Finding and owning a Mooney

[irishpilot]

  On 10/21/2015 at 6:55 PM, Sabremech said:

I'm jumping in late on the conversation, but if I wasn't an A&P/IA, I wouldn't own a certified airplane. The only way I can justify it is that I don't charge myself for the labor and I can find or make the parts I need. If you're finances are stretched too tight, look at the experimental world where if you're not the builder you can at least save a ton of money on parts. Look at the Van's RV family of airplanes for Mooney type performance.

David

I agree experimental can be cheaper to maintain, but not if you are looking for a 4 place. Most 4 place experimental aircraft run $100k+ vs $30k for a M30C. The price difference would go a long ways on annuals.

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[Mooneymite]

  On 10/21/2015 at 6:55 PM, Sabremech said:

I'm jumping in late on the conversation, but if I wasn't an A&P/IA, I wouldn't own a certified airplane. The only way I can justify it is that I don't charge myself for the labor and I can find or make the parts I need. If you're finances are stretched too tight, look at the experimental world where if you're not the builder you can at least save a ton of money on parts. Look at the Van's RV family of airplanes for Mooney type performance.

David

I think Sabremech is right on.  Being able to do the work to keep your Mooney in top condition yourself is the difference between utility and luxury.

However, I'll go Sabremech one more:  Living with your plane is the key to high utility/low cost.  In a fly-in community, there's always someone who has to tool, the expertise, or both to make maintaining your Mooney a pleasure.  When I finally move out, I'll sell my plane(s).

[Hank]

Gus, noooo!!!!      

[Sabremech]

Did I miss a 4 place requirement or is this just assumed since the Mooney is the topic? 

David

[ryoder]

My repair costs have been very economical but I am hangared in a low cost of living area.  The neighbor across from my hangar has an experimental he just bought and he spends hundreds of hours fixing things that weren't built right to begin with.  He knows his stuff though.  After seeing him work on that plane and all of the bad repairs and low build quality issues he is fixing I am glad I have a certified airplane.  The thing that bugs me the most is not being able to have an A&P install experimental avionics.  That makes no sense to me.