Freight Dog

I'd only consider paying that much to a 'professional' CFI, i.e. not a time builder.

Can't go wrong with this option...

Congratulations!!

Mission successful! We took off from KCXO just as the west coast storm moved over Colorado and before the weather system hit SE Texas.... launched IFR as the ceilings were around 1500 or so and cruised the tops until west Texas. We overnighted in El Paso. Atlantic was excellent, but their fuel prices were.... Atlantic. Due to last minute change, we went to MYF first before going up north. We ended up parking in KFUL. Maybe 5-10 min longer drive than KSNA, but excellent service, reasonable fuel price, and ramp fee was only $10 a day with 1 day waived for fuel purchase. On departure, we got V64 to BLH and 11,000 feet. Worked nicely. Stopped for fuel in KLSB as bladders weren't gonna last much longer either then pressed on. Overall, learned a lot about my Mooney and its performance. Also, as we landed at home, I saw my beacon was no longer working, and my rheostats for cockpit instrumentation lighting quit as I was adjusting it... so, got a few squawks to address, but all in all, a great trip! Thanks everyone for feedback.

Very good gouge. Keep it coming! Thanks guys!

This is so tragic. If the winds at the time of crash were indeed 24035G50, that's roughly 40 knots of crosswind component including the gust factor! I wouldn't have tried it in the BBJ I fly for a living, let alone Mooney. Sad.....

The MEA along V64 gets as high as 11,000 feet which means 12,000 for me going westbound. Haven't taken my M20E that high before... Good gouge! I have flown in SoCal before (got my IFR ticket and flew boxes, airlines and corporate out there), but first time as an aircraft owner. What about parking situation/fees? Would KFUL be a better/cheaper option? Fuel definitely seems cheaper there. Going to Huntington Beach.

This... Thank you! You too! Sounds like an awesome trip. I flew a King Air 350 between MMSD and KSNA quite often some years back - very scenic even from altitude.

Thank you Jerry. Definitely planning IFR in day VMC. Here's my planned route - KCXO TNV V306 JCT V198 AGAZY SFL RIOWE ELP V198 SSO V94 BLH V16 PSP V388 PDZ KSNA The highest MEA is 10,000 along this route. I altered the route a bit due to MEA's as I don't want to go higher than that. My fuel stops will be right along this route.

Coming back to the US on leave after being gone since December, and want to take the plane on a serious cross country: KCXO - KSNA and back a week or so later. Haven't flown it since December, but it's currently in the shop at Don Maxwell's for more post-purchase work and tank repair. Basically planning to follow an IFR route in ForeFlight, most likely gonna do it IFR as I feel more comfortable being "in the system" given that I fly for a living, though definitely not gonna push any serious weather, especially over the mountains. Not planning on flying at night. Also planning to stop every 350-400nm. This will be the trip to really learn my plane. I've flown it around Texas when I bought it, and now I'd like to take it on a nice, long cross country. Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated, particularly from the preflight perspective, what to watch out for with the plane, etc.

Corporate pilot - BBJ1

I'm 6'7" 245lbs - no issues in my M20E. Actually, the most legroom I've ever had in a GA plane which was surprising. At 6'2", you'll be forward a few notches... yes, forward. F or J model? Easy!

Yessir, and I finally pulled the trigger and bought my M20E. I second Don Maxwell for doing a prebuy. Very thorough.

iPad 2 3G - works like a champ with Foreflight.

Thanks guys! I love this plane. Fast little hot rod, climbs like a homesick angel and absolutely does not like to slow down... I think this Christmas, 76W is gonna be spoiled the most...

You'll lose your cell phone signal if you leave it on, but from what I've seen, as long as you have your Foreflight items downloaded, you shouldn't lose your GPS signal regardless of altitude. Cell reception and GPS signal are 2 different things. http://www.foreflight.com/support/gps

To update my thread, yes... I fit and actually quite comfortably. With the seat all the way back, I can stretch my legs quite comfortably. So I'm a proud new owner of a 1965 Mooney M20E. As people said, short body Mooneys are really very comfy 2-seat planes even for the tall folks (6'7") with lots of room for luggage or 2 small kids... and boy, does his thing wanna fly.......... The plane will still have some work to be done at Don Maxwell's, but overall I'm very happy with my new toy. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I second Don Maxwell... $950 fixed cost is what he charges for a prebuy, and yes, it's worth every penny. You can also turn it into an annual inspection for additional $900 assuming there are no airworthiness issues found. Ask the seller to cover the airworthiness items, you pay $900 more and you have a fresh annual done by the MSC with all issues addressed.

I just had Don Maxwell do a prebuy for me on a '65 M20E, and man was I also blown away... Don found over 65 items of which over 45 were airworthiness items that would have to get addressed before he'd sign off on an annual. Talk about getting your money's worth in a prebuy... Just like yours, this plane lacked TLC and proper maintenance for a while, even though the annual was signed off just a few months ago. Now it's up to the seller... either he fixes all airworthiness items and addresses some important recommendations or takes the equivalent drop in price... or try to find another buyer. Pay now or pay later... maintenance isn't something to skip out on. At best, you'll get a rude awakening when you try to sell it, at worst it could cost you and/or your loved ones your lives!

Check out AutoDens on the AppStore... it's free as well.

Thanks a bunch gang! Maropers, I'll drop you a note when I get back in town. Cheers!

Well, I'm currently overseas, but KCXO would be home...