Mooney owners near Savannah, GA

[glasgowcmcm]

Hello MooneySpace,

I'm new to the site and I've been doing a lot of reading the past few days about PPIs and others things to look for when purchasing a Mooney. From what I've seen/read so far, I'm looking for an F or J model to fit my family in for cross-country flights. I plan on using it for both VFR and IFR flights. I'm very outdated/not up to speed when it comes to modern avionics due to flying Army helicopters for the past 12 years.

A little about me, I'm currently deployed to Afghanistan as a Maintenance Test Pilot/Evaluator on UH-60A/A+/L Blackhawks. I have my Commercial Airplane Single/Multi-engine Land, Rotorcraft-Helicopter and Instrument Airplane/Helicopter. I've got about 3000 hours total time, 243 fixed wing and the rest in helicopters (Bell 206, OH-58A/C, UH-60). I say I'm outdated on the avionics because the Blackhawk has an ADF, VOR, Doppler/GPS(no moving map), 1 VHF, 1 UHF radio; that's about it minus mission radios/special gear. The newest piece of technology we have is a Garmin 496 for terrain avoidance when flying around here in bad weather, which happens quickly.

I have about 35 hours in 1983 M20Js while I was a student at Parks College of St. Louis University, Cahokia, IL (CPS). I always liked the performance of the Mooney and wished that one day I could be in a position to own one.

What I would like to do is possibly meet up with an owner or two that lives near Savannah, Ga so I can get close to the airframe again and talk about Mooney ownership and just pick your brain about making my dream come true. Maybe even get some firsthand knowledge on what to look for and any problem areas that will help me make the best decision and stay away from a money pit.

I've been reading a lot of articles on Mooneyland.com and just different items that will pop up when you Google "Mooneys for sale". I was directed to this site from Justin at Mid West Mooney when I emailed him about their buyer service and I've found more than enough to keep me busy for the next 7 months on this deployment.

Sorry for taking up so much room, I didn't realize I had that much to say. AS to a meeting, I am going on mid-tour leave at the beginning of July so I should be in the Savannah area July 6-17th. I am willing to drive to meet you and take YOU out to lunch for your time as one of the MooneySpace members mentioned. I'm not sure how much of a radius I have to drive since I haven't mentioned this to my wife yet, but I'm sure she'll understand as long as it isn't July 15th since that is our 15th anniversary and it will make the 6th I've been home for.

Thank you for your time and any help or comments you have.

Chris

 

[fantom]

Welcome Chris!

Thanks for your service to our country, and keep your eyes sharp flying those Afgan mountains.

I both have some SC Mooney friends, and fly up there every 3 or 4 months myself in a J. Let us know your plans as July gets closer, and make sure mama is happy before embarking on any Mooney trips!

[Mcstealth]

Welcome and thanks for being there.

David

[jrjaks]

Hello Chris:  I'm in Tallahassee, so that's not TOO far away.  I have an '82 J, so if or when you want to head this way to look at it, let me know.  My oldest son is currently over there too, (F-15 crew chief).  Jake.

[jkb458]

Hey Chris,

First, thanks so much for your service to our country!!!

I live just north of Atlanta (Cumming, GA) and I'm flying almost every weekend to Perry, GA (just south of Macon) for my IFR training.  My Mooney is an E model, but the only difference is 10" of rear seat leg room.

Let me know when you're back in the States and we can schedule a time to fly together.

 

Best regards,

Jeff

[Jeff_S]

Chris, I live in Atlanta so in a J that's only an hour or so from Savannah.  Happy to fly over there any time if you buy me a hamburger. (My $100, your hamburger!)  But I also have a Mooney friend who has a very nice J and lives in Augusta, also a short hop away.  If you send me a private message I'll give you his email address.

Let me know how I can help.  Cheers!

Jeff

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

Chris-

I'm sort of new to the forum myself and just returned from Afgahnistan (Camp Leatherneck).  I have a 1980 M20J and live 40 minutes south in Brunswick, GA. If your familir with the area my plane is hangered at the Golden Isles Airport across the street from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.  IMPAVIDUS192698@gmail.com is my email if you want to get together!

 

-Nick

[glasgowcmcm]

Gentlemen,

I appreciate all the comments and well wishes. I think it's in my best interest to meet up with as many offering members as possible to get the most information I can. When I'm a week or so out from leaving I'll try and scedule a time to meet up with someone who's schedule will allow.

Nick, I'm familiar with Golden Isles, I've flown several time-on-target routes in that area and done instrument training there before. I'd definately like to meet/talk with you since you already operate a Mooney on a Military budget.

Jake, next time you talk with your son, ask him if a helicopter is actually louder than an F-15/16 doing an afterburner takeoff. We were told that some Air Force pilots had complained that when we take off to the East here at Bagram, we disturb their peaceful environment. All I know, is when they take off, everything in my office and B-hut(room) shakes. Hey, it's the sound of freedom and it's a lovely sound.

Again, I appreciate all the offers so far and I'll do my best to take each one of you up on it. I have no problem with a $100 hamburger if it will make me a better informed buyer, pilot, and one day Mooney owner.

Chris

[nocona35]

Chris, there are three Money's based at Ridgeland, SC(3J1) which is a 35-40 minute drive from Richmond Hill.  Saturday morning is a good time to come bye for some hanger talk regarding Mooney's.  I will be happy to discuss Money ownership with you and we can go for a ride in my "F" model.  Thanks for serving our country.

[philipneeper]

hey chris,

my name is philip.. im currently in iraq, and will be headed home shortly. (drum) I have PCS orders to Hunter AAF and i might be making a purchase here soon. im looking in to a project mooney.. 78 20c ranger... who knows maybe we will bump into each other.

