Dave Marten

I had the reiff bands on my Bonanza back in South Dakota and they worked great! Oil temp was about 50F ish at -10F. Had a full up insulated cowling cover and prop cover. Try an old sleeping bag as your cowling blanket better insulation and your wife won't be upset at you for stealing the comforter! You'll be fine for those really bitter California winters!

I haven't had any problems with my GB. Intercooler and autowastegate make the GB a sweet engine. 1. Yes GB will get upgraded to LB at OH. 2. Yes keep your mods- seemless transfer 3. Comparable to other 6 cylinders. I'd guess 30k plus although I haven't gotten there yet 4. Should be able to, over rear seat 5. No. I don't trust blanket statements like that. About 2 gph low for 170 at 15k. If you're going to guarantee performance at least spell it correctly! 6. Great avionics, good numbers, fair price. There are less expensive 231s out there but you'll give up a little 'glass'. Hint- check the listings on this site

Welcome to high altitude operations! Cannulas are only allowed/certified up to 18,000 MSL. 18K+ requires mask (nose and mouth must be covered). Gotta dig into the CFRs (23.1443). Get yourself a mic'd mask if you intend to suck the hose in the flight levels. No wonder you felt like shit after sitting at 21k for 3 hrs on a cannula. http://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/Oxygen_Equipment.pdf Get a proper mask or stay below 18K! More educational material here: http://www.c-f-c.com/supportdocs/abo4.htm Don't screw around in the flight levels - at 22k you've got 5-10 min till lights out w/o O2 Fly safe!

A little obvious ya think? Congrats Dave

Matt, As you're finding out if a deal sounds too good to be true it is! While there are a lot of airplanes on the market unfortunately not all have been well cared for and there is probably a good reason why its priced way low.The pilots on this forum are extremely knowledgable about their Mooneys. If something catches your eye it is a completely valid technique to start a thread asking for opinions. You'll get plenty! Take advantage of the resources on this forum. Venting is also valid, but let's turn it into something constructive. One of folks here may have even owned a specific airplane you may be interested in or knew the pilot who did.

Interesting. My guess based on color and location next to the HSI is a remote outer marker (blue) light. If it is wired hit the test switch on the marker beacon receiver panel and see if you get a light. Not a stock light on the 231 K models. Or ask the owner.

Lacee, You'll be fine. Relax, take your time, and don't worry. This will be a 'big picture' look by the examiner for basic airmanship and safety with which you'll have no problem. Fly safe!

Simple - The folks at Mooney Aircraft have PRIDE IN THEIR WORK! Its a long-standing tradition in aviation, especially for prototypes, first-lots, anniversary editions, etc. Earliest example I can think of is Lindbergh's Spirit of St Louis. All the factory workers at Ryan signed inside the Spirit's engine cowling. Extremely common during WWII where the gals building the planes would send words of encouragement on the inside of access panels to the mechanics and crews. The tradition is very much alive today! Many Mooney owners will recognize some of the names on that panel. I got a kick out of Bill Wheat's "nobody" title. Fly it with pride - Mooney built it with pride!

HOLIDAY SALE - PRICE REDUCED - NOW $91,000 Give yourself the gift of speed this Christmas! Why mess around with a reindeer-powered, open cockpit sled that's been obsolete for over a century. A Turbo Mooney is the ONLY way to fly this Christmas! Festive holiday appropriate Regent Red and Las Vegas Gold jetglo paint scheme included! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good FLIGHT! Cheers, Dave

Good plan. Cut your teeth a bit on the M20F. Yes, with effective transition training you can step into a turbo pretty quickly. I know a couple turbo owners who are VFR only pilots. They love their airplanes and get excellent utility from them. An IFR ticket is not a pre-req for aircraft ownership, but if you're building time while you're saving for a plane then might as well work towards the instrument rating. Also, I'm not a "one plane for life guy". Personally I consider a vintage Mooney the BEST first-airplane. If you find a decent vintage Mooney consider scooping that up. Less cash and still will offer very respectable cross country performance. You'll also learn the joys/pains of aircraft ownership. Then after you've had your fun with her say thanks and pass her off to the next pilot. Then when you'll find yourself considerably wiser when you buy your Rocket.

Simple: Phillips X/C 20W50 year round. Camguard makes a great product. Umm.....reminds me of a pilots rule of thumb for airplane engines and women: "If you're not sure then an extra layer of protection will prevent future ailments".

