New pilot, in Maine, looking for Mooney owners.

[jct4]

Hi all.  I'm a new private pilot, having taken up flying in my late thirties.  At some point I would like to be an aircraft owner.  I am drawn to Mooneys despite having no flight experience in them.  I'd like to find and talk to other Mooney owners in the area (midcoast Maine), at least sit in one, see how it feels, and generally see if one would suit me. My near term goals are to earn an instrument rating, travel by air with my family (wife & two boys), and somehow incorporate more flying into my life.

Wonderful local airport: KBXM.  Anyone in this part of the world? 

[kpaul]

jct4,

Welcome to MS, you will learn a lot hanging out here.

I can't help you out because I am stuck in NW Florida.

[Hector]

Welcome aboard. I'm in Florida also but I'm sure someone will come along that lives nearby. Use the search function and you will find lots of discussions on people looking to buy a Mooney.

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard JCT.

try to search on the word Maine.  There are a few threads including photographs by people flying Mooneys through your area.

other things to include in the search lobsta and other seafoods.  People around here like to fly and dine.  With a Mooney you will have some choices.  From Boardwalk food in NJ, to crabs in Maryland.

Being a young small family, the M20C may fit very nicely.  It worked for me!

Best regards,

-a-

[Mooneymite]

KBXM!  I flew out of KNHZ in the early 70's, but I haven't  made it back since the NAS closed.

Lots of good memories.

[Bob_Belville]

I get to KIWI at least once per summer. There's a vintage (M20F?) based there though I don't think he's on MS. There are other Mooneys in the Mid-Coast and I would think they'll see your post and speak up.

[jct4]

Thanks folks.  I'll search through the old posts and see if I can track down some Maine Mooneys.

[aviatoreb]

I've been to KBXM a few times.  Last time was just over a year ago when I was school shopping with my oldest son who liked Bowdoin very much and almost went there, but ended up going to Cornell.  Now I was school shopping this last year for my second son.  All sorts of fun things to do with a Mooney.

I should be back to KBXM at some point - maybe this summer.

[adrian]

I was based at KBXM, and still part-own a Super Decathlon that lives there.  It is a fabulous place to fly!

Someone recently restored a Mooney 231 at Wiscasset (KIWI), and I think it is still based there.  There's a great flying community at KIWI of friendly and welcoming people.  It's well worth visiting and just talking to the people who are there most weekends.  They will know most of the local airplanes and pilots. 

[jct4]

Thanks Adrian.  I'll go visit KIWI. 

[CJpilot316]

Hey JCT,

I'm from Maine, grew up in Aroostook County, and learned to fly up there. Lived in Bangor until last year, and flew into BXM many times. Horrible airport in my opinion, no way to get out after hours...at all. They say to call, but they don't answer. The last time I was there after hours I had to hijack a golf cart to trip the sensor and open the car gate to get out. They did not appreciate that much when I told them in the morning. Haha. The Wiscasset airport is awesome, and so is Rockland.

I actually just got a job in Florida, so I'm moving in a couple weeks...sold my 172 but I'm in the process of buying a Mooney to commute back to Maine with.

[Hank]

I've heard of being locked OUT of an airport and having difficulty accessing the plane. Never heard of being locked INTO an airport, unable to leave! That's a huge safety concern.

[CJpilot316]

26 minutes ago, Hank said:

I've heard of being locked OUT of an airport and having difficulty accessing the plane. Never heard of being locked INTO an airport, unable to leave! That's a huge safety concern.

BXM was the Naval Air Station Base, it's completely surrounded by high fences. There is a gate if you have the password. Or, just borrow their golf cart and push it across the ramp to the car gate.

[Mooneymite]

16 hours ago, CJpilot316 said:

BXM was the Naval Air Station Base, it's completely surrounded by high fences....

We never figured out if the Navy built the fences to keep the Russian spys out, or to keep the sailors in.