Ferry Pilot/Mooney CFI Needed

[BenP]

Short version: I am looking for a ferry pilot to move a 1967 M20F from Florida up to Iowa. I also need 10 hours at some point with a Mooney current CFI for my insurance checkout. 

Long version: I bought the plane several months ago in Florida. It has been at Sebring FL (KSEF) getting a new engine and an annual inspection. I came down to Florida last week to retrieve the plane with the previous owner (a CFII), who had agreed to ferry it with me and do my insurance checkout for free as part of our original deal. However, the annual took much longer than expected and my availability window as well as his availability window closed up. I have to go back to Iowa empty-handed while the shop finishes the annual. The flight would be from KSEF to C17 (Marion, IA). It's about 6.5-7 hours depending on the wind.

The plane has a traditional IFR panel (dual VOR/glideslope, ADF, DME, but no GPS). However, its pitot-static/transponder inspection is expired by a few months so the flight will have to be VFR. It has tail beacon ADS-B Out. No autopilot, but it does have the Positive Control vacuum wing leveler that still works pretty well. With the brand new engine, it is important that it is someone who will follow the break-in instructions which will be provided by the engine shop. 

Obviously I would prefer someone experienced with older Mooneys, and bonus points if it's a Midwest-based pilot to keep overall expenses as reasonable as possible. My open pilot insurance minimums are as follows:

-PVT, COM, or ATP SEL

-Current medical

-Current BFR

-100 hours retract time including 5 hours in the past 180 days

-5 hours in make and model

If anyone can point me in the right direction, please let me know. I understand that competent instruction costs money, but I am hoping to not blow a whole ton of money right after blowing a whole ton of money on the engine and annual. 

[ZuluZulu]

It doesn’t take that much to get the IFR recert done, assuming there’s nothing wrong with the equipment. Some shops charge a flat rate well below half an AMU. It might be worth it to give your ferry pilot more options given the time of year and the mission. 

[Danb]

As always Mooney pros Mike Elliott 

[KLRDMD]

10 minutes ago, Danb said:

As always Mooney pros Mike Elliott 

Yes. Please don't hire someone that barely meets the insurance minimums. You won't be doing yourself any favors.

[Bolter]

@BenP Larry Lehman is an experiences Mooney pilot, former commercial pilot, and now ferries all sorts of planes.  He is Florida based, so that will simplify scheduling.  I am going to PM you his contact information (posts become openly searchable for bad actors)

-dan

[mike_elliott]

1 hour ago, KLRDMD said:

Yes. Please don't hire someone that barely meets the insurance minimums. You won't be doing yourself any favors.

Thanks guys, sent Ben a DM

[Jim Peace]

16 hours ago, BenP said:

However, the annual took much longer than expected

is it at Carter?  my last annual which was just basic took over 6 weeks I think....not going back....also check your air filter...I saw mine was not cleaned and I asked about it when I was picking up my plane and he said he does not do that....so I flew it home and did it myself...

If you go to the FSDO they will just shrug their shoulders and say try someplace else....

[BenP]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. For those of you that private messaged me, I am tied up at work all weekend but I will try to reply to everyone at my earliest opportunity. The plane just got done yesterday and will be ready to move by Monday afternoon.

Not to put them on blast, but the plane was at Carter. I was more or less stuck with them since JB Aircraft (a co-located engine shop) did the engine and the annual lapsed while that was getting redone. I didn't want to screw around with a ferry permit so I just went with Carter.