Nice sim Scott! I think once you max out your air-air victories you're pretty close to having a nice little IFR procedure trainer. Why not learn what you can chair flying the sim through some IFR work before burning AVGAS on your IFR ticket. Feed the habit!

Skynewbie, Sorry one more thing - If you're in NorCal you need to get in touch with Don Kaye, Master CFI donkaye@earthlink.net In my opinion, Don is the BEST Mooney specific CFI...period. He is the guy in NorCal to work your Mooney transition. He's owned a Bravo for 20+ yrs so he knows turbos. I don't mean to say the turbos are out of reach, skill wise, but like perhaps more than some other high performance singles you'll need some quality instruction in order to develop good habit patterns and stay ahead of the airplane. Happy to take you flying in a 231 anytime. Zap me a PM. I'll throw you in the left seat and let you try it on for size. Good luck!

Skynewbie, The Rocket is a LOT of airplane for a new pilot. I'd recommend against it for any newly minted pilot. Even an non-Rocket turbo (231/252) is nearly an equally large jump. You will not be able to really benefit from the capabilities. The rocket and all the turbo Mooneys are high/fast/IFR machines. When you're ready for one they are perhaps the best single engine cross country airplanes. If the deal sounds too good to be true it IS! For ANY airplane you choose ALWAYS go with a proven flier rather than one that has been sitting for a significant period. By the time you get the hangar queen flying again you'll have just as much (or more) money into it vs a turn key airplane. If the plane has not sold after such a long time on the market proceed with extreme caution (IE run in the other direction!). If you want to see what a top notch Rocket SHOULD be Dave Mazer's is a fine example. A fully functional, flying rocket with a decent panel and mid-time engine is at least a $130K+ plane. A solid 231 is around $100K. Good 252s start at in the 120's. J's and K's are about equally priced. If you're looking for a turbo the best value is a modified 231 (intercooler, auto waste gate, GAMIs, speed brakes). they're baby 252s. Just as a comparison: http://mooneyspace.com/topic/10596-for-sale-1980-m20k-231-n231rx/ Bottom line: don't buy junk when it comes to airplanes unless you really want to invest significant time, hassle and $ rebuilding it. Remember you're betting your (and your passengers') life on the quality and safety of that airplane.

Robin, Welcome to Mooneyspace. I won't tell the Bonanza guys you're looking to switch teams, although you did sell the Bo about 2 yrs ago. Many of us CA Mooney guys you've flown with use Top Gun at Stockton. 52NM from SQL. Are you looking at that J model for sale at San Carlos? I do know a guy with a really sweet K model on the market if you'd like to go turbo - ME! Are you adding to the collection or getting rid of the CJ or Pazmany?

This may be the thread you're looking for: http://mooneyspace.com/topic/3030-m20j-landing-light-aiming/ or try this one: http://mooneyspace.com/topic/10373-m20j-landing-light-replacement-for-dummies/ Bob, if that fails try taking off your sunglasses, it may help improve night vision.

Wolfman: This gives me a hard on. Hollywood: Don't tease me. Fantom, your getting warmer but a good SF-260 is outta reach on my salary. However IF the 4 seat option drops and I'm 'cleared wierd' on a 2 seater then it will be something requiring atleast a 4pt harness w/stick, canopy, tailwheel (preferred). If family recreational travel goes out the window (along with practicality) then it'll be just a 'toy' airplane. In that case the objective becomes maximizing FUN while attempting to minimize budget. Hard to beat the RV series for that or someday (if I can find a good) one-my own mythical "Eleanor" the Pitts S-2B. I also fly with the Redstar guys who are also trying to convince me to join them in an oil dripping bucket of commie bolts who's engines turn the wrong way and ADIs are upside down.

Swifts are great little planes. Similar to a vintage Mooney (both price and perf), but w/o the back seat and while beautiful, not does not rank high enough on my fun meter. However, when/if I grow up and can move into that airpark home I've always dreamed of a Swift would be the perfect little plane to push out of the hangar for a crisp morning flight. The Swift is a true classic with sexy lines. First I've got to ensure my bird gets a good home!

Not sure yet Jim. However, I am wrestling with the idea of a two seater to rage around the sky with reckless abandon in any attitude but level flight. However, my wife will probably pull my head out the clouds (or my backside depending on your perspective). Basically, undecided and exploring options!

