DaV8or

Quote: mjc if your airplane is 35 years old or older, it may qualify for a property tax exemption (web search for "Aircraft of Historical Significance" for the terms and conditions).

I have located a plane that has what looks to be an excellent low time, all original airframe with some nice avionics in it, but it has a high time engine. Here are the known info on the engine; It was a factory new Lycombing engine in 2000. After about 1300 hours, it developed low compression on one cylinder. They pulled it and determined the cam looked good, so the owner opted to redo all four cylinders. The bores were redone at Penn Yang and installed by the local A&P with new rings but original in spec pistons. The engine is now at a little over 1700 hours. Compressions are reported to be high and oil consumption low. (one quart per 10 hours) In my inexperienced mind, this engine is still only 300 hours from needing major money. The problem is, the overall price of the plane is higher due to the very nice airframe and avionics. I can make this plane meet my stated mission goals with in budget in all perameters except one, a mid time or lower engine. Is it wise to run an engine past TBO? Because this engine has a somewhat reconditioned top end and has been inspected only 400 hours ago, is it reasonable to expect to push it past TBO with confidence? I really don't want to spend enough to get the plane I want it AND buy a new engine in about 3-4 years. What I should I do? To see this plane requires a trip well out of the way and I'm going to Texas this weekend where it is and have limited time, so I need to make up my mind. Thanks for the help.

I don't have a plane yet, but I looked into what it's going to cost me. For me, it depends on where I base it. At Oakland, the rate is 1.3459 percent of the assested value and at Hayward it is 1.07 percent. So a big savings to go to Hayward, but it's further away from my house and I don't know yet if there are any hangers there. I have found two at Oakland.

I'll go! I don't think I'll have a Mooney by then, but I love fly-ins. I was just to Oceano back in January for an informal AOPA fly-in. We had a good turn out and combined with another small flying group that just happened to pick the same day, we really filled the ramp. The locals were impressed and kept telling us that they didn't know when they saw so many airplanes there. It's a great destination as long there isn't any marine layer on the day you want to go. The only thing that might keep me from coming is if I'm off to inspect potential Mooneys somewhere in the country. This weekend I'm off Texas to see a few!

Quote: KLRDMD Just how big is he ? Tomorrow I'm flying with a guy that's 6'1", 270 lb. Add that to my 5'10", 230 lb and we'll fit in a Mooney with manual gear. Another friend is 6'3" and 265 and he owns a 1966 E model and I fly with him many times per year. You must have a really big friend to not fit in a Mooney

Quote: piperpainter here is the in progress picture. I have been puttin new insulation in and doing the seat mod....its been interesting! I having fun and not having fun. I do however look forward to finishing the seat.

I am supposed to be going with my best friend. The plan is at the moment to fly in a rented 182. Even if I do get my own Mooney in time, I'll probably still be in the dump truck. The problem is my friend is so damn big!! I don't think he would even fit in a Mooney and if I end up with a manual gear one, I doubt the J-bar would swing past his ass. I wish he would loose a ton of weight, but ain't happening I'm affraid. I'd love to hook up with the Mooney folks though. I promise not to park next to you.

Quote: jkb458 Fly the wings off of it!!!

Quote: scottfromiowa The years 1969-1973 were trying times for Mooney.

Quote: KSMooniac On balance, manual vs. electric gear would way down on my list of must-haves. I would much rather have a standard 6-pack panel, Garmin 530W or 430W (or both), autopilot, etc. more than either gear system. I would place much more priority on the overall condition of your candidate planes and other features like the instrument layout and panel and any other nice upgrades.

Quote: ray I use to own a 69E and had problems with my electric gear, It got my wifes attention when it did't come down on a landing here in AZ. I told her no problem I'll have to hand crank it down, I ask her to take the plane I popped the circuit breaker and put the gear down made a very soft landing. I now own a 65-66E and really like the Man gear and flaps.

Quote: KLRDMD

Quote: rturbett You love 1969 E's.. You think they are the best plane ever. You should buy it right now. Dont let this one get away. You know better than to miss an opportunity like this. This will keep you away from any 65-66 E that I may find.. Rob

Quote: JimR That's a good point, Ken, that I hadn't thought about. I retract my previous post. It would have to a manual gear-equipped example if I was in the market for a pre-J. Jim

Ok, everyone seems to think that the 65-66 M20s are the sweet spot for pre J Mooneys, but how much worse is a '69? There is one for sale right now that I'm pretty excited about and I'm wondering what down sides it has. I haven't gotten my Mooney book yet, but it's on the way. I'll definately read up on it when I get it. I was just wondering if there are any owners here of '69s or there abouts that can comment from experience. Are they a little worse or is it an OWT?

Quote: Dan Are you flying with Oakland flyers? I would like to fly to some of the Mooney events as well, out of OAK. Dan

Quote: mooneygirl http://mooneypilots.com/ is the website for MAPA, and Lela Hughes can be reached at 210-525-8008

Quote: rturbett I'm mooney shopping- anyone care to voice their preference of a c, e, or f model? I am considering 1965 to 1968 Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Rob

Quote: mooneygirl Hello there You might want to consider Don Kaye for your instruction. http://web.mac.com/donkaye/Dons_Homepage/Flight_Instruction.html He might be able to give you some advice on finding a pre-J to train in. Don is an absolute Mooney Guru, and has tons of experience. And in my opion you might want to join MAPA if you haven't and perhaps even put a classifed in the MAPA LOG, you get a free advertisement! Just a thought. http://www.mooneypilots.com This weekend, April 17th there are about five or six of us headed to Minter Field for their fly-in. There will be at least three pre-Js there, including mine. http://www.minterfieldairmuseum.com/ All the best Jolie

Quote: Dan There was a plane across the bay in Palo Alto at a local flying club. I seem to recall it being a K model maybe. Might be a bit of a hike for you though. If you hear of something out of OAK, let me know. Dan

Until law makers and the lawyers that interpret the law get reined in by common sense Americans we all loose.

Anybody know of a CFI in or near the San Francisco Bay Area that has a Mooney to give instruction in? Here's my deal; I will be buying an M20E soon and will need transition training. At the same time, I am due for a BFR by the end of May. Chances are, I won't have my Mooney by then, so I'd like to do the transition traing ahead of time and kill two birds with one stone. It seems to me that the transition training is pretty much the same as what they do for a BFR. It would be awsome if I could get instruction in a pre-J model.

Quote: KLRDMD If you would like any specific pictures of Jeff's airplane, just let me know. I can get them next week. (I have no financial interest in the sale, as a disclaimer)

Quote: RJBrown When I sold my Rocket Top Gun in Stockton did the pre buy. I was impressed with the organization. When I bought the MSE a year ago I dealt with First Pryority Bank of Pryor Oklahoma. The loan approval was quick and painless. They have a sales contract form that I used. I had a contract on a TLS that ended up un airworthy in a lot of ways. When the seller would not stand behind the plane and backed out of the deal the contract we used required him to cover the cost of prebuy. It cost me a trip to Dallas to inspect the plane but not a dime on the failed prebuy. When I chose the MSE I ended up not needing the financing but still used Pryority to escrow the deal. They treated me so well that I left the excess funds there for an engine reserve fund. Robert Guderian is who helped me.

Quote: ehscott I would go see and fly the airplane first and then arrange for the pre-buy inspection.