I couldn't disagree more with the nay sayers. There is no reason at all that you can't "crawl, walk, run" in any aircraft. It depends on the individual, and if you are willing to spend extra time training, there is no reason why you can't do in a Mooney. After some research, I think a pre-loved Mooney best fits my mission profile/budget. With the FAA's changes effective 10/31/2011, allowing pilots to concurrently train for PPL and IFR ratings, it makes the Mooneys even more attractive. Financially speaking, the local "reputable" school charges anywhere from $150-$200 per hour for a 172, and they push the Hell out of the $200 units. Then they charge an additional $20 an hour for their instructors, plus, you have to go through a number of "proficiency" check rides with another instructor at different points along the way. You have to remember, schools are set up to make money, not pilots. Based on a 60 hour training program, your looking at $15000, plus another $1000 for the "check rides", plus another $250 for their ground school. At the end, what do you have to show for it? A PPL, if your lucky, that is, if they haven't convinced you that you need more training. I can probrably find an older Mooney for $16250, and I know that I can defiantly find one for $32500, and sell half of it to another pilot. I know there are costs of ownership associated with owning a plane, it's kind of like owning or renting a house, I don't want to make someone else's mortgage payment while they get all of the tax benefit's.
I will do my diligence, and thoroughly research any aircraft before purchase, and make sure I am up front with any prospective CFIIs of my intentions, strengths, and weakness before I purchase an aircraft and resume training.
