just bought my first mooney

[philipneeper]

as you guys know i have asked a few ??? on here already. I went ahead and bought my first mooney. I know shes a project and hope i made the right choice. Now its time to get home from Iraq and put her in the air !

[The-sky-captain]

Congrats Phillip and welcome to Mooneyspace! Hurry home and get her back in shape.

[philipneeper]

im trying to...  got about 40 days left, so you know i will spend most of my leave time will be spent resealing the tanks.

;-) i spent about 17k for the plane and a ferry pilot from melbourne to my home base at flagler. Rebuilt brakes and mags. it has high engine time tho. roughly 2400 smoh. so all i need now is annual and see whats wrong with my radios, ferry pilot said he couldnt get them turned on... maybe operating error.  airfilter is needed and engine hoses replaced. and a new pair of shoes (tires).

 

[piperpainter]

Congrats! looks like you have a bit of work ahead but if your up to it thats all that matters. I really enjoy working on mine and I really enjoyed learning about everything while I did several mods to it. Looks like you have the 201 panel. Now all you need is the 201 window and maybe a cowl closure! A little extra speed Oh and if you redo the side windows its not to painful and definitly doable by an owner. Just remember the front window requires a mechanic!

[Bacachero]

Congratulations. Please share with us how progress goes with pictures! You will really enjoy that Aircraft

[philipneeper]

Quote: piperpainter

Congrats! looks like you have a bit of work ahead but if your up to it thats all that matters. I really enjoy working on mine and I really enjoyed learning about everything while I did several mods to it. Looks like you have the 201 panel. Now all you need is the 201 window and maybe a cowl closure! A little extra speed Oh and if you redo the side windows its not to painful and definitly doable by an owner. Just remember the front window requires a mechanic!

this is my first real Cert. plane.. i had an expiremental before. Im down for the work.. i like fixing things and so im in for it .. and hell its a mooney ! !  i didnt know that is a 201 panel.. i do like the layout of it tho... i seen some werid panel layouts b4. The mods will come down the road. first i need to worry about the engine b4 mods. 2400 smoh.. maybe do a top overhaul until i get money for a major overhaul. 

[philipneeper]

Quote: JimR

Hi, Philip.  You've got a unique bird there.  Yours is apparently one of the very last M20Cs that were made in 1978.  M20J production started the year prior, in 1977, which basically made the C model obsolete.  As a result, you have many of the non-aerodynamic features that are generally associated with the 201.  This, of course, is good.  In addition to your panel, I bet that you have full zinc chromating in your fuselage.  Both of these features are significant positives to me.  It's interesting to note that you have the fuel selector, throttle quadrant, and emergency extension system that were abondoned in the 201 in 1977.  I consider these features to be negatives, but very minor ones that certainly would not influence a purchasing decision. 

You've got a lot of work to do when you get back to the States, Mister.  Best of luck.  Be safe over there,

Jim  

[philipneeper]

Quote: JimR

[philipneeper]

if it involves riveting i will let my ex boss and buddy brian griffin from precision in DAB to do any of that stuff...  and i would like his opinion on his mod.

[piperpainter]

Yep here I am! First of all I personally recommend the OEM 201 cowl deck and 201 mod from Lasar. Southwest Texas aviation (SWTA) does not have there windows available at this time, or at least they didn't afew months ago. Anyway the cost for the parts is about $2175.00 you can look it up here.... . That is parts only. Labor, well if you have your buddies then work with them cause it has riveting, cutting and drilling...lots! It is mostly labor but god when its done it sure does look great! If you want some pictures of my mod shoot me an email and i'll get some to you.  In regards to the K & N filter I have had mine for about 2 years now and its still working great. I clean it every about ever 100hrs, so 2 times a year. It was well worth the money, essentially the cheapest power boost you can buy. Its no much, but hey who doesn't like breathing easier! Anyway I have done alot of mods to my plane so feel free to pick my brain, or anyone elses here. We love our Mooney's and love to help others!

