joining the ranks soon...newbie questions

[BorealOne]

Hey all - 

I've got the Mooney bug. Most of my PIC time has been 'low and slow' bush flying in a Lake amphib, but mission requirements are now moving into what Mooneys excel at...mostly solo or 2 person 800 nm cross-country trips where I need to get there fast...

So...I'm currently trying to best match my needs to the right plane. Trying to decide between a 252 or a Bravo. TKS is a must, FIKI a plus. Currently leaning towards a 252 on the grounds of fuel efficiency, but I have a few questions for folks on the forum - 

- gravel strips. I know, not traditional places to land a Mooney, but some of my destinations are well-maintained gravel, instead of tarmac. Any experiences or advice to share? How essential are the inner gear doors - can they be removed?

- long-range tanks - how much to install in a 252?

- ADF quality. IFR alternate rules in Canada require 'non-GPS' approaches to be legal, and in most places I fly, the only non-GPS alternate is an NDB. My experiences with ADFs suggest that their reliability varies considerably by aircraft. Any known issues with the ADF installations in 252s?

Any other helpful advice?

Thanks, eh!

[mooneygirl]

I am hoping Bryan will chime in about gravel/dirt strips. He has taken his Mooney into some crazy beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest. Welcome to the forum, and welcome to the Mooney Family!

[Gone]

I second your welcome to the Mooney Family.  Looks like you will be challenged in getting all the kit you need to fly out of Goose.  Crossing the Gulf of St Lawrence, just to get to Halifax will require more safety gear than I carry, that is for sure.  I ran into a fellow in Fredericton, who often flies his C (or E) model to Wabush, so he is not too bad off for logistics. 

My mission profile is not quite the same as yours, and I can live without the turbo and the TKS, although I would like to have both.  I do not know who, on this forum, has a 252 or a Bravo, but I am sure that one of the good folks that do will let you know.

Have you had a chance to read the Pireps on various Mooney models at http://www.mooneypilots.com/logsample.html?  The one on the 252 is at http://www.mooneypilots.com/mapalog/M20K252_evaluation_report.htm.

Good luck on your search.  Post pictures when you finally put one in the stables.

[GeorgePerry]

Here are a couple of good links to start.  The first is the thread on grass/unprepared field operations.  The second is a good website on one man's 252 and his research.  Also, don't overlook a well maintained Rocket Conversion.  Might be something to consider.

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=1&threadid=1723

http://www.n252q.com/2008/01/mooneyis-it-really-best.html

If you don't "need" a turbo then an M20S or early Ovation might also fit the bill....

[Piloto]

Have good memories of Goose Bay. Nice facilities and friendly people. Been there 4 times on ferry flights. With the Monroy long range tanks there is no need for ferry tanks to reach Reykjavic non-stop from CYYR. With full fuel the Bravo (M20M) is too heavy for taxing on grass. The nose wheel will dig into the ground. The 252 M20K is a heck of an airplane but if you can go for the Bravo M20M. The M20M has more baggage room and more recent avionics. I have heard figures from $8k to $10k for the tanks installed. You can buy the kit for $3k from www.monroy aero.com and have the local shop install it. Labor is about 65 man-hours. The Bendix/King KR-87 is the best of ADF, many Mooneys have them. Welcome to the Mooney maniacs.

José

  

[BorealOne]

Lol - thanks Piloto -  I know that FBO. Looks like you were at YYR on one of our rare frosty mornings :-)

Much appreciate the welcomes and the links from others - this is a most welcoming forum!

 

Cheers!

Larry

[BorealOne]

Alright - I landed a lovely 1996 Ovation with TKS + the long-range Monroy tanks. We closed the deal today. It'll be a week (or three) before it gets put on the Canadian registry, but I'm already looking forward to getting there fast...wherever 'there' happens to be.

If anyone knows of a good CFI with Ovation experience in the Toronto - Ottawa area, please give a shout. I did 5h transition with the previous owner, but I'll be looking for a little more instruction to become fully familiar with this amazing aircraft.

[MooneyMitch]

Congratulations!  It truly is an amazing aircraft.  Have tons of fun with it.

[fantom]

A great plane with the right configuration for Goose Bay....congrats!

Now we need pictures.

[thinwing]

congrats...kpc

[flyboy0681]

You went from "bug" to owner in no time flat.

 

Congratulations from South Florida. As one of the newest member of the Mooney ranks myself, I would suggest you spend as much time with a qualified instructor as you can until you have everything down cold (no pun intended).

 

The time to set your instructor free is when you feel totally comfortable in the left seat and your flights with him or her become boring.

 

 

[carusoam]

Congrats on the Ovation acquisition....

PM sent.