that I need all the help I can get. My original goal was to find a plane by Christmas. Now I'd be happy to find it by Easter.

It's really amazing that you guys have nailed almost all the top planes I've been looking at. I've also talked to the broker about this plane and was about to make an offer (on the 78 in Texas) until I found out it had been sitting for the last couple of years. It hasn't flown 50 hrs in the last year so I'm hesitant to go to the top of my budget. I haven't ruled it out, but I'm hoping something else will pop up (that hasn't sat unused and interior doesn't make my wife cry).

I've also been watching that one in NC, but it doesn't have altitude hold and it's above my budget. I like it, but for 99k, me thinks it should hold altitude. I don't suppose anyone lives near that J in KY?

Hey Parker, I've been talking to that guy, but he hasn't sent me any photos (something about not being able to find his camera). I'd be interested if he'd ever return my e-mails. I'm pretty sure I'd have to rebuild it ASAP, as I fly over water quite a bit (to go to KSBA and KAVX). Also, the emergency landing options aren't too good here in LA.

I've spoken to many dealers about many specific planes, but I haven't wanted to limit myself to just one dealer. I've come very close on a couple of occassions to finding the exact bird, but someone always seems to beat me by a couple of minutes. Other times, it looked like the right plane until a little digging. It'd be nice to find someone who's just decided to sell their plane (at an awesome price) and would like to avoid paying a broker fee by selling straight to me.

Luv Flying, I got the idea from you!!! Thanks! FYI: I looked into that '78 on ebay, but it turned out to actually be a '77 with some work needed.

Month after month passes and yet I still haven't found my plane. The largest part of the problem has been finding a plane that hasn't been sitting for an extensive amount of time. I need something on the lower end of the market and I'm trying to avoid something that will come back to bite me later on. I'd really like something turn-key, but if the price was low enough, I'm flexible. Most buyers don't like the idea of having to do a major overhaul on the plane they just buy, and while I'm not crazy about the idea, I'm willing to go through it if the 30k is truly factored into the price. Anyhow, here's what I'm looking for: 1978 or later 201, all logs, airframe: less than 4000 hrs (yes, I know it's arbitrary), engine: less than 1000 SMOH, autopilot with altitude hold, not in need of paint or new interior (must pass wife screening through), everything should work, no rust, all ADs, newer shock discs, fuel tanks not in need of attention. Would like: No damage history, speed brakes, gps, southwestern U.S. plane Approx.: 70-80k. Anybody seen a plane like that from a realistic seller (i.e. not trying to get you to pay full price for their upgrades)? I check the traditional sites (Trade-A-Plane, Controller, Global Plane Search) on a daily basis. Yes, I've thought of an F, and almost bought one, but I really want a J (for some of the reasons I'm not looking at '77s anymore). Help!

Nice plane ('84 was a great year). Unfortunately my budget is too low to help you out.

Thanks Michael, that document is very helpful. I think if you had the bottom done (and the top had been done recently), as long as everything was inspected, tested and repaired to "serviceable limits" you could say it had a "major overhaul." I'm not sure what the savings would be, but I think that's technically true (if not ideal). What's a bottom overhaul (all the goodies inside the crankcase) usually run for a J? Maybe it's better to just do the whole thing, in such a scenario?

George and Parker should be sainted for putting up with all my questions. I probably would have given up and bought a Bonanza if it wasn't for them. So, some of the planes I've seen have had a top overhaul, presumably, to buy the owner more time so that I can come along later and get have to do the bottom. If you buy a plane that has 700 hrs on a top overhaul and just have the bottom done, can you then say you are 700 since major overhaul? Thanks again.

Sorry, to annoy everyone again, but in my neverending search to buy a Mooney has me considering an unpleasant option. Many of the planes for sale are in need of, or overdue for a major overhaul (and they don't usually factor it into the price). I know they are thinking, "well, there's nothing wrong with it now, so you'll probably get a couple years). As a teacher, I'd like to worry about a rebuild in ten, not two years. Still, it's causing me to overlook a lot of planes. Here's my question. For those of you who just did a major overhaul, how much did it cost you? I would be looking at the least expensive, but best bang for the buck option (so probably not "O" time). This is just a theoretical question, to hell in the shopping process, but I thank you for your help. Bonus question: How much would you deduct from the price of a plane that is at TBO?

One of the planes I'm looking at was rebuilt in 1990 and has about 700 hours on it. How long past Lycoming's 12 year TBO recommendation do you guys feel safe with?

Yup, it's always interesting practicing an approach at Burbank and hearing, "2SP, can you please expedite? There's a 737 on final behind you." Camarillo's VOR RWY 26 approach is a nice one. I don't think our approaches at KVNY are particularily interesting, but if you do the VOR/DME wrong, you could be in for some hurt (safer just to shoot the ILS). How about an October 31st Haloween fly-in around lunch time. I'm just throwing out a random day to get the ball rolling. Could be early November...

I'm in KVNY. Maybe we can have a small fly-in at KCMA and anyone who's got a Mooney in the area can educate those of us who are trying to learn (show us their planes, etc.). Maybe a few weeks from now? Waypoint Cafe has an awesome tri-tip sandwich.

Well, I made an offer, but we weren't able to come to terms, and the other plane (which I should have gone for) was bought while I was looking the other way. Now I'm looking at a couple of local planes (Los Angeles), so I may be asking for prebuy mechanic opinions in the next week. This process is going to take a lot of time to do right. I thought that all the hard work was over (getting the instrument rating, the funds, etc.), but finding and buying the plane is a bit frustrating. I mean, I drove 100 miles each way to check out in the only Mooney I could find (KAPV), an M20C (couldn't find a J), so I'm not going to give up easily. It just might take a while...

Okay, I believe you guys. There's also a Mooney Service Center called Virginia Aviation at Lynchburg Regional, but I'm not sure if there's as good as Aerodyne. They are closer....

No Mooney experts near Raleigh though? That's odd considering every third plane I'm interested is in NC.

Thanks for the suggestion. I looked into it and it's about an hour and ten from the buyer, so I'm not sure I could get him to take it that far. The plane in NC is an 80s J and the one in Arizona is a 70s J. Sorry for the lack of details, but I the owners could be on this board. I'll post pictures for whatever I buy though.

Hi guys, I'm getting ready to make offers on a couple of planes, but I need to list where they need to deliver it for the prebuy. The first plane is near Raleigh, and the second is near Scottsdale, Arizona. What are the most reliable places to have a prebuy done at either of those locations? I won't be making the offers at the same time, but I didn't want to waste everyone's time with two seperate threads. Thanks for your help. Hoping to join the Mooney cult soon, 16LPilot