[glasgowcmcm]

Hi Philip,

You never know, Hunter isn't that big and if you're in Aviation it just got smaller. I should be heading back to HAAF around Dec, but you know how time frames change for redeployment. Not sure when you are due to PCS but I should be in the area until the Summer. I'm looking at getting to Ft. Rucker to teach at the MTP course.

If you need or are interested, I'll try and put you in contact with the Mooney owners I'm able to meet while on R&R(coming soon) and after redeployment. I look forward to bumping into you and talking about Mooneys.

Chris

[flight2000]

I spent time at Hunter as the commander of B/603rd ASB before all of the reorganization happened.  Of course I wasn't a Mooney owner then, but should have been..... I hate to leave my baby behind, but they are sending me to Saudi Arabia as an advisor to the National Guard there.  Thankfully it's only one year and I get 30 days leave at mid-tour.  I'll probably put 40 hours on the aircraft in a month simply from withdrawal.

After spending 3 years at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, the F-15's are by far the loudest aircraft I've ever been near.  I used to be an Apache Crew Chief many moons ago and I'll take that anyday over anything the Air Force has.  Besides, they complain about everything...   Case in point, they fired the Services Squadron Commander because the grass wasn't green enough on the golf course.  Spoiled... 

Brian

[philipneeper]

im looking to drop a warrant packet, i mean i already have a pilots license. my goals are warrant or 160th... now im a 15b.. i havent gotten a mooney yet... im looking tho.. i save dmy whole deployment.. its kinda hard on an e-4 pay..LOL

[glasgowcmcm]

Brian,

603rd probably hasn't changed much since you were there. More aircraft than people and "Do more with less!" is a common phrase heard at the PC meetings. In 2-3, we're in the same boat. Burning a lot of blade time each day.

I hope to be in your shoes one day saying, " I should have owned my Mooney earlier". I'm working with household 6 to get her on board. She seems to be open right now but maybe that is because I'm over here and she knows it keeps me occupied making the time go when I'm not flying, which she prefers I limit due to the indians!

Philip,

Make sure your going to the USAREC site for your packet. Don't let any one talk you out of putting your packet in. It takes time but it's well worth it. Don't worry about the 6 year commitment, 7 by the time flight shcool is done, it'll go by before you know it. . The last few boards have put a lot of emphasis on the AFAST,  PT score, and GT. Not sure if this has made to the regs yet but there was talk of raising the minimum AFAST to 110. The bright side is that you'll be able to save a lot more Mooney Money as a W-1 than E-4.

Chris

[philipneeper]

Chris... thats the site i been looking at for info... i have a 275+ pt score... i dont care about the yrs... i love flying...  last i saw 110 gt score was mandatory and 90 or above on the flight test. Mooney or no mooney, maybe we will bump into each other in SAV... Take care on the rest of your tour. See ya stateside

[philipneeper]

hey chris, bought my first cert. airplane.. 78 mooney... fixxer upper... does anyone kno of some hangar space for rent near savannah?

[glasgowcmcm]

Congratulations on the purchase. I'm ready to get home to see some of the Mooneyspacers Mooneys up close and really get my search moving. Here's a link for Mid Coast Regional (Wright Army Airfield) current prices. http://www.midcoastregionalairport.com/download.php/54/Public%20Pricing%20April%202010%20Revised%20WEB.pdf

Here's the General Manger's Information. If you decide to hangar there, contact him to see if there is a waiting list for hangar space.

Greg Schramuk
General Manager
912-877-4364
gregs@airportbusiness.net

It's about 30-40 minutes from HAAF. When you in-process, you'll go to Ft. Stewart for that and you pass the airfield turn off as you drive in if you take Hwy 204 from I-95.

Savannah-Hilton Head International is also about 30-40 from HAAF. If I can find info I'll post what I've found. I know one of the pilots here was trying to hangar his plane before the deployment so I'll try and find him to see about prices.

Chris

[philipneeper]

Quote: glasgowcmcm

Congratulations on the purchase. I'm ready to get home to see some of the Mooneyspacers Mooneys up close and really get my search moving. Here's a link for Mid Coast Regional (Wright Army Airfield) current prices. http://www.midcoastregionalairport.com/download.php/54/Public%20Pricing%20April%202010%20Revised%20WEB.pdf

Here's the General Manger's Information. If you decide to hangar there, contact him to see if there is a waiting list for hangar space.

Greg Schramuk

General Manager

912-877-4364

gregs@airportbusiness.net

It's about 30-40 minutes from HAAF. When you in-process, you'll go to Ft. Stewart for that and you pass the airfield turn off as you drive in if you take Hwy 204 from I-95.

Savannah-Hilton Head International is also about 30-40 from HAAF. If I can find info I'll post what I've found. I know one of the pilots here was trying to hangar his plan before the deployment so I'll try and find him to see about prices.

Chris

[dlthig]

You can check out TBR, Statesboro, it has an ILS for foggy days. It will depend on where you will live. I talked to a couple of guys this weekend with a Bo that live in Springfield that keep the plane in the 'boro. Also, look at Claxton, like the fruitcake.

[takair]

Chris,

If you have not had a chance to see one yet, I have a 64 E model in Savannah.  It's a baby F model.  Have had it for about 13 years.  Happy to show you.  Looks like we live in the same town too.

 

Rob

[glasgowcmcm]

Rob,

I appreciate the offer. I'm back in Afghanistan now but when I return, around Nov/Dec, I'll IM you and see if we can set something up. When I was home on R&R, I was able to go for a flight with Nick from Brunswick down to FL and it was nice getting back into an airplane.

Chris