Portland-area intro?

[acfoltzer]

Hi folks! I am starting to think about aircraft with longer legs and less scheduling contention than my flying club's very nice but modest trainers. The looks and efficiency of a Mooney have always been appealing, and what I hear about the direct feeling of pushrod controls sounds exactly like what I enjoy from gadgets like keyboards, cameras, and cars.

I am concerned that the cockpit comfort and fit is reportedly a love-it-or-hate-it proposition, however, so I'm hoping y'all might have leads on opportunities to see and sit in a nice example in person before I go too far down the rabbit hole on a model that's never going to feel right. I'd be happy to meet up anywhere near Portland or Hood River, or maybe even further if we can get some nice flying weather again. Thanks in advance for your help!

Edited February 25 by acfoltzer
typo

[201Mooniac]

Welcome!  While not really close to Portland, I've been a Mooney owner for 0ver 30 years now and never really understood the concerns about cockpit comfort but then I also drive a Porsche which has very similar seating position.  It is really just the sit low with legs mostly straight out posture that I guess some have concern over.  Otherwise there is plenty of room for large people and good adjustability for small people.  Hopefully someone near Portland will be by soon to help find you a Mooney to try on.

[donkaye, MCFI]

I've owned my Mooney M20M for over 33 years and been flight instructing in nearly all models for 32 years.  Somehow Mooney got it right.  The seat angle is perfect with adjustments in the long body for both height and back reclining.  If I sit in a C182 for 2 hours doing an engine breaking, I can't wait to get out of the plane due to the way the seats are located.  In the Mooney I can and have flown over 10 hours in multiple legs in a day and I feel great at the end of the day.  While your fear is justified, in the end I think it is unwarranted, but certainly you should try it first before buying.

[KSMooniac]

The Mooney cockpit is more compact in most dimensions than most common trainers, but it gets a bad reputation for comfort by those that don't own them!  The width is about the same as a 182 or Bonanza, but as mentioned above, you sit in it like a sports car with legs mostly extended, not like a kitchen chair or truck seat.  Later models have vertically adjustable seats that can fine-tune your position, and these can be retrofitted to earlier models.  The instrument panel is closer to you, and pre-201 models with the original blunt windscreen make everything "feel" less spacious, but they can still be plenty comfortable.  I have flown a 7 hour flight non-stop and did fine, but I also had seats that were renewed this century.  If you sit in a 60's model with original and worn-out seat foam, you might not find it comfy, so don't throw out the whole idea if that is what you experience.  The worst part IMO is getting in and out, but once in, they are comfortable in the front or back!  

[donkaye, MCFI]

25 minutes ago, KSMooniac said:

The Mooney cockpit is more compact in most dimensions than most common trainers, but it gets a bad reputation for comfort by those that don't own them!  The width is about the same as a 182 or Bonanza, but as mentioned above, you sit in it like a sports car with legs mostly extended, not like a kitchen chair or truck seat.  Later models have vertically adjustable seats that can fine-tune your position, and these can be retrofitted to earlier models.  The instrument panel is closer to you, and pre-201 models with the original blunt windscreen make everything "feel" less spacious, but they can still be plenty comfortable.  I have flown a 7 hour flight non-stop and did fine, but I also had seats that were renewed this century.  If you sit in a 60's model with original and worn-out seat foam, you might not find it comfy, so don't throw out the whole idea if that is what you experience.  The worst part IMO is getting in and out, but once in, they are comfortable in the front or back!  

There is a method to getting in and out of the plane.  Once you know the method, it's easier to get in and out than it is for a C172.

[Fritz1]

welcome aboard, you are doing the right thing, talk to owners, as stated supra the width of the cockpit is the same as a 182 or Bonanza, counting the elbow bulge maybe wider, but the height is lower, which is part of the reason why the Mooney is faster on the same horsepower, you sit with your legs stretched out, I am 6''3' and my height is in my torso, before I bought the Bravo I thought about cutting the seat cushion down, not needed, seat in lowest position is just fine, leg room is virtually unlimited, I typically do not have rear seat passengers and roll my wife's seat all the way back in cruise to have more shoulder room, I sometimes fly as a passenger in a B55 and in a B58, feel cramped, like the Mooney cockpit better.

If you can't find a Mooney in Portland, you might as well fly to Pineville OR, probably 1h flight and visit Lasar, they always have lots of them in the shop and will probably be able to give you a ride, if you buy a couple of pizzas, the boys in the shop will explain more about Mooneys over lunch, than you ever wanted to know, enjoy the journey!

[Ragsf15e]

There’s a shop in Troutdale that specializes in Mooneys.  Probably somebody who’s taking their airplane there for annual would let you get in and comfortable.  I’m up in Spokane, so probably too far for you, but someone closer will come along.

[acfoltzer]

Wow, I had heard that a company had taken over parts manufacturing for Mooney, but I had no idea it was in Prineville! Thanks for that tip @Fritz1.

And on a driving-only day, I'll look for the shop at TTD. Thanks for that @Ragsf15e and I'll let you know if a GEG trip is in order... though it'd probably be a 5 hour round trip in the Archer 

The comments about comfort are definitely reassuring. I'm someone who vastly prefers lower-stance cars and station wagons to the trucks that have overrun the US, so it sounds like the seating position and close dash might be more likely to make me feel at home than scare me off.

[Fritz1]

the most nimble ones are the short bodies, almost as nimble as a V-tail Bonanza, which was designed by the same guy, but with with much less drama, the proof of the pudding will be test flying one, and then test fly different models, simple way to do that is go airplane shopping, may take you a while to figure out what you want and then find it, very emotional decision, the guys who flew Spitfires claimed you did not get into them, but strapped them on...

[wombat]

My M20K (Mid-body) is at KTTD at Advanced Aircraft just finishing up the annual right now.   I'll be there (hopefully) next week to pick it up and you are welcome to try sitting in it and getting in and out of it.

[acfoltzer]

@wombat thank you, that sounds excellent! Should I send a PM to figure out a time to meet up, or just plan to visit Advanced before next week?

[Utah20Gflyer]

As someone who is 6’2” I find my Mooney very comfortable once seated but it is tight and a bit awkward getting in and out.  That’s typically about 30 seconds per flight combined, so not a big deal.  It’s about the same though as getting into a piper.  I do find Cessna aircraft easier to get in and out of but can’t seem to motivate myself to upgrade to a Centurion which is pretty much the only Cessna model that interests me.   A recent insurance quote that was 3x what I pay for the Mooney kicked that idea down the road a ways.  It would also be tough to part with my Mooney after 4-5 years of ownership.  It’s a nice plane that I enjoy flying quite a bit.  

[wombat]

13 hours ago, acfoltzer said:

@wombat thank you, that sounds excellent! Should I send a PM to figure out a time to meet up, or just plan to visit Advanced before next week?

Let's chat privately.   I don't know for sure when I'll be down there, but as soon as I know I'll let you know so we can coordinate times.

[good2eat]

I have a J hangared at Redmond, happy host you if you want to or plan to come this way.