OK, Hello. Nice to meet you.

[PWW]

Hi - I have been a semi-frequent lurker here but needed to join today.

I have been working with a potential airplane partner in buying a 182.  The plan was to buy a pretty nice used 182 for around $300k.  The reason for the 182 was the typical strengths of that airplane, including the ability for our local flight school to put it out on leaseback (IFR pilots only, some kind of reasonable checkout to make sure they are not cavemen. Or cavewomen, etc.).  

However the potential partner, who I like, and who is a very cool dude, is facing medical issues.  So there is a chance that instead of buying a $300k 182 with him, I could be buying a $150k airplane on my own.

When I was 9 years old (which was in 1979) I mailed the Mooney company for information on their new aircraft and they sent me a buyers package with complete information, pricing, and paint and fabric samples for the new 201 and 231 models.  I’ve been in love with them ever since.  

Today I have a few hundred hours in rented/club Cessnas and love the high wing for sightseeing, but my wife and I are entering the stage where we want to travel, and nothing says travel to me better than a Mooney.   THAT SAID, I have never flown or even sat in one.  And I know from internet research that flying Mooneys is “different” than flying a Cessna or even a Cherokee.

I’m 5’7” and I know old man Mooney was some kind of giant, so I may need rudder pedal extensions.  And my “fun” car is a Porsche 911 so I’m comfortable sitting on the floor with my legs straight out lol.  I have a million specific questions, but I think it would be smart to actually get a flight in one before going any further.

So - any advice on how to do that, or anyone live near KIGQ or KVPZ or KMGC (Illinois/Indiana)  that would be willing to take me up for a ride (I’ll share costs to the extent of the law…)?

Thanks in advance for any help - this is a real turning point from the “no brainer” upgrade to a 182  to a true high performance airplane.

PWW 

 

[Hank]

Go for it, but beware--it can be an expensive test flight! Just slide the seat forward. Be prepared, though, regardless of where the seat is, the panel will feel uncomfortably close compared to the Cessnas you are used to. 

[steingar]

I'm 5'7" and I fit in my Mooney just fine, and it might for sale quite soon...

Edited May 24, 2022 by steingar

[Boilermonkey]

As soon as I get our M20M back I'd be happy to take you up..maybe 2 weeks out.  We are based at KBAK.

 

[Fly Boomer]

9 hours ago, PWW said:

this is a real turning point from the “no brainer” upgrade to a 182  to a true high performance airplane.

A bit more challenging to get in and out, but worth it.

[PWW]

Thanks all.  And @Boilermonkey I would love a chance for a ride in an M, happy to come to you whenever it makes sense.

 

I know there are some things that are not as “convenient”, e.g. getting in and out, but my wife’s main interest in GA is “this can get us there faster than the airline right?”  (Which for is is true a lot of the time).   So she is not interested in sightseeing.  Speed and a Bose noise cancelling headset are what I need to show her the value.

 

[Boilermonkey]

Yeah, most of the time...as long as you don't get hung up on the times where you have to leave early/late by a day due to weather.  IMHO, it beats sitting in a airport terminal with the airlines giving you a bunch of BS.  ...even though I still do about 60 airline flights a year 

 

I'll let you know when I get the airplane back from the shop.

[Fly Boomer]

6 hours ago, PWW said:

but my wife’s main interest in GA is “this can get us there faster than the airline right?”

Usually true on shorter trips, but the oft-repeated admonition "Time to spare?  Go by air!" was coined for GA.  There will be times when it just doesn't work out for one reason or another.  Turbo is good, ice protection is good, long range tanks are good, Instrument Rating is good, but ... there will be times when it just doesn't work out.

[Hank]

37 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

Usually true on shorter trips, but the oft-repeated admonition "Time to spare?  Go by air!" was coined for GA.  There will be times when it just doesn't work out for one reason or another.  Turbo is good, ice protection is good, long range tanks are good, Instrument Rating is good, but ... there will be times when it just doesn't work out.

True dat!

But it's still great to make those 2-1/2 - 3 hour flights instead of 9 hour drives. ATL is 2 hours from home--we drove last year and picked up a coworker at baggage claim. He left 45 minutes after we did, and arrived at the door after I drove by looking g at it and was headed for the cell phone lot.

Opelika, AL to Cincinnati is 45 minutes faster by Delta airlines than driving (0700-1700), but my Mooney would do it in 2-1/2 hours +/- wind.

This kind of thing is pretty easy to beat!

[kris_adams]

On 5/24/2022 at 7:54 AM, steingar said:

I'm 5'7" and I fit in my Mooney just fine, and it might for sale quite soon...

same here (height only...not selling).  My back seaters love sitting behind me lol.  No pedal extensions needed for me.

[Ragsf15e]

14 hours ago, PWW said:

Thanks all.  And @Boilermonkey I would love a chance for a ride in an M, happy to come to you whenever it makes sense.

