A completely unexpected experience

[Chocks]

I’ve gone back-and-forth on how to make a post like this. I want to tell a story of my experience, but it’s also so important to highlight a specific group of people on this forum that helped me accomplish a goal I’ve had for more than a decade.

When I was into my 30s I never thought I would be a person who would be a pilot. I loved airplanes but I always assumed it was for other people, not me. I was well-established in a career, and just just really didn’t give it much thought. But that all changed, when my wife gave me the gift of a discovery flight for my birthday in 2009. Without trying to get too deep into that story, the point is I did become a pilot. I am now a pure addict, and will be for my entire life. And when you become a pilot, I think the first thing we all think of is how to get our own airplane. Or we at least dream about having our own airplane while we accomplish flying for a living. But I bet it still comes up as a possibility sometimes. But I also know that for many of us that possibility seems unrealistic. Even impossible. But it’s not.

Well... I bought an airplane! A real one! I can’t even type it without welling up. 

Now there’s a reason that that statement carries such weight for me. I was never a person of great means and was someone who was never really in a position to buy such things. I mean, I’m just a mail carrier... I’m not even a cool one that got to fly an airplane to deliver it! But on the other side of that token, I had also never been motivated as much as I have in aviation - and by the people I’ve met in it. Because of those people, my amazing wife and my motivation, I was able to accomplish and check off one of my great goals in life. I bought an airplane!! I OWN a damn airplane!! How cool is that?

This is the part where I have to give people some kudos that have become some of my best friends and just some truly awesome people here on MooneySpace. In addition to that, my first airplane buying experience was truly exceptional. It was about as detached from my expectations as I think it could have been. It was a completely unexpected experience.

I’ve been lucky enough to fly so many wonderful Mooney’s, because of these gracious pilots. But I had finally decided that it was time for me to look for an airplane that would be special to me. It wasn’t just a thing for me to own, it really was something I wanted to be proud of and take care of. It was a big deal for me. These wonderful people and good friends gave me advice, tips, spreadsheets, and all of the things to do to find the airplane that was right for me. In addition to that I think they were just as excited for me as I was for myself. And that made it even better.

So then one day one of the people I had admired on this forum was selling his best friends airplane, after he unfortunately passed. It was something he was doing for that family and just wanted it to go to a good home. He wanted someone to take care of it, for it to be special. This next part is how I know that people around me were vested in my success. I never had a chance to even see the post, before my friends were text messaging me about this airplane. Within minutes. As I write this though, I realized they may not of actually been vested in my success, they may just have been trying to find a way to get me to stop bothering them to fly their airplanes. Seriously that might actually be the real reason. Nevertheless, they helped me through every part of the process and I can’t thank them enough. But thank you @gsxrpilot, @N9405V, @Bryan, @acdc, @JNDZ, Kiwi. There are others too but, they either don’t use this platform or I can’t remember their usernames. Hehe. But please know that you are included in this, and I am talking to you too. For those of you who know who these people are please feel free to tag them.

Now back to my process of buying an airplane. We all know there are tons and tons of stories about terrible buying experiences. Unfortunately there’s a lot of sleaze in this business. But moreover, a lot of un-empathetic people. So my expectations for purchasing an airplane were made very clear to me early on. I was going to probably be dealing with someone with much more wealth than I and would not be very amenable to a process that was financially epic for me.

 

This was not what happened. Not at all.

 

Every person I talked to, told me if I was going to buy an airplane from anyone, it would be this person. They were right. In epic fashion. From the moment I talked to @Yooper Rocketmanfor the first time on the phone until we shook hands on that cold day in Iron Mountain when I bought his best friends airplane - it was the most wonderful experience I think a person could have. He was helpful, patient, honest, friendly and truly one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met. He told me these wonderful stories about his friend and that airplane. And then we flew it together like he and his best friend used to. He was visibly melancholy. I was welcome in his home, with his wonderful wife. I was welcome with his friends. But the most important is that I was welcome into his Lancair IV-P Turbine... My God that thing... I’m not kidding, that was one of the coolest rides I’ver ever had in an airplane! I don’t say that lightly either. I’ve flown in a Nakajima Kate, a Nanchang CJ6 and even a Curtis Helldiver to name a few. 

But back to the story. Because of my friends, I was able to find an airplane that wasn’t just an airplane. It was its own story. It was this special thing that had memories and history. It was something for me to take care of. That’s when I realized I wasn’t buying a thing, I was being given stewardship. And because of Tom I was able to receive it.

I will honor that. I will add new memories and more history to pass on to someone else one day. Probably after I spend too much on the panel and run out of money. Until then though, I will never be able to repay my friends for what they gave me without even knowing it, and wanting nothing in return other than my success. I thank you. 

