Finally found a plane...'65 M20E

[Pictreed]

After 6 months of research I found my plane.  1965 E.  Had a small pre-buy done last night and I should be finished with all the paperwork next week...that's why the anxiety.  I've only been flying about once every 3 weeks since IR in December.

Don re-rigged the gear, adjusted flaps and other things about 200 hours ago at the previous pre-buy so everything has been worked out.  Pucks and tires are good.  Factory reman. installed in '81 and about 480 SMOH.  4500ish on the fuselage.  Right tank is leaking a bit when tank is full even though it was sealed in '08 but that's been scheduled already for the fall.  I wanted to wait to see what my bladder will be like so I can determine if long range tanks are even a consideration...LOL.

It passed IFR cert last week.  I helped do the Annual in November...I highly recommend a perspective buyer to participate in this sweat equity if possible.

I ordered the FAA records and reviewed all the ADs, 337, STC (funny when I first joined this site I didn't even know what an STC was).  Hub inspection has about 90 hours left on it (may replace hub at some point).

I haven't flown it yet but I flew my examiner's which is the same year and he's flown this one on several occasions as well as Don so I'll take their word for it.  (Besides that, the insurance really doesn't have provisions for this but I've flown E's before so I'm good).

The only mod is the cowl enclosure.  I would like to upgrade the 430 to a WAAS but it may be better to hold out for the Aspen/GTN 750 upgrade when I do the ADS-B...we'll see.  The JPI 750 is nice.  PC system works but I'd like to entertain the idea of AP later.$$$$ (probably not enough dollar signs).  I really didn't think much of a AP until I was given a STAR clearance while departing out East Texas and was going into a Class B around DFW.  Wow, when you're bumping around after just departing a runway and they say 'notify me when you're ready to copy' you sure wish you had an AP.

I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to find a hangar at my field so when one came up for rent in December I snatched it up and it's been empty since...ugh.  It's a couple doors down from SuperCop.  Maybe we'll be joining the Mooney Caravan?

So the anxiety builds.  I'm ignoring it pretty well by keeping busy with projects at work.  I'll order the sidewinder tonight even though once I buy it I will only have to move it one row over.  How lucky was that?  I still can't believe I found what I want at my field.  And you bet, after I saw it, I didn't tell anyone of you moochers about it...LOL just joking, you guys are great and have been a huge help, as you gave suggestions to others I was all ears.

For the perspective buyers, heed the warning, this isn't cheap.  Sure the plane is affordable but ancillary cost are as much or more as the plane and if you do upgrades you're probably not getting any of that money back but it will put your plane on top if you decide to sell.

Thanks to anyone that made it this far, I'm excited and rambled on.  I've forced myself to look at other planes as a potential but kept coming back to this one.

Teaser photos attached.

[1524J]

Nice! Sounds like you did your homework. What are you going to do with all that extra cash layin' around anyway? I've got to fertilize my tree (as in money) because I've just about picked it clean the past couple of months. What do they say about misery.......?

[Godfather]

450 hrs in 35 years... Please go fly the wings off that thing!

[Hank]

My plane had nine (9) hours total in the two years before I bought her. I've put 562 tach hours on in almost nine years; my logbook shows more, since I use the clock for flight time and the tach for maintenance items.

[Pictreed]

52 minutes ago, Godfather said:

450 hrs in 35 years... Please go fly the wings off that thing!

I'll use it as transport instead of driving so it will be all over TX OK LA AR. 

[Pictreed]

Can you have the POH converted to knots (if it's not already)?  The MPH is a bit annoying. 

 

[carusoam]

The ASI or the POH?

There has been discussion on the topic a ways back.  The POH is the legal document.  The ASI matches the POH.

There may be an example of how somebody handled refinishing the ASI to include both.  There are companies that handle re-screening the instrument face.

Best regards,

-a-

[Marauder]

Can you have the POH converted to knots (if it's not already)?  The MPH is a bit annoying. 

 

If your POH is written only in MPH, you're stuck living with it. There was a point where the POH showed both (mine being one) and I took this opportunity to have my ASI refaced to show knots on the outer ring and MPH on the inner.

[Pictreed]

Rats

[Pictreed]

47 minutes ago, Marauder said:

If your POH is written only in MPH, you're stuck living with it. There was a point where the POH showed both (mine being one) and I took this opportunity to have my ASI refaced to show knots on the outer ring and MPH on the inner.

It has knots on the inside ring but I'll have to check the POH.  I've got to admit if I can't make it like you're panel and read knots I'll be really bummed...well, I guess the Aspen can display either. 

What year did they start knots.  And what year is your F?

[Marauder]

47 minutes ago, Marauder said: If your POH is written only in MPH, you're stuck living with it. There was a point where the POH showed both (mine being one) and I took this opportunity to have my ASI refaced to show knots on the outer ring and MPH on the inner.

