First Mooney flight

[rturbett]

Was hoping each of you could comment on what your first experience with a Mooney was like. I just took my first flight in a C and it was everything I had hoped for.

Rob

[Parker_Woodruff]

I started flying in 2004.  Between then and 2008, I heard nothing about Mooneys except the tail is on backwards, no one can fit inside one, and why the heck would you want to sit in that cramped machine that only goes as fast as the "roomy" Piper Arrow.  I'm glad the guys on the AOPA forums set the record straight.  Now I've bought my second Mooney.  So on to your question...

 

My first flight in a Mooney was in a 1977 M20J that I was considering the purchase of...this was back in 2008 sometime.

It was very well equipped, except it had bladders limiting it to 50 gallons and the sellers wouldn't let it go to my shop of choice for prebuy.  I walked.

But I sure did have a high view of how the airplane flew...it was phenomenal how well it handled...

[Clarence]

Hi Rob,

I've owned two Mooney "E" models, both required a lot of work to return them to flight.  The first oneimpressed me so much with its design and engineering that I pursued becoming a Mooney Sercive Center.  They are very nice flying airplanes more efficicent than any other, i can pull the power so far back and out run Cessna 172s and Piper Cherokees on even less fuel. 

Sure they may be smaller than some others, but I manage to fit my 6'2" 200 pound frame in with room for my wife and kids, full fuel and our bags an remain under gross.

With the market the way it is, now is a good time to get in.

Good luck,

Clarence

 

 

[Hank]

Quote: rturbett

Was hoping each of you could comment on what your first experience with a Mooney was like. I just took my first flight in a C and it was everything I had hoped for.

Rob

[carusoam]

 

My first Mooney impression was on take-off.  Two people in an M20C.  I thought I was in a super elevator as we climbed away from the runway. 

My previous brand C experience did not prepare me for the exhilaration....

Best regards,

-a-

[rturbett]

While it took a moment to get in the "right" way-once inside it was very comfortable. It had more room than I needed 

I loved the climb performance,which I expected. I fell in love with the controls- a gentle but firm nudge and it went where you pointed it. Must be the difference in direct links versus cables. Also, the pilot I was with liked to get the gear down early-just outside the pattern. With the wheels down, speed management was easy- much less of an issue than I was expecting.

Rob

[sleepingsquirrel]

Hi, I didn't know that I needed a Mooney until I logged an hour in a P51 Mustang. I had flown with one of the local pilots years ago in a C Model and instantly recognized the feel! I found a 50 year old Mooney B Model and really love flying it. It has not been difficult to transition into from a long line of Cessna,Piper, Beechcraft fixed gear aircraft. I've only owned it for about 6 months and am beginning to plan some longer Xcountry flights. This 50 year old airplane still performs like a teenager!

[Shadrach]

I don't remember my first Mooney flight as I was probably about 1.5 yrs old. We've had 3 Mooneys in my extended family over the years.  So Instead, I'll talk about my last Mooney flight.

I made a quick run to W. MD to take my Mother and Grandmother (88yrs old!) to lunch. On the return flight yesterday evening, as I was descending into my home base (at about 168kts indicated and 184kts across the ground) I looked out at the smooth flush riveted wing with the ground passing underneath at an impressive rate and could not help but feel like I was riding a knife that was purpose built to razor it's way through the atmosphere. I have never gotten that sensation in any other plane. The wing looked so very robust, rigid and strong, almost as if it was stationary and the world was rotating below. The tower gave me a straight in for rnwy 9. I held 170kts GS or better until 3 mile final.  As I was putting the plane away I reflected on the fact that I had made two 50kt trips at 3000msl almost due West and East. Cruise GS in both directions was over 150kts and I burned ~10gals for the whole deal (climb,taxi, etc)...  There are of course other ACs that can do what mine did, but none that I know of are certified, unmodified all originals (save for the panel), that are 44 yrs old... Truly a remarkable design. 

