Any Mooney Mentors in the Wichita Ks area?

[Guest]

I'm new to the site and although I've been a life long fan of Mooney Aircraft, I have little experience with them.  I'm looking to buy and hoping to find a local group that I can join that is willing to share some of their expertise on the product line in the Wichita area.  I have resarched local flying clubs and I haven't found anyone with a Mooney for rent.  I have plenty of time in a C150 and C172 but zero time in a low wing / retract.  I would LOVE to get some stick time before buying if anyone knows of a Mooney for rent in the area.  My aircraft mission requirements are 300 NM flights on a weekly basis, 50% solo, 45% two on board and 5% four aboard with the rear passengers being smaller adults.  A M20C seems to fit the bill but agian, I would like to lean on those who have gone this flight path before me before I write a check.  Speed and eficency are the driving factor for me.  Let me know if there are any Moonicas in the ICT area that want to share their advice.  

[Hank]

Seems like Nobody is in that area. Maybe he will respond.

Good luck with your search.

[Guest]

Thanks Hank.

[mooniac15u]

Seems like Nobody is in that area. Maybe he will respond.

Good luck with your search.

"Nobody" lives in Cedar Rapids, IA. That's 360nm away.

[mooniac15u]

Ksmooniac is in Wichita.

[Hank]

Ksmooniac is in Wichita.

There you go! Got confused about Nobody's previous identity. Iowa it is!! (Sorry, Scott . . . )

[Jeff_S]

Yes, KSMooniac is in Wichita so you could send him a PM. He flies a J as I recall.  I grew up in Wichita (out in Andover, actually) but I haven't lived there since I left after high school.  What part of town do you live in?

[Guest]

Hi Jeff, I actually live in Derby, which like Andover, is a suburb of Wichita. I learned to fly in the 80's at Cookfield but now fly out of Augusta (3AU). Where do you live now?

[KSMooniac]

I'm here, but my J is still in pieces unfortunately so I cannot give you a demo flight.  There is a J and I believe a C that might be for rent at KAAO.  Look up Dave Dewhirst and try calling him as he doesn't have a website showing which planes might be available.  The J is for sale as well, but it might still be rentable.  The C has been there forever.  There are several other Mooney owners in the area that I know... with a J and two Rockets.  One of the Rocket owners is looking for partners too.

 

EDIT:  The Rocket owner looking for a partner also lives in Derby and I believe the plane is hangared at Cook Field.  He has an ad up right now on Barnstormers.  (A Rocket might be overkill for a lower-experience pilot and especially with a 300 NM typical mission.)

[KSMooniac]

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20J-201/1981-MOONEY-M20J-201/1318779.htm

 

This is the J for sale, with Dave's contact info.  I believe it to be a decent plane, but don't have any direct experience with it.  You wouldn't regret choosing a J if you have the budget to support it over a C.  A C is still a great value, though, but adults won't like the back seat.

[Jeff_S]

I live in Atlanta now, but growing up in Andover I actually lived about two miles from 3AU in Augusta.  Our farm was right on the  southeast corner of Harry and Andover Road. Harry was a dirt road back then, and we used to ride horses down to 3AU and watch planes take off and land. Small world!  That whole section is a housing development now, sad to say.

[Guest]

Thank you Scott, (KsMooniac)  I will follow-up on the leads you've given me.  I appreciate it.  I think the Rocket would be too much of an over-kill for me and yes, too much aircraft for my experience.  Additionally, I'm just not a "partnership" kind of guy.  If I can't own it soley, I don't want it. : )  The C and J sound great.  The J that is is for sale is a bit more than I paln to spend (hoping to keep it uner 55k)  but I might be convinced to spend more if the right aircraft presented itsself.  Thamks again for the leads, I will follow up on them.

[Guest]

Yes it is a small world Jeff_S.  Looks like you've done well from the days of watching the planes take off  and land from horse back.  Thats a nice Ovation you have!

[KSMooniac]

You're very welcome.  I talked to a buddy tonight that has checked into the rentals much more recently that I have and he confirmed the C and J were (hopefully still are) available for rent at KAAO.  Just call Dave and schedule a checkout... I'd encourage to check out in both of them, and start with the C.  Your 55k purchase budget is likely too low for any J worth owning, but there are some good deals every now and then in that ballpark.  You should be able to buy a nice C, E or F in that range, though.

 

Just a note of caution, I started out on a similar hunt in 2006/2007 with a slightly higher budget, but ended up blowing that up and got a great J.  I don't regret it either.

