timinfla2

Quote: Bnicolette Very cool! A video I threw together over the holiday:

Looks like a blast! Could split gas with somebody or just rent one of the club planes from FIT - but, of course, they're all non-Mooney ;-)

Now that I know the board, and if you don't mind a non-Mooney mixing it up on the ramp with you, I'll rent a club Arrow and make it down - I love that trip from MLB to EYW - beautiful over the glades, and then over the teal water.

Congrats on what was hopefully an amazing trip! Regarding the Cayman Caravan, I notice they only mention it in archived discussions - do they no longer do the caravan? The website www.cayman-caravan.com is suspended as well... Looks like it'd be a fun trip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS7Y6ruBadU&feature=youtube_gdata_player Here's another one from just a few days ago, this time in the Club's Arrow. We were headed from home (KMLB) out to see friends in Punta Gorda (KPGD). She's growing so fast :-/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Wd6VtNts8&sns=em This one is of my daughter and I somewhere over South FL in my buddy's Piper. She is by far my favorite copilot! She sure loves those Goldfish, haha!

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20K-305-ROCKET/1983-MOONEY-M20K-305-ROCKET/1189821.htm? This is interesting...

I am ABSOLUTELY in no rush. Truth be told, I'd prefer to stick a toe in the water via a rental and/or partnership before going full bore into my own bird. Further, were you to ask me a week ago what I was looking at, I'd have said a Bonanza. Before that, an older Aerostar... Suffice to say, I'm still well-premature of even tire-kicking mode. I've heard a few concerns about Mooneys around roominess and payload - I'm 6'3 and 260 pounds. 99% of my flights are flown alone, but some extra payload is one of those nice-to-haves. Notwithstanding all of the various makes, there's the battle over which model will best suit me. My initial reaction is that I want something that can get me up into the Flight Levels for long range trips, say, between FL and MI or FL and NY. It looks like a 201 Rocket, a 231 or a 252 will all three fit the bill just fine. Of course, I remain open and appreciative of any input you folks can offer. I thank you again for all the gracious feedback.

Holy smokes - was anybody else amazed at the group of those folks lifting that plane up like it was nothing? Logicly speaking, i get that enough people lifting the plane only lift a fraction of the weight, but just the same, it was a pretty incredible spectacle. Sucks for the pilot though... Too bad, but it seemed to be a mishap from which you could walk away.

Great advice on the reversible Vs irreversible stuff. I fully agree wtih that approach. Some things are simply beyond fixing. I'll defintiely keep the Daytona folks on my short list as I live in Brevard County but I'll soon be moving out to Tampa, so the Ft Meyers folks will soon get to know me...

George, thank you. I had no idea there was an MSC in Daytona. I certainly appreciate your response above. I've actually used several of your posts in my research as to what to look for. Tanks again!

well shoot - I guess I should've mentioned I live in FL :-)

Hi there folks - I'm looking to buy my first plane and I'm looking at a 231. I've seen quite a few listings from Mooney Mart but I've seen some bad reviews about them so I'm steering clear. At the end of the day, I'd like something that can get me into the Flight Levels with Factory O2 and it seems that I'm not quite yet experienced enough to distinguish between a great A/C and a lemon. If anybody can offer up a few references for a pre-buy inspection, I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Tim