TWinter

As we all check our Mooney tanks and see the slight weep of fuel. I was able to visit with my brother when he flew his Navy issued F18 into Millington, TN. I got a chance to see his F-18 up close and personal while parked out on the field. All I can say is as far as tanks leaking. Wow..it looked like a fuel truck dumped several gallons of fuel on the ground under each wing and the belly of the aircraft. To him it was a "non-issue"..that's just what happens and general ops for the jets. Apparently it's not uncommon for the jets to leak badly on the ground after refuel. The five gal buckets under the wings really raised an eyebrow for me. I don't know about you guys, but I really did not realize the amount of pressure these birds achieve while at cruise speed and the higher altitude etc..He said after they get at altitude everything tightens and it seals up..pretty amazing to see this multi-million/billion dollar jet leak like a old turd in need of a tank reseal. LOL Totally non-Mooney related, but quite impressive.

Another year w/ my M20 and the hunt for a Rocket begins..Some business projects prevent it from a reality this year, but after looking at several different planes and comparing 200hp vs. a 225hp is not really worth the $ unless there is more motive than the HP. Look at the rocket and get 280-300hp..Best bang for the buck...if you can afford twice the fuel burn, but then again, if the fuel cost is a factor when buying a Rocket or not buying it's probably not the best choice for a budget. I love the Mooney brand and the exclusive quirky nature of them. Would love more payload in my M20 and I love the speed. The Rocket is a great choice. Keep an open mind and get a very good inspection..Good luck.

Thanks for the update..I'll check it out. About a year has come and gone since I originally posted this. I am pretty comfortable with the trim wheel now, but I will check out what you have mentioned. I'm like you with respect to filling my left seat, at 5'11" and 265 lb. I fill my front seat pretty well. Once I get belted in I'm ready for the race with not much wiggle room to spare. The electric trim would be nice, but so would a armrest on the right side..LOL. Thanks and good luck. Tom

I am a member and will probably renew as my membership is up soon. I agree with both sides of the coin and appreciate the GA representation. I do wish they would keep an eye on the ball and stop trying to do everything. The representation, financial services, flight plan and insurance are probably the best assets they offer. When I say they need to "keep an eye on the ball", well I'm still waiting on the insurance quotes and the return call back to me..this would be from LAST year when I bought my Mooney. They never returned the call. However, on the other hand..I called Falcon Insurance over two weeks ago since they are suggested sponsors on the MAPA and Mooney Pilot sites. The guy I spoke to said they would be glad to quote me. He said he would call me within two days....still waiting? I have no problem w/ my current company. Just thought I would support those who supports our sites. Oh well..Maybe the insurance business is that busy. I'll probably renew w/ my current company in June when renewal rolls around.

I agree..they are great to work with. Nice seat you have there.

Very nice..enjoy!

This will be my first year attending, getting pretty anxious. I tried to go last year and waited too long to get rooms. I made reservations last Sunday and found that most places are already getting booked up. We ended up finding a room 17 miles outside of the city. Just a FYI For any other "newbie" going, start the hunt now. Last year I bought tickets and could not find a room. Money down the drain since we did not go. Driving this year to get a feel for the event. Maybe fly next year...maybe? LOL Hope to see/meet some of the forum members there.

The weather here has been rain, wind and drizzle for three days. I'm having withdrawals. Thanks for taking me along for the ride. Very nice relaxing music with great views.. Thanks

Retired Law Enforcement (Portsmouth, NH)..Later moved to Tennessee and now I currently own two health-fitness centers. Also have some small commercial real estate to supplement.

Hector at Aero Comfort has been great to work with on my projects.

Thanks for the input guys. I'll double check on the 750 price. I have the 650 price in writing and reviewed prior to posting this question. The 750 was a verbal quote after he had given me the 650 price. The exact conversation was me asking, "Well, what if we stepped up to the 750?, my eyes could use the help of the bigger screen", he said about another $2000. Again, I'll double check for sure. I would have the install done for myself, not as an investment. We all know electronics, especially in GA it drops in value like a rock. The 430/530s have been around just over a decade and are already getting to be old news, still great units, but you know what I mean. On the brighter side. The shop has done quite a lot of work for me. Most recently my JPI 830, strobes and rear jacks. We were thinking ahead when I had this prior work done and they did some of the pre-wiring (antenna wiring) knowing at sometime I would put the Garmin in..just a matter of when and what unit. Here is the breakdown he placed on the value of the used: KX155 GS $2000 KI209 $600 KN-64 $1000 I have a shop credit of $750 that he will be applying. So total was actually $12665 After my trades and credit the total was $9065 for the Garmin 650....I'll double check on the Garmin 750. Sounds like if the 750 can be done for the 2K difference it would be a sweet deal. I'll let you guys know the outcome. and yes..I took a look at the yearly fees and comments on the other posts. We wonder why GA is on a decline. No doubt Garmin is way out of line in update pricing. I think gouging comes to mind. Thanks again, Tom

Hey guys (and gals), Looking for thoughts on this. My avionics shop is a little slow so they hit me up on what I think is a pretty good deal, your thoughts?. I have a 74 M20E currently using Garmin 696 as primary GPS w/ Zaon TIS and XM weather. I am VFR, anticipate working torward Instrument in a few years. Business is busy and I just do not have the extra time right now. VFR is working well for me and the type of flying I do presently. Here is what they approached me with: Remove KX-155 w/ GS KI209 KN-64 Install GTN 650 Splitter MD 200-306 They keep the old and install the new for $9065 total. or, I can go GTN750 for about 2K more. The equipment I have now works fine, however, I'm all about updating and the nicer NAV/COM would be great. Is the price so good I need to jump on it or does it seem like a deal I could strike later down the road? Should I spring for the 750 over the 650, are we speaking just a screen size issue?. I plan to still use my 696 in conjunction with whatever. Any thoughts as to the deal and pricing offer? Thanks, Tom

