skyking Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 It is with a heavy heart that i have come to the realization I need a bigger plane. With all the grandkids now living within a ten minute drive we are spending a lot of time travelling with the kids now. I have 3 grandkids and as we all know Mooney does not build a 6 seater! (Wish they did) I am now facing the possibility that Miss Mooney may have to be sold to finance a purchase of a A36 or similar. Is it possible to strech a Mooney??? LOL Seriously though, if you had no choice and were looking for a 6 place aircraft what would you be looking at? If i can find something reasonable I will be keeping Miss Mooney. ( Just dont tell the wife!!!) Quote
Jerry 5TJ Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 The T210 is a great alternative to the M20C when you want to fly higher, faster, go farther or carry more folks 'n stuff. Otherwise the Mooney has the advantages of charm and economy. Next big step up would be to a PC12. Quote
jetdriven Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 A36 no doubt. It has no competiton. A Cherokee 6 is a 14-16 GPH, 132 knot airplane. A36 does 165 TAS on the same fuel. Quote
sreid Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 T-tail 300hp Lance is a comfortable airplane for passengers. Holds 94 gallons, goes ~155 KTAS, burns 15-16GPH. Even with full fuel, the two that I have flown could hold ~950 lbs. Not a good short field airplane, though. Quote
jlunseth Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 I have been looking at the same issue. You sort of have to pick. What's important? Speed? Purchase cost? Normal aspirated or turbo? The Lance and Six are going to be slow compared to what you are used to in a Mooney, and costly fuel-wise. The A36 is a good bet, especially NA. I have not heard good things about the A and B36 turbo installations, except the turbo-normalized TAT aircraft. The A36 does haul a load. The 210 is a very good comprise, if you are ok with a high wing. The other aircraft in this slot is the Piper Malibu and especially the Mirage (turbo), but that aircraft is generally more costly to purchase. Also, take a careful look at the useful load, the Malibu is only ok in that regard. Quote
Seth Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 I realize your mission has changed, but how often are you going to carry more than 4 individuals on board? You may want to walk down the row at your airport, and find someone who wants a share, and then use that aircraft when you have to, and keep Miss Mooney. Your options: -A36 -C210 -C206 -Piper 6 -Saratoga -Twin? You could probably get a deal on a twin right now, and again, maybe become a partner in someone else's twins for those flights. A Seneca could be a great choice right now, and as always, a Baron is great. I've always thought about getting three or four good pilots to go in with me on a purchase of a small collection of airplanes outside of my Mooney - that would work in this case. See which people nearby (does not even have to be the same airport) want to go in with you on a six seater or twin, and then you'll each have your own plane to fly, and can book out and share the more expensive to fly load lifter. Is there an FBO that rents a twin or a larger aircraft? This may be the time when you rent the plane for those missions, and keep the Mooney for all others. -Seth Quote
John Pleisse Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 A36, 79 or newer if you can. The Bonanza market stinks like it always does. A bunch of higher time airframes, all with engines needing top overhauls, non specific maintenance..... with indignant owners who want a premium over retail. Above $210k, the A36 market is a buyer's market. You may fare better in Canada. If you are budget conscious, the Lance is a bargain. Quote
MARZ Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 You could always buy another Mooney - teach Momma to fly - go in formation and still have a lower operating cost Quote
John Pleisse Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 Quote: maropers You could always buy another Mooney - teach Momma to fly - go in formation and still have a lower operating cost Quote
ToddDPT Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 An A36 would be my first choice. Quote
skyking Posted October 11, 2011 Author Report Posted October 11, 2011 I checked out the rental market for those days i need more than 4 seats and the daily minumums etc make it cost prohibitive for week long or even weekend get aways. There is a real nice low time A36 here with a fresh engine i can get for about $120K Canadian. I have bought and sold more planes than i care to remember, but the thought of parting with my Mooney is killing me... No kidding! Every pilot dreams of having a Mooney in the hanger and i am no exception! Quote
