New to Mooney.

[mooneydrmr]

Hi everybody, my wife and I are considering a Mooney.  We are however not yet pilots.  My wifes brother is upgrading to instructor status, and is an experienced pilot with around one-thousand hours.  Would you recommend a Mooney to learn in?  Thoughts, opinions?  Thank you in advance.

[GeorgePerry]

Yes, no and it depends... 

Yes - You can learn in a Mooney.  However the Mooney is probably best suited for later stage private pilot and instrument instruction...not basic fundamentals.

No - The Mooney is not a good platform for a brand new, zero time pilot to learn in.  Too much to manage for a student with no prior experience or flight time.  As a newbe and you"ll work hard to figuring out how to land.  During the learning process you're going to "prang" it in.  Cessna's and Pipers are designed for this type of abuse...Mooneys can take it, but it's not good on the airframe, fuel tanks, undercarriage or other vital components. 

It depends.  I've had students that were ready to solo in 5 hours of instruction and I've had students who took MUCH longer.  There is a certain amount of intrinsic skill that'll determine when to make the switch from cessna/piper trainer to a Mooney.  If you're a quick learner and you've got some skills, after about 20-30 hours in less complex airraft, you'll be ready to go flying in a Mooney...Albeit with a qualified, experienced CFI.  If you're alittle slower to pick up aviation fundamentals then it'll take longer.  Mooney's were used at Embry Riddle for Commercial / Instrument training with great sucsess back in the 90's...but you had to have 100+ hours flight time in other planes before the university would let you in a Mooney.  They did that for a reason...and it's exactly what I'm describing here.  Crawl, walk, run...Think of a Mooney as a very brisk walk or slow jog.

[Gone]

I agree with George.

I am not an instructor, but I would not recommend your ab initio training be done in a Mooney. When you are learning to fly you will run into a whole new dictionary of incomprehensible terms, and ideas, and requirements, and laws, and, and, and.  While you are trying to make sense of all that, and keep your head on the swivel required for good VFR ops, you do not need the added burden of a GUMPS check to stay out of the column of "those that have."  (landed gear up) 

Staying in the column of "those that will" means learning on less complex aircraft with less complex systems.  This is the sweet spot of learning how to fly.  It is relatively uncomplicated (compared to instrument, commercial, ATP) flying.  Enjoy it for what it is - newfound freedom with a boatload of responsibilities.

I learned on a Cherokee 140.  And you should probably learn on something as uncomplicated as that one.  A Cessna 150/2 or 172 or equivalent.  Or an old low wing Piper (Cherokee or Archer).  These aircraft are stable in their flight regimes, docile when compared to a Mooney, and very forgiving to newbies.  That is why they are often used as trainers.

Then, when the itch hits you for speed and capability, pick something that demands things of its pilots - like a Mooney.  At that point, you will be up to the demands.

Just my opinion. 

Fly safe.

[Parker_Woodruff]

You can do it in a Mooney.  I would recommend learning to fly (at least until you've soloed) in a Cessna 172 or similar.

If a Mooney is what you want, go get it.  A friend of mine took his private checkride in a Beech A36 with 46 hours.  He was darn good and didn't hurt that plane at all.  He also started in a C172.

[rbridges]

get a quote on insurance.  I had a little difficulty being a low time pilot (not a student pilot) and no retractable time.

[MooneyMitch]

My 2 cents.  Do your early training maneuvers in the C150/C152 or C172.   Start looking for that Mooney though.  If you find it, and can afford it along with the training expenses in the Cessna, buy the Mooney [buying an aircraft is another story].

Continue your training in the Cessna through solo.  At some point when you feel comfortable with the basic flight maneuvers in the Cessna, consider getting some flight familiarization training with a Mooney specific instructor [Don Kaye in the bay area].  At that point, you can begin to use the Mooney as you start your cross country training. 

At this point, you will save on aircraft rental fees and you will own your very own Mooney!

Happy Mooney hunting, it's a great airplane!!!

[smccray]

I made the transition to the Mooney at ~80 hrs after doing all my training in a 172.  Go for it- it's definately doable to transition to a Mooney with low time.  I'll caution you on 2 things though- 1) Expect the time to get your ticket to take a little longer since the plane is a little more complex, and 2) nothing about learning to fly is applicable to owning a plane so be prepared to invest additional time to ownership over and above your training.

[DaV8or]

I recommend the Piper Archer or Warrior for training through the PPL, then get your Mooney for the IR. The Cherokee family of planes have a similar sight picture and landing feel to the Mooney. Also, getting in and out is similar. It's just my opinion, but I think learning to land in a Mooney would be pretty hard on the Mooney fuel tanks. Just make sure your instructor knows you have the Mooney in mind for the near future, that way, he can be sure to drill airspeed control and GUMPS into your head.

