patriot3300 Posted September 6 Report Posted September 6 Hello Mooniacs! After Many frustrating months I recovered the Mooney I bought back in November 2024 and got her home Today Saturday Sept 6th. Having gotten quotes from multiple transport companies I decided to do the job myself. I needed to unbolt the wing for a 3k drive not separate the tailcone as is commonly done these days for short hauls. Starting off from Dinwiddie Virginia Last Thursday at 0400 I made the first overnight in Lincoln NE around 1300 miles. Day 2 was Lincoln to Ontario Oregon and around 1100 miles. Day three was a pleasure with only about 600 miles to cover arriving in Auburn Washington at Noon on Saturday. The inbound trip was only completed this quickly because I had previously airlined out and purchased the trailer for the return ahead of time. In addition all the flight controls and tail were removed the same weekend as the trailer was purchased back in February so that was a good head start. Previously I was heading out to Washington Memorial day weekend and hit a dear in WV so that was a big setback! Virtually all the work was done by myself other than loading the trailer and some tool holding in order to unbolt and unscrew the floor. Of course this took much preplanning and multiple Jacks etc to accomplish but worked out quite well considering very limit help. Departing Tuesday night loaded for bear and constantly mountain climbing It took 3.5 days to get home. This required 5 or 6 gas stops daily along with cargo checks and was not nearly as carefree understandably towing a heavy trailer. Unfortunately I did have to section the wing and My prior invitations to have someone adopt it/repair found no takers.The aircraft fell off jacks prior to me buying it and had a large wound in both wings from that event. I will have the fuselage at my home shop hopefully completing the panel(needs extensive work as It’s basically empty)Along with extensive cleaning/inspection etc. I hope to chronicle the work here and It’s going to be an 18-24 month timeframe most likely In the meantime I need a wing so If anyone has a decent one gathering dust please PM me. Thanks for reading my short summary of what’s already been a 10 month journey. Im looking forward to the Process of returning this excellent airplane to the sky! Cheers, Stuart
Slick Nick Posted September 7 Report Posted September 7 Not sure why you’d cut the wing, but it sounds like it needed to be replaced anyways. What’s the backstory on this airplane? Is it sentimental or special to you in some way? The cost involved must be enormous.
Flyler Posted September 7 Report Posted September 7 Sounds like a grand adventure already. Just think how much faster the trip will be when you can *fly* the Mooney instead of drive it!! 2
patriot3300 Posted September 7 Author Report Posted September 7 1 hour ago, Slick Nick said: Not sure why you’d cut the wing, but it sounds like it needed to be replaced anyways. What’s the backstory on this airplane? Is it sentimental or special to you in some way? The cost involved must be enormous. Hi Nick, I had no desire to cut the wing and tried to find a party willing to do the repairs but none were willing to do so.I had to remove the entire airplane and cutting was the only way to get it all gone. Basically, this airplane has everything I wanted, and the price was right. The experience was positive for me overall. It would have cost me 25k had I paid another party to do this. Now I am fully versed in the process and can hopefully help others needing to transport the same way. Stuart
patriot3300 Posted September 7 Author Report Posted September 7 1 hour ago, Flyler said: Sounds like a grand adventure already. Just think how much faster the trip will be when you can *fly* the Mooney instead of drive it!! Hi Flyer, I agree 100% and It will be so sweet flying this thing cross country at triple the average speed I made towing it home !!! Cheers, Stuart
Slick Nick Posted September 7 Report Posted September 7 10 hours ago, patriot3300 said: Hi Nick, I had no desire to cut the wing and tried to find a party willing to do the repairs but none were willing to do so.I had to remove the entire airplane and cutting was the only way to get it all gone. Basically, this airplane has everything I wanted, and the price was right. The experience was positive for me overall. It would have cost me 25k had I paid another party to do this. Now I am fully versed in the process and can hopefully help others needing to transport the same way. Stuart It will be a fun project I’m sure. Have you sourced a new wing? I think BAS has a bunch that would work for you.
patriot3300 Posted September 7 Author Report Posted September 7 17 minutes ago, Slick Nick said: It will be a fun project I’m sure. Have you sourced a new wing? I think BAS has a bunch that would work for you. For sure and I will doing most of it from home so the overhead will be much lower than at the airport, I do need a wing and see that BAS always seems to have one which is Great. Hopefully one will surface in the Mid Atlantic area by the time I truly need it:) I attached a pic of the plane on a better day before the fall to help illustrate why I bought it, Best Mods are the 201 style Tips and Windshield also has an updated panel configuration cowl closure, gap seals and decent interior.
Greg_D Posted September 7 Report Posted September 7 Why don't you want people to see the tail number?
patriot3300 Posted September 7 Author Report Posted September 7 3 minutes ago, Greg_D said: Why don't you want people to see the tail number? Please PM me and I will happily discuss, Thanks!
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