[AeroAggie]

You're very welcome.  I talked to a buddy tonight that has checked into the rentals much more recently that I have and he confirmed the C and J were (hopefully still are) available for rent at KAAO.  Just call Dave and schedule a checkout... I'd encourage to check out in both of them, and start with the C.

The C and J are indeed still available. I got a checkout in the J today and it is well equipped with a 530/430, KFC200, HSI, and a fresh engine. $145/hr wet is very hard to beat. I believe the C is $120 and does not have a GPS.

[MyNameIsNobody]

Go make friends with tattle tale. He is awesome!

Have fun with that.

[N9201A]

James Oliphant of AOPA Insurance is a longtime 201 owner in Wichita - I am betting you can contact him through AOPA Insurance 800-622-2672.

[Guest]

Thanks to everyone for all the help! So far, I've put 1.6 hours in the C and 1.9 in a 231 Turbo K. Loved the size/feel of the short body C and loved the performance and cross country luxury of the K. Flying a J in the next few days. Things I'm considering now are:

1) manual VS electric gear and the benefits of each (ie maintenance, resale value etc...)

2) considering the ADS-B mandate, should I buy an aircraft with basic avionics and upgrade the panel when I make it ADS-B compliant?

3) I'm still wanting to keep my initial purchase around 55K. Is it worth the extra 25K for a J?

I'm going to pull the trigger on this, just a lot to consider and I'm one to evaluate and analyze all options before I do. Thanks in advance for the advice.

[carusoam]

55AMU makes for a really nice C or E...

55AMU is the lowest priced J, not the prettiest or well updated...

Nice Js are closer to 100AMU...

Briefly, it is worth the extra 25AMU to move up the scale.

Only you know if it is worth it to you. You aren't buying for someone else are you?

Find the plane that fits both your mission and your price range. Keep it a long time. Use it often.

My ideas only...

I started with a C, 15 years later I have an O....

Best regards,

-a-

[Guest]

Thanks Carusoam, I've decided that an E is my minimum. 200 hp, fuel injected. I suppose a J is the way to go just from the resale perspective.

[carusoam]

You would have to expand the concern for resale...

A nice E is more affordable to purchase and operate. It really fits the two person family extremely well.

A nice J has a wider audience of interested people, but the higher cost makes it more of challenge to buy.

Unfortunately, it takes so long to either buy or sell a plane. It is hard to buy something just to try it on.

If the J looks like it is better for resale, go O...newer, bigger, faster, current production model, an easy sell when you are done.

I used to calculate my ownership horizon based on what I could afford to break or wear out, and the discount that I would apply to make it sell quickly....

Fortunately, ownership has not been too challenging for me. Some maintenance surprises, but not an OH in year one.

Don't stretch the affordability part, this allows for some breakage and wear....

Don't underestimate how fast kids will grow... It may become a challenge to contain them in the back of a C...

Best regards,

-a-

[Guest]

Thanks Carusoam,  I have updated my budget to the mid 70's to low 80's and I'm leaning toward a J.

 

[carusoam]

Some eye candy can be found here...

http://www.controller.com/list/list.aspx?pcid=17527&etid=1&dlr=1&setype=1

and here...

http://www.deltaaviationllc.com

i bought from the first and like the website of the second...

best regards,

-a-

[ArtVandelay]

Thanks Carusoam,  I have updated my budget to the mid 70's to low 80's and I'm leaning toward a J.

 

If you are going to buy a 80K J, you should have another $10k in reserve for first year issues, annual, possible upgrades.

[Guest]

My goal is to find a J with as many upgrades as possible. I've learned that avionics are one of the fastest depreciating items on earth and having someone else take that loss is in my favor. The additional reserve is not an issue but I prefer to not have a mountain of issues the first year.  My preference is to stay under 1000 hours ET and under 3500 TT.  A sale from a loss of medical is where I really want to be. As opposed to a sale because of a worn out Mooney. I'm in no hurry and I'm in the position to pull the trigger when I find the right aircraft. If that means paying into the 90's or low 100's, thats okay too.   I'm ALWAYS open to suggestions and VALUE the input and experience from current and former Mooney owners.  It's funny though, the more I shop, the higher my budget goes. : )  My only other absolute requirement is that the aircraft MUST BE 30 years old or older to allow the property tax exemption in my state.

Edited September 19, 2015 by Barcho