Am I flying the oldest Mooney ?

[sleepingsquirrel]

I've been looking around and suddenly it dawned on me, COULD I BE FLYING THE OLDEST MOONEY on this site at 50 years old?1961 from 2011= 50. What was I thinking buying a 50 year old aiplane? I know there are older Mooneys flying so I'm not feeling too insecure. It may be fifty but it acts like a teenager. Thank God for a great paint job that could be the only thing holding the rivet heads on!

[Mcstealth]

Ahhhhh. no worries. If those rivets pop, Squirrels can fly.

[LT4BIRD]

So what is your airframe total time. Glad to see these birds are so durable.

[sleepingsquirrel]

The ad says "2092 TT SINCE NEW ! " just failed to mention "NEW IN 1961"! Seller was not motivated to to help me with my math, just motivated to sell !

[sleepingsquirrel]

Woo Hoo! I've got 8,108 hours left on this airframe

[skyking]

Sorry Squirrel but i have the oldest.

1959 Model A serial number 1280.

 

Total time 2800 hours

500 on new engine , 300 on new prop, spinner etc.

Looks and flies like new. Had all the wings redone and recovered in 2008, interior was done in 2005 ,panel ugrade. ( instruments so far)  i need to replace the face as the plastic looks bad but thats on the board for March when she is in for the annual.

[skyking]

Jim: Thats amazing. You must get out on a regular basis.

And it is nice to know with the proper care mine can last that long too, as I, like the squirrel have no intention of stopping flying till i am well into my 90"s!!!

[AustinChurch]

I have my great grandfather's ax.  It has only had 3 handles and two heads replaced in 80 years.

 

[sleepingsquirrel]

 ,,,,.....,,,,,

[Bacachero]

Quote: JimR

[LT4BIRD]

Quote: Bacachero

[flight2000]

Most of the "working" items are probably a lot newer than 50.  I think the oldest system on mine after scrubbing the logbooks is a meesly 10 years  old (hydraulic lines).  The frame and sheet metal are about the only things that are 44 years old on my 1967 bird.  Routine, scheduled maintenance should keep her flying way past my flying capabilities.  My kids are already claiming the aircraft and they're only 12 and 8....

Brian