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I am in desperate need of a competent mechanic for pre-buy inspection near Manassas, VA (KHEF). Byron at KGAI can't do it because I am buying it from a client of his (I trust his work but I want an independent evaluation), and Henry Weber at KLNS is too busy. I've tried calling Freedom in Lynchburg, VA multiple times since they are a MSC but they won't return my calls or respond to my emails. The Plane Doctor at Shannon isn't available either. I've tried Air-Mods too, but can't get a hold of anyone there. The guys at Fly Wyld have availability but they really only check the stuff on an annual which isn't what I am looking for; I want to make sure there is no corrosion and that the expensive items are mechanically sound. Below is a running list of the places I've reached out to: RPM Aircraft (Byron) - Not available Henry Weber - Not available The Plane Doctor - Not available Freedom Aviation (MSC) - will not return phone calls, or respond to emails Air-Mods - can't get ahold of anyone White Hawk - waiting to hear back, left a message on 3/19 Classic Aviaiton - won't do pre-buys Integer Aviation (KOKV) - phone number out of service I'm getting really frustrated with this process, but I won't buy a plane without the pre-buy. I have searched the MS forums for recommendations but they are either out of date or have one of the shops listed above. If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know!

Hello fellow Mooniacs! I pulled the trigger on a purchase agreement for a 1966 M20C located in Leeward Air Ranch near Ocala,FL. I am looking for recommendations on very sharp I&As to inspect this plane that has only 20 hours flown in the last 15 years. I know it's a long shot but I tend to have great luck and need confirmation there is no looming issues with her and she is one sharp bird! Most likely if all goes well,I would ask to complete the PPI and finish it as an annual. Any recommendations on specific points to be keen on are also welcome! I.e. spar corrosion,fuel seepage, pucks,camshaft corrosion, and anything else I'm missing or specific ways to analyze these big ticket items. Thank you in advance for your time! -Michael Brian

Hello Mooney experts and aficionados, I've come to Mooney Space to be educated and have knowledge imparted upon me by gracious and patient Mooney Kings and Queens. My username is a bit presumptuous, seeing as I don't own a Mooney as of yet, but, I'm trying to practice some PMA, Positive Mental Attitude. I'm located in Canada and looking to purchase my first aircraft. Any and all advice is much appreciated. Mission-wise: Looking for a 4 seat aircraft (most of the time it'll be just myself plus one, but would like the option to carry a third person at least), that's relatively fast (140kts+), is IFR capable, and has a decent useful load (~650lbs plus fuel). I'm new to the world of Mooney and I've come across this 1960 M20A. Photos. Spec sheet. Logs. What I know: Asking $39,900 USD Current location of aircraft: Calgary, Alberta. Potential future home: Southwestern Ontario Fabric on the wings has been replaced by fibreglass. Has been for sale for some time. This video on YouTube shows it being uploaded 8 months ago. Has been hangared at least since the current owner purchased it. About 15 years. Hasn't flown much in the last few years. No known issues with the landing gear pucks. Has had a gear up landing in the past. Logs seem to document the repair fairly well. Has a wooden wing. I've never considered an aircraft with a wooden wing. Some reports say they can actually be preferable to metal, woods rots but aluminum corrodes - type of thinking. I'm not sure what to make of it. Seems everyone has their preferences and biases. Living in Southwestern Ontario, the humidity is a concern. Hangar space is also especially difficult to come by in my area. I may have to keep the aircraft outside for the first while. Is it even worth it to consider a wooden wing aircraft if it can't be stored in a hangar at all times? What I don't know: What am I missing? This seems like a machine that would accomplish my mission, has a low-time engine, very low-time prop that was OH in 2014 (so still some time before it's 10yr inspection for us here in Canada), IFR with a GNS 480, all for a seemingly decent price point. As they say, if it's too good to be true... Anyone know a good mechanic for a pre-buy with experience in wooden aircraft around the Calgary, Alberta area? Anyone know someone with a similar short-body M20 in southwestern Ontario that would let me sit in their aircraft and try it on for size? I'm a tall dude without any trace of an eating disorder. Would anyone be able to sit behind me, or is that rear bench for aesthetics and suitcases only? I hear these short-body Mooney's can be on the smaller side? Many say the reputation for being small is simply not true, and that it's a commonly misunderstood myth. Thoughts? Probably a lot more that I'm not even aware of. Stuff that I don't know I don't know... So I leave it to you, oh great and mighty gods of the Mooney Space forum. Talk me into it, talk me out of it. I'm all ears and open to any and all suggestions and recommendations. Thank-you kindly in advance for everyone's time in helping a Mooney wannabe join your exclusive club. Or perhaps advising that I continue looking, and potentially save me from a financial 7700. All the best.

