I’ve been reading the forum here for a month or so now and the information has been invaluable and answered a lot of questions. But like all areas life I’ve found that the more I learn the more I realize I don’t know.
I’m an Army Experimental Test Pilot currently deployed in Afghanistan flying helicopters (UH-60M and AH-64D). I have about 1800 total hours, but only just over 100 in fixed wing aircraft (30-C172, 30-C182, 30-King Air 200, 25 – misc). I have my Commercial-Instrument Multi-Engine rating via military equivalency, but still need to pick up my ASEL commercial since I never received a single engine military qualification.
I’m about a month from redeploying back to Huntsville, AL and am planning on purchasing a plane shortly after returning (what else would I do with saved deployment money?). I’ll be in Huntsville until late summer when I’ll be moving out to the Bay Area to work at Moffett field for the next 2-3 years. I’ve run the spreadsheets and weighed intangibles and decided that I “need” a Mooney. My usage would be 300-500NM trips about 1.5 times per month out of the bay area, 70%-solo, 25% 2-adults, 5%- 3 or 4 adults. Originally I’d thought an early J model would be ideal, but after looking at hanger waits/cost in the Bay Area and then working in a good emergency maintenance fund I think a C/E/F around $50k is better suited for me. Current list of “must haves” include standard 6 pack instruments, AP with altitude hold, basic GPS, Dual VOR/ILS.
Aside from comments and thoughts about the above logic I have some specific questions:
Which Airport in the Bay Area would you recommend?
Right now Livermore (LVK) looks like a good choice, it’s a bit of a drive, but has reasonable tie down/hangar /fuel costs and an ILS, also most of my flights will be north to Oregon so it gets me out of the SFO area. Hayward (HWD) came out second on the spreadsheet.
I’d like to get a few hours training in a Mooney prior to purchasing, is there anyone who instructs in a Mooney in the Nashville-Birmingham-Atlanta area?
I’m sure I’ll think of more, thank you in advance for the help.
Respectfully,
Joe