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Posted

I've had a mechanic recommendation for a guy based in Brewton to do my prebuy based on a fellow aircraft owner and friend, and I was just curious if anyone on here has any experience using him.  Don't know if it is taboo to place his name out there in the open so I won't for now, but Brewton is a pretty small place so...it's most likely the same guy.  My friend owns a 182 and just bought a Beech so just wanted to get any feedback if there are some Mooney owners that have used him.  Thanks!

Posted

Having a mechanic with Mooney specific knowledge is an important detail for protecting your wallet.

Most mechanics can review 90% of the usual things that can go wrong with a Mooney.  What if he misses some corrosion in the 10% he isn't looking for?

It is better to have a low cost PPI than no PPI.  The costs of missing or mis diagnosing some issues could be many AMUs...

Low cost PPI is less than an AMU.  A PPI at well known Mooney shops can be around 2 AMU, similar to an annual without fixing anything....

There is no specific guidelines for what gets done on a PPI.  It is up to you to know what you are asking for.  

If the Mooney costs as much as your house, the focus is on getting the best PPI.  If the cost of the Mooney is less than your daily driver, you may be inclined to take on more risk.  If you run into AW issues after the first annual.  You may be faced with expensive fixes or selling at a discount.

One question:  Who has been doing the annuals for the last few years?

Best regards,

-a-

  • Like 2
Posted

Jim (bluehighwayflyer) lives in the panama city area.  He may know of him.  If not, he may be able to give you some recommendations.

  • Like 2
Posted
1 hour ago, carusoam said:

 If the Mooney costs as much as your house, the focus is on getting the best PPI.  If the cost of the Mooney is less than your daily driver, you may be inclined to take on more risk.

This is one of the more sensible things I've heard on this pre-purchase topic.  It is reasonable not to be totally meticulous in some cases before buying.   Conversely, the decrepit beater that I drive might explain my obsession with protecting my tidy but humble C model.   :lol:

  • Like 2
Posted
1 hour ago, carusoam said:

Having a mechanic with Mooney specific knowledge is an important detail for protecting your wallet.

Most mechanics can review 90% of the usual things that can go wrong with a Mooney.  What if he misses some corrosion in the 10% he isn't looking for?

It is better to have a low cost PPI than no PPI.  The costs of missing or mis diagnosing some issues could be many AMUs...

Low cost PPI is less than an AMU.  A PPI at well known Mooney shops can be around 2 AMU, similar to an annual without fixing anything....

There is no specific guidelines for what gets done on a PPI.  It is up to you to know what you are asking for.  

If the Mooney costs as much as your house, the focus is on getting the best PPI.  If the cost of the Mooney is less than your daily driver, you may be inclined to take on more risk.  If you run into AW issues after the first annual.  You may be faced with expensive fixes or selling at a discount.

One question:  Who has been doing the annuals for the last few years?

Best regards,

-a-

Don Maxwell has been doing annuals.  Plane looks extremely clean and mechanic in question does have experience doing PPI with Mooney's.  Hahaha cost of plane is definitely way less than my house, but much more than my 1990 Chevy Pickup. I'm shopping for my first Tesla tho ;)

  • Like 2
Posted

I used my local mechanic for my PPI and still do for all of my maintenance. He is a Mooney-trained mechanic in KPLR outside of Birmingham and has folks bring him Mooneys from all over. PM me if that would fit your bill. Since I don't know where the plane is, I am not sure if it would be closer or farther for you.

John

  • Like 1

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