Prebuy (Scottsdale or North Carolina)

[HopePilot]

Hi guys,

I'm getting ready to make offers on a couple of planes, but I need to list where they need to deliver it for the prebuy.  The first plane is near Raleigh, and the second is near Scottsdale, Arizona.  What are the most reliable places to have a prebuy done at either of those locations?  I won't be making the offers at the same time, but I didn't want to waste everyone's time with two seperate threads.  Thanks for your help.

Hoping to join the Mooney cult soon,

16LPilot

[GeorgePerry]

Not exactly in Raliegh but Aerodyne at PVG in Norfolk VA is top notch.  Ask for Jim or JR and tell'em "brain" sent you.  They'll give you a good deal on a pre buy and the straight scoop on the plane

http://www.aerodynecorporation.com/

[blacknchrome]

How about some details on the airplanes you are looking at?  What models?  specs?  I'm curious what's selling.

[HopePilot]

Thanks for the suggestion.  I looked into it and it's about an hour and ten from the buyer, so I'm not sure I could get him to take it that far.  The plane in NC is an 80s J and the one in Arizona is a 70s J.  Sorry for the lack of details, but I the owners could be on this board.  I'll post pictures for whatever I buy though.

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: 16LPilot

Thanks for the suggestion.  I looked into it and it's about an hour and ten from the buyer, so I'm not sure I could get him to take it that far.  The plane in NC is an 80s J and the one in Arizona is a 70s J.  Sorry for the lack of details, but I the owners could be on this board.  I'll post pictures for whatever I buy though.

[piperpainter]

There shouldn't be an issue flying the plane that distance. My owner flew about 45 minutes for me, hung out while the pre buy was done. (pretty much from morning till done in the evening) Then flew it home. He wanted to sell and I wanted a pre- buy done at a Mooney Service center. He was very nice about it, and I didn't even have to pay for the fuel. Just the pre-buy. It was his last flight in the plane! So by all means, it doesn't hurt to ask if he'll take it that far.

[HopePilot]

No Mooney experts near Raleigh though?  That's odd considering every third plane I'm interested is in NC.

[KSMooniac]

We took my plane 2.0 hours for my pre-buy and did an out-n-back the same day.  In this market I agree that the seller should have no problem going an hour away.

[HopePilot]

Okay, I believe you guys.  There's also a Mooney Service Center called Virginia Aviation at Lynchburg Regional, but I'm not sure if there's as good as Aerodyne.  They are closer....

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: 16LPilot

Okay, I believe you guys.  There's also a Mooney Service Center called Virginia Aviation at Lynchburg Regional, but I'm not sure if there's as good as Aerodyne.  They are closer....

[piperpainter]

I agree. You gotta remember the owner may be flying the plane in for you but you are paying the bill. They should be giving you a full and detailed report they wouldn't be able to give to you if it was the owner paying!

[nishantc04]

I hangar my plane out of KDVT (about 10 minutes by air and 15 minutes by car) from KSDL.  I have an independant A&P that has been working on my plane for about a year now.  He does a great job and has years of experience.  If you're interested, I can pass his contact info along to you.  If you choose to do the inspection at KDVT, there are maintenance bays available for people to use (usually for tenants, but I don't expect for you to encounter any problems if you're there for a day).  I'm not on the forum often enough, so feel free to email me at nishant@cox.net if you want his info.

Nishant

[blacknchrome]

Any update on what you found?  I'd like to know........

 

Thanks

[HopePilot]

Well, I made an offer, but we weren't able to come to terms, and the other plane (which I should have gone for) was bought while I was looking the other way. Now I'm looking at a couple of local planes (Los Angeles), so I may be asking for prebuy mechanic opinions in the next week.  This process is going to take a lot of time to do right.  I thought that all the hard work was over (getting the instrument rating, the funds, etc.), but finding and buying the plane is a bit frustrating.  I mean, I drove 100 miles each way to check out in the only Mooney I could find (KAPV), an M20C (couldn't find a J), so I'm not going to give up easily.  It just might take a while... 

[FlyDave]

Quote: 16LPilot

Now I'm looking at a couple of local planes (Los Angeles), so I may be asking for prebuy mechanic opinions in the next week.

[HopePilot]

I'm in KVNY.  Maybe we can have a small fly-in at KCMA and anyone who's got a Mooney in the area can educate those of us who are trying to learn (show us their planes, etc.).  Maybe a few weeks from now?  Waypoint Cafe has an awesome tri-tip sandwich.

[fantom]

Quote: 16LPilot

I'm in KVNY.  Maybe we can have a small fly-in at KCMA and anyone who's got a Mooney in the area can educate those of us who are trying to learn (show us their planes, etc.).  Maybe a few weeks from now?  Waypoint Cafe has an awesome tri-tip sandwich.

[Carl S]

Quote: fantom

 For those of you us that aren't sure, yes, VNY is the famous Van Nuys Airport in lala land.

[HopePilot]

Yup, it's always interesting practicing an approach at Burbank and hearing, "2SP, can you please expedite?  There's a 737 on final behind you."  

Camarillo's VOR RWY 26 approach is a nice one.  I don't think our approaches at KVNY are particularily interesting, but if you do the VOR/DME wrong, you could be in for some hurt (safer just to shoot the ILS).

How about an October 31st Haloween fly-in around lunch time.  I'm just throwing out a random day to get the ball rolling.  Could be early November...