Newbie here!

[mrjones30]

I was recommended here from pilots of america because I have an interest in a Mooney. After reading some of the posts on here I have to say that I'm excited to be here.

 

My interest in a Mooney came from the attractiveness of the Airplane, The speed and that I can travel with it to different states here in the USA. I have never been in one but here is the challenge. I'm 6 foot 2 220LBS. Can I fit into a mooney comfortably if so what model should I focus on.

 

Thank you in advance.

[gregwatts]

Bug!

[gregwatts]

Yes....you can fit.

Which model will depend on budget, mission, and number of pax you plan to carry.

 

Welcome..........

[David Mazer]

I'm pretty sure you can find a member of this group near you that would be willing to let you at least sit in one.  From where do you post?  Aviotoreb is about your size and he purchased a Mooney rather than a Bonanza because he fit in the Mooney better (and all the other benefits of a Mooney over a Beech!).

[rbridges]

I'm 215 and fit fine.  My shoulders are slightly broad, and things can get cozy with another decent sized passenger.  Height doesn't seem to be an issue in Mooneys.  In fact, it seems that the shorter pilots are the ones that have issues.

[mrjones30]

Quote: Mazerbase

I'm pretty sure you can find a member of this group near you that would be willing to let you at least sit in one.

[DaV8or]

Welcome to MooneySpace! Good choice in aircraft interest. The whole "will I fit" question can only be answered by actually sitting in one. The good news is, you are located in Mooney country. It should be easy to get help from either someone here, or a Mooney dealer/service center near you. There are plenty in FL. I think Parker might be able to help.

[jetdriven]

Yep too short is the problem, not too tall. I am 5'7" and before the 3"pedal extensions I had the seat all the way forward.  Wife had to use platform heels.

 

if "big" in the width department, stagger the front seats. IE midgdts move seat forward while you move aft. 

The 7th hole seat mod helps too.

[John Pleisse]

At 6'2" the Mooney would actually be MORE comfortable for you, than traditional configurations. I am 6'1"/ 240 and I fit fine. I often lament when I purchased my Mooney some years ago, my waist was the same as my age. Welcome.

[mrjones30]

Quote: DaV8or

Welcome to MooneySpace! Good choice in aircraft interest. The whole "will I fit" question can only be answered by actually sitting in one. The good news is, you are located in Mooney country. It should be easy to get help from either someone here, or a Mooney dealer/service center near you. There are plenty in FL. I think Parker might be able to help.

[bnicolette]

I'm 6'1" 215lbs and am very comfortable in the Mooney (201).  Friend that flies with me on occasion is 6'4" and we have no issues side by side.  It is definitely a plane that is better for taller folks.  I can slide my seat all the way back and not even be able to reach the pedals with my toes. 

 

Welcome to Mooneyspace and the world of Mooniacs. There is a wealth of knowledge here with our members.  Good luck in your search!

[ToddDPT]

Taller seems to better for the Mooney. I'm 5-9 and wished I could find some pedal extensions. My wife won't let me wear my Gene Simons KISS boots. 

[co2bruce]

I just got some rudder extensions from SWTA.  Try them. Warning, like everything in aviation they are expensive!!  Especially when you see what you get.

 http://www.swta.net/

[aviatoreb]

Quote: Mazerbase

I'm pretty sure you can find a member of this group near you that would be willing to let you at least sit in one.  From where do you post?  Aviotoreb is about your size and he purchased a Mooney rather than a Bonanza because he fit in the Mooney better (and all the other benefits of a Mooney over a Beach!).

[mrjones30]

I reside in Saint Petersburg FL.  I moved here from Seattle Washington.  I always had a desire to learn how to fly but I was too scared to try.  I don't know where the desire came from because I don't really know anyone who flys.  I went up on an intro and now I am hooked.  I don't have my pilots license so I will start there.

I was on another pilots website and one of the members suggested that I would try a Mooney because I'm fairly tall (If you call 6 2 tall) and I am pretty wide in the shoulders it would be the perfect plane to fly long distances.  I would like to go into a dealer and sit in one to see how comfortable it is.  Although I enjoyed the intro flight in a Cessna 172 I was a bit cramped and the instructor didn't appreciate rubbing shoulders with me.

 

Thank you for the well wishes, this site has some awesome members. 

[jetdriven]

That long tunnel you put your legs in after a couple hours feels like sitting in a kayak.  Fortunately those with autopilots can slide the seat all the way back and get some room.

[Hank]

byron--

I'm only 5'11" but just finished 4.4 hours without an autopilot and only three course changes. Took off at dinner time, landed somewhat late but feeling pretty good, no cramping issues at all. Had one foot on the rudder pedal the whole time, sometimes both when bouncing slowly over the Appalachian ridges before descending back into somewhat lighter headwinds to get speed back up into triple digits.

If you are tired/cramped after flying, something isn't right. I keep my seat in the middle of the three available holes, and the throttle quadrant forces my kneeboard onto my left leg. That felt funnyat first, but I got used to it quickly.

[Seth]

I sold my former 1967 M20F Model to a gentleman based out of KVNC just south of you.  PM me and I'll get your contact information so the two of you can potentially meet up. 

