atn_pilot Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 So I've already been posting for the past couple of weeks since buying my Mooney, but I figured it was time for a real introduction. And some pics of the plane, of course. So, a quick "about me." I've been flying for 20 years and spent 14 years flying for the airlines. I first flew Beech 1900s, then CRJs, and finally 717s for AirTran. After AirTran merged with Southwest, resulting in me being displaced out of Atlanta, I decided it was time to leave professional aviation and take over management of our family business, where my father was planning to retire soon. No regrets on leaving Southwest, but I definitely started missing the flying pretty quickly. I first started looking around at renting, but quickly discovered that rental prices are absolutely insane nowadays. The local flight school (at FFC) wants $175/hr to rent a DA-40. Not only is that price ridiculous, but I don't even like the plane. Not a fan of these overly curvy airplanes with sticks instead of yokes that seem to be all the rage with modern GA airplanes. Doing the math, it became clear real quick that renting made no sense since I wanted to fly at least 100 hours a year. So I started looking around and doing lots of research on what GA planes might be good for what I wanted, which was primarily a cross country airplane. I soon figured out that Mooneys had an incredible combination of speed and efficiency, so I started looking for older M20s. I found an M20C just a few hours from me and went to take a look and a test flight. I was in love immediately. A quick pre-purchase inspection and title check later, and I was the proud owner of a 1968 M20C. I've only put about 10 hours on it so far, but I've enjoyed every minute. The plane has a completely refurbished landing gear that was just done last year, a new prop, an interior and panel that were just redone about 4 years ago, and a few extras like fuel bladders and a Shadin fuel totalizer. I think I'm really going to enjoy this plane for a long time to come. And I have lots of plans for speed mods and avionics upgrades, of course. So, here are some pics: 10 Quote
Hank Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 Good looking plane! Gotta love the economics and simplicity of a good C. Get the speed [or more!] of a nice 182 for the fuel burn of a flight school 172. And the Mooney is so much more capable, as long as back seat legroom isn't an issue. We always run out of cube before load except when giving friends a ride. Here's to lots of fun with your new ride! 1 Quote
carl Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 Nice looking aircraft. I have a 67 E that has a lot to upgrade 1 Quote
carusoam Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 Somebody really liked that C...! Welcome aboard, officially, -a- 1 Quote
RocketAviator Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 Welcome & congratulations Any interest in participating with the Mooney Caravan to Oshkosh? 1 Quote
Culver LFA Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 Looks great! I'll look for you next time I'm at KFFC 1 Quote
MB65E Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 I like the gray interior and panel. Looks like new production almost. Sure doesn't look like anything from 1968. Fly safe, -Matt 1 Quote
atn_pilot Posted April 19, 2015 Author Report Posted April 19, 2015 Welcome & congratulations Any interest in participating with the Mooney Caravan to Oshkosh? I don't really know much about it. I'll look into it, though. I've never been to Oshkosh, so I do have an interest in going. Quote
Wakeup Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 Looks very nice... I really like the gray panel. Congrats!! Troy 2 Quote
Wakeup Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 Your windows look more rounded on the corners ? It makes it look like a newer model. Troy Quote
Danb Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 Sweet loking ride Troy. Good flying enjoy. Quote
Mooneymite Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 Welcome aboard! That's a nice looking C and it has a great looking panel in place of the "vintage panel". The bladders are a great bonus. When you'd like to try landing it on a nice turf runway, come visit Mallards Landing, GA04 about 12 minutes from you. Hank is down near Auburn, and Rob is over in Perry. We're all 'C' lovers. Hank and Rob are both active posters here. Maybe (someday) we can all get together for a Spruce run! 1 Quote
atn_pilot Posted April 19, 2015 Author Report Posted April 19, 2015 I'm still getting used to not flaring at 50 feet, so it'll be a little while until I feel comfortable enough to land on grass again. Look forward to coming down there, though. Quote
Mooneymite Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 .... until I feel comfortable enough to land on grass again. ... Ha! Grass hides "surprise landings" very well. I think that's why the early aviators started on turf. Quote
Joe Zuffoletto Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 Congratulations, and welcome to the world of Mooney! 1 Quote
gsxrpilot Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 I don't really know much about it. I'll look into it, though. I've never been to Oshkosh, so I do have an interest in going. Just a quick plug for the Mooney Caravan. It's got to be the easiest/safest way to fly to OSH. There seems to be enough of you in GA to get a Georgia Wing together and come fly with us. I also have to say I love the panel. It's so clean and organized. I've saved the pics for future reference if I ever rip mine out to start over. 1 Quote
bonal Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 Welcome and thaks for the intro and photos really like the look both inside and out congrats on what looks like a fine aircraft. Here's wishing you many hours of flight in your new bird...Have you named it yet. Quote
atn_pilot Posted April 19, 2015 Author Report Posted April 19, 2015 Hmm, I hadn't even thought of naming it. That'll take some thought! Quote
Conrad Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 How comfortable are your seats? They look very similar to the seats in my E and the seats in my E are going to need a little TLC to make longer trips pleasant. Quote
rbridges Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 That is a sharp looking panel, and a nice looking plane. Must be convenient being based right next to Aircraft Spruce. 2 Quote
atn_pilot Posted April 19, 2015 Author Report Posted April 19, 2015 How comfortable are your seats? They look very similar to the seats in my E and the seats in my E are going to need a little TLC to make longer trips pleasant. I'm used to DC9 seats, which are horrendous for anything over an hour, so I'm probably not the best judge. I haven't taken it on anything over two hours yet, but had no complaints so far. 1 Quote
Jimhamilton Posted April 19, 2015 Report Posted April 19, 2015 I love your paint and interior. I think you have been blessed with a most excellent Mooney. I also love the panel. It is so clean with everything you need. Perfect. 1 Quote
atn_pilot Posted April 19, 2015 Author Report Posted April 19, 2015 I'm usually in the office during weekdays, but if you're coming down on a Saturday, let me know! Quote
Marauder Posted April 20, 2015 Report Posted April 20, 2015 I'm usually in the office during weekdays, but if you're coming down on a Saturday, let me know! Nice airplane! Love the way the panel was done. Is your family business associated with anything aviation? Inquiring Cheap Bast&$ds would like to know. Now if you said your family business could make replacement Klixon switches or their covers, we would all be lining up to be your new best friends! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 1 Quote
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