chuckyp Posted July 11, 2015 Report Posted July 11, 2015 Hello all, I am brand new to the board as I have started doing a little research into possibly getting a Mooney for a commuter / family plane. I am leaning toward the M20K 252 or similar as it seems like it would be ample performance for my commute over the mountains between Arizona and New Mexico and is probably the only "modern" variant I would be able to afford since the newer ones are well outside my budget. My wife would also like to get a faster plane to potentially go on family trips with our two kids. Useful load seems to be a limiting factor, but fuel stops are no big deal and we need bladder stops anyway. The Mooney is particularly appealing because they seem fairly economical for their speed. There are other quick planes out there, but many seem to drink avgas like it's free or are otherwise out of my price range. Before I get too excited, however, I wanted to see if there was anyone nearby with an M20J, K, Encore, Bravo, etc that would be willing to let me sit in it to see how it fits. If you're going flying and wouldn't mind taking a passenger along, that would be even better. I'd hate to waste time doing a bunch of research and looking at planes for sale if it's not even a good fit for me. Non-Mooney people say they are cramped inside, while Mooney people seem to say that they are great for tall people. I'm 6'2" and right about 200 lbs. My height is mostly in my legs with about a 34" inseam. I live in Queen Creek AZ, so if there's anyone in the valley that's up for it please let me know. Especially if you're based at CHD or FFZ, since those are so close to me. I work in Socorro, NM, so in the off chance anyone is near there, that's a possibility as well. Any other feedback is also welcome. Thanks! Chuck
RocketAviator Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 Chuck PM me there is a Chuck in Deer Valley and 3 other Mooniacs in your area I know of. I usually get into the area every couple months as well. Good luck.
carusoam Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 Welcome aboard Chuck. You have done some solid research! You may want to update your avatar to include where you are and what you are looking for. As the page gets longer over the next few days, people will have something to refer to while giving advice. Helps you maintain good responses by not taxing memory capacity that we (I mean 'I' ) may have lost... Best regards, -a-
chuckyp Posted July 12, 2015 Author Report Posted July 12, 2015 I'm at CHD we can go flying tomorrow. Wow that was a fast offer! Wish I could take you up on it but I'm on my work hitch in Socorro this week and won't be back until Friday afternoon. I work a week here then I'm off a week back home in Queen Creek. If we can try for another time that's convenient for you, I'd love to do it. Typically on my off weeks I can sneak away from the family on Saturday or Sunday or Monday and Wednesday mornings before my wife goes to work and meet you at CHD. I live at Pegasus airpark (5AZ3), so if you're flying around you could even stop by there if you want. Let me know what you think! Chuck
Tankinbarber Posted July 23, 2015 Report Posted July 23, 2015 Hello all, I am brand new to the board as I have started doing a little research into possibly getting a Mooney for a commuter / family plane. I am leaning toward the M20K 252 or similar as it seems like it would be ample performance for my commute over the mountains between Arizona and New Mexico and is probably the only "modern" variant I would be able to afford since the newer ones are well outside my budget. My wife would also like to get a faster plane to potentially go on family trips with our two kids. Useful load seems to be a limiting factor, but fuel stops are no big deal and we need bladder stops anyway. The Mooney is particularly appealing because they seem fairly economical for their speed. There are other quick planes out there, but many seem to drink avgas like it's free or are otherwise out of my price range. Before I get too excited, however, I wanted to see if there was anyone nearby with an M20J, K, Encore, Bravo, etc that would be willing to let me sit in it to see how it fits. If you're going flying and wouldn't mind taking a passenger along, that would be even better. I'd hate to waste time doing a bunch of research and looking at planes for sale if it's not even a good fit for me. Non-Mooney people say they are cramped inside, while Mooney people seem to say that they are great for tall people. I'm 6'2" and right about 200 lbs. My height is mostly in my legs with about a 34" inseam. I live in Queen Creek AZ, so if there's anyone in the valley that's up for it please let me know. Especially if you're based at CHD or FFZ, since those are so close to me. I work in Socorro, NM, so in the off chance anyone is near there, that's a possibility as well. Any other feedback is also welcome. Thanks! Chuck I own a 1985 mooney M20k 231 Rocket. I am in scottsdale a lot and would not mind meeting you somewhere to let you see the airplane. I love it. I previously flew a da40 the mooney is twice as fast but the con is it is like sitting in a ferrari rather than a cadilac.
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