Avgas and all that?

[aviatoreb]

Hi Folks,  I am thinking seriously about getting into a turbo mooney as I think it best fits my mission - although I go around and around about which one.  Price is an object, but I think I could figure it out if I weren't also hung up by the following two related things about getting into a turbo mooney now.

-Is avgas about to go away?  What will the high compression turbo mooneys do if avgas goes away?  Low compression engines can often just switch to 94UL if nothing but a paper STC.  But these high strung engines would need either an excellent fuel alternative, or perhaps some major electronic timing that has yet to be developed (such as the recent turbo SR22 has allowing it to run 94UL).

-Mooney is currently down for the count.  Only the janitor and the CEO still work at Mooney - more or less.  Can we expect to keep a mooney flying for several years to come with the product line essentially currently orphaned?

I love the 231s, 252s, Bravos, and Rockets - each have wonderful merits, but all that aside, the above has me paralyzed.  I would love to hear your opinions folks.

[flight2000]

- No, some form of AVGAS will be available for the near or not so near future.

- Mooney will be no harder to maintain than a Grumman American, Commander, Navion, or any other airplane that no longer has factory support (although the Mooney factory is still there for parts currently).  You'll be fine with the number of salvage yards and after market manufacturers that are out there for parts.

YMMV, just my $.02 for today....

[WardHolbrook]

Quote: aviatoreb

-Is avgas about to go away?  What will the high compression turbo mooneys do if avgas goes away?  Low compression engines can often just switch to 94UL if nothing but a paper STC.  But these high strung engines would need either an excellent fuel alternative, or perhaps some major electronic timing that has yet to be developed (such as the recent turbo SR22 has allowing it to run 94UL).

-Can we expect to keep a mooney flying for several years to come with the product line essentially currently orphaned?

 

Yes, 100LL is going away at some point in the next few years. When that time finally arrives, those of us who operate aircraft with NA low compression engines will probably have the easiest time finding a suitable replacement. For the rest of us, there will PROBABLY be multiple economically viable options; however, all of those options are still in development.  So yes, it should be a concern - it is for me. (I'm looking for a "retirement" airplane and it would sure be nice to have that warm fuzzy feeling that when all is said and done, there is going to be a suitable "drop in" 100LL replacement fuel widely available for less than $7 or $8 per gallon. IMHO, the only sure bet at this time is to find something that burns Jet-A. However, that really isn't a viable option for most of us.

As far as maintenance goes, it will be no harder to maintain a Mooney than any other out of production aircraft.