10 Years of Mooney Ownership - How I Got Into Mooneys!

[201er]

 

Ten years into having my Mooney M20J, I'd like to share with you how I was first introduced to Mooneys! This video is the story of how I heard of a Mooney, where I learned more about the clever engineering that went into the 201, other airplanes I considered, and about the day I bought my 201.

The first time I ever heard of a Mooney was Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000. One of the included airplanes was a Mooney M20M Bravo and it quickly became my favorite. By 2005 I was learning to fly gliders and soon after airplanes as well. In 2010, I came across an article in Flying Magazine about the Mooney 201. It was my first insight into the 201 and made such an impression that when I was ready to buy an airplane in 2011, nothing else could satisfy my interest like a Mooney M20J!

When shopping for an airplane, I considered a V tail Beechcraft Bonanza, a Piper Comanche, or even a Bellanca Viking. I knew right away that a Cessna was out of the question. But, even these other high performance airplanes just would not satisfy my appreciation of aerodynamic efficiency stemming from a glider background.

I had not set foot in a Mooney until the day I was buying one. And even then, I ended up riding backseat. Being new to airplane ownership, I opted to let my buying broker fly up front with the selling broker to check all the system functions and airplane performance. Due to weather and time constraints, I did not get to fly my Mooney until after I bought it. I'm happy to say it's the best aviation decision I ever made and I'm still flying the same airplane today. Although you might not recognize it with new engine, paint, and interior!

I have taken this airplane coast to coast. Maine, Florida, California, you name it. I have even flown it extensively around Canada and the Caribbean. Follow along for my Mooney flying adventures on my Mooney201er Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Mooney201er

[David Lloyd]

More than 40 years ago, one of my customers told me he had a Mooney inherited from his father.  Over the course of a couple years he convinced me how great a Mooney is.  After a trip to New Mexico in our Cherokee 140, I slammed the door, sold it and bought a Mooney.  Changed airplanes a few times and bought my second Mooney a couple years ago.  Soon after buying, a friend wanted a ride and commented the last time he was in a Mooney was about 40 years before, with a girlfriend's father.  'A guy named Fortenberry, had some kind of conveyor business in south Charlotte."  Small world, the guy that inherited the Mooney and the conveyor business in south Charlotte, still owns that same Mooney and the same, very successful business.

[Greg Ellis]

About 15 years ago or so, I was afforded the opportunity to purchase an airplane.  I had no clue what I wanted.  I only had about 70 hours or so (which included the 40 hours of flight school) and most were in 172’s, a little time in a 182, and a little time in a Cherokee.  My wife was against anything with fixed gear.  She hates the way they look.  And she really did not like the high wing look either.  Struggling to figure out what I wanted, I happened to have a conversation with a fellow dentist, @KLRDMD, who at the time also owned a Mooney.  As someone whom I respect, he directed me towards the Mooney.  I was hooked after I flew the first one.  I purchased my C model soon after that and still enjoy that same airplane today.  I have also flown it around the country although have not had the pleasure of taking it to the western Coast.

[Guest]

Strange thing, about 10 years ago I sold my second E model and bought another Comanche and have never looked back.

Clarence

[Bartman]

Not long after getting my PP and flying from TN to Ohio and back in a rental Cherokee 140 in July I decided it was time to get a traveling machine. I too bought a 1977 J and could not be happier. In fact, we just returned from Florida after watching the Citrus Bowl and soaking up some sun.
 

Life is good. 

[steingar]

I got clued into Mooneys pretty early.  I never wanted a back seat, just me and the Mrs. most days, but I really didn't want to go experimental.  The Vintage Mooney has a back seat, but it's pretty diminutive.  It doesn't go like a J, but it goes just fine for me. Still the only airplane I can see over the nose.

[jaylw314]

I was originally planning to take my time (20 years?) on an RV-10 build until my best friend was diagnosed with cancer 8 years ago.  When it was clear she'd need treatments up in Seattle regularly, I decided it was time to have a working plane and get my IFR rating now, and decided on a Mooney after my research.  Ironically, by the time I bought it and got my IFR ticket, her treatments up in Seattle ended, and she ended up passing away a few yeas ago, but, at least in my mind, the plane still has a bit of an emotional connection to her.

[EricJ]

The size, speed, and efficiency of Mooneys appealed to me and drove my search, but I was originally looking for an E model.   At the time I wasn't finding too many suitable options, and the only one I managed to actually get a look at had been misrepresented and was a pile of corrosion and broken equipment.   I looked at my J kind of as an aside and wound up, after an extremely long and painful process, bought it and flew it home.  I knew it would be a bit of a project airplane but it's been awesome and just continues to improve with time.   Fun stuff.   No regrets.

  

[MMsuper21]

Congrats on the 10 years!

I got lucky and was persuaded into a Mooney by my father in law. Not knowing what type of reputation these planes have, it’s always funny when folk not familiar with the plane ask how fast she cruises and burns having to repeat 145kts under 10gph. 
 

 
 

[N201MKTurbo]

I have owned a Mooney (sometimes two) for over half my life. 37 years with Mooney, 28 without.

[whiskytango]

I have owned 4 Mooneys during the period from 1998 to the present.  In the words of @carusoam Go Mooney!

My first exposure to a Mooney was actually right after I bought a C-172.  I sold my 1964 C-150 (an aeronautical POS if ever there was one) and bought a C-172.  I wanted to move the new-to-me C-172 to a different airport, closer to where I lived.  The seller agreed to follow me to the new airport and then give me a ride back to the airport where my truck was parked.  Yes, the seller gave me a ride in his M20J.  I was stunned at how cool this airplane was, and had immediate buyers remorse!  Fast forward 1 year later and I bought my first Mooney, an E model.  I now have a 231 K model, and later next week it should come back from the avionics shop with 2 G5s and a GFC-500.  I can't wait to fly this already great plane with glass!

[larryb]

My first airplane was an American Yankee AA-1 with a 150HP O-320 Lycoming STC. The original engine was a 115HP O-235. It was a fun little airplane but very short legs with only 22 gallons fuel. After 5 years and 500 hours I sold it and didn't fly again for 20 years. After a few boats and other diversions I got back into aviation, got current and bought a J model. I had a customer at work that had a Mooney and that made me think about the brand. At the time I was looking into planes such as the Cherokee 235. I got my IR in the J but after a few years I started wanting more capability. I was cancelling too many trips where there was just the slightest threat of touching a cloud below freezing. So after 5 years of owning the J and 5 years ago I sold the J and bought a FIKI Encore.  I was mostly looking at FIKI Ovations and Bravo's at the time, and didn't really know about the Encore. But one showed up on Controller, I looked into it, and bought it. I was just at the right place at the right time and in the right frame of mind. No regrets.

[carusoam]

201er always makes great videos…!  
 

Every now and then one of his first videos pops up on my YouTube home screen…

with a pic and either Mike or his brother walking around the J bird….

That video is a decade old…  Mike was quite the young gun back in the day…

Best regards,

-a-