Sometimes I think about other airplanes

[hansel]

Don’t tell my J, but it’s true. Like the other day I saw this C340 parked on the ramp and I thought “sweet.” And then there was the Duke, and I was like “wow, look at those lines! winglets too!”

 

Is this normal? Do we always want what we can’t have (pressurization; known-ice, etc.)? Maybe my J and I just need some alone time on a nice long cross-country?

[flight2000]

Don't feel bad, I cruise through ASO, Barnstormers, and Controller all the time.  I'd love to have a twin, but I'm happy with my bird.  Now if I win the lottery, all bets are off.

You're Normal...

Brian

[mooneygirl]

You guys are breaking my heart.  HA.  I do love to look at other types of airplanes.  That is part of the reason I like AirVenture so much.  But for this Mooneygirl...well I guess the name says it all.

[FlyDave]

I flew a C421 with a friend (retired AA pilot, 20,000+ hours) a few weeks ago. My impression of this plane and flying it was two words:

Magic Carpet

I don't have my 201 yet but since I do own a Cherokee, the 201 is what I pine after right now.

Financially, unless a winning lottery ticket falls into my fat little fingers I really don't think a C421 is in the cards for me - but that doesn't mean I won't look longingly at one when I see it (or be pissed off when one out-climbs and passes me like I'm falling out of the sky backwards).

[LFOD]

You and me both my friend.  I feel it would be "un-American"  to be completely content with what you have... Ungrading to an Acclaim is one of many reasons that I get my ass out of bed for work every morning.

[Guest Anonymous]

Quote: flight2000

Don't feel bad, I cruise through ASO, Barnstormers, and Controller all the time.  I'd love to have a twin, but I'm happy with my bird.  Now if I win the lottery, all bets are off.

You're Normal...

Brian

[MooneyMitch]

This airplane is more than I ever dreamed of flying.  It is, more than likely, my last airplane as well, and I could not be more thrilled and I cannot imagine myself wanting anything more.  It is my dream come true!!  Most humbly yours, MooneyMitch!

[Ned Gravel]

Well paint me un-whatever (in a friendly way of course). I do not want another bird.  Just this one.  But perhaps with a few more goodies than it has now.  I love my girl, but our Mooney is the best tool I could ever have to fly - a thing I really love to do.  This Mooney is most efficient, most comfortable, most stable, most capable (and also sufficiently demanding of my skills).  Did it forget most bragging rights?

Win the lottery? Oh yeah.  Go to Town!!

201 winshield, LoPresti cowl, M20 Turbo normaliser, alternater replacement kit for the generator, rotate the brakes to the back of the wheels. Overlapping gear doors (comes with the Lopresti kit). Glass panel Aspen or G600. Redundant everything - Wx, Stormscope, radar altimeter, 430WAAS, SL30, KR 87, (already have the STEC 50). Find some other way to raise the step so that I can remove the vacuum pump.  Gap seals and fairings everywhere.  New interior.  New paint (seen some interesting designs from our members here lately).

But this bird and no other. Even all decked out with all the bells and whistles, it is still a 1965 E model, one of the two best years for that model.  Still draws wonder from other pilots at the club when we fly in it.

My girl is actually 8 years older than our Mooney, but she really likes what our bird does too. On cross country trips, from about 10 minutes after rotation and for the next 30 minutes, she is normally asleep in the right seat. Our Mooney puts my girl to sleep so she can wake up and enjoy the scenery for the remainder of the trip.  Who can ask for more?

---end of rant---

[dlthig]

I think that you are normal.  I'm constantly going between a M20J/K and a V35.  I like the fuel burn of the J/K but the load of the V35.  I'm still gathering data and waiting for a little more stability in the economy before I pull the trigger.  I guess I'll keep flying my ole' fatgirl (a term of great affection, she is a bit girthy). 

 Ohh, how I covet the smell of 100LL, mmm...

[LuvFlying]

I had a really good laugh with the subject line.  I with cha on this one.

