New Member, Thinking about a Mooney

[Dave Colangelo]

Big day of flying, first off a big shout out and thank you to Chris From PA who took me up in his M20C today and it was a delight! First Mooney ride and lets be honest Im sold (we all kew that was going to happen ). We flew  over to N87 to take a look at some planes for sale and there was a beautiful M20C there that was in nice shape although the avionics left a bit to be desired. They also had a really clean J that was brand new from the firewall forward but I think thats a bit to much plane for me right now and i don't want to get my self into a sticky situation as a low time pilot. I also spoke with some of the insurance companies on what its gonna take to get this all going and I now have some more solid numbers to work with. After talking with Chris at length I think I have come up with some minimums that Im looking for in a plane (but there is some room here) 

- Engine @ or under 1500 hours 

- Garmin 430 or 530 (WAAS is not a must but it would be nice) 

- Newer panel preferably modern 6 or 8 pack style

- Tolerable paint as ill most likely be keeping it on a tie down for the time being 

There are some nice planes out there with older avionics and the price reflects that however I know if I end yup getting one im going to want to fly it right off the bad and not wait for the avionics shop to put new toys in. Still lots of things to consider but every day is moving me closer to that Mooney. 

 

Regards 

Dave

 

[Dave Colangelo]

I Figured I would update this thread with where Im currently at. (I have been on vacation for the past 2 weeks so things have been on hold) 

 

I got some insurance quotes from a few providers and am currently looking at 1600-2200 a year for a C or E which is about what I was expecting. I had the chance to see another members plane (although we did not fly it) and it was interesting to see what he had done with the panel. The more I look into it the more it seems everyone has their own take on the panel. After speaking with the some of the owners as well as the FBO at KPNE its looking like a hanger will be 400 - 450 a month with a tie down coming in at about half that. Im going to explore some of the other airports around the area but KPNE is still the closest by far. I have also begun studying for my instrument rating (just the ground stuff for now) and I think WAAS may become mandatory on my list of wants. I have spoken to a few sellers with some planes that were on the lower price side but Im not sure I am ready to buy a plane then wait for everything to be sorted once I own it. It seems the way to go is wait for the right plane, save some cash and spend a bit more upfront. 

 

For now Im still hunting... 

 

Regards 

Dave

[Marauder]

I Figured I would update this thread with where Im currently at. (I have been on vacation for the past 2 weeks so things have been on hold) 

 

I got some insurance quotes from a few providers and am currently looking at 1600-2200 a year for a C or E which is about what I was expecting. I had the chance to see another members plane (although we did not fly it) and it was interesting to see what he had done with the panel. The more I look into it the more it seems everyone has their own take on the panel. After speaking with the some of the owners as well as the FBO at KPNE its looking like a hanger will be 400 - 450 a month with a tie down coming in at about half that. Im going to explore some of the other airports around the area but KPNE is still the closest by far. I have also begun studying for my instrument rating (just the ground stuff for now) and I think WAAS may become mandatory on my list of wants. I have spoken to a few sellers with some planes that were on the lower price side but Im not sure I am ready to buy a plane then wait for everything to be sorted once I own it. It seems the way to go is wait for the right plane, save some cash and spend a bit more upfront. 

 

For now Im still hunting... 

 

Regards 

Dave

When you are done hunting and need a safety pilot, drop me a PM. Where in the Philly area do you live? I'm based at N57, west of Philly.

[Dave Colangelo]

50 minutes ago, Marauder said:

When you are done hunting and need a safety pilot, drop me a PM. Where in the Philly area do you live? I'm based at N57, west of Philly.

Im right in Center City, if you ever want someone to fly with ill happily drive out. 

 

Dave