Mooney "expert" in Chicago Milwaukee area

[AlwaysLearning]

I am looking for an experienced Mooney individual near Chicago Milwaukee. I would love to put hands on and fly in a Mooney before I go on an adventure with no firm knowledge I will love them. Looking for advice and info on good people to talk to and get some ducks in a row. 

What models should I look in to? I have been looking at B and C's the most. 

A little about me. I am an automotive tech and have been for over 10 years. Owner assisted maint / annuals and I am in if only to know how it works. And of course lower the cost. At this time I am working on my PPL.

My mission: Wife and I (we have no kids) take trips 3 times a year at most. Local flying on the regular. Time building for ATP. 

Edited December 11, 2022 by AlwaysLearning

[Niko182]

Mooneys build time great but just understand you need to go a decent jump further than a pa28 or a 172 to get the same time

[AlwaysLearning]

I get that even with 1500-2k hours if its all in a signal piston (pa28 or a 172) it doesn't mean much. Decent twin time preferably twin turbine time is best. So 135 and/or jump planes would be best along with CFI / CFII. But to fill time and vacation with the wife a Mooney seems to fit at the current time. Am I wrong??

[Pinecone]

Right now, I am seeing local guys getting hired with 1500 hours total and minimal multi (20 - 50) hours.

If you are building time, a slow airplane means more hours for the same trip.

 

[AlwaysLearning]

2 hours ago, Pinecone said:

Right now, I am seeing local guys getting hired with 1500 hours total and minimal multi (20 - 50) hours.

If you are building time, a slow airplane means more hours for the same trip.

 

Almost the exact debate I have. Slow is time fast is convenient. That's why I like the Mooney you can fly 150 cruse or dial it back a bit. Out of curiosity what is the slowest cruise that is comfortable 100 at what 50% power? 

Edited December 11, 2022 by AlwaysLearning

[N201MKTurbo]

If you fly the same speed as a Cessna 150, you will use less fuel than a Cessna 150. We don't have to drag around those wheels and struts.

[Steve0715]

Eh, slow flying a Mooney doesn’t seem right.  Fly further, fly more but don’t fly slow.

[Will.iam]

16 hours ago, AlwaysLearning said:

I get that even with 1500-2k hours if its all in a signal piston (pa28 or a 172) it doesn't mean much. Decent twin time preferably twin turbine time is best. So 135 and/or jump planes would be best along with CFI / CFII. But to fill time and vacation with the wife a Mooney seems to fit at the current time. Am I wrong??

I think you got it. When I’m going to breakfast with neighbors i can comfortably fly at 110kts and fuel flow of 6 gal/hr. That is lean of peak operation which is harder to do in a carb engine than fuel injection but that is for a different conversation. 

[Fly Boomer]

On 12/10/2022 at 5:13 PM, AlwaysLearning said:

My mission: Wife and I (we have no kids) take trips 3 times a year at most. Local flying on the regular. Time building for ATP. 

Get the wife to sit in one, and tell her how long it will take to get to a likely destination.  If she doesn't like the Mooney, you won't either.

[AlwaysLearning]

5 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

Get the wife to sit in one, and tell her how long it will take to get to a likely destination.  If she doesn't like the Mooney, you won't either.

Spoken like someone who knows that a happy wife makes a happy life. Noted but I already told her she needs to sign off on whatever we get. 

[sw1024]

I just recently moved my M20F to the Chicago area for the next six months or so--hangared at KUGN.  By no means am I a high time Mooney expert but happy to meet up if you want to check it out/go for a spin.  I've owned it for about four years--coming off of mostly Cessna rentals and training.  It was a "go places with my wife/dog" purchase while I was working on ratings for fun.  As others have mentioned...Mooney gets you places pretty fast for what they are.  Personally, I like where you can get in three hours or less in a Mooney...leaned out at altitude, a very economical fuel burn.  If you're building time...maybe you want to go slower and/or save on maintenance.

Also...I don't know these guys personally or have any experience with them...but there is a shop up the road in Racine that evidently has a J model for rent/training.  I've been working on my commercial rating and my instructor works a bit with them.  Hard to find Mooneys for rent anywhere but if If you wanted instruction or a Mooney instructor, it appears they are in that game...

https://www.centurionaviationllc.com/aircraft-rental

 

[Schllc]

On 12/10/2022 at 7:32 PM, AlwaysLearning said:

I get that even with 1500-2k hours if its all in a signal piston (pa28 or a 172) it doesn't mean much. Decent twin time preferably twin turbine time is best. So 135 and/or jump planes would be best along with CFI / CFII. But to fill time and vacation with the wife a Mooney seems to fit at the current time. Am I wrong??

Not sure where a newly minted ppl is going to get twin turbine time but sure, that would be better for a career as a pilot. 

[A64Pilot]

Your way better off renting until at least you have your instrument and preferably your Commercial, once you have these then insurence is much lower.

Owning your own airplane is expensive, and if you want to start a Career flying it’s best to minimize your expenses as much as possible, drive a clunker, cheap apt etc.

That way you can build time faster. CFII is good only in that you get to build time for free, maybe they get paid now, but back forty years ago when I started flying airplanes my Wife and I went to the local eatery and were served by my CFII, the pay was minimal back then.

Any Commercial job you can get is great for building time, once you have your Commercial of course.

If you must buy an airplane, buy a 140, 150, Traumahawk or whatever is small and cheap, burns car gas etc. hopefully min IFR equipped and go try to wear it out.

You can fly more than twice as much in a 140 than a Mooney on much less money, unless you bend it there isn’t much to break and parts are plentiful and relatively cheap.

[AlwaysLearning]

12 minutes ago, A64Pilot said:

Your way better off renting until at least you have your instrument and preferably your Commercial, once you have these then insurance is much lower.

Owning your own airplane is expensive, and if you want to start a Career flying it’s best to minimize your expenses as much as possible, drive a clunker, cheap apt etc.

That way you can build time faster. CFII is good only in that you get to build time for free, maybe they get paid now, but back forty years ago when I started flying airplanes my Wife and I went to the local eatery and were served by my CFII, the pay was minimal back then.

Any Commercial job you can get is great for building time, once you have your Commercial of course.

If you must buy an airplane, buy a 140, 150, Traumahawk or whatever is small and cheap, burns car gas etc. hopefully min IFR equipped and go try to wear it out.

You can fly more than twice as much in a 140 than a Mooney on much less money, unless you bend it there isn’t much to break and parts are plentiful and relatively cheap.

I have had this discussion with my wife. She and I have a hard time justifying a purchase on a 140.... etc just to sell it later and get something more practical. What arguments would you aviators have to getting a small trainer first then trading / upgrading. I guess list the pros and cons if you would be so kind.