New member looking for Mooney advice

[Mike C]

Hi, I have a 172m and I'm looking to moving to a Mooney.  Thinking a C or the longer body model. 

First here's my specs

Instrument and commercial rated about 300 hours mostly in the 172 except for about 15 hours in an arrow.

I have a small family by that I mean I'm 5'5" my wife 5'6" which means my kids which are 8 and 4 are pretty much destined for the smaller end of the scale so w/b isn't really an issue but I would definitely like to know if the seat moves up far enough.  So I would love to hear from someone with this experience. 

Secondly I don't have any experience in a mooney other than what I've read. I would love to get some time in one so if anybody is in the northwest Indiana range (KPPO) (Chicago area) know of one for rent or would be willing to have some company next time you fly. let me know.

 

looking forward to hear people's advice/thoughts.

Michael

 

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard Mike.

The Mooney aircraft company had you in mind.  They made the rudder pedal extensions in many lengths to personalize the fit of the controls.  You can move the seats forwards but sooner or later the yoke may bump your chest....

For the guys that really like seat adjustments there are adjustable heights and seat back angles too...

Fortunately, there is a Mooney to fit everybody.

Best regards,

-a-

 

[Hank]

Hey, Mike.

My wife and I love our C. It's an incredibly versatile machine. You'll need to slide the seats pretty far forward, somyiur kids in the back will have lots of room. Just learn to pack small. We always run out of space before weight, and my only W&B challenge was taking three of my wife's cousins flying, as I was limited to 34 gal of fuel. Thankfully one of them was only 160 lbs, the other two were each 200+ lbs.

[NotarPilot]

Mike,

Being that you have 3 other family members you would be traveling with I would recommend a mid body like an F or a J only for the extra baggage space they provide. The kids will only continue to grow and although they might not absolutely need the extra space no one will ever complain that they have too much legroom.

Steve

[Bob - S50]

Mike,

Welcome aboard.  I'm 5'9" and I can see outside and reach the pedals just fine.  My wife is 5'2" and we bought a 4" thick seat cushion for her to sit on so she can see outside better.

Tell us about how you want to use the plane and what your budget is and we'd be glad to help you spend your money!

Bob

[StevenL757]

Michael, welcome aboard.  As Anthony pointed out, you're making a very wise choice looking for a Mooney.  It sounds like any model would fit your family's needs.  There are really big differences between a C and a long body...to help narrow things down, what would be your primary mission, and did you have an all-in budget number in mind you're comfortable sharing?  You'll find a wealth of info here, so again, welcome.

Regards, Steve

[flyboy0681]

I'm 5'4" and position myself in the second set of pins, and even then I'm a bit too close. Assuming you are a lightweight like me, w/b will not be much of a factor when carrying the family.

[M20F]

What is your typical mission?  Do you fly a lot of long trips with all 4, 100-300NM trips, etc.?  While the kids are small today that won't be the case in the future.  Depending on what your mission is a 182 or similar might fit you better as people get heavier.

[bonal]

Welcome Mike, I think the biggest factor for all airplane purchases is your budget and then finding the one that fits the mission best. I agree the mid size would be a better fit for a family of four. As for range the limiting factor is more about how long you can go without a rest stop than fuel duration. Don't get discouraged in your search you may have to pass on a few before the right one finds you. Good luck and enjoy the experience 

[Mike C]

I've owned my 172m for several years now so I'm comfortable with owning an aircraft.  Although from reading the post on here I am a little concerned about the cost of the annual and finding someone nearby competent to preform it.  I know a 172 is not nearly as complex but I run about 700 for the annual and another 300 for normal maintanance issues. I use it for some business cross countries and mostly for family trips ranging from Sunday breakfasts to 800 mm Disney world trip coming in April.  Currently I have a low time motor and a 430 which combined with foreflight gives me quit a bit of confidence so I would like to stay with close to my current equipment list. Although I think I would enjoy an autopilot but since I've never used one I cant miss what I haven't had.  I think I prefer the manual gear as it sounds less costly to maintain than other systems.  I have owned a  aircraft for years and nothing worse than having something all planned out, beautiful weather and a plane stuck in the maintenance bay.  Budget seams to be all over from what I've noticed if I'm looking for a C then it looks like I can stay in the low 40's and get what I want  or one of the mid size for in the 50's like to stay below 60 unless it is just magical.  Haven't seen to many locally so not sure how much bigger one is over another. 

Thank you all for your input 

[1524J]

If you ever fly with an autopilot, you'll never want to take a long trip w/out one. Makes any trip more enjoyable as it has a tremendous effect on work load. I wouldn't consider a plane without an autopilot now but maybe I'm just getting lazy in my old age.  From the description of your family I think a short body Mooney would be fine, although I've never owned an F or J and that might be comparable to the autopilot. Other must have equipment....engine monitor. I've owned a Mooney with a Garmin 530 and it was nice but with all the portable gps equipment it wouldn't be a "must have". Foreflight and decent portable GPS do the trick for me. I also use XM weather and for me it's worth every penny!! 

[Hank]

An F is 10" longer than C & Es, split 5" of back seat legroom and 5" of baggage space. I generally slide my seat forward to the first notch, and sit in a 2" cushion; my 5'3" wife sits on three cushions and can't touch the rudders from the same spot. Smaller people are perfect for GA travel.

[Mooneymite]

If you've owned a 172, you pretty well know the drill.  Welcome to the Mooney world.  Jump right in.

It's great to have a MSC available for Mooney specific issues, but the A-E Mooneys are pretty basic airplanes and generally any competetent A&P/ IA can do whatever needs to be done.  In 18 years of ownership, I've only been to an MSC once and that was for an AD on the bladders.

The short bodies are comfortable once everyone is in, but the mid-bodies do offer a little bit of relief.  If you plan on mostly 4 aboard, go mid-body, but if it's going to be just you, or you and your wife most of the time the short bodies are fine....and cheaper.  Buy for what will suffice for 90% of your flying.  You can always rent for those "occassional trips".

I have found the C to be very reliable and inexpensive to own; it fulfills our mission profile very well.  When I bought, we had kids in the house, but it's amazing how fast they grow up and it'll be just you and your wife again.

Enjoy the shopping process.  

[1524J]

17 minutes ago, Mooneymite said:

 

It's great to have a MSC available for Mooney specific issues, but the A-E Mooneys are pretty basic airplanes and generally any competetent A&P/ IA can do whatever needs to be done.  In 18 years of ownership, I've only been to an MSC once and that was for an AD on the bladders.

 

I'm thinking about taking mine to Maxwell's just to have him check the rigging. All the AP/IA's on my field are Bonanza/Cessna  guys. 

[Mooneymite]

Just now, 1524J said:

I'm thinking about taking mine to Maxwell's just to have him check the rigging. All the AP/IA's on my field are Bonanza/Cessna  guys. 

And that's a great example of a good use of a MSC.  There are some Mooney specific things that a MSC will actually save you money on in the long run because the mechanics are not learning on your airplane and they have the specific tools right there.  They have done whatever it is, many times.