Looking for Mooney owners near Williamsburg, VA

[JohnnyC]

Hello all,

Newbie here to the forum and flying in general.  I have a few questions and I appreciate your support in advance.

Flying has always been a goal for me and after a couple kids and life experiences later, I have finally started the journey. I’m about ¾ through training and I know I want to own my own aircraft within the next year so I have started researching/planning in advance since it’s not a decision to be made hastily. 

I fully understand I’m extremely green at flying and that the Mooney may not be the best option to go straight into but I plan on taking my time and I’m not one to rush a process.  After getting some time under my belt I would like to get my IFR ticket with my own aircraft so this is another reason for buying.

The market is a little insane at the moment and the Mooney seems to fit my budget/mission (I know there will be some sticker shock with insurance…if I can even find any).  I plan on flying local as well as some cross country (400 NM average with a few longer ones occasionally).  The useful load should still be sufficient for myself and my two kids (9 and 5 years old).  I understand kids grow and life could change in the future, but I don’t want have too much plane and never use it.   At the moment I’m thinking a C,E, or F model (trying to stay open to options).

My question is more in regards to who is currently located near me in Williamsburg, VA to offer insight into the maintenance options in the area and maybe a CFI with Mooney time for future training.  I also have not had the chance to get a close look at a Mooney besides admiring from afar so I’m hoping to find some local pilots to maybe help me get the full Mooney experience and be a sounding board.

If you’ve made it this far through my long post, thanks for your time and I appreciate any help the community can provide.  From what I’ve read so far, it seems like I picked the right crew.

-Johnny

[Utah20Gflyer]

On 12/27/2022 at 2:37 PM, JohnnyC said:

Hello all,

Newbie here to the forum and flying in general.  I have a few questions and I appreciate your support in advance.

Flying has always been a goal for me and after a couple kids and life experiences later, I have finally started the journey. I’m about ¾ through training and I know I want to own my own aircraft within the next year so I have started researching/planning in advance since it’s not a decision to be made hastily. 

I fully understand I’m extremely green at flying and that the Mooney may not be the best option to go straight into but I plan on taking my time and I’m not one to rush a process.  After getting some time under my belt I would like to get my IFR ticket with my own aircraft so this is another reason for buying.

The market is a little insane at the moment and the Mooney seems to fit my budget/mission (I know there will be some sticker shock with insurance…if I can even find any).  I plan on flying local as well as some cross country (400 NM average with a few longer ones occasionally).  The useful load should still be sufficient for myself and my two kids (9 and 5 years old).  I understand kids grow and life could change in the future, but I don’t want have too much plane and never use it.   At the moment I’m thinking a C,E, or F model (trying to stay open to options).

My question is more in regards to who is currently located near me in Williamsburg, VA to offer insight into the maintenance options in the area and maybe a CFI with Mooney time for future training.  I also have not had the chance to get a close look at a Mooney besides admiring from afar so I’m hoping to find some local pilots to maybe help me get the full Mooney experience and be a sounding board.

If you’ve made it this far through my long post, thanks for your time and I appreciate any help the community can provide.  From what I’ve read so far, it seems like I picked the right crew.

-Johnny

Welcome!
 

Sounds like a Mooney may be a good match for you but your instincts to get direct experience are on point.  You will never know if your expectations are accurate until you actually fly in one and see what it’s like.  I’m usually happy to take people up but unfortunately I’m across the country but hopefully someone will chime in who is local to you.  Don’t worry about stuff like insurance, in the big picture a larger than average premium one year is only a rounding error compared to the total cost of ownership.  
 

Personally I started renting a piper arrow when I was looking at buying a Mooney.  The retract time helps with insurability when you make the switch.   An arrow isn’t too dissimilar to an older Mooney although the Mooneys are a definite step up in performance and efficiency.   I bought a G model and it’s 5 knots faster than the arrow I was renting with 20 less horsepower.  Overall I’ve really enjoyed my Mooney.  
 

if there are any questions I can answer let me know I am happy to help.

Craig

[Fritz1]

Johnny, welcome aboard. I have a Bravo that is based at FCI, some 50 miles from you and had a G-model before, stop by on a nice day, my office is just around the corner from FCI and I will take you up. There are two other Mooneys on the field, an Eagle and a C-model where I am in regular contact with the owners. For a while I was renting a Cherokee and for a while I was in a partnership in a 182RG. Both were good airplanes. Happy New Year! -Fritz

[jetdriven]

If you have a 9 and a 4 year old I’d keep it to M20F or J.  They have real room in the backseat and baggage area. The backseat of a C model is the same as an Eagle Talon or a Porsche 911

[Rusty Pilot]

I am not too far away at KEZF Fredericksburg, VA.  I bought mine about 4 years ago after a long hiatus from flying.  I went with a 1974 Mooney C with modern paint, upgraded avionics and electric flaps and gear.  I can provide input on maintenance, insurance and local transition training.  We have some great Mooney CFI's at Shannon.

[JohnnyC]

9 hours ago, Fritz1 said:

Johnny, welcome aboard. I have a Bravo that is based at FCI, some 50 miles from you and had a G-model before, stop by on a nice day, my office is just around the corner from FCI and I will take you up. There are two other Mooneys on the field, an Eagle and a C-model where I am in regular contact with the owners. For a while I was renting a Cherokee and for a while I was in a partnership in a 182RG. Both were good airplanes. Happy New Year! -Fritz

Fritz1 you're not too far and I appreciate the offer and I'll have to PM you to figure out how to link up in the future.  Thanks and Happy New Year to you as well!

[JohnnyC]

6 hours ago, Rusty Pilot said:

I am not too far away at KEZF Fredericksburg, VA.  I bought mine about 4 years ago after a long hiatus from flying.  I went with a 1974 Mooney C with modern paint, upgraded avionics and electric flaps and gear.  I can provide input on maintenance, insurance and local transition training.  We have some great Mooney CFI's at Shannon.

Rusty Pilot I appreciate the offer for info and I'll be reaching out to you in the future.  I hope you have Happy New Year!

[Rusty Pilot]

12 hours ago, JohnnyC said:

Rusty Pilot I appreciate the offer for info and I'll be reaching out to you in the future.  I hope you have Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  I will also be visiting your area frequently starting this summer.  Our son and daughter in law are active duty Coast Guard.