Jakl Posted September 7, 2014 Report Posted September 7, 2014 Wife and I are looking for our first plane. We started by looking in the already-flying used Vans market for the newer-for-the-money and efficiency they offered. I've been up in them and I enjoyed it, so did the wife, but we want to travel. When I say travel, I'm talking 500ish miles regularly with the occasional 1000nm trip. We have 2 dogs we'd like the option of bringing along, or maybe even our snowboards. Typical load would be us (360lbs total) plus 40 or so in bags and fill tanks, but obviously with the other options previously stated or even 4 pax plus bags and fuel at the tabs. We're on about a 90k budget max, obviously he less it costs the more we can put into it and fly it. I'm 6'4 and 230lbs so not a small dude so I'm concerned about the fit in the plane. I've heard it has legroom but not very wide. Thoughts? Quote
MooneyBob Posted September 7, 2014 Report Posted September 7, 2014 You have to sit into and try one. I am 6'1" and 220lbs with the wide shoulders and it fits me as a glove. I don't feel any discomfort after even 3-4 hours leg. Quote
lukejb Posted September 7, 2014 Report Posted September 7, 2014 I am 6'5" and 250lbs and my 201 J fits me good. Helps that my wife is small and only 115lbs. We looked at it and some Beech Debonairs and surprisingly i liked the fit of the Mooneys better. Quote
Jakl Posted September 7, 2014 Author Report Posted September 7, 2014 Thanks for the response guys. I'm probably just going to have to find one locally to sit in! Quote
carusoam Posted September 7, 2014 Report Posted September 7, 2014 Everyone fits in a Mooney. The government limits us to four people at a time. You just have to like speed and efficiency. It takes a high level of commitment. Sometimes it takes more commitment than ordinary people can handle. It is similar to being a meatatarian. If you are like me... You enjoy the fastest, factory built, N/A, four seat traveling machine to visit places that serve steaks, chicken, lobster and clams as a main dish. I understand, not everyone is like me! Best regards, -a- 1 Quote
schule Posted September 7, 2014 Report Posted September 7, 2014 Mooney is one of the wider cabins in GA. It will hold two 240 lbs guys in the front seats with little problem. Just yesterday on a 7hr XC had a Cirrus guy tell me how surprised he was about the comfort of a 231. The leg room and width is great. We started in a NA Mooney, but quickly found a Turbo to be great for our long trip to get up high enough to see and avoid WX and bumps which are always present some where on a 500-1000 NM trip. Fuel mileage is the same and MX has been about the same, but the buy in is a small bit more. 4.5% loans make it still just a nice car payment and operational cost far exceeds the monthly payment. The fold down or removable seats have been a godsend on several trips. We have a UL of 940# with a similar need to yours and it has usually been enough, but we usually have a LOT more baggage. Planes are either pay now or pay later affairs. 1st annual is normally a big one so I recommend get now what will last vice trading up through several 1st annuals. Good luck. PM me if you want to get more detail. 1 Quote
aaronk25 Posted September 7, 2014 Report Posted September 7, 2014 A lot of planes are a tight fit up front....in a mooney you sit closer to the floor, as you would in a corvette. Cabin with is the same but appears narrow because of the lower seat to floor distance. Seat to ceiling is similar to others. This using a cabin that isn't as tall from floor to ceiling lowers the drag footprint, and is one contributing factor to the planes speed and efficiency. You will love 155kts on 9.2 gallons per hour! Quote
Bartman Posted September 7, 2014 Report Posted September 7, 2014 I find the cabin and seats very comfortable, but the door height is short. Getting in is no problem and there is plenty of leg room. Although I have no problems getting out, I have found that instructing passengers on my method helps them. I move the right seat all the way back, stand straight up, put my back on the door frame, put my right foot out, then stand all the way up on the wing. I have had people try to crawl out and end up scooting down the wing on their behind. I get no complaints from new passengers on cabin comfort, but some don't have the upper and core body strength to stand up easily from basically sitting with your legs straight out. Quote
Ragsf15e Posted September 8, 2014 Report Posted September 8, 2014 Jakl - I see the Chiefs patch, "the other squadron at Seymour"... I'm a former Rocketeer and now have an M20F (at Laughlin AFB). Like some of the others above, I'd recommend trying sitting in an M20J with your wife and see how it feels. I'm 6'3 and 170lbs. It's comfortable once I'm in, but it's a bit of "yoga" to get into the left seat. Forget about getting in the back. If you're going to take your dog(s) and/or snowboards, fold down seats will be a must. Mine don't, and I kind of wish they did. My M20F has about 635 lbs load left with full fuel (64 gal), but really, you don't need all that gas. 3 hour legs are plenty unless you plan on using piddle packs. Let me know if you want more info. I just went through the whole buying process about 4 months ago, so it's fresh. It's an awesome airplane to own and fly! Rags 2 Quote