I bought my plane from a guy in NY. It was due for annual fairly soon. He agreed to sell the plane and have the annual done at an agreed purchase price or the option of 2K discount if I took it "as is" without annual, annual was due in about another two months. We agreed that the purchase was to include plane and annual. He would cover any costs over 2K if there where any issues that needed addressed during annual (ended up being a few hundred bucks he had to cover above the 2K). We used G-Force, they had been doing the previous several annuals. I was in constant phone contact w/ the G-Force all week during the annual getting constant updates. He delivered the plane from G-Force to me after the annual, for fuel costs. The annual was billed by G-Force to my CC and he paid the balance on his end when it was done. So really I had 2K as a deposit on the deal. Any major issues during annual and I was off the hook and he would cover all of it as it was still his aircraft and I walk away. Bottom line. I paid for the annual/pre-buy based on feedback from G-Force feedback. I essentially paid for the annual/pre-buy, also paid for a plane ticket to get him back to NY. At that time I did not have complex time so I really had no choice other than to get him to deliver it. The plane was bought sight unseen other than pics and very comprehensive logs downlaoded and emailed to me. G-Force gave me very good history on the plane as I was able to talk w/ the same mechanic that had done the several annuals. As far as your question. Buyer would usually be responsible for annual (if you want a clean bill of health), getting the plane to you and owner home. Otherwise, you and your AP go to sellers base, look it over, take it as is and get it home however you decide. Pretty much all is on the buyer. In the long run it may have cost me a few bucks more, but knock on wood the plane has flown flawless since getting it over a year ago. Good Luck

If you forwarded my info to your broker I never heard back from him. Looks like a nice plane..GLWS

I have a 73 E (there were no 74Es made).I bought mine w/ close to same hours you mention. No Garmin 430 in mine when I bought it. Exterior was good/fair (7 on a 10 scale), interior very good cloth redone within the last 10 yrs. The deal included him delivering with fresh annual. I have very complete comprehensive logs. Just guessing, but I would think mid to low 50K with fresh annual. Hard to tell without pics and more details, but as all have said..it is a buyers market. Over a year period I found old posts where mine was listed high 70s. To say the least I saved over 20K from his prior listings when I bought it a year later. Just like all the rest of us Mooniacs I have redone the whole plane to suit me. I would not even want to add up what we've put into it..don't really care since I don't plan to sell her. I think with good history and complete logs, maybe low to mid 50s. Just my .02

Oscar, You are a better man than me. I would hate to deal with that on a regular basis..I guess you learn to adapt, but as a old pilot, but yet really a newer Mooney pilot I think that those winds would take getting use to. I'm still just a "fair weather/wind" weekend pilot..LOL..gusts at 25+ regularly, no thanks. I am getting better though. The new motto, if it does not break me (or hurt my plane), it will make me a better pilot.

Plane can be replaced or repaired...Glad there were no injuries. Wishing them the best of luck for a speedy outcome.

Thanks for the props guys, we are very pleased w/ the outcome. Next is leather covered yokes and updated panel w/ Garmin package. I guess we really never run out of things to upgrade. I think for now until the checkbook recovers I'll just fly and enjoy. Maybe Sun & Fun in a few months.

You have without a doubt one of the best paint schemes I've seen. The tail sets it off.. I have admired it as one of the best paint. Thanks for the props on my interior. I am very please with the outcome.

A few pics of the new leather interior work, JPI-830 and strobes. Feels (and smells) like a new plane The JPI is a very nice unit. I've been able to really dial the fuel in and I am getting far more fun hours of flying. It's great being able to really monitor the fuel flow while leaning and feel confident about it. 74 M20E

Found mine on EBay

Nice!!

Suction-cup mount from center of the glass was the only place that worked for me. I have a JPI830 mounted on my panel in front of my pilots yoke so no joy there trying to use the yoke mount for the GPS. The glass mount slightly blocks a direct line of sight for fuel level, but since the 830 is installed I have a slight back-up and use it for basic reference. I still leanover very, very often to double and triple check the OEM fuel levels. I've spent hours in the plane while parked in the hanger looking for "just the right spot". I don't know if there is one in such a tight ship. I'll post pics of my panel update soon.

I emailed the gent selling it. Looked like a cool bird to have in the stable next my 20E, but I did more digging and found that while his starting bid is $24K +/- he actually has it listed on some of the aircraft sites for mid to lows $30s. Been on the market dating back to last spring and summer minimum. One ad said he was selling because a friend just had a very bad crash over the mountains of PA and he wanted to get out of flying. Another older ad says he wants a bigger plane? May all tie into the same reasoning, but at $34K I would be a looker only. Engine only has a few 100 hrs left. It had a topend only overhaul few 100 hrs ago. Paint? looks like a good ten footer, interior about the same. At $21-23K maybe a second look as a buyer since it's a cool, slow, open cockpit and rare, I would not put many hours on it, but then there is the parts issue and an overhaul in the fairly near future. In a few years you would have real plane money in a "Fringe" plane..LOL. It would have to be a keeper to make it worth while even at $24K. Just my .02 He seems like a good seller, just not sure the price refelects the possible consequences of what if? and parts availibilty? Plus engine runout time and needed cosmetics.