Aging airplane and systems: What would you do?

[Immelman]

I've owned my 1966E since 2007. Over 1000 tach hours of flying, minimal problems.

But I think I am at or quickly approaching a fork in the road: On my last trip the airframe and engine did wonderful.... cruising along 11,500, 8gph, 160-165mph true... What its all about! But the panel is talking... radio gremlins... new comms, a GPS, new engine gauges, remove vacuum, etc.... that would cost. And at some point, the engine will start talking.

- Engine 1900+ SMOH which was in 2004

- Panel late 80s, beyond its useful life. On the last trip I had enough radio oddities to start thinking its time...

- Paint late 80s, serviceable, minor corrosion spots. Some hangar rash from before my time I never addressed..

- Interior decent

- Longer trips, I can fly anywhere on an airliner for free, space available

- Shorter trips, 3-5 hours of driving: Honestly its better to drive... ground transport and logistics

- Family of 3, but we seldom fly together. Occasionally my daughter and I, wife has lost some interest, though we did plenty of travels in years past, before child. Kid is approaching 8, showing some interest in aviation. Too early to really tell, and I do not want to push the kid... but if they were interested that is a reason to keep a plane.

Facing the music, my airplane is largely a toy. It has brought years of enjoyment and helped me build the time to launch a successful flying career without much fuss and I am very grateful for that. But I also feel that I've "done all the things". I've had the thought that its time to move on, but then I go flying and still love it. Its been easy to keep it since the cost to keep going has been minimal. What would you do?

 

 

Edited July 1 by Immelman

[MikeOH]

Based on that discourse the ONLY reason to keep would be for encouraging your daughter by taking her flying as often as she desires. Basically, to keep her interested.

Not sure you would have her train in it, either.

[Matthew P]

Find a girlfriend that likes to fly places

 

[M20F]

1 hour ago, Immelman said:

Facing the music, my airplane is largely a toy. It has brought years of enjoyment and helped me build the time to launch a successful flying career without much fuss and I am very grateful for that. But I also feel that I've "done all the things".

 

 

What I hear is it sounds like your mission has changed.  That could be no airplane or it could be a different airplane than what you have.  

[JoeM]

try to imagine your life without the plane. If you like what that looks like, sell. If you still want to fly, get another plane. Let this one be someone else's project. 

[Echo]

Fly it until the engine needs overhaul and sell it as is.  It sounds like you and family teally aren't into it anymore.  I agree that a three hour drive is no big deal, but four -eight hour drves are the Mooney sweet spot.  If you have no mission and can fly commercial what is the point?

[Echo]

Just now, Echo said:

Fly it until the engine needs overhaul and sell it as is.  It sounds like you and family really aren't into it anymore.  I agree that a three hour drive is no big deal, but four -eight hour drives are the Mooney sweet spot.  If you have no mission and can fly commercial what is the point?

 

Edited July 3 by Echo

[Flyler]

I think having a Mooney solely as a toy is fine.   50% of the "defined mission requirements" are just people talking themselves into buying the toy to begin with

Life is short!

[Schllc]

No airplane makes economic sense for anyone to own.  
But isn’t that why we work?  First to provide for our needs and family, but then to spend the money that’s left on our desires?

Some people buy cars, boats, golf memberships, second/third homes…

You could get run over by a vitamin truck tomorrow, enjoy the fruits of your efforts.

[Hank]

31 minutes ago, Schllc said:

You could get run over by a vitamin truck tomorrow, enjoy the fruits of your efforts.

   

[Pinecone]

10 hours ago, Echo said:

I agree that a three hour drive is no big deal, but four -eight hour drives are the Mooney sweet spot.  If you have no mission and can fly commercial what is the point?

Did a trip recently that was a 3.2 hour flight but would have been an 11 hour drive.  By airline, it would have been 5 hours gate to date, plus 1 hour to airport on my end, plus arriving 2 hours ahead of time then car rental, then 1+20 drive to actual destination.  Total almost 10 hours, like driving.

I am 7 minutes from my hangar and it takes maybe 30 minutes to pull airplane out, load, preflight and get moving.  At other end, rental car was brought to the airplane.  Less than 30 minutes from landing was at lunch.

[Immelman]

13 hours ago, Echo said:

Fly it until the engine needs overhaul and sell it as is.  It sounds like you and family teally aren't into it anymore.  I agree that a three hour drive is no big deal, but four -eight hour drves are the Mooney sweet spot.  If you have no mission and can fly commercial what is the point?

