Looking for a Mooney

[Banjo33]

Hi everyone!

I'm obviously a newbie to the site, but frequent the red and blue boards (very active lurker, occasional poster). I've been searching for my first plane for a few months, taking it slow while waiting patiently for "the one." My focus has been on the -182/PA-28 group due to my planned mission (80% solo/20% family travel)/familiarity/cost of ownership/capability/etc; however, I stumbled upon a well-equipped M20C. I hadn't considered a Mooney due to lack of familiarity with the brand other than random posts about how "tight" the cabin is. Since finding the one I'm interested in, my research has indicated that the small cabin may be more of an illusion than a fact.

I don't want to lead the seller on or proceed too far down the purchase path without first determining I even "like" Mooneys! (No stone throwing please, lol). So, this is my quandary: I only know one person with a Mooney, but his is out of commission for a while. I've searched the FAA database for local owners and have found a couple registered locallly and am considering cold-calling them to see if they'll allow me to try out the cockpit and look their plane over. I'm not a big guy (5-11"/190), but my wife is a bit bigger and somewhat sensitive to seating position (she did drive an Eagle Talon and an Eclipse for many years, so she can handle the sports car-style layout). She's not much of a flyer though...been on a few 3 hour flights in -172s and Cherokees with me to travel. I also have a 4 year old son that has flown with me multiple times too, he's obviously small.

Does anyone have any other opinions on how I may be able to arrange a tour in a small-bodied Mooney? Think it's a bad idea to call people and try to solicit a look-over? Any one in the neighborhood or looking to make a $100 hamburger run (I'll buy your lunch if you'll let my sit in your plane! Better yet, I'll buy the fuel if you'll take me up!)? I'm located in Eastern NC, right between New Bern (KEWN) and Beaufort (KMRH).

Thanks for any help you all can provide/recommend!

-Josh

[TWinter]

Good introductory post..I'm sure if we have any MS members in your area they would be happy to let you check their Mooney out. I'm a little far, but did like the clear and decisive approach of your post.

 

If no MS guys are available and you found a Mooney registered near you from the FAA data base I don't think anyone would be offended by you cold calling and asking to check it out, most of us are very proud of Mooney and would enjoy showing you their pride and joy. Just approach them in a abbreviated manner like you did above. Congrats on looking in the right direction and at the right brand, now to find the right fit. Good luck

[Mooneymite]

I can't imagine anyone taking offence at a "cold call". They might say, "no" for a variety of reasons, but I suspect most Mooney owners would welcome the chance to tell you why their Mooney is the best and offer to show it off.

Go for it.

[orionflt]

Josh,

I am 5'11" 200lbs and I have no issues fitting in my C. I have also taken passengers who were bigger then me, that can get a little tight but still is comfortable. If you were any closer to PA I would be happy to take you up to try it out. 

 

Brian

[mooneygirl]

Hi Josh

I sent an email to Amelia. You might also consider calling Trey Hughes the executive director of MAPA which is our pilots association. He might be able to point you in the direction of some east coast owners. http://www.MooneyPilots.com 

1885 Airport Loop Road, Suite 100 Kerrville, Texas 78028.
Phone: 830-315-8008 Fax: 830-315-8011 Email: mapa@sbcglobal.net

You better be careful, once you fly a Mooney you will never go back!

 

[Htwjr]

I got my ppl last May and got my M20C in June. I'm 6'2" and fit just fine. With nobody behind me the seat goes back too far. You would be suprised what you can get in the plane. My wife, grown daughter and I as well as bunch of luggage took a trip to the Bahamas a few weeks ago with good speed, economy and reasonable comfort. The C has a good useful load and additional space is not worth much if you can't load it. I am located near Florence, SC and would be glad to take you for a flight if you make it down this way. When I bought my C I had never flown in one before but I had read enough to know it was the right plane for me.

[bonal]

Howdy, I'm out here on the west coast so can't help you there my wife and I have lots of room in our short body even when we bring a third. The best thing is that 3 hour trip in the 172 is just over 2 in the mooney. Good luck and enjoy the fun of searching for your new ride.

[Amelia]

Hi, Josh,

Sure, come on up! Meet you at EDE? I would be delighted to share the joy. and thank you to Jolie for the heads-up. She is absolutely right, you know. Other airplanes are fine, but Mooneys are truly special. Do give me a call. Same area code, 339/0287. Mimi

[gsxrpilot]

Hi Josh,

 

The tight Mooney cabin is truly a myth.  I'm 5'10 230 and am vary comfortable in the left seat.  Usually my wife is right seat and the dog is in the back.  But I've spent two hours in the back seat myself, while my brother was getting his check-out for the insurance.  It's certainly not any tighter than a Cherokee.

 

I was in your same position three months ago.  And now I've got 23 hours in my own M20C.  What a great airplane!

[Banjo33]

Thanks everyone for the "welcome" and the recommendations!

Mimi...I'll drop you a PM momentarily!

[flyboy]

I wish you had posted this a month ago, as I was close by. I have had four adults in my short body for nearly four hours, it was ok but everyone was ready to get out

when we landed.

[Banjo33]

Fb...after 4 hours in a small plane, I'd be ready to bail too! Lol

[ELT]

AHI Josh,

I will happy to show you my 1966E at KMRH (Beaufort).  My wife and I are traveling right now and will be back after the holiday.  I can email you on return or call if you give a phone number.  My cell is 919.819.3451.

Eddie 

[David Mazer]

It is such a pleasure to see the way our community is so willing to offer such opportunities.  It isn't just Mooneys either.  I think essentially every time I've wanted to explore a plane, the pilot has gone out of his way to show it to me, spend time discussing the pluses and minuses, and even flying me around for the sheer pleasure of it.  Pilots are a special group.

[Banjo33]

Thanks Eddie, that would be great!

[DaV8or]

While it would be best for you to go in a vintage model due to the different panel, keep in mind that the ergonomics and sizing is pretty much the same for any M20 in the front seats. Later models do have better, adjustable seats, but they don't make anymore room, they just make the sight over the glareshield nicer and maybe the seat back angle too. If you fit in an Ovation, you'll be fine in a C and vise versa.

[Amelia]

One more thought on cabin size. Seat position makes a lot of difference in comfort. I am short, and even with rudder pedal extensions, I fly with my seat all the way forward. Larger, taller right seaters have their seat at least some notches back, so there is no problem with shoulders rubbing. The back seats are really snug until the front seats are pulled forward, but then, I am told, they're very roomy and comfortable. You won't confuse this airplane with a Bonanza, but that is true at the fuel pump, too.

[ArtVandelay]

You can adjust the seat, but in my case when I tried to make more upright it would slip back to old position, somewhat dangerous so I haven't tried it again.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[DaV8or]

A good point to remember for pilot ergonomics is there are two sizes of pedal extensions available. 1-1/2" and 3". I'm 5'11" and don't use extensions. Have flown the Mooney 4 years now and obviously don't need them, but I think I might actually like the 1-1/2" extensions and hope to try them in somebodies plane some day if I ever get to a Mooney get together again.