Just recently bought my first airplane. A Mooney M20E

[mluster]

I finally did it after several years of consideration.  I’m a very happy owner of a ‘65 Mooney M20E.  I would like to thank those of you who gave me good tips and advice during the process, I really appreciate it very much. I hope to have good conversations here with fellow owners and operator’s of Mooneys for years to come.

The previous owner had taken good care of her for the last 31 years.  Always kept her flying, hangered, and in good mechanical condition. At age 78 he decided it was finally time to let her go to someone else. I got the impression that he felt she was moving on to a good home. I only had to fly it about 1.5 hours to where I have it hangered, and it flies beautifully.
 

I’ll post some pics. She is definitely in need of a new paint job, but that’s okay.  My wife and I have been looking at colors and schemes already, and it’s been kinda fun. First though I already have a small list of items that will be done on the annual scheduled in June, and panel upgrades that I’m still deciding on who(Dynon, Garmin, or Aspen) and what I would like to install. 
 

In this crazy used airplane market I’m sure someone will ask what was the sell price. I was very happy to give him exactly his asking price…$49,000.00

 

 

 

[mluster]

Maiden flight to home airport after purchase. 
 

 

[carusoam]

Congrats ml!

That is a close stable mate of my first Mooney.  A 1965 M20C…

Is that S/N #3154 ?

Check your first airframe log… in the first few pages… you may see that the guy that flew the AW flights was named Bill Wheat… and the page is probably dated around July or August of 1965…

Just a guess… since M20Cs and Es were being built at the same time and their serial numbers were not separated… like the different models are today…

She looks marvelous!

Go M20E!

Best regards,
-a-

[tim417]

Mike Busch gave great advice on not letting a faded paint job deter you from an appropriately priced plane. Usually the price will reflect the equivalent savings of the cost of a paint job and now you get to pick exactly the scheme you want on your plane!

Congrats on your new to you airplane from a new Mooney owners well. I bought a 63 C model in January and been flying it a bunch since. I think I’ve put more hours on it in two months than I flew in the past two years! My panel upgrade includes dual GI275s as I already have a JPI EDM 900, in preparation for a GFC500 one day. 

Can’t wait to see more of your airplane adventures!

 

Tim

 

 

[mluster]

10 minutes ago, carusoam said:

Congrats ml!

That is a close stable mate of my first Mooney.  A 1965 M20C…

Is that S/N #3154 ?

Check your first airframe log… in the first few pages… you may see that the guy that flew the AW flights was named Bill Wheat… and the page is probably dated around July or August of 1965…

Just a guess… since M20Cs and Es were being built at the same time and their serial numbers were not separated… like the different models are today…

She looks marvelous!

Go M20E!

Best regards,
-a-

Thank you carusoam!  I’ll check the log and reply back to you soon. I’m very happy with my purchase of 95Q, we are going to have some great times and memories together.

[carusoam]

She appears to have been loved in the past…

Lots of upgrades all over…

And the things that didn’t get upgraded are still in nice condition… 

If you don’t have ADSB out yet…

If you fly in IMC…

There are good decisions discussed around here for more updates to things like the TnB and all the other things….

Best regards,

-a-

[mluster]

6 minutes ago, tim417 said:

Mike Busch gave great advice on not letting a faded paint job deter you from an appropriately priced plane. Usually the price will reflect the equivalent savings of the cost of a paint job and now you get to pick exactly the scheme you want on your plane!

Congrats on your new to you airplane from a new Mooney owners well. I bought a 63 C model in January and been flying it a bunch since. I think I’ve put more hours on it in two months than I flew in the past two years! My panel upgrade includes dual GI275s as I already have a JPI EDM 900, in preparation for a GFC500 one day. 

Can’t wait to see more of your airplane adventures!

 

Tim

 

 

Thank you Tim, and congratulations to you too. I would like to hear more about your experience with the GI275s and when you get it, the GFC500.  These are also on my list of considerations. 

[mluster]

6 minutes ago, carusoam said:

She appears to have been loved in the past…

Lots of upgrades all over…

And the things that didn’t get upgraded are still in nice condition… 

If you don’t have ADSB out yet…

If you fly in IMC…

There are good decisions discussed around here for more updates to things like the TnB and all the other things….

Best regards,

-a-

Yep, the previous owner took good care of her and in return 95Q took good care of him and his family for many years. I plan to stick with that combination. I will definitely scour threads and ask for advise from others about things. This forum is great. 

[mluster]

40 minutes ago, carusoam said:

Congrats ml!

That is a close stable mate of my first Mooney.  A 1965 M20C…

Is that S/N #3154 ?

