I own an airplane!

[Conrad]

The backstory: I decided I wanted a manual gear Mooney even before the search got out of the daydreaming phase. Mooney because of the speed and efficiency for actually getting around, and manual systems because I spend my time writing code and chasing bugs and thus the simplicity of arm-based actuation for the gear and flaps was enticing.

 

I joined MAPA and mooneyspace and was politely given the advice that buying a Mooney before I was through with primary flight training was nuts. So much for that advice

 

I searched seriously for 6 months and turned down several planes. I observed an annual for one and, on consultation, was not satisfied with the quality of work. The eventual purchaser of that plane ended up in a field several months later due to an unfulfilled AD.

 

Another handful of planes never made it as far as pre-buy -- they were cheap, but lacked too much equipment I wanted even if they did turn out to be mechanically sound. I wanted certified GPS, engine monitor, and instrument panel lighting (a concession to vanity). If you have the money (I don't) for paint, overhaul, GPS, and 2020, why aren't you just buying a J!?

 

I got as far as taking one of Jimmy Garrison's planes to Don Maxwell, but he recommended against purchasing it. That was all I needed to hear! It was great to meet both Jimmy and Don, and I have absolutely nothing negative to say about either of them.

 

As for 79338, I found the plane on barnstormers and ended up purchasing it sight unseen. It had the equipment I wanted, and the only real downside is the rather beat interior. Dmax had seen the plane and vouched for its condition, and I had a prepurchase inspection done in absentia. This is something that I was comfortable with only because the plane had a low time engine and a well documented and itemized list of recently completed repairs. I also asked the mechanic to take pictures and grilled him on everything I knew that could go wrong with Mooneys based on my research here and elsewhere. Thanks for your patience, Summit Aviation!

 

Insurance turned out to cost only one arm below the elbow, a far cry from the arm and leg I was expecting.

 

Sorry for the long read. Look at the pretty pictures!

 

 

[kmyfm20s]

Congratulations and nice bird! The interior is a fun DIY project.

[xrs135]

I almost purchased that plane before I found my "C" last year! Enjoy it!!

[bonal]

Congrats, I remember your posts from before hope you have great success with your new steed. Are you going to base at Gnoss

[Conrad]

@kmyfm20s I definitely think it will be fun to fix up the interior. License first though.

 

@xrs135 Close call! Personally I'm glad it worked out the way it did though.

 

@bonal I'm out of Oakland. Once I'm able to fly about it would be great fun to meet up with you and Sherm and the other new mooney owners around here.

[xrs135]

@kmyfm20s I definitely think it will be fun to fix up the interior. License first though.

@xrs135 Close call! Personally I'm glad it worked out the way it did though.

@bonal I'm out of Oakland. Once I'm able to fly about it would be great fun to meet up with you and Sherm and the other new mooney owners around here.

I'm out of Reno, and usually head to destinations West of here... Count me in on a local meet-up too!

[Will W]

Great job on the purchase.  Just a warning.  It is an airworthiness item to have the inside handle cover on the baggage door.  I noticed you don't have it in the photo so I urge you to get it immediately.  That should have been found easily on the pre-purchase inspection.

 

Again, congratulations and welcome to aircraft ownership

[Conrad]

You have just caused me to reach for my stack of MAPA logs. I thought I was going to have to page through all of them to find the text on baggage door covers but it was right on top! What luck. I believe I do not have an airworthiness issue. The Ask Jerry column that deals with it states "The older models before the J model will not have a cover." I also looked up the SB, which is for J's and K's. I believe the reason that the SB deals only with the later models is that it was written due to a baggage door coming open in flight due to objects inside the plane interacting with the mechanism. This is not possible in the E because the baggage door is locked from the outside and cannot be opened from the inside while locked (I've tried). If you want to check up on it it's SB M30-239A and the July 2014 MAPA log.

[ryoder]

Looks good minus the interior. Interior work is fun though and I think it's easy. You can definitely finish your private pilot in a mooney. Just focus on airspeed control on final and triple check gear down and locked.

I am also a developer and enjoy the simple pleasure of hand flying.

[Shadrach]

Great job on the purchase.  Just a warning.  It is an airworthiness item to have the inside handle cover on the baggage door.  I noticed you don't have it in the photo so I urge you to get it immediately.  That should have been found easily on the pre-purchase inspection.

 

Again, congratulations and welcome to aircraft ownership

Are you saying the missing apolstery is an airworthiness item? If you're referring to the release handle, this plane did not have a hatch release handle installed at the factory and I don't think they came out with an AD requiring it. There is a mod to make one though and it is a very good idea!

[Shadrach]

Congratulations!

Add the interior of your choice and you've got just what you want!

[Seth]

Nice plane - good patience in the buy process.  You got a 430w, a Garmin Transponder, and a modified panel that will work great for IFR work.  The exterior paint looks in good shape and it's an E, so the performance is great and you can really sip fuel building up those hours.  Now go out and fly!!  

 

Watch airspeed in the pattern and tripple check that gear is down (GUMPS on Downwind, GUMPS on Base, Green light over the fence on final).  Give a good tug on the Johnson bar and do the fingernail check.  

 

Also, the block that the Johnson bar sits in looks like it's the original.  Check to make sure a groove has not formed where the gear locks in the down position.  With a deep groove dug in over time, the gear has been known on occasion to retract on landing even when you are locked down.  If there is a groove/the block is worn, you may want to replace the block with a new one.  

