dico

Quote: JoeSpeed My plane is an Ovation 3 2007. It was prewired for the GFC700 but it was delivered w/ the STec since the GFC700 was not avaliable at delivery time. Mooney quoted me $65000 to upgrade the Autopilot and add Wass. It is cheaper to sell your plane and buy a GFC700 plane.

Hi All, I understand that the M20M engines (Lycoming TIO-540 AF1B) are very expensive to overhaul (someone told me $70k) and that they generally don't make it to TBO. I'm sure some of you have an M model Mooney with this type of engine. Can you please let me know your thoughts on what an actual overhaul would cost... if it will make it to TBO..... and what the fuel burn is at 75% power. Thanks, -Dico

Quote: Cris Hi Dico - The Ovation 3 is in part a 310 HP STC licensed from Midwest Mooney M20 sales but installed by the Money factory. It changes the prop governor to allow the engine to turn to 2700 RPM & typically adjusts the fuel settings to represent the IO-550N as opposed to the IO-550G. There is a description/disclaimer of the STC on the Mooney Company site. I just had the 310 HP STC done on my M20S at Midwest Mooney & highly recommend them. There was an earlier version of this STC installed that increased the HP from the Eagle's 244 HP at 2400 rpm to the standard Ovation's 280 HP at 2600 rpm. I had the earlier STC befeore I had it upgraded to the 310 HP @2700 RPM. What you get with the 310 Hp STC is a new prop governor, three bladed prop, tach, fuel system adjustments and the required paperwork & documentation. As a practical matter the T/O performance for my eagle is cut to less than half & the climb rate is dramatically improved. The gross weight is increased by 168 lbs to 3368 same as the Ovation 3. My current usefull load is 1124 lbs. In addition the Eagle was limited to a fuel load of 75 gals. It turns out that the fuel tanks are the same in the Ovation & Eagle but there is a baffle that makes fueling the Eagle difficult due to trapped air. The baffles have now been modified so that I can carry the full fuel load of 106 Gals. if I am so inclined. This A/C is now capable of 200 Kts. but the fuel burn will be 20 GPH leaned & 29 GPH in the initial climb. So for me I wanted better T/O performance similar to the J model I previously owned as well as increasd payload. All pilots want to climb faster, fly farther & carry more. This A/C now does all of that and I still get terrific speeds & economy at 2550 rpm. In fact on a recent flight from Biloxi Ms to Atlantic City NJ @11000 I was getting almost 20 miles per gal. according to the fuel computer. Of course it helped that I had a 30-45 Kt tailwind a good part of the time- LOL. This is an easy decision if you want speed safety & value for now & the future sale. Cris

Quote: rbharvey Yes it is possible but im not sure with Mooney Factory Service shut down if a regional MSC could do it. Bring your wallet it is about $25k Bob

Hello, I am wondering if it is possible to upgrade from a Stec55 to GFC700 assuming the plane already has a G1000. I guess I am wondering if its "just" replacing that right G1000 display with a new one that has the A/P buttons and tying it into the existing servos? --- Sounds easy if you say it fast. However, I'm not sure what it entails, and I would think the cost would be crazy. But in an effort to learn about this, do you think this is possible and if so -- whats the guess as to cost. (I certainly don't think it would be remotely cost effective and you'd just but a place with a GFC AP if you wanted one -- curious though. Thanks, Dico

Hi All, I've been looking and reading up on Mooneys and I notice many places have the MidWest STC that brings an Ovation 2 up to an Ovation 3. I went to the Midwest site thinking I would just see a "Upgrade to Ovation 3 Mod", however I see they've got dozens of mods, but none jumped out at me as to what that upgrate might include. Can someone please let me know what this upgrade/stc actually includes? Thanks, Dico

Hi all, I see some Ovation3's with TKS (fiki) and some without. I'm wondering if the ones that are available withouth FIKI TKS are able to be retrofitted with the TKS. If so... what is the cost to add FIKI TKS on 2007ish model? was the TKS (when added new as an option) added by Mooney at the mooney factory or did the TKS people actually install it? does the retrofit TKS look as nice/clean of a job as the "new from factory TKS"? Thanks, Dico

Quote: danb35 For that list, you're looking at an Ovation 2GX or Ovation 3, 2005+. Here's a listing that meets all your specs: http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20R-OVATION-3-GX/2007-MOONEY-M20R-OVATION-3-GX/1180007.htm?. Asking price is a little higher than your budget ($389k US), but not much, and I wouldn't be too surprised if there's some flexibility there. There are a few others listed with TKS, but they don't state that it's FIKI TKS, so it may not be.

Quote: GeorgePerry If FIKI is a "must" then you'll likely be looking at a later model Long body Mooney...which tend to be highly desired and somewhat expensive. Occasionally a J will come up with TKS but that's the exception not the rule. Probably your best "bang-for-buck" plane would be a 231 with aftermarket wastegate, intercooler and TKS. But if a turbo is also a non-starter then the 231/252/Encore along with the Bravo and Acclaim models are out. Your post doesn't talk budget, but I'd assume your in the 175K-250K range based on the models your interested in. As for very capable NA Mooneys the two in that range are the M20S eagle and M20R. The eagle can be a good value and some do have TKS systems. That leaves M20R Ovations. Lots of them around right now and at some pretty low prices. Another consideration is insurance. Mooneys tend to be cheap when compared to insuring SR-22's or Beach products. Get a generic quote for both an M20S and SR-22 to compare. Also, I'd highly recommend you try to fly each. The Mooney and Cirrus are completely different animals. The Mooney feels like a finely tuned BMW 5 series sports sedan and the Cirrus feels like the family SUV. Over to you on which you prefer. Performance #'s are easily searchable on the internet. You'll find that "in general" NA Mooneys climb slightly slower than the Cirrus but cruise quite a bit faster. As for Turbo's the clime delta narrows and is almost a wash, but the cruise numbers and fuel burn for a Turbo Mooney (esp a 231/252) are just incredible! Your best bet is to do some research, read everything you can and fly each. Here's a link to the 231 and 252 evals which will help get you started. http://www.mooneypilots.com/mapalog/M20K231%20Eval%20Files/M20K231_Eval.htm http://www.mooneypilots.com/mapalog/M20K252_evaluation_report.htm http://www.mooneypilots.com/mapalog/ As for AP's...I wouldn't even factor that into my decision matrix. If the plane has one and it works...that's really all you need.

Hello All, I am doing some research on whether I need a Mooney or a Cirrus. Here is my situation right now. I currently have a Twin Comanche and its a great plane. However it does not have FIKI and living in eastern Canada it makes the plane pretty useless a few months a year. I used to have a M20E a few years ago but sold that so I could get the multi rating and IFR rating. (the M20E didn't have any IFR gear). Usually I fly with 2 or 3 souls on board (75%)... 4 souls (25%). Having said that, the more useful load, the better. I bring a pee bottle with me so I'm not afraid of long runs of 4-5 hours. So long range fuel would be nice -- but do I need it for 4-5 hour legs? FIKI is a must G1000 is nice. Currently have an Aspen and find the situational awareness quite valuable/safe. NA vs Turbo -- I'm not convinced the extra cost of the Turbo is worth it for my flying from 8k - 12k range. How easily can a Mooney get up to 12k with 300lbs of pax, 50lbs baggage and full fuel? Oxygen would be nice A/C is not required. I can open the door on landing to cool off. Saves weight and $. Garmin AP vs Stec... I've not flown with either -- which is best and why? I'd love to hear your recommendations on models that I should be looking at! Thanks, Dico