Noted. The decision to sell has been a very difficult choice. I'd love to keep the speedy 231, but w/o the business travel requirement it's too much plane for current mission. Its been a great love affair with 231RX and I've had my fun, but now its time for someone else to enjoy her. I'm hoping that someone who's ready to upgrade will benefit from the increase in capability (as you did).

Bitter sweet but enjoy riding the Missile! Just think, if you ever feel nostalgic about the J you can always throttle the Missile back, lean her out and presto you're back at 150TAS and 10GPH! But then again Mooneys aren't made to go slow!

Of course! Being one of those retired airline guys he winters in AZ and spends the summer in GA

Give a copy of the manual to your CFII and tell him to study up! Build yourself and him a cue card so he can back you up. You, as the student, will be a little behind the airplane at times during training so your CFII better be able to stay on top of the training. Remember, you're the customer - if your CFII is not willing to study up on your make/model specifics you're wasting your money with him. Don't need to be a Mooney expert to be a good instructor in a Mooney, just be willing to do your homework and show up ready to teach! Good luck on the instrument rating!

Lacee, Just because I'm looking at switching horses doesn't mean I'm hangin up my spurs! I'm still Ops Director for the Mooney Caravan and will be proudly crackin' the whip to ensure everyone is trained and ready for Oshkosh 2014! I fully intend to be flying the Caravan Oshkosh arrival with you and will happily coordinate this year's OSH Mooney Owners Forum(s) also! Dave

Fellow Mooney Drivers, As of 24 Jan 2014: N231RX is "SOLD" The 231 has been my flying magic carpet for the last 3.5 yrs and 400 hrs! The airplane was a perfect match for the mission: Monthly trips between CA and TX for execution of an AF flight test program and of course family travel. Well, 3 yrs later the flight test program is complete and so my high-fast flier has been re-assigned to the $100 hamburger run or romp around the desert. Bottom line: I have the oppurtunity to downsize airplanes- IE fly for FUN! I WANT AN AEROBATIC airplane and in order to do that the Turbo Mooney needs a new home. As much as it pains me to say it: I DON'T HAVE THE NEED FOR MY 231 SPEED! Extremely capable - Go high, go long, go fast, X/C machine - if that is your mission then this should be YOUR plane! Here are the specs: http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_840895_1980+231+%28M20K%29+TURBO+MOONEY.html 1980 Mooney M20K 231 N231RX S/N: 25-0305 TTAF: 2905.1 Annual: Complete 11/6/2013 Top Gun Aviation (MSC) Engine: Continental TSIO-360-GB with AirFlow Systems Intercooler, Merlyn automatic wastegate, GAMI “TURBOGAMI” fuel injectors, Shadin fuel flow, TSMOH: 1166.1 Prop: Upgraded to McCauley 221 series, 2A34C221-B/G90DHC-16E, Mooney 252 Hi-Efficiency Prop, 834.1TTSNEW with de-ice boots new brushes 2012. Avionics GX60 IFR GPS/Nav/Com coupled to MX20 MFD, Bendix-King KCS 55A HSI (Slaved-new compass gyro 2012), King ADI-Flight Director, KFC200 autopilot, Radar Altimeter, SL30 Nav/Com (#2) w/ #2 VOR/LOC, PMA6000 audio panel w/music input, King KT76 Transponder,Ryan/BFG WX-10 Storm Scope, JPI EDM-700 Graphic Engine Monitor, Shadin fuel flow/totalizer, electric trim Airframe Paint/Interior 2000, Monroy Long Range Fuel 109 gallons total, Precise Flight Speed Brakes, Airframe mods: Tailcone/wingroot fairings, Mod Works Trophy 122 landing gear door conversion, 252 overlapping nosegear doors, aileron/flap gap seals, elevator/rudder hinge covers, ‘towel rack’ antennas removed from tail (inside wingtip fairings), rotating beacon removed and replaced with anti-collision lights, Pulse-Lite Recognition Light, Mooney Mart STC 3/8” thick front windshield and thicker ¼” side windows with 252 window frame mods all around. Factory on-board oxygen with new (Nov 2013) high-capacity 115 cu ft Composite Oxygen cylinder , LASAR nose gear truss and steering horn (2011), Aux power plug, heated pitot, hangared CA corrosion-free airframe. Misc Reif oil sump heater, polished spinner, Bruce’s full-length aircraft cover, recent Goodyear FCIII tires all round, brakes 2012, new alternator 2013. Complete logs since new Aircraft Hangared at Mojave Air and Spaceport (KMHV), Mojave CA CONTACT: Dave Marten (owner) 605-390-8044