 

[flight2000]

I agree with Bryan, the 201 windshield mod is not for the faint of heart.  I posted pics so you can see what the before, during , and after looks like. Definitely do it before getting new paint.  I got mine from LASAR as well, but mine was $1832.50 out the door back in November.  Ask for the military discount or at least mention your military when talking with Gary.  It helped I had my mailing address at Fort Leavenworth, which spurred the question about being military, otherwise I wouldn't have asked.  Sorry Bryan...   I got lucky as the mechanic that did the install is an A&P/IA for American Airlines and loves to work on Mooney's on the side, so I got cheap ($35/hour) labor costs.  He also did the LASAR cowl enclosure for me, which is also a recommended mod.

http://www.67m20e.com/201%20Windshield%20Upgrade.htm

Congrats and welcome to the club of Mooney ownership.  I've flown mine about 60 hours since I got her back in December.  Took three months off for the upgrades/new paint during the non-flying winter months.  It's been a blast.

I looked at your panel and didn't recognize the type of radios you have installed.  What are they?

Stay safe.

Brian

[philipneeper]

Quote: flight2000

I agree with Bryan, the 201 windshield mod is not for the faint of heart.  I posted pics so you can see what the before, during , and after looks like. Definitely do it before getting new paint.  I got mine from LASAR as well, but mine was $1832.50 out the door back in November.  Ask for the military discount or at least mention your military when talking with Gary.  It helped I had my mailing address at Fort Leavenworth, which spurred the question about being military, otherwise I wouldn't have asked.  Sorry Bryan...   I got lucky as the mechanic that did the install is an A&P/IA for American Airlines and loves to work on Mooney's on the side, so I got cheap ($35/hour) labor costs.  He also did the LASAR cowl enclosure for me, which is also a recommended mod.

http://www.67m20e.com/201%20Windshield%20Upgrade.htm

Congrats and welcome to the club of Mooney ownership.  I've flown mine about 60 hours since I got her back in December.  Took three months off for the upgrades/new paint during the non-flying winter months.  It's been a blast.

I looked at your panel and didn't recognize the type of radios you have installed.  What are they?

Stay safe.

Brian

[philipneeper]

this might be a dumb question... im assuming i dont have a pre J model...  the J came out in 77 correct?

[danb35]

Yes, your plane was made after the first of the J models, but a C is still considered a pre-J Mooney.

[jmills]

Quote: philipneeper

this might be a dumb question... im assuming i dont have a pre J model...  the J came out in 77 correct?

[knute]

If you go to http://www.mooneypilots.com/ (MAPA) and click on the "Mooney Apparel" tab, scroll down and they have "Those Remarkable Mooneys" ($39.95) and also the hard to find "The Al Mooney Story" by Gordon Baxter ($19.95) both of which are staple reading for a Mooney owner.

If you're not already a MAPA member, you'll want to join.

Welcome to the Mooney club!  :-)

-Knute

'66 M20E - N6066Q - KSQL

[philipneeper]

thanks guys

[Sabremech]

Congrats Phillip, I'm a new Mooney owner also, having mine for 2 weeks now. It is an impressive airplane and I find myself enjoying it more every time I go flying. It took me some time to finally give Mooney's a look and I'm happy I did. Happy flying when you get home.

 

[philipneeper]

Quote: Sabremech

Congrats Phillip, I'm a new Mooney owner also, having mine for 2 weeks now. It is an impressive airplane and I find myself enjoying it more every time I go flying. It took me some time to finally give Mooney's a look and I'm happy I did. Happy flying when you get home.

 

[Sabremech]

I specifically was looking for a C with the manual gear. I like the airplane and it is  very stable. I'm starting to feel comfortable with the airplane and getting use to where things are after 5 hours so far. You'll really like yours!

[philipneeper]

Quote: Sabremech

I specifically was looking for a C with the manual gear. I like the airplane and it is  very stable. I'm starting to feel comfortable with the airplane and getting use to where things are after 5 hours so far. You'll really like yours!

[Sabremech]

In my opinion, manual gear has less things to break. No electrical gremlins to give you grief. I have my insurance through Cannon Aviation Insurance and have 300 hours total.

[philipneeper]

you sound alot like my dad.. when he bought he truck brand new yrs back.. and opt for all the non power luxuries.. i was like ur paying $$$ why not have them.. and he is like.. more shit to break...

[FlyingAggie]

Conratulation Phil!  You'll have lots of goodtime ahead.

[Sabremech]

That's funny Phillip. I can only think of 2 reasons the gear would fail in the manual system (my brain disconnects from working the gear and a pure mechanical failure). I like all the rest of the options on the Mooney though! I also believe there aren't any AD's on the mechanical gear.