Tim VanDenHoek Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 Going to look at a free Mooney, been in a wooden hanger for the past 20 years. any advise on whether it worth the time? Quote
KSMooniac Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 Only you can answer that. You didn't even tell us what it is.... a rotten wooden wing model, or a 2000 Ovation that someone parked? What are your goals and skills to resurrect it? There are many very similar topics already beat to death here. Good luck in any case. Quote
EricJ Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 Totally depends on how you value your time...and money. Many barn finds are not economically beneficial unless someone pays you to take it away. Quote
Utah20Gflyer Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 Generally it only makes sense if you enjoy working on airplanes. Quote
toto Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 1 hour ago, Tim VanDenHoek said: Going to look at a free Mooney, been in a wooden hanger for the past 20 years. any advise on whether it worth the time? Seems unlikely to be worth the time, but post a bunch of photos when you look at it and we can try to help spend your money 1 1 Quote
Fly Boomer Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 1 hour ago, Tim VanDenHoek said: Going to look at a free Mooney, been in a wooden hanger for the past 20 years. any advise on whether it worth the time? Financially, no. But if you can devote most of your time to a 10-year project, and would enjoy the challenge, maybe. I guess the alternative is to pay someone a train-load of money to do it for you, and that might get it down to a 5-year project. Quote
MikeOH Posted January 31 Report Posted January 31 1 hour ago, Tim VanDenHoek said: Going to look at a free Mooney, been in a wooden hanger for the past 20 years. any advise on whether it worth the time? Helluva first post, I'll give you that With the only data you gave being it's been sitting in a hangar for 20 years, my advice would be to RUN, and change your phone number! But, if you post pictures we'll be only too happy to guesstimate just how much money and time you'll throw at this project Quote
Falcon Man Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 I have bought and eventually sold several rehab projects, which were still flying at the time of purchase, however. In the late nineties to early 2000's it was possible to work under the guidance of an A & P mechanic and perform most of the labor. These were an a E, G, J and K model. I was able to make out fairly well with mostly used avionics upgrades, tank reseal, interior and top overhaul. The J model had a tube replaced by a FAA certified welder due to rust. Nowadays, there are almost no A & P mechanics who will allow an owner to do this kind of work. I was able to essentially trade my sweat equity and mechanic skills for $ because in all these cases I bought low and sold high. Like others have said how much do you like restoration projects? It is really satisfying to see an airplane restored to its former glory, but few pilots have the skills, time and desire for a multi year project. For example, good luck finding an engine shop who can find parts to get an engine overhauled. My IA has 5 Moony's on the ramp waiting for an engine, all with 1-2 years delay on engine OH. Pictures of the project will help fellow mooniacs give you advice, but proceed with caution because you won't be able to discover all the work needed until you dive deep into the airframe. Think of it as a free off restoration of your favorite antique automobile. Good Luck! Quote
Joshua Blackh4t Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 Also, why was it parked up? I got bitten by not seeing that red flag years ago with someone wanting to do a halvsies deal with him providing the plane and me fixing it up when there was "nothing much wrong with it and we can register it experimental and fix it up easily". Anyone who parks a plane with nothing much wrong with it is not understanding planes in the first instance (value will only go down, sell it while you can) and doesn't understand that the 10 years (or 20 in your case) are worse than the original problems. In other news, anyone want a project to rebuild an Osprey 2? Quote
Schllc Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 3 hours ago, Tim VanDenHoek said: Going to look at a free Mooney, been in a wooden hanger for the past 20 years. any advise on whether it worth the time? Based on that question, I would take someone who knows a little about mooney’s, or at least airplanes to look with you. Quote
LANCECASPER Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 5 hours ago, Tim VanDenHoek said: Going to look at a free Mooney, been in a wooden hanger for the past 20 years. any advise on whether it worth the time? I would take a lot of pictures and depending on where it is, check with BAS to see what they would give you for it. https://baspartsales.com/sell-your-airplane-to-bas-part-sales/ Consider whatever you get as a gift and put it toward a Mooney that's been flying. 1 Quote
corn_flake Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 engine overhaul alone is $45k. Sitting for 20 years is certain overhual is required. If there is corrosion on the airframe, cost goes sky high. That's not include overhual cost to stem gauge (assuming it has stem gauge) wil run you a few thousand.... The list goes on-and-on. As other have said, you could have buying a flying Mooney for less. Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 It seems like half the hangars at the home drome have some kind of rehab project going on. A friend of mine has done three in the last few years. He made money on all of them. 1 Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 There seems to be different attitudes in different parts of the country about airplane work. There are quite a few mechanics and IA willing to work with people around here. A lot of airline people who moonlight out at the hangars. 2 Quote
MikeOH Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 5 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said: It seems like half the hangars at the home drome have some kind of rehab project going on. A friend of mine has done three in the last few years. He made money on all of them. I wonder what his hourly rate comes out to? For the OP, the real question: Is he looking for a plane to fly, or a long-term project that is its own reward? 1 Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 56 minutes ago, MikeOH said: I wonder what his hourly rate comes out to? For the OP, the real question: Is he looking for a plane to fly, or a long-term project that is its own reward? Most people out at the airport just love airplanes. Working on them, flying them. It is all good. It is amazing how many airline pilots show up in their monkey suits, change and start swinging wrenches. 1 Quote
MikeOH Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 10 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said: Most people out at the airport just love airplanes. Working on them, flying them. It is all good. It is amazing how many airline pilots show up in their monkey suits, change and start swinging wrenches. Completely agree. I was just poking a little fun about the 'making money' part Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 2 hours ago, MikeOH said: Completely agree. I was just poking a little fun about the 'making money' part It’s crazy, he makes the worst decisions ever and in the end it always works out for him. 1 Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted February 2 Report Posted February 2 On 1/31/2025 at 3:25 PM, Tim VanDenHoek said: Going to look at a free Mooney, been in a wooden hanger for the past 20 years. any advise on whether it worth the time? What kind of a free Mooney? Quote
A64Pilot Posted February 2 Report Posted February 2 Besides avoiding the very old aircraft, issue I think is corrosion. Paint, interior, engine, avionics are known factors. By old I mean wood. It’s corrosion that’s the wild card, any significant corrosion and it’s only worth parting out, best to try to sell it as salvage if you can Quote
Sabremech Posted February 2 Report Posted February 2 I picked up the free ( old dirty hangar) barn find Mooney last year about this time. A 1956 M20. A neat machine and currently making its way back to airworthy. My intent is not to keep it, but get it flying again and sell it. My thoughts going ahead with this project were that I could always part it if I found something beyond economical to making it airworthy. David 2 Quote
PT20J Posted February 2 Report Posted February 2 If you really want a project, why not build an RV or some other kit plane? One advantage is that the parts are available. 2 Quote
Sabremech Posted February 2 Report Posted February 2 Just now, PT20J said: If you really want a project, why not build an RV or some other kit plane? One advantage is that the parts are available. The advantage of taking on a barn find, is typically all the parts are there. Why not bring a dormant airplane back to life? 1 Quote
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