[MooneyMitch]

My first Mooney flight was the day [9/27/87] I purchased my 1967 F from Screaming Eagle Aviation located at Santa Paula Airport [soCal].

I'd read enough and looked at so many photos of Mooneys, no test ride or further convincing was necessary.  As a child, my father had taken me to a small airport [Harvey Young] just East of Tulsa, OK where a friend of his owned a Mooney.  Out of all the planes I saw that morning, the Mooney struck me as the most appealing. 

A love affair that will continue until I don't.

 

[The-sky-captain]

Quote: Mitch

As a child, my father had taken me to a small airport [Harvey Young] just East of Tulsa, OK where a friend of his owned a Mooney. 

[MooneyMitch]

"Mitch- I don't know if you have been into Harvey Young recently but as of a couple years ago it was in terrible shape due to an extremly rough runway with numerous pot holes. That along with the extremely tall towers just off of downwind make it a challenging place to land."

I don't know the particulars for Harvey Young and how this has evolveded into such disarray.  Oh my!

[lahso]

A friend and his co-worker had a J model, so I flew around 20hrs with them. I quickly saw that a Mooney would be my choice of aircraft when it came time to purchase. When I decided to take the plunge I called the nearest MSC just to inquire about costs, things to look out for, etc. They had a C model that was being sold, and met my mission needs. After a one hour flight in it, I called the owner and made him an offer. Four years later I'm still excited taking trips, and cherish my investment.

[mjc]

When I owned a Cherokee, I was parked a few tiedowns away from a fellow with an M20J. The first time I flew with him, on a short flight to WVI for a burrito, he offered me the controls. The time came to descend and, as I so often do in the Cherokee, I just pushed nose down. My friend laughed and pointed to the ASI, which was rapidly moving toward redline. After realizing what kind of slippery speed I was handling, I commented "I've got to get one of these."

Maybe it was fate. My first experience with a Mooney came in high school. During a unit on photography in an art class, we were assigned to photograph something outside of school. As I had more than a passing interest in flying, I cajoled a ride to the closest airport (45 minutes away) and shot a few rolls of film. I didn't notice until later that there were more photos of Mooneys than anything else. At the time, I just thought they looked fast.

[Jeff_S]

The first time I ever took the controls of a J was from the right seat in a plane I was evaluating for purchase. I was amazed at how solid the aileron controls were in flight...in fact, downright difficult to turn compared to my Warrior. I didn't realize at the time that much of this was due to the push-rod system rather than the pulleys in most planes.

But what I also didn't realize was that even more of this was due to SPEED! I'd never flown an airplane at 150 KIAS before (at least not straight and level). It gave me a new appreciation for the real forces generated by an airfoil cruising through the air.

[Ned Gravel]

Quote: Jeff_S

The first time I ever took the controls of a J was from the right seat in a plane I was evaluating for purchase. I was amazed at how solid the aileron controls were in flight...in fact, downright difficult to turn compared to my Warrior. I didn't realize at the time that much of this was due to the push-rod system rather than the pulleys in most planes.

But what I also didn't realize was that even more of this was due to SPEED! I'd never flown an airplane at 150 KIAS before (at least not straight and level). It gave me a new appreciation for the real forces generated by an airfoil cruising through the air.

[rturbett]

I am sure airflow is a factor, but there is definitely design factors involved. Cessna 310 controls seemed exceedingly heavy, yet a Twin Otter was very light. The Mooneys controls felt very stable- I liked it.

Rob

[DaV8or]

Maybe I was already biased, but by the first time I actually rode in a Mooney, I had already made up my mind I was buying one. I rode right seat as a passenger in a few, but the first time I actually flew a Mooney as a pilot was in mine after I had bought it. No disapointments at all. Handling is perfect for my mission and the much talked about landing characteristics are a non event. Coming from a Piper Arrow, it felt more cramped inside at first, but I soon adjusted to the different sight picture and there is in fact plenty of room. I was just impressed with how well it met my expectations.