Under Contract on 1970 M20F! Kudos to Jimmy @ Gmax!

[bigmo]

In 1992, I was on a cross country from Oklahoma to Texas and landed at Addison. Saw my first Mooney (no Internet back then). I was in love... My CFI and I chatted up the owner and I hopped behind the yoke and told myself I'd own one of these fine machines someday. Well, barring any pre-buy snafus...my day has arrived!

A few months ago, I reached out to Jimmy with my wants and needs. "Got it", he said. "Just be patient and I'll find you your dream plane." Yes. He. Did.

Stellar maintenance. ALL of my wants (WAAS navigator, AP w/ altitude hold, GPSS, "the looks", nicely equipped, low time motor, no accident history (MAN, this is hard now), and good maintenance & records. 

Four owner history, with one long-time owner being LASAR themselves. So it got the "money doesn't matter" treatment for many, many years (and some great mods to boot).

Sorting logistics and the adventure of bring her home from the Pacific Northwest (which frankly I'm fizzing about). One of our kids just announced what will be our first grandchild coming soon. The first thing I said to my wife was "...we need a faster plane!" She agreed.

 

 

 

 

 

[IvanP]

Nice looking plane. Hope it will work out for you. Jimmy is a good man to deal with. Although I did not end up buying my plane from him, I like his candor and honesty.   

[Vance Harral]

That's a really great-looking airplane!  Love the colors.

[M20F]

I applaud your choice

[Flyler]

I hope you get it! I am just happy that the Mooney pictured exists in this world. It is a real beauty.

[bigmo]

38 minutes ago, Flyler said:

I hope you get it! I am just happy that the Mooney pictured exists in this world. It is a real beauty.

I'm quickly realizing that I'm just a caretaker or steward vice owner. My plan is to fly her until it's time to hang up the headset and then pass it on again.

[Echo]

Really nice!  Enjoy. Nice cowl closure. Panel pics?  What is that C/G type protrusion on lower cowl as shown in photos?

[Hank]

10 hours ago, Echo said:

Really nice!  Enjoy. Nice cowl closure. Panel pics?  What is that C/G type protrusion on lower cowl as shown in photos?

Looks similar but different. Smaller, anc completely below the cowl.

[bigmo]

Good gravy, that's BEAUTIFUL Hank!

Mine was owned by LASAR in the 80's and 90's. So there appear to be a few prototype mods that never went into production. It seems as if it was a combination "model" and also their shuttle plane as it went through 100 hours for two decades - presuming they used it to shuttle people and parts around the west coast.

The panel is very functional as is - and I will be leaving things be for a while. At first, the GNS480 scared me off, but frankly I love it. Would I prefer a shiny new GTN? Sure...but it's loads better than the 430/530. It's a true FMS, the menus are intuitive and with Keith Thomassen's SUPER impressive guide (best $25 I've ever spent), it will serve me well. The STEC-30 w/ alt hold is linked via the GPSS module and will fly and manage a whole approach procedure. I think I'll be able to adapt to the GMX200 MFD vice depdning on my iPad - figuring that out now. The EDM 930 is SO nice. My only plans for now is a recover of the seats in leather (80's grandmaw couch style gotta go). Already have that all sussed out.

 

 

[MB65E]

Looks really nice.

You also have some Gills in the side cowls too.

The intake scoop is interesting. I’ve only seen additional scoops for oil cooling. 

-Matt

[Chris Strube]

The gills and the front scoop were added to my 65 E, when I had the turbo installed.

[bixmooney]

On 9/7/2024 at 9:43 PM, bigmo said:

I'm quickly realizing that I'm just a caretaker or steward vice owner. My plan is to fly her until it's time to hang up the headset and then pass it on again.

Super nice plane and panel !

I know what you mean about being a caretaker.
1975 F model new to me last summer and feeling super responsible to take the best care I can and do right by it !