There are many threads here explaining the different Mooney Models, and I suggest you use the search function, or one our members can quickly provide the links, but there are short, medium, and long body models.  Budget and need let you know which model to pursue.

Short body Mooney aircraft, Models A-E.  A and B have wood wings where the C and forward are all metal.  The D is fixed gear and there are few out there non converted, and E is the  C model with a 200 HP fuel injected model instead of a 180 HP carbureted engine.  The short body is a great plane for the money, except, the back passengers have little leg room, and they are vintage models now.  I think they are great planes and both a C or E at a good price, after a good pre-buy would be a great buy.  The E is faster and the 20 extra ponies help in the climb - 145 to 150 knots, and the C is less expensive - 140 knots.

The mid length bodies are the F, G, J, and K.  The F is basically a stretched E model with the same 200 HP engine and loses 2-3 knots.  It also has higher gross weight, increased useful load, and fuel tanks are increased by 10 gallons.  Bang for the buck, the F model may be the most capability you get for your money.  The G is the 180 HP version of the F.  The J also know as the 201 is the aerodynamically cleaned up F model and adds 10 knots.  The J model is the quintessential Mooney.  It is the Mooney everyone thinks of when they compare aircraft.  It squeezes so much efficiency out of a 200 HP normally aspirated engine.  The K is the firs turbocharged Mooney from the factory – 210 HP six cylinder and on the Encore 220 HP.  The 231 was the original K model, 252 the better engineered K model, and the Encore was the final iteration with a higher useful load and gross weight.  The 252 many say was the best Mooney produced. 

The Long Bodies are the L, M, R, S, and TN.  The L is the Porsche Mooney – developed with a Porsche engine.  They are no longer supported and many have been converted to be an Ovation clone.  The M is the first big bored engine turbocharged Mooney – 270 HP TSIO 540.  Originally named the TLS, the updated and improved version is known as the Bravo.  The Ovation is the normally aspirated big bore version IO 550.  It has 280 HP and can be upped to 310 HP with after market STCs.  There are three versions of the Ovation – the Ovation, Ovation 2, and Ovation 3.  Different HP and prop combinations as well as updated avionics change differentiate the models.   The M20S is the Eagle, and since the mid bodies were not produced anymore it was meant to be the J/201 replacement.  Many have been converted to Screaming Eagles to give Ovation like performance.  The eagle is limited to 244 HP.  The TN, is know as the Acclaim and replaced the Bravo in the Turbocharged lineup.  The TN type S is the worlds fastest production piston single at 242 knots.

 To summarize:

Short body

A & B - Wood wings

C – 180 HP engine

D – Fixed gear C version – only six left not converted to a C (retractable)

E – 200 HP fuel injected engine – The performance champ of the short

Mid-Length Body – Stretched 10 Inches – 5 added to back seat leg room, 5 added to baggage compartment

F – 200 HP E model stretched 10 inches – 145-148 knots – J model minus 10 knots for $30k less

G – 180 HP mid length body – the slowest of all Mooney aircraft, but also a great value

J – This is the quintessential Mooney – also known as the 201 – Aerodynamically cleaned up M20F – same 200 HP – 155 to 160 knots.

K – 210 HP Turbocharged Model – 231, 252, and Encore – All K models.

Long Body – Stretched even long

M20L – Porsche Mooney – Porsche engine, but not supported anymore – many converted to Ovation / R Model

M20M – Bravo – Turbocharged long body – six cylinder – higher fuel burn, higher speed

M20R – Ovation – Normally Aspirated six cylinder powered Mooney – IO 550

M20S – Eagle – Normally Aspirated six cylinder to replace the J in the lineup – 244 HP – many converted to the Screaming Eagle by a 310 HP STC.

M20TN – Acclaim - Turbocharged long body – replaced the Bravo, 242 knot top speed

Modifications – There are many Mods – many older Mooney Models A-G can be upgraded aerodynamically to mimic the J model.

 

-Trophy 262 – takes a 231 and modifies it to a 252 (K model)

 

Rocket Engineering:

-Mooney Rocket – K Model upgraded with a 305 HP turbocharged – Faster than the Bravo

-Mooney Missile – J Model with a 300 HP engine normally aspirated, basically a baby Ovation

 

M20T – Predator – Military trainer prototype – very cool – one was made, and it now resides in Florida (search for a pic).

 

 

The question is what is your budget, mission, and in the Mooney World, speed you want to travel.

 

Take care, and believe me, the Mooney Space community is happy to have you here and will answer any questions you have.  The search tool is a fantastic feature.

 

Take care,

 

-Seth

 

[DaV8or]

Quote: JimR

Very nice summary, Seth.  The B model is all metal, however, and the F model has 12 more gallons of fuel capacity than the C, E, or G, not 10. 

Jim

[MooneyMitch]

I do believe per Bill Wheat, those that were intact [not lost in a crash] we converted to the metal tail.

[mrjones30]

Seth,

 

Thank you for all of that information. For some reason this website wasn't posting my responses so my apologies for not responding sooner. I will PM you tonight with my contact info. Thank you