Check your first airframe log… in the first few pages… you may see that the guy that flew the AW flights was named Bill Wheat… and the page is probably dated around July or August of 1965…

Just a guess… since M20Cs and Es were being built at the same time and their serial numbers were not separated… like the different models are today…

She looks marvelous!

Go M20E!

Best regards,
-a-

N5895Q is S/N 812

[Joshua Blackh4t]

Hey, nice, same year and paint job as mine which I bought a year ago.

Very nice plane, have fun with her.

The guys on here will be super helpful.

Also, while waiting for paint, put in some elbow work with top quality cut and polish and then a wax. You'll be amazed at how the old paint responds to it

 

[Guest]

Congratulations!  The E model is a great plane, I owned 834 for a number of years.

First on your list of upgrades should be shoulder belts, which it appears you don’t have.  Alpha Aviation is the source.

Clarence

[mluster]

6 hours ago, Joshua Blackh4t said:

Hey, nice, same year and paint job as mine which I bought a year ago.

Very nice plane, have fun with her.

The guys on here will be super helpful.

Also, while waiting for paint, put in some elbow work with top quality cut and polish and then a wax. You'll be amazed at how the old paint responds to it

 

Joshua, 

Congratulations to you also your plane looks amazing! Ours are almost identical twins. Thank you very much for the tip. I wondered if that would be worth doing before the paint, so now I know.
If you could share some of your first year experiences that would be great. 

Take care 

[mluster]

4 hours ago, M20Doc said:

Congratulations!  The E model is a great plane, I owned 834 for a number of years.

First on your list of upgrades should be shoulder belts, which it appears you don’t have.  Alpha Aviation is the source.

Clarence

Clarence,

It’s one of the items high on the priority list. I really appreciate the advice on where to look for them too. 
You owned 832….these two were very close coming out the factory. Thanks for the congrats I appreciate it. 

[Mark942]

Congratulations!  The E model really is a great plane,  I bought my E about 4 years ago and have been restoring it to better than new ever since.  It's a labor of love and makes flying it so much better than renting a plane that you don't know inside and out.  Hope you enjoy your E as much as I have mine.  My s/n is 143.

Best of luck to you.

-mark

[carusoam]

M20Es make great forever planes!

Go M20E!

-a-

[mluster]

2 hours ago, Mark942 said:

Congratulations!  The E model really is a great plane,  I bought my E about 4 years ago and have been restoring it to better than new ever since.  It's a labor of love and makes flying it so much better than renting a plane that you don't know inside and out.  Hope you enjoy your E as much as I have mine.  My s/n is 143.

Best of luck to you.

-mark

Mark thank you very much! I’m very happy to hear your story, it makes me even happier about my decision on this model. 
I plan to enjoy the heck out it for sure. 
 

Wish you all the best also, take care 

[201Steve]

Congerts!

[Sixstring2k]

Congratulations can’t wait for more pictures. 

[Jcmtl]

A cheap upgrade that will make it look noticeably nicer is new upholstery and carpets from airtex.  It takes a few months to ship out so you may want to order now. 
 

Also very easy to install yourself.

i did this in one weekend.

[mluster]

4 hours ago, 201Steve said:

Congerts!

Thanks a lot Steve! 

[mluster]

1 hour ago, Sixstring2k said:

Congratulations can’t wait for more pictures. 

I appreciate it very much! I was out flying it today. Each time I have her out I’m learning something new. 

[mluster]

1 hour ago, Jcmtl said:

A cheap upgrade that will make it look noticeably nicer is new upholstery and carpets from airtex.  It takes a few months to ship out so you may want to order now. 
 

Also very easy to install yourself.

i did this in one weekend.

Thank you for the info.  Your interior looks sweet! That is really nice looking.  I’ll order early like you recommended.

[skydvrboy]

If you want to save some money on your shoulder belts, you can order them from Hooker Harness.  Their website sucks, so you'll have to call them, but they put out a very good product at a fraction of the cost.  I'd recommend the retractable reel on the pilot side and the fixed belts on the passenger side if you plan on having rear seat passengers often.  Otherwise, go with both retractable.

[Yetti]

Put a buffer to the paint and then some Mygures ceramic spray.    It will shine right up.

[David Lloyd]

Just saw this posted elsewhere.  No serious injuries, except the airplane.

https://www.fox23.com/news/emergency-cr ... HVKW3CWJY/

All the previous posts reflect the excitement of buying an airplane, the plans for new adventures, good times and well wishes.  I think most of have been thrilled with a new purchase or perhaps been excited for a friend with their new purchase.

The following posts, the opposite.  Hurts to see.  We all feel mluster's pain.