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have people to go tell all of the details about my airplane to, even if they don’t wanna hear it. And update my MooneySpace profile with MY tail number!

[elimansour]

What a wonderful aircraft you found and a very touching story.  Enjoy the aircraft!!  Mooneys are just spectacular aircraft and I’ve found that Mooney drivers tend to be the coolest people!!  You definitely were sporting the famous Mooney smile in that video…it will be very difficult to avoid getting lines on your face from that permanent grin!!! Go Mooney!!

[MooneyMitch]

Such a great story!  I smiled continually as I read it. So wonderful you and you wife have achieved the goal together.  You are most fortunate to have a wonderful partner in your life.  Thank you for sharing and do enjoy your beautiful Mooney. 

[Boilermonkey]

Another addict ;-). Welcome to the support group.   It’s great to hear your story, thanks for sharing.  If these planes could talk...

[Bartman]

That is a great story. I hope you and those who travel with you enjoy the ride as much as we have, both literally and figuratively. 

[Yooper Rocketman]

Shane,

I'm pretty sure Steve is looking down and doing a fist pump ....... thinking, yes Tom, you found a new owner that will carry on the legacy of ownership on my prized Mooney!  It's evident you clearly will.  Melancholy about seeing it it go?  Yes, that would be a light description of my feelings.  But I know Patti (his wife)  and Chris and Nick (his sons) will be very happy to hear your story and how the plane will be taken care of.  When I emailed the boys to inform them the transaction was complete and it had flown off to Texas, both of them reminisced flights they had done many years ago with dad.  I'm hoping you will compile the same kind of memories over your time with N1258X.

Enjoy your new ride!  And from a sellers prospective, it's hard to find a more quality buyer.

Oh, and sorry for not getting a picture of you in my Lancair.  I guess Paul still has "one up" on you in that department (the picture, not your flying abilities!!) 

Tom

[Rick Junkin]

10 hours ago, "Chocks" said:

That’s when I realized I wasn’t buying a thing, I was being given stewardship.

 

THIS. I know it exists in other communities, but I've always felt it was a primary tenant of Mooney ownership.

Thanks for sharing your story and holding up the people who all helped you be successful in joining us in Mooney stewardship. And congratulations!

Cheers,
Rick

 

[Mooneymite]

@"Chocks", thanks for posting this.  You have already given something back to our community with your post.  Sometimes Mooneyspace breaks down into minor squabbles about various things, but your post is what Mooneyspace is really all about. 

People, aviation and people's love of aviation is what keeps us coming back every day.

 

Edited May 2, 2021 by Mooneymite

[RLCarter]

Congrats on your new bird, great story. 

[Patrick Horan]

Great story. Enjoy many memories! As a young pilot l, you'll learn alot and learn alot about your plane. Have fun

[NJMac]

Dude, congrats!  Just noticed we have sequential tail numbers. We're basically brothers. 

[carusoam]

Shane,

It’s been a long trek!

Keep up the good work!

Great writing, fantastic video, excellent sharing...

Best regards,

-a-

[Hector]

Congratulations! Glad that airplane found a worthy owner. Take care of her and she’ll take care of you and you both can create countless new memories together


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[Chocks]

2 hours ago, NJMac said:

Dude, congrats!  Just noticed we have sequential tail numbers. We're basically brothers. 

Noice! 

[Chocks]

5 hours ago, Yooper Rocketman said:

Shane,

I'm pretty sure Steve is looking down and doing a fist pump ....... thinking, yes Tom, you found a new owner that will carry on the legacy of ownership on my prized Mooney!  It's evident you clearly will.  Melancholy about seeing it it go?  Yes, that would be a light description of my feelings.  But I know Patti (his wife)  and Chris and Nick (his sons) will be very happy to hear your story and how the plane will be taken care of.  When I emailed the boys to inform them the transaction was complete and it had flown off to Texas, both of them reminisced flights they had done many years ago with dad.  I'm hoping you will compile the same kind of memories over your time with N1258X.

Enjoy your new ride!  And from a sellers prospective, it's hard to find a more quality buyer.

Oh, and sorry for not getting a picture of you in my Lancair.  I guess Paul still has "one up" on you in that department (the picture, not your flying abilities!!) 

Tom

I've got video!! Of your Lancair, not of my flying abilities.

 

[N9405V]

Great looking airplane and I’m really happy for you.


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[steingar]

I flew in that airplane.  I am so glad to hear such a fine and dedicated fellow has bought it. 

[thinwing]

congrats on your purchase....ive been lucky in most of my buying experiences from people i knew or were truley salt of the earth....glad to hear the tradition continues