That has been my style for some time now. Fly it until something big happens. The engine is still in good health. The radios are starting to give me fits and that has me thinking...

This past week I did that precise trip, 3.5 hrs Mooney time each way. It was awesome. Those trips aren't happening that often, though. Mostly I just go up and fart around, do a few T&Gs, and still enjoy it.

Edited July 3 by Immelman

[Skates97]

On 7/1/2025 at 5:30 PM, Matthew P said:

Find a girlfriend that likes to fly places

 

You realize if he does that he won't be able to afford the plane, the girlfriend, or the former wife...

[IvanP]

The principal difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.  The plane is a great toy and I am very grateful to be in the position to enjoy it. I could not really justify plane ownership in my situation - few trips a year, ususally within 2,000 miles range, but all these could be done by commercial cattle bus. When my wife and I bought our first plane, I did not even try to justify the ownership - it was a toy for our enjoyment. We have been blessed with the ability to own and fly Mooneys for almost 20 years now and the mindset did not change. It is something we want to have, but there is no real need for it.  

If we ever get tired of it, we will sell it and move on to something else. If you found something else in your life that makes you happy, move on and let someone else enjoy the plane.

[MikeOH]

2 hours ago, Immelman said:

Mostly I just go up and fart around, do a few T&Gs, and still enjoy it.

"...and still enjoy it."

Then, you should keep it!

Honest truth is ENJOYMENT is the only reason I own my Mooney. It is really not a need of any kind.

[bonal]

Retired from a most stressful and complex job seven years ago.  Enjoy the low stress of retirement but need a little challenge to keep the brain functioning properly.  I love being in the air but even more I like the challenge of flying always trying to achieve the impossible the perfect flight zero mistakes hitting the numbers exactly as planned etc.  don’t make many long flights to be quite honest our plane is basically moms grocery getter doing milk runs.  Some folks drive to Wally World we fly, retail in our area is very limited.  Also enjoy the upkeep making sure I am a good steward being at the hangar doing whatever is needed even just cleaning the bugs is very relaxing.  Lots of ways to spend time and money in life can’t think of anything better than knowing you can just get out and fly your own plane.  Well then there’s the rice rocket but that’s another story.

[bonal]

As for the maintenance issues if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.  If it needs repair then get it done if it’s more expensive than you want to spend well only you can answer that for yourself. 
as Anthony would say 

Best regards 

[Pinecone]

Hmm, a couple of weeks ago, we popped up to Bar Harbor to satisfy some cravings for lobster.   This week going to pop down to Lynchburg VA just because (planned just a couple of hours ago).

I like having a Mooney ready to go 

 

[Echo]

Flew my primary mission today with my wife and two English Pointers. Drove over to my A&P where plane was coming out of annual. Beautiful day to fly to family cottages in northern Wisconsin. About a 1 hour and fifty minutes flight vs. holiday traffic. 7500’ showed 62degrees OAT. 138 knots on 9.5gph. 14.5mpg. I tied down plane while Kelly road a free bike four miles to fetch Taco. Drinking beers on water by noon. Grand kids and daughter/spouse were shooting for 7:30…now 9:30 due to holiday traffic. We went out to dinner and now finger banging on Mooneyspace. Life is good    It’s all about the mission. 

[jeremyc209]

27 minutes ago, Echo said:

and now finger banging on Mooneyspace. Life is good  

Don't tell your wife!

[Hank]

36 minutes ago, Echo said:

I tied down plane while Kelly road a free bike four miles to fetch Taco. 

How in God's name did you convince her to do that???!?!?!!???

Yeah, I'm a little jealous. My wife usually waits in the FBO for me to pick up the car, which is sometimes a half-mile walk (for me).

[Echo]

Ha ha. We do a lot of bike riding it’s level. It’s an easy ride for her versus watching the dogs and putting covers and tiedowns. Bending under the plane she is winning in her mind lol

[Hank]

25 minutes ago, Echo said:

Ha ha. We do a lot of bike riding it’s level. It’s an easy ride for her versus watching the dogs and putting covers and tiedowns. Bending under the plane she is winning in her mind lol

My wife is good help installing and removing the canopy cover. She actually hands the clips to me underneath, especially behind the nose wheel--the others she kind of tosses.

[Echo]

Happy 4th!

[bonal]

Dogs rule, love that picture