First Mooney (First Airplane)

[rubixcube2k3]

Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I'm a new Mooney owner and just closed the deal on my "New-to-Me" '75 M20C. Any long term/short term advice on care and thoughts are welcomed, as I'm experienced in electronics and mechanics, but entirely new to aircraft and their systems.  Thanks!!!

 

~Abe

 

PS - More Pics of interior and panel in my Gallery

PSS - You can also find full specs and what-not at http://www.coastalaircraft.com/page14.php (I saved a little off the asking price for anyone into valuation)

[rubixcube2k3]

Hey Jim! Thanks. I'm still a student with 2 more Tasks to complete (2hrs nite flite and 1.5hrs more of ifr time). Looking forward to wrapping up and getting turned loose in her however. I was able to take a CFII with me to test fly and all I could say  is WOW! (Huge difference from a 172). Contrary to what I have been reading, descent and landing was effortless. I'll definitely keep in touch, as it's great to know fellow flyers here on the GC (Especially now that BP has ruined our fishing)

Ciao

Abe

[MooneyMitch]

Welcome Abe to the great world of Mooney Airplanes.  You will find tons of information, Mooney specific.............and many things otherwise, here on MooneySpace.  If you have not already discovered this, under the "Forums" menu you'll find different categories of Mooneys.   At the bottom of that page, find "jump to".  Use that to scroll through the variety of different topic threads. 

Happy Mooney learning and Mooney flying.

[DaV8or]

Welcome Abe and congratulations on your wise choice in aircraft. Lots of info here and if you haven't already, join MAPA too. They have lots of gurus and seem to be a pretty good organization. MAPA also has an email list that will clog the hell out of your email account, but it's all really useful and interesting info. I suggest a separate account just for it!

Good looking plane (I'm jealous of the 201 style panel) and best of luck on the remainder of your training.

[Jlocke]

Really nice looking Mooney, Abe!  Congratulations!

I'm in Montgomery; shoot me an email if you're ever up this way.  I'd love to see your plane.  Several of us will be heading to LuLu's for a day trip soon--landing at Gulf Shores KJKA--so feel free to hop over the bay and join us for a lazy lunch and afternoon of watching the boats go by and talking airplanes.  I'll let you know when we're heading your way.

p>

Also, check out the Mooney fly-in coming up in mid-August over at Jekyll Island, Georgia.  I posted some info about it in a separate thread here in General Mooney Talk.

Again, that's a really handsome Mooney.  Love the colors!

 

[Immelman]

Congratulations and welcome!

A pilot friend who first turned me on to Mooneys bought a C model at about the same stage of his private pilot training... it served him very well, and I'm sure yours will serve you well too!

If you're mechanically and electrically inclined, my advice would be to find a mechanic/IA who will show you the ropes in terms of owner assist stuff, so that you can perform things under supervision. This will save money and teach you a great deal about your airplane. Develop and carry a good set of basic tools to troubleshoot problems on the road... carry a spare spark plug, the tools to change them, tools to clean out fouling, spare fuel drain, assorted small fasteners (for things like fairings and what not, screws dissapear), learn how to do things like safety wire, etc... its fun in a way.

[mooneygirl]

Welcome to the Mooney Family Abe!

 

 

You will find lots of support, encouragement and advice here on Mooney Space.  You might also consider a membership in the Mooney owners organization MAPA http://www.mooneypilots.com They have a very nice magazine, with a free classified ad for members, an email forum [i set mine to digest into five or ten postings] safety seminars, and technical workshops.

Once you are done with your training, you might want to look at the service group that my husband and I formed a little less than a year ago. The Mooney Ambassadors have a three part mission:  Support Mooney Airplane Company, Promote General Aviation, and Have Someplace Wonderful to fly.  We have Ambassadors all over the United States, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Austrailia and Turkey.  More at:  http://www.MooneyAmbassadors.com 

With my E model, I had to learn about speed control.  I was used to flying a Warrior.  Your bird will be your best friend if you fly her/him by the numbers.  This means preparing for and starting VFR descents earlier, and making sure in the pattern you are flying the correct speeds with the correct descent rate. Of course, there are always small variations dependent on conditions. 

And again, welcome!  All questions and photos are welcome.

All the best!

[Auburn02]

Nice plane Abe! I always had the intention of getting my complex rating in that airplane when it was at Ocean Springs, but the flight school closed up shop before I ever got around to it.

Who are you doing your flight training with?

[Ned Gravel]

Abe:

Welcome to the world of flying a Mooney.  Some of us have tried, over the last 18 months or so, to try and identify at least one Mooney driver who is humble.  There was a fellow in Detroit that I met that came close, but no luck so far.  The search for the humble Mooney driver continues to this day.  By the end of your 4th or 5th hour in your new bird, you will know why.

Your friends will notice the ever-present grin and the far-away look that is you thinking of how efficient (fast for so little gas consumption) your aircraft is, how it turns heads, how they think you must be something special because you own a Mooney, how you can't figure out how you got lucky enough to own a Mooney, or how safe your bird is compared to others (ask a lady by the name of Jolie Lucas).  But if you think that you are that humble Mooney driver....please consider submitting your name to the "Humble Mooney Driver" contest.

Seriously, you will find your Mooney to be "flying made enjoyable" (as if there ever was un-enjoyable flying).  Rock solid stable, fast, and safe.  It is really hard to show humility under such circumstances. Fly safe.

[rubixcube2k3]

Hey Everyone! Thanks sooooo much for the warm welcomes and the great advice! I'm having a hard time wiping the grin off my face already just knowing that she's mine and in the hangar for Annual now.

 

@ Auburn02 - Mr. Bill was a pleasure to deal with, he's a great and straight shooter, held no information back and even said he'd let me stop by O.S. sometime for gas and a hamburger! lol I've been Training with a close personal friend Aaron Comstock (super duper guy) but due to insurance problems, I'm going to have to go back to my former instructor (super duper guy, too) Hugh Richards. From all accounts, Hugh has as much time in these things as Al Mooney himself

 

@edgargravel -toss my vote outta the window for "Humble Mooney Driver". I already blew that one on the test flight :-X  I hopped out of the plane singing "On top of the World".....guess that disqualifies me huh?

 

Thanks again y'all! (sorry, that's the southern in me)

 

~Abe

[Buster1]

Congrats and welcome to the forum!

[fantom]

Very nice Mooney, Abe. Best of luck with her, and welcome to MooneySpace.

I think we're setting some sort of record for new Mooney owners!

[Auburn02]

Quote: rubixcube2k3

@ Auburn02 - Mr. Bill was a pleasure to deal with, he's a great and straight shooter, held no information back and even said he'd let me stop by O.S. sometime for gas and a hamburger! lol I've been Training with a close personal friend Aaron Comstock (super duper guy) but due to insurance problems, I'm going to have to go back to my former instructor (super duper guy, too) Hugh Richards. From all accounts, Hugh has as much time in these things as Al Mooney himself

[Mcstealth]

Quote: rubixcube2k3

Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I'm a new Mooney owner and just closed the deal on my "New-to-Me" '75 M20C. Any long term/short term advice on care and thoughts are welcomed, as I'm experienced in electronics and mechanics, but entirely new to aircraft and their systems.  Thanks!!!

 

~Abe

 

PS - More Pics of interior and panel in my Gallery

PSS - You can also find full specs and what-not at http://www.coastalaircraft.com/page14.php (I saved a little off the asking price for anyone into valuation)