Greetings, I'm new to Mooney Space and hoping to be flying my own Mooney soon. I'm looking for an A&P that may be available in the Savannah Georgia area for a prebuy inspection. My preference would be to have someone travel to where the aircraft is based. Thanks for you suggestions.

I was thinking how valuable it would be to have a Forum that would provide MooneySpace members a resource for Mooney's that are for sale and have been seen, have had a pre buy, or have personal knowledge of the airplane. Good and bad! I recently, two days ago, went to see a M20K in Delaware that is for sale. I passed on the purchase. And, in spite of having two locals, one a pilot and one a mechanic, telling me how wonderful this Mooney was ... my experience was utter disappointment and disbelief. Looking for an airplane to buy is often an expensive proposition, just like ownership. I just keep thinking to myself that if only someone on MooneySpace had seen this airplane and had posted photos or their honest assessment after seeing the airplane, I could have saved money and we could save others looking for an M20K a lot of money too. I belonged to the Grumman Gang when I owned my Grumman several years ago and we always had volunteers, fellow pilots and aviation friends who would do a "First Look" for us if they happen to be close to the airplane we were interested in. Perhaps the moderators would consider such a Forum to help all of us. With that being said if anyone is looking at N231FG in Delaware, I will be happy to discuss and share photos. I also have the Aero-Space Reports on the airplane ($95). All the best!

Folks, I'm pitching back into the purchase arena and have narrowed down to a 67 Mooney M20F in Ft Meyers FL. Can you provide recommended pre-buy locations? I'd like a MSC but would settle for a non-MSC if they have lots of experience working on them. Greatly appreciate any assistance Cheers,

Hi folks, would love to hear your opinion on this. This aircraft is entering pre-buy tomorrow. M20K 231, LB engine. It lived in a hangar for at least the last 20 years, so there doesn't seem to be airframe corrosion and it was maintained by all the well-known (Texas) Mooney shops. However, below are the hours flown - sometimes it seems to have sat for 18 months with <2hrs flown. Engine compressions: 70, 70, 72, 62, 72, 62. (keeping SB03-3 into account of course - so the compressions alone doesn't tell the whole story). Am I looking at a hangar queen that has hidden headaches waiting for me? What would your advice be on this engine? Vref doesn't take this kind of data into account at all. I'm intending minimum 50 hrs p/a and it hasn't been flown like that for more than a decade.

I have reached an agreement to purchase a J model. Any pre-purchase/annual shop recommendations near L.A. are appreciated! The seller has agreed to pay additional to cover the cost for a full annual. Last year's annual was performed at Foothill. Also... my 1965 C model will soon be on the market after I take care of a couple minor issues (DG needs overhaul and G430W needs upgrade and refurbishment). It has been a great plane, but time to travel a little faster in a newer bird. It is equipped with an STEC 30, alt. hold and GPSS. I am the third owner. Second owner had it since the mid 70's. I would be embarrassed to tell you how much my first annual cost at Willmar... live and learn.

I am looking for a great mechanic that would be willing to do a good pre-buy inspection on a 1965 Mooney M20C in Placerville, CA.

Hi everyone. I'm based in Germany currently on the search for an aircraft, my first one actually. I'm looking at a M20E offered in France. I've scanned the marked for quite a while now and kind of have a feeling for prices and things to look for. However, I'm by far not an Mooney expert and am willing to invest in a pre-buy inspection. The point is, the aircraft in question is sold by a private person via an official Mooney service center. This very service center (being an EASA & FAA repair station and official Daher, Piper and Mooney center) also maintained the aircraft under EASA standards for the current owner. At this point I don't know any Mooneys expert in my area who could do the pre-buy for me, so I'd have to start looking for one. On the other hand, it seems ridiculous to search for an expert, when the aircraft has been maintained by a Mooney service center. They already sent me their "Excel-sheet" which sums up all component times, times remaining to any components overhaul, relevant AD statuses, inspection status and so on, as well as the last annuals logbook entry. My question now is: is it in this scenario advisable to look for someone independent anyway? Thanks a lot!

Does anyone know of a good pre-buy Mooney mechanic near Louisville? Thanks!

Can anyone recommend a shop in the Pittsburgh area that will do a good job on a ppi at a reasonable price? Thanks, Dan