It has knots on the inside ring but I'll have to check the POH.  I've got to admit if I can't make it like you're panel and read knots I'll be really bummed...well, I guess the Aspen can display either. 

What year did they start knots.  And what year is your F?

Mine is a 1975 F. If the POH is all in MPH, the shops are required to keep the Aspen in MPH. The V speeds are set in the Aspen in whatever units the POH is in as well.

At some point the dual speeds were presented in the POH. I hated the ASI showing MPH on the outer ring. All of my IFR is in knots so it was easier for me to stay in those units.

[Raptor05121]

I like MPH. Its higher and is easier to brag to my friends that my plane can "do about 165" without further clarification

[ArtVandelay]

Rats

See, you should bought a modern Mooney :-)

My 78J has both...

[Bob_Belville]

My avionics shop would not program my Aspen in knots for the reason discussed above. But my hangar seems to be infested with elves.

[Pictreed]

I'd like to see that Bob.  I wonder how easy it is to switch...you know, in case those elves mess with it. 

I also wonder if you keep the original ASI and use the Aspen for "backup" if that's acceptable.

Isn't there legislation that will allow us to 'experiencementalize' our planes?

[Yetti]

The 75 F Poh that came with mine list MPH and then knots in parenthesis.   Not sure if that is legal enough.   I don't really read the numbers, Just make sure the needle is at a certain place on the dial. 

[merrja]

Use caution when buying a >20 year old engine with 500 hours on it.  The cam shafts are prone to corrosion and will will wear off rapidly if it has not been flown regularly during any period.  I had an engine that was 10 years old with 250 hours.  I flew it 350 hours and a cam lobe wore in in the last 50 hours ruining the entire motor.    In talking to the Lycoming guys at Sun N Fun I found out that this is a regular occurrence. 

[Guitarmaster]

According to the engine shop here at my field, there was a metallurgy problem with the cams in the early to mid-ninties.  Mine was overhauled in 1997, flew 9 hours and sat in a hanger.  He told me it should be fine since they had the problem rectified by then.  When asked about it sitting, he told me he has seen engines like this run well past TBO and brand new engines come apart.  Just like an automobile, sometimes it is just the luck of the draw.

Just watch it closely.  Do urinalysis every oil change and catch any problems early.  It can be the difference between a $3000 repair and a $30000 engine.

Fly the snot out of it and enjoy the new plane!!

 

 

[Marauder]

The 75 F Poh that came with mine list MPH and then knots in parenthesis.   Not sure if that is legal enough.   I don't really read the numbers, Just make sure the needle is at a certain place on the dial. 

It is fine to use knots. I went through this with my 75F, as long as it is written in the original POH that way, you can use either.

[Bob_Belville]

27 minutes ago, Pictreed said:

I'd like to see that Bob.  I wonder how easy it is to switch...you know, in case those elves mess with it. 

I also wonder if you keep the original ASI and use the Aspen for "backup" if that's acceptable.

Isn't there legislation that will allow us to 'experiencementalize' our planes?

The original ASI is technically the required backup for the aspen which is primary. I admit I look at the analog quite a bit while landing. I can't find a pic of a close up of the 2 but this shot is pretty high res and you can view fill size and move around. 

[bonal]

Congrats on your E sounds like you are planning on lots of upgrades which could keep it grounded for quite some time. If it were me being the CB I am I would just fly it and enjoy what's there and then decide what to do down the road a bit. Based on the hours vs years you indicate that engine needs to get run. Good luck and don't worry there will be plenty of things to give you anxiety as an owner don't need to create any yourself. Look forward to some more pics.

[1524J]

2 hours ago, Guitarmaster said:

Do urinalysis every oil change and catch any problems early. 

 

 

I think spellchecker got the best of you Guitarmaster.......or your serious about "being one" with your Mooney.

[1524J]

3 hours ago, Bob_Belville said:

The original ASI is technically the required backup for the aspen which is primary. I admit I look at the analog quite a bit while landing. I can't find a pic of a close up of the 2 but this shot is pretty high res and you can view fill size and move around. 

That's a really good looking panel!!

[Pictreed]

4 hours ago, Bob_Belville said:

The original ASI is technically the required backup for the aspen which is primary. I admit I look at the analog quite a bit while landing. I can't find a pic of a close up of the 2 but this shot is pretty high res and you can view fill size and move around. 

That is exactly my plane. I noticed you have a xponder and separate comm panel but I'd probably get the remote boxes and run it through the 750.  Wonder if I can leave my GNS 430 as comm/Nav 2?

Big dreams right now but that's what I'd like. 

[Pictreed]

I need to order a Sidewinder tow today.  There is a lip in front of my hangar.