 

Every landing is a go around ready to happen - if it doesn't look good, feel right, whatever, just go around. 

 

Congratulations - looking forward to hearing your stories.

 

Take care,

 

-Seth

[MyNameIsNobody]

Congrats! Nice center stack/panel 8-pack re-do. Nice paint. Chrome under the hood-Swanky

Interiors are fun-owner can legally do stuff. Have fun making it yours and getting SB208 checked off while you pull old insulation out.

Enjoy your E.

[cujet]

Congrats!!!!! 

 

Just a quick note: I suggest to every aircraft owner, to know as much as possible about their aircraft. Including the ability to perform preventative maintenance. Oil changes and so on. 

 

Most pilots are not mechanics. And I would never suggest that a non mechanically inclined pilot perform preventative MX. 

 

However, it is legal and appropriate for a "capable" owner/pilot to perform certain tasks. I strongly encourage this. 

 

You may be surprised to know that you, as a pilot/owner are now qualified to repair/recover/replace the interior in your aircraft, including the R+R of the seats. (you must use appropriate materials that conform to the type design)

 

You can also change tires/repack wheel bearing/, oil, landing lights and LL wiring, side windows, clean and gap sparkplugs, remove and install engine cowls, replace any hose (except hydraulic hoses) , prefabricated fuel lines, R+R non structural fasteners and much more. 

 

http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/PIC-archive/Aircraft-Ownership/Preventive-Maintenance

 

I am Director of Maintenance of a high end Corporate Flight Department. Unfortunately, I must admit that I see too many A+P mechanics screwing up. And, sometimes, you can do a better job yourself. A member here has struggled with (more than one) his local A+P/IA's quality. From leaving panels loose, hoses loose, and jobs improperly done. 

 

I light of that, I suggest that you trust yourself to review the work done by others. And, if capable, do what you can yourself. 

[bonal]

I'm not certain on this And I Know others will confirm but can a non PP (one still in training) perform any maintenance on an aircraft. I just opened the link looks like legally you need to complete your PPL before doing your own work.

[DaV8or]

Are you saying the missing apolstery is an airworthiness item? If you're referring to the release handle, this plane did not have a hatch release handle installed at the factory and I don't think they came out with an AD requiring it. There is a mod to make one though and it is a very good idea!

 

Any links or info on this mod? I might like to do it.

[DaV8or]

To Conrad-

 

Congratulations on the Mooney! I used to be based at KOAK for a decade. If you haven't done so yet, I strongly suggest you get a hangar there. The "New" Ts are reasonably priced and last I knew easy to get. They were $262 a month when I was there. If you just tie it down, you get to watch it rot and degrade before your eyes in the salt air.

 

Where are you training? Oakland Flyers, or Alameda Aero Club? They have a CFI at Oakland Flyers that has a lot of Mooney time. His name is Rodrigo. Welcome to the Mooney club and have fun!

[cujet]

I'm not certain on this And I Know others will confirm but can a non PP (one still in training) perform any maintenance on an aircraft. I just opened the link looks like legally you need to complete your PPL before doing your own work.

Correct, one must have at least a private pilot rating, and must perform the work himself. 

 

Thanks for pointing that out. 

[Conrad]

Thanks!

 

@xrs You are counted in!

 

@nobody The engine compartment is sooo pretty. Most of what's in there is new, it's a dream. The paint could use some detailing.

 

@cujet I have carefully read the list of pilot accomplishable maintenance items, and I plan to be involved with my plane's maintenance as much as possible. I guess that's yet another reason to finish the license post haste.

 

@Seth Only a 430, not a 430w. Gotta think about what that means for 2020. Also I believe you're right about the gear blocks, I mean to have them replaced at my first annual. I can just get a fingernail in there depending on how the head of the J bar is turned in the socket. The system does have the safety latch however and I always ensure that I am unable to pull the collar as part of my retraction process. Seems safe for now, unless anyone disagrees?

 

@Dave I don't know how long ago you were at OAK but I'm pretty sure hangars are not readily available at the price you suggest. That's about the monthly cost of parking a car in SF. Rodrigo is still around however, and he is in fact my CFI.

[MB65E]

That's neat yours is only a few S/N's off from mine. (551). Mine had an AW date of late Jan 65. A little digging shows s/n 550 with a AW date of 1/4/65. Yours could be the last one off the line in 64. Couldn't find s/n 449...

Yours looks pretty unmolested!

Congrats!

-Matt

[mike_elliott]

Correct, one must have at least a private pilot rating, and must perform the work himself. 

 

Thanks for pointing that out. 

Exactly...how else in the world could the FAA violate you if you don't have a ticket to Violate !

[IndyTim]

Congratulations, and welcome to the owners' club!  Best of luck with getting your ppl.  I went right on and got my IFR rating after PPL, and I'm glad I did - really forced me to internalize all the numbers for various phases of flight, and helped me get much more disciplined (read: stable) on my approaches.  But one step at a time...

[Shadrach]

Any links or info on this mod? I might like to do it.

I tried to find it online after I posted it. I fabricated a release for mine about 6 years ago. I'll see what I can dig up.

[Guest]

Conrad,

Welcome to the group. Remember that you own a Mooney not just any old plane. The only thing better would be owning several,of them!

Clarence

[RocketAviator]

Congratulations, welcome to being part of owning one of the best Planes in the world and part of the BEST People in the world..... that is Mooniacs of course!