mjc Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 I also would take the A36 if I needed a six-seater. While Mooney did produce a six-seater at one time, I don't think an M22 Mustang is what anyone would consider an economical buy. Quote
Cris Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 I do not know which Mooney you fly but The Ovation came with a legal & optional 5th seat arrangement. It included three across in the rear most suitable for kids & small folks. Check it out. http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20R-OVATION-3-GX/2007-MOONEY-M20R-OVATION-3-GX/1209509.htm? Maybe it can be adapted to other Mooney's Quote
skyking Posted October 11, 2011 Author Report Posted October 11, 2011 Chris: I will need to look into that. It may save my bacon for a few years as the youngest is under 75 LBS. I can load them all on board and still be under weight but no third seat in the back is a show stopper. Quote
Seth Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 Russ- When I rented an Arrow a few weeks ago for three days, the minimum was four hours per day. I spoke to the FBO, and they made an arragement with me. They know the Arrow doesn't get as much flight time as the other aircraft, and since I have gotten to know the owners of the FBO well, they said not to worry about the miniumum. So, three days rental, 6.7 flying hours, done - no extra charge for the overnight stays (should have been 12 hours minimum charge). Maybe you can work out an arragment for the six seater rentals - if there is even a six seater to be rented. That could be separate issue in itself. Putting down a block $1000 toward the rental always helps with those sorts of situations - they know you'll be renting the plane for the "10% off" block rate, but enough for it to make sense to work with you - big six seaters don't rent as much as a 172. Quote
skyking Posted October 11, 2011 Author Report Posted October 11, 2011 Seth: The minimums i was quoted were 6 hours weekdays and 8 weekends! at $175 hour wet that adds up. That was for a Twin or the A36. I may need to go to a bigger FBO and see what i can arrange. Quote
Seth Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 That's terrible! 6 hours weekdays! Do those aircraft really get that much activity? 8 on the weekends?!? That's an entire regular workday (but if you're a business owner, you know you work more than 8 hours a day). If they do rent it that much, great job raking in the cash. My bet is they don't even fly 30 to 40 hours a month, and you'd easlily give them 1/6 to 1/4 of that from time to time for a few days. Good luck with the search Russ. Quote
jetdriven Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 What a ripoff. This is part of the reason we bought an airplane. To rent the local Arrow II for OSH and 9 days would take 6000$-7000$. thats about our entire fixed cost for our 2/3rd share of the plane for the YEAR. There is a F33A Bonanza for rent here in town but its 250$ an hour. The B55 Baron is 300$. Plus a checkout every 90 days. I cannot find a 6 seat airplane for rent here but if you want something besides the normal variety C172 it gets unconscionable very quick. So, we bought a 201. Quote
Becca Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 Quote: skyking It is with a heavy heart that i have come to the realization I need a bigger plane. With all the grandkids now living within a ten minute drive we are spending a lot of time travelling with the kids now. I have 3 grandkids and as we all know Mooney does not build a 6 seater! (Wish they did) I am now facing the possibility that Miss Mooney may have to be sold to finance a purchase of a A36 or similar. Is it possible to strech a Mooney??? LOL Seriously though, if you had no choice and were looking for a 6 place aircraft what would you be looking at? If i can find something reasonable I will be keeping Miss Mooney. ( Just dont tell the wife!!!) Quote
jetdriven Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 That is still cheaper than an A36. !! Quote
DaV8or Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 Keep the Mooney and a fractional share in an A36? If that won't work, buy the A36. Quote
kerry Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 Beech sierra has a 6 seat option. Slow, but very roomy and priced well. Piper comanche 260 can configure 6. I've always liked the cessna 195- way cool with jake motor that swings open on hinges for easy maintence. I think you could fit 6 into a 195 and still have plenty of room for luggage. Quote
orangemtl Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 The three seat bench in the rear of an Ovation (or Acclaim?) is my vote, but only out of pure loyalty. The A36 is a nice aircraft; hard to argue otherwise. Quote
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