I sold N56FM

[docket]

To All of My Friends:

 

After eight wonderful years of ownership N56FM and I parted company.  The sale was difficult because I had a lot of interest in the plane.  I guess if you have a good plane the market is still strong.  I had enough interest that I was actually able to select who I wanted to buy the plane from three eligible bidders all of whom showed up within 10 days of my listing the plane for sale.  A really nice guy from California bought the plane last Friday and we closed.

 

He is a very accomplished pilot with considerable Mooney experience.  As some of you know he suffered the embarrassment that we all worry about on his return home with the new plane when he landed gear up.  I only found out about it when the FAA called me and I started getting private messages from some of my friends on the forum.  I appreciate everyone's concern and I will relay everyone's thoughts to the buyer but I want to keep his identity private since it really is his business.

 

I will continue lurking around the site.  Here is a picture of the new bird.

 

 

[John Pleisse]

Other than the brief ownership of Mooney in the late 60's....What is it with Mooney owners stepping up to Aerostars? I have two personal friends (F model to 600 and a J model to a 602P), the gentleman also from TX, Lacey, the fellow from Chicago who has both a J and a 700 Machen..Weber Aircraft in PA a service center for both....... Design? Speed? Yeah?

 

Nice ride.

[orionflt]

there is a pic of it posted on the mooney facebook page.

[MooneyBob]

They have the same rocker switches. That's has to be it.

[docket]

I picked the Aerostar because Don Maxwell hates them and I always do the opposite of what Don says )

[testwest]

Yeah!

 

Actually, it is because the Aerostar has the same qualities as the M20. Fast, efficient, looks good, and they were both among the last major designs from two of the greatest airplane designers of all time....who respectively put lifetimes of experience into the designs.

[kris_adams]

That is one sweet plane Docket.  If anyone is keeping track, this Mooney owner also loves Aerostars.  Best of luck with the new plane.

 

-Kris

[KSMooniac]

Nice move!  That Aerostar is a beauty, and I'm sure you're going to love it.

[Joe Zuffoletto]

Gorgeous upgrade. Congratulations!

[Oscar Avalle]

Nice, congratulations

[John Pleisse]

Which upgrade has the winglets? I haven't kept up. A new variant of the 700 upgrade?

[docket]

It is a 700P which was the last version of the plane from Piper.  They made 25 of these.  The winglets are an STC item from Aerostar.

[Cris]

Well Docket We will miss your input but congrats on the new bird!

[N33GG]

I have flown a lot of Aerostars... awesome aircraft. Congrats, yours looks great. I know you will love it.

[M016576]

That is a beautiful aircraft! Any chance you are going to upgrade it with turbofans when that STC becomes available?

[DaveAnderson]

I met the new owner a few weeks ago...really nice guy.  I just got a new EDM-900 put in my plane (which I just got about a month ago), and as I walked around the corner at the maint shop down here in San diego, I saw 56FM.  I was excited, because I knew he was talking about it just a couple weeks ago...then, I saw the damage.  Man, I felt bad...

[bnicolette]

Absoluely stunning machine!! Congratulations!

[Marauder]

Absoluely stunning machine!! Congratulations!

I agree.

Sent using Tapatalk

[alex]

Beautiful plane, congrats...I sold mine 7 years ago and I think I might be in the market for an Aerostar again. The bug won't go away!

[IndyTim]

Congratulations.  That's one of the most beautiful Aerostars I've seen.

[RJBrown]

I to would love an Aerostar. A solid upgrade. Not like paying more to go slower in a Baron. Beautiful plane, congrats.

[docket]

Thanks for all the Kudos.  The plane will be fun but when you look at all the thirty year old systems in this plane I am certain that it is not going to be as simple as owning the Mooney.  Going through the receipts on the plane the panel upgrade, the winglets, an annual and a new windshield was $280K in 2011.  The $100 hamburger flight is now a $225 flight.  With that said speed is addicting and flying at 250kts true with a 75kt tailwind and seeing consistent 325kts over the ground is addicting.  Hopefully I will still be welcome around my fellow Mooney drivers.

 

For those of you that saw the AOPA cover last month with the Jet here is the Jet from outside the window of my plane -- it was the photo plane since it was at Aerostar getting some final adjustments.

 

 

[fantom]

Too cool....a beautiful and serious traveling machine.

Almost 20 years ago Henry Webber tried to talk me into trading my Mooney for one he was selling. He loved both makes. Easy to see why.

Best of luck with her and do stick around.

[carusoam]

It's like a graduation party!

Moving up to the twin Mooney.

What's your training schedule look like???

Congrats and best regards,

-a-

[Skybrd]

Just out of curiosity, how much would one cost? Very nice looking plane, years ago my Dad and I toured the Aerostar plant in Santa Maria. I think he was thinking about buying one. He ended up buying a Cessna 340 instead. I saw a derelict Aerostar last year sitting at Lodi airport, couldn't figure why such a nice plane was among the non flyers.