bonal Posted September 8, 2014 Report Posted September 8, 2014 Seems like there are a number of military and commercial pilots that fly Mooney's as there personal aircraft. Thats a good sign. but I find it interresting that and F15 pilot at 6'3 170lbs has a tough time getting in and out of the left seat. man I'm a 50 plus something 5'10" 215 pounder and I have no issues. one thing I have noticed is every one seems to climb in and out in front of the right seat. i like to put it all the way forward with the left all the way back and you can just drop right in from a standing position. Quote
ArtVandelay Posted September 8, 2014 Report Posted September 8, 2014 Getting in is easy, getting out after a 4+ hour trip is a little less easy. Quote
bonal Posted September 8, 2014 Report Posted September 8, 2014 Try right seat all the way forward left all the way back. On your feet up and out. For me and my not so mobil as I used to be self its easy this way. I dont know maybe I just like being different. Quote
mooniac15u Posted September 9, 2014 Report Posted September 9, 2014 Try right seat all the way forward left all the way back. On your feet up and out. For me and my not so mobil as I used to be self its easy this way. I dont know maybe I just like being different. Exiting an M20J that way you risk releasing the emergency gear latch between the seats. Quote
Jakl Posted September 9, 2014 Author Report Posted September 9, 2014 Jakl - I see the Chiefs patch, "the other squadron at Seymour"... I'm a former Rocketeer and now have an M20F (at Laughlin AFB). Like some of the others above, I'd recommend trying sitting in an M20J with your wife and see how it feels. I'm 6'3 and 170lbs. It's comfortable once I'm in, but it's a bit of "yoga" to get into the left seat. Forget about getting in the back. If you're going to take your dog(s) and/or snowboards, fold down seats will be a must. Mine don't, and I kind of wish they did. My M20F has about 635 lbs load left with full fuel (64 gal), but really, you don't need all that gas. 3 hour legs are plenty unless you plan on using piddle packs.Let me know if you want more info. I just went through the whole buying process about 4 months ago, so it's fresh. It's an awesome airplane to own and fly!Rags Thanks Rags. I found a few locally that aren't exactly what I'm looking for but I hope they may be willing to let the wife and I check them out anyway so we can sit in them and see how she likes it. She did just fine in a Piper Archer even though it was painfully slow. She actually preferred the Archer to the RV9 she got a ride in. She enjoyed the more "car like" feel of the cabin. Hopefully she feels the same about the Mooney! Quote
bonal Posted September 9, 2014 Report Posted September 9, 2014 As some one that does not own a J that is something I was not aware of. My guess Jakl is the wife will prefer the more SUV like fit of the Bonanza and as such where you will likely end your search. Just sayin. Quote
Jakl Posted September 9, 2014 Author Report Posted September 9, 2014 As some one that does not own a J that is something I was not aware of. My guess Jakl is the wife will prefer the more SUV like fit of the Bonanza and as such where you will likely end your search. Just sayin. Apologies, I was unclear. She felt more secure in the Archer (I guess secure is synonymous with blind spots) because it felt like a car meaning she had a windshield, a roof, doors, side windows. It just felt to her more like a mode of transportation than a toy. I still plan to have her check out the Mooney and hopefully she's a fan Quote
carusoam Posted September 9, 2014 Report Posted September 9, 2014 In that case... Allow her to take in the glory of the Long Body Mooneys... (M, R, O & S) If she likes comparison to automobiles, the efficiency and speed could be important to her. The J is a great private airplane compared to the typical C & P brands. Faster and more efficient! Don't let her be confused. It may take some work on your part to show her the way. She'll want to jump out the first day a Mooney flys by you... Are you able to visit the Mooney SuperStore....in person? http://allamericanaircraft.com/Default.htm It's fun to arrive before everyone else, go Mooney! -a- Quote
bonal Posted September 9, 2014 Report Posted September 9, 2014 My wife and I did a good bit of CC in my first bird a C150 and when we hit turbulence she would get very tense and almost frightened at times. Now with our C she doesn't even flinch even when we hit some pretty big bumps. I asked her what the difference was and she said the Mooney feels solid and strong and much safer. We really like our 145ktas average at 8.5gph and we just fly a C. Hope yours likes the ride as much as mine Quote
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