Looking for someone to ferry M20C to WA

[DaveL]

Hi All,

I just purchased an old M20C from a guy in Phoenix. The plane is at Falcon Field (FFZ), and since I'm still finishing my Private I'm looking for a cost-effective way to get the plane from AZ to Paine Field in Everett, WA. I've been quoted $200 per day plus per diem and a one way ticket back, but the guy wants to take two days to do it (It looks like an eight hour flight). Any ideas?

Thank you,

Dave

[Bolter]

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[MooneyMitch]

Tell us more about the airplane please.  Pre-buy accomplished?    Weather permitting, it sure could be done in 1 day.

 

[DaveL]

Quote: Mitch

Tell us more about the airplane please. Pre-buy accomplished? Weather permitting, it sure could be done in 1 day.

 

[rob]

Quote: DaveL

 

[Ron McBride]

Looks like a long 1 day trip, if the fuel stop works out well.

Ron

[DaV8or]

I think I have to agree with the first estimate. I'd do it in two days too. I theory it can be done in one day, if all goes to plan, you fly direct and you don't mind a really long day. You have to figure a very thourough preflight. A gas stop with lunch. Maybe not a absolutely direct route for safety and then the whole dispatch and delivery of the plane to the owner. In my experience, when you're excited about a project, time estimates tend to be much shorter than reality. In the real world, things take way longer than you imagine in your mind. And who knows? Maybe this plane is really annoying to fly.

To the OP- I think two days is reasonable, but if you can get it done for you in one and save money, then sure, go for it. However, the experience of the ferry pilot and their ability to complete the mission is far more important than how many days it takes IMO.

[FloridaMan]

Also, and I know it's a crappy thing to suggest, but, both on the part of the ferry pilot and you, the buyer, make sure that you have a plan to get the pilot back home in the event something fails. I purchased an absolutely pristine -- definitely one of the, if not the, nicest -- M20Fs a couple months ago. Impeccable maintenance history, et cetera, et cetera. We stopped for fuel halfway back and had to leave it because of a dead magneto. Instantly a relatively cheap ferry flight immediately cost me another 700$ just to get myself and my checkout/ferry pilot back, in addition to the repair. 

The one thing you can plan on in aviation is that something you did not plan on will happen some time when you don't plan on anything happening. Just keep this factored in. 

[carusoam]

Weird things happen...

On my first flight in my Ovation back from TX, we stopped for fuel, there was an accident on the runway, that closed the whole airport overnight.

My one day trip turned into two hotels for me and my pilot.

I got all kinds of experience with an experienced flight instructor.  Eight hours of X-country flying in your new to you airplane is an excellent experience.

You are paying for it anyway, you might as well learn from the experience.

Consider it like paying for insurance, it's worth it.

Enjoy the trip, observe and take notes.

Do you have a portable GPS?  You will want one...

Best regards,

-a-

[N9660M]

Dave, I'd be willing to bring it home so long as all the logs are in order.  I live on the south side of Seattle, near Pierce County/Thun Field (PLU), so travel wise would save you some $$ since basically would just need a one way ticket from Seattle to Phoenix and a ride home from Paine Field.

Send me a PM if you want to discuss details, but could get it done for significantly less than what you were quoted.  I'm a CFI as well, so if you decide to go along we can get in some X/C training and some hours in your log book that may be helpful for your insurance.

Take care - Jim

[Parker_Woodruff]

2 days at $200/day isn't a bad rate at all.  A lot goes into these trips..but you need to make sure you're hiring someone who is competent in Mooneys (and meets your insurance requirements as either a Named Pilot or falls under the Open Pilot Warranty).

[drapo]

Quote: Parker_Woodruff

but you need to make sure you're hiring someone who is competent in Mooneys (and meets your insurance requirements as either a Named Pilot or falls under the Open Pilot Warranty).