[mooneydrmr]

Thank you very much for the info and insight.  We just realized about a month ago that flying was financially feasable for us, I had assumed that it was too costly.  We are in the process of calculating direct, as well as in-direct costs of ownership so we will probably have many more questions in the future.  Thank you again; much food for thought.

[kerry]

Just a word of caution if you decide to get a mooney for your training.  When you take your check ride with the FAA examiner make sure you put your wheels down prior to landing.  I hope I didn't jinks you.

[MARZ]

MMMMM quick trip to Harris Ranch -

 

[gregwatts]

I did teach a lady to fly in her own Mooney 201 Turbo Bullet..........I don't recommend a Mooney to learn in....it is not as forgiving as a Piper or Cessna. I would suggest that you rent till you have your license........a low wing such as a Piper Warrior.

My opinion only!

[mooneydrmr]

Quote: maropers

MMMMM quick trip to Harris Ranch -

 Very cool video, thanks for sharing.  You from here originally?  Or just prefer California over Texas beef?

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: gregwatts

a low wing such as a Piper Warrior.

My opinion only!

[flyboy0681]

Quote: maropers

MMMMM quick trip to Harris Ranch -

 

[MARZ]

Quote: mooneydrmr

 

[MARZ]

Quote: flyboy0681

 

 

[N33GG]

As an instructor, I would recommend not getting your initial training in a Mooney.  There is a reason there are trainers, and we train in trainers (eg. C-152, Cherokee 140, Piper Tomahawk, etc.).  Yes, I know, you could train in a Mooney.  I get it.  But, to get complete training, you have to be allowed to make some minor mistakes, and see first hand what happens.  This creates real experience and learning.  Instructors shouldn't, can't and won't let you make the same mistakes in a Mooney.  You won't even be allowed to go as near to certain mistakes.  It's just not the same.

Get your first 20 to 40 hours in a rented trainer, and then, by all means transition to a Mooney.  You will be glad you didn't get that first training in your aircraft.

I have had wealthy students purchase their own first aircraft, and then ask me to train in it.  What a pain, and not in the best interest of the student either, IMHO.  I knew one guy that bought a brand new Learjet, and wanted to get his private in the Lear.  When he was told that wouldn't work, he went out and bought a brand new Bonanza, and bounced it all the way down the runway with his primary training.  It can be done. 

[1964-M20E]

I learned in Cessna 150s and 172s and the transition to the Mooney was easy even after not flying for 15 years.  However, I’d definitely recommend getting your PPL before getting into airplane ownership.  Not having to worry about getting maintenance done and the plane not being ready when you are means you can get you PPL quicker.  Also if something comes up and you do not or can not finish your PPL you haven’t bought a plane that you now need to sell. 

You should be able to get you PPL in 5 months or less then rent honing your skills further during your search to purchase a Mooney or any other aircraft.  Two learning curves are harder to maintain.

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: N6719N

As an instructor, I would recommend not getting your initial training in a Mooney.  There is a reason there are trainers, and we train in trainers (eg. C-152, Cherokee 140, Piper Tomahawk, etc.).  Yes, I know, you could train in a Mooney.  I get it.  But, to get complete training, you have to be allowed to make some minor mistakes, and see first hand what happens.  This creates real experience and learning.  Instructors shouldn't, can't and won't let you make the same mistakes in a Mooney.  You won't even be allowed to go as near to certain mistakes.  It's just not the same.

[John Pleisse]

However, as soon as you have your primary work done, you couldn't fly a better aircraft for your instrument training.

[rbridges]

Quote: N6719N

  I knew one guy that bought a brand new Learjet, and wanted to get his private in the Lear.  

[OR75]

what about "he had more money than he knew what to do with it" ?

 

[KSMooniac]

If there is a true flying club that is convenient to you, I would recommend going that route for training and as a way to wade into the pool of ownership.  My college club was great in that regard since we could get very involved with all ownership aspects from finance issues, tracking/scheduling maintenance to actually turning wrenches with the mechanic.  I replaced some Cessna interiors myself one summer while I was in school too.  Being "hands-on" gave me a great base of experience that cost me nothing but my time before buying my own.

I agree about doing your training in something else, and then transitioning to a Mooney after the private and doing your instrument training in it.  In fact, you'll likely have to get at least 10 hours of dual instruction after you buy a Mooney for insurance purposes, and much of that can be used for the instrument rating so you'll be killing two birds with one stone.

If you find the perfect Mooney during your training, then you could conceivably transition into it later in your lessons if you're hell-bent on doing it that way, but at the very least I think you should get through solo and maybe a cross country flight before switching.

[robert7467]

I bought a Mooney m20c and I am training in it. Its not so bad. As my 6000hr instructor who has 3500hrs as CFI said, any airplane is good to learn in. All I can say is just take your time, and enjoy it....