neal Posted April 2, 2012 Report Posted April 2, 2012 I am looking at a 1987 M20J 201. What kind of performance should I expect? What are the things to look for, or questions to ask? How hard is it to transition from a Cessna 172 to an m20j? This will be my first plane purchase. Quote
gregwatts Posted April 2, 2012 Report Posted April 2, 2012 A POH will give you the performance to expect. There are a million opinions posted in this forum suggesting what to look for and what to avoid.....use the search function. Transition will depend on your proficiency.....I recommend you find one to rent with an instructor and invest a few hours getting an idea. Many more opinions to follow............ Quote
Parker_Woodruff Posted April 2, 2012 Report Posted April 2, 2012 - M20J - Nice plane, my first Mooney - 150-155 knots on 9 gph while Lean of Peak. 160+ knots rich of peak (10-11.5 GPH or so.) - Get a prebuy/annual at a competent Mooney Service Center - Not hard. Fly with a CFI who has a lot of Mooney experience. Fly the numbers recommended in the book for your specific weight. Quote
jacobwall Posted April 2, 2012 Report Posted April 2, 2012 I went from a 172 -> Cardinal RG -> M20C which is a tad bit slower than a J and shorter but the transition was not that bad. Compared to a 172 and a 177RG they aren't nearly bad on floating whereas with mooneys you have to nail the speeds. Honestly, that's what I found the hardest. You'll *love* a mooney! Quote
neal Posted April 2, 2012 Author Report Posted April 2, 2012 Thanks for the quick replies. Take a look at his plane and tell me what you think. http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20J-201/1987-MOONEY-M20J-201/1228823.htm? Quote
Parker_Woodruff Posted April 2, 2012 Report Posted April 2, 2012 On the surface, that looks like a decent plane, though the GPS unit is outdated. Where do you live, and who is doing the "fresh annual"? There are very few people in Florida I'd trust to annual my Mooney. Quote
neal Posted April 2, 2012 Author Report Posted April 2, 2012 I live in MS. I am waiting on the owner to get me a copy of the logs and the rest of the info. Quote
jackn Posted April 2, 2012 Report Posted April 2, 2012 I transitioned from a 172(great plane) to a "K". The Mooney is different. Your takeoff/landing, traffic pattern work has to be re-learned, but if you learned how to fly, you can easily learn how to fly the Mooney. I don't care for the current panel of that plane. You can find one with a 430/530 and a better A/P and an HSI probably for the same money. Quote
DaV8or Posted April 2, 2012 Report Posted April 2, 2012 Quote: jackn I transitioned from a 172(great plane) to a "K". The Mooney is different. Your takeoff/landing, traffic pattern work has to be re-learned, but if you learned how to fly, you can easily learn how to fly the Mooney. I don't care for the current panel of that plane. You can find one with a 430/530 and a better A/P and an HSI probably for the same money. Quote
Cris Posted April 3, 2012 Report Posted April 3, 2012 This is the minimally equipped lean machine which differed from the standard Mooney in its equipment like the autopilot which does not have alt hold and no HSI. For me alt hold would be a requirement and adds considerable expense but an HSI & alt hold autopilot is expected in this class of A/C as part of the price. Garmin no longer supports the MX20 so it is a boat anchor as it can not be repaired. The most cost effective solution is probably replacement with an GMX 200. The KT76A transponder has an AD on it which may or may not be applicable. The GPS has been commented as a bit dated but the real issue is its placement in the panal which probably does not meet IFR certification for enroute/approach. That assumes it is still supported. I'd check the logs to see if it is IFR certified for approach & enroute. In the end this A/C will requires substantial panal upgrades possibly which makes it no bargain. Check to see how long it has been on the market. Tough to sell an A/C these days without at least a 430W/530W so plan accordingly plus ...... Quote
gjkirsch Posted April 3, 2012 Report Posted April 3, 2012 The plane looks really clean and the low time engine could be a real plus, especially if it came from a "known" shop. As others have said, the autopilot is lacking and may impact your ability to sell the plane in the future as well as the out dated GPS. I would still look at the MX20 as a plus even though it is not supported any longer. Autopilot upgrades are not cheap and it may be hard to recover the cost. If I were looking to fly long cross country flights in instrument conditions, I would pass on the plane. If I were thinking my trips would be a couple of hundred miles, I would consider it IF the engine overhaul was well documented from a known shop. Quote
KSMooniac Posted April 3, 2012 Report Posted April 3, 2012 You might consider this one: http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20J-201/1984-MOONEY-M20J-201/1233917.htm? It is a well-loved and extremely well-traveled J owned by a great guy that unfortunately succumbed to cancer last summer. Zef's site has a nice write-up on it here: http://www.mooneyland.com/1984_m20j.htm (I believe he was brokering it last year, but I don't know if it sold and now is on the market again, or what happened. Zef unfortunately just passed away too!) Quote
Mooneymite Posted April 3, 2012 Report Posted April 3, 2012 . All the above posts are good, valid suggestions. Here's one that's served me well: When you go to look at an airplane, take a real good look at the owner, too. The airplane will reflect the owner and vice versa. Obviously this doesnt work if you are buying through a broker/agent. . Quote
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