Butler Tail

[zx6rrider]

Tell me about the Butler tail. Good, bad? Impossible to fix if damaged or can standard F parts be used? What else was different when Butler built them?

 

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/aircraft/Single+Engine+Piston/1971/Mooney/M20F/1769982.html

[KSMooniac]

It is unique, but I don't think it is a show-stopper in terms of repair/support if that is ever needed.  It would be pretty straight-forward to put any Mooney tail on there if it got damaged IMO.  

[DaV8or]

No issue with the Butler tail. It doesn't have any real speed penalty and is purely cosmetic. Converting to a standard tail used to be commonly done. If it were me, I'd keep it as it's different. This plane seems a little high priced. I suspect that the seller is charging a premium for the low times, but I would want to know how much it's flown since the new engine in terms of calender dates. If it's only flown 70 hours in the last 5 years, that is very different than 70 hours in the last year.

 

Statistically, this engine is still in it's "infant mortality" phase of it's life. It is more prone to failure than one say at 500 hours. I guess my point being, I wouldn't pay a premium for the low hours on the engine.

[bonal]

There is an E at my home field with that tail always wondered what the story was on it.  I think they look nice but not necessarily better than a standard tail

[zx6rrider]

Not sure I really like its loooks either, agree its kinda high priced. More curious than anything. If it were local I'd probably kick the tires and see what the guy was thinking but its a bit far for that. From googling, sees like Butler was a very short period and not a ton of info 

[fullforward]

I bought my E with a "Stinger Tail" stc looking similar to this version. As mine has all the lasar/ lopresti speed mods I think it was part of an upgrade for speed. Works well as I reach/ outrun book values.

[Browncbr1]

i would think less people would want it, thus reducing resale value.

I'm one of those who find that tail as about as ugly as can be....  it takes away what makes a mooney a mooney, imho.. 

[MyNameIsNobody]

Not a big fan of the Butler Button-hook/Stinger tail, but the low time (airframe and engine), avionics and adjustable rear seats with F extension would have had me looking "past the tail". Prices are asking. Make an offer subject to inspection and be that two-dollar bill guy on the ramp. Different, but they spend. Different, but they fly...and they ARE a Mooney.

[22 others]

If I were buying a plane with the Butler tail, I'd argue it's a few thousand off the asking price.

 

If I were selling a plane with the Butler tail, I'd argue it's worth a few thousand more because of the superior engineering.

 

I know nothing about them otherwise.