 

I know there are some things that are not as “convenient”, e.g. getting in and out, but my wife’s main interest in GA is “this can get us there faster than the airline right?”  (Which for is is true a lot of the time).   So she is not interested in sightseeing.  Speed and a Bose noise cancelling headset are what I need to show her the value.

 

We only fly the airlines once or twice a year to get to my in-laws across the whole country.  Last time, my 6 year old kids were complaining incessantly about the wait through TSA and at the gate.  “Why does this take so long?  We’d already be at west coast grandmas…”.

I just sat there smiling (which I rarely do when they’re complaining).

[jaylw314]

On 5/23/2022 at 11:40 PM, PWW said:

Hi - I have been a semi-frequent lurker here but needed to join today.

I have been working with a potential airplane partner in buying a 182.  The plan was to buy a pretty nice used 182 for around $300k.  The reason for the 182 was the typical strengths of that airplane, including the ability for our local flight school to put it out on leaseback (IFR pilots only, some kind of reasonable checkout to make sure they are not cavemen. Or cavewomen, etc.).  

However the potential partner, who I like, and who is a very cool dude, is facing medical issues.  So there is a chance that instead of buying a $300k 182 with him, I could be buying a $150k airplane on my own.

When I was 9 years old (which was in 1979) I mailed the Mooney company for information on their new aircraft and they sent me a buyers package with complete information, pricing, and paint and fabric samples for the new 201 and 231 models.  I’ve been in love with them ever since.  

Today I have a few hundred hours in rented/club Cessnas and love the high wing for sightseeing, but my wife and I are entering the stage where we want to travel, and nothing says travel to me better than a Mooney.   THAT SAID, I have never flown or even sat in one.  And I know from internet research that flying Mooneys is “different” than flying a Cessna or even a Cherokee.

I’m 5’7” and I know old man Mooney was some kind of giant, so I may need rudder pedal extensions.  And my “fun” car is a Porsche 911 so I’m comfortable sitting on the floor with my legs straight out lol.  I have a million specific questions, but I think it would be smart to actually get a flight in one before going any further.

So - any advice on how to do that, or anyone live near KIGQ or KVPZ or KMGC (Illinois/Indiana)  that would be willing to take me up for a ride (I’ll share costs to the extent of the law…)?

Thanks in advance for any help - this is a real turning point from the “no brainer” upgrade to a 182  to a true high performance airplane.

PWW 

 

Welcome!  Hey, I'm 5'7", and I'm fine in the front seat.  I have to have the seat at the second-most forward stop, but it's no problem.

FWIW, I transitioned from a Cherokee, and aside from the constant-speed prop and retractable gear, it was not fundamentally different.  If you practice short-field landings in a Cherokee and learn precise speed control on landing, you have what it takes to land a Mooney.  It shouldn't take more than the required minimum hours for insurance for transition-training from a good instructor, although more good training like the Mooney-specific clinics is often helpful.

 

[carusoam]

So many questions to get nailed down….

1) Determine what the med issue is and help your partner get past that hurdle….

2) Stick to the 150 amu budget until your partner comes through…

3) For speed and efficiency….
 

Go Mooney!

-a-

[Pinecone]

On 5/25/2022 at 10:53 AM, Fly Boomer said:

Usually true on shorter trips, but the oft-repeated admonition "Time to spare?  Go by air!" was coined for GA.  There will be times when it just doesn't work out for one reason or another.  Turbo is good, ice protection is good, long range tanks are good, Instrument Rating is good, but ... there will be times when it just doesn't work out.

Many times that applies to commercial air also.

More so the last year or so with so many cancellations.

[Fly Boomer]

On 5/27/2022 at 10:19 AM, Pinecone said:

Many times that applies to commercial air also.

Until I get desperate, I have decided to "just say no" to commercial flights -- flight attendants with knocked out teeth and requiring stitches is worse than the bars where I hang out.

[Red Leader]

Good choice - Mooney has the best combination of speed and efficiency! I'm 5'8" with short legs and hate the seating position. I am confident that with pedal extensions my time in the 231 would be more comfortable but it is not currently unbearable. As a former Cessna owner, I can tell you the transition of one of the M20 models will be VERY different. The low wing will make it float more on landing than the 182 but it is an easy aspect of this airframe to get used to. You will find the overall handling more nimble in the Mooney but is a heavy aircraft on the controls. Good luck on your search, you won't regret purchasing a Mooney!

[BobbyH]

On 5/23/2022 at 11:40 PM, PWW said:

And I know from internet research that flying Mooneys is “different” than flying a Cessna or even a Cherokee.

Welcome PWW, you came to a great place for information and support.  
You are asking the right questions.  I’m relatively short (5’8”) and love the fit and function in the Mooney.  I flew Cessnas and Cherokees for years and didn’t find the transition hard at all.  To be honest, the yoke only moves 45deg in each direction, and it kept surprising me, was the main surprise.  The feel when flying is comparable to a C182RG.  A little stiffer but not bad at all. Landings close to the Piper Arrow.  
Every plane has its own character. I think you will thoroughly enjoy the Mooneys (so will your wife)

Bob