Twins do nothing for me.
The Piper Meridian on the other hand.... I lust after.

But what about the FUN catagory.  We can have our Mooneys and a FUN bird too, yes?

Nothing I'd like more in my hangar next to my 205 than a restored J-3 Cub or a Pits

 

It's fun to dream.

 

[Kwixdraw]

I used to lust after the V tailed Beech but tooling around in a friends P-35 taught me that my J was a lot easier to live with. Not near as prone to those breathlessly expensive annuals.  I really like it better when my backseaters feel nice and comfortable and don't use up a couple of little blue bags when the air isn't super smooth.  If there is anything I really lust after these days it will be something I build myself. Maybe a MustangII or an RV-8.

[231Pilot]

There are two Harmon Rockets based at my airport (KAWM) and they are outrageously fast, sexy airplanes.  I'd love to have one, but I'll always have to have a Mooney (as long as I am able to safely operate an aircraft).

[jlunseth]

My dream is an Acclaim S with known ice.  If I won the lottery I might have a second plane big enough to haul the whole family around, but for hopping in and going somewhere on a moments notice, no, it would probably have to be a Mooney. 

[Lood]

I also think about other airplanes now and then and then I go sit down to do the maths. And everytime, the answer is the same. There are very few aircraft that beats even my M20F when it comes to economics - not even mentioning the M20J. So I now keep thinking about a J and don't think that's too bad - why, I'm at least staying in the family.

[Jeff_S]

Well, I just got my J so that's the plane I've been dreaming about for awhile now. Of course, as I work through the growing pains of learning the idiosyncrasies of this new bird, I sometimes dream about the Warrior I sold which I knew like the back of my hand.  But it's only a matter of time...

[Earl]

I have to admit I am a Trade-a-Plane and Controller junkie.  I love to look at other planes.  When I am being somewhat realistic I look at the A36, especially when I think about a family trip in the Mooney which just isn't going to happen.  When I am in semi-fantasy mode I look at the TBM's (yes even the 850).  When I totally lose my mind I look at the Cessna Mustang, CJ series, etc.  I love my Mooney but there are certain missions that just don't work.  Two adults, some luggage and full fuel and I am at gross.

[fantom]

One's plane needs to fit their mission profile, and my J fits mine well. Even winning the lotto wouldn't change that. For long trips requiring a toilet, standing up and oxygen, I'd have Delta First Class or NetJets.

As for day dreaming, with due respect to mooneygirl:

[skyking]

EHScott: what is your useful load?

I get 2 adults, 2 kids, overnight bags and full fuel to get to within 50 LBS of gross.

[flight2000]

I just did a quick computation and I'm the same as skyking.  2 adults, 2 kids, and 100 pounds in the baggage compartment with a full fuel load (52 gallons).  I still have 93 pounds left over before reaching the max gross weight.

Brian

[PTK]

All you people who think about other airplanes need to do some simple arithmetic and read some more.  The J is absolutely the fastest, the most economical.  Tell me can you beat a solid 160 knots at 10.5 gph?? These are numbers the other airplanes can only dream about.  I also dare say the best load hauler.  Some may disagree with me on the load but read some and you will see it actually is!!  I'm comparing it of course to similar class airplanes, V35, arrow and the like. And I haven't even mentioned its impecable handling and safety record.

 

Why would you even look at another airplane??!!

[skyking]

Allsmiles...thats why we all LOVE our Mooneys. I kick my own butt every day for not buying one sooner.!

[Earl]

Quote: skyking

EHScott: what is your useful load?

I get 2 adults, 2 kids, overnight bags and full fuel to get to within 50 LBS of gross.

[RJBrown]

Don't tell my MSE but I still miss my old Rocket, except in the wallet.

[skyking]

ehscott: I can only carry 49 gallons. I have a useful load of 1050 pounds.

So with 2 grown-ups, 2 grandkids i can still get full fuel and 100 pounds baggage.

[KLRDMD]

Quote: allsmiles

The J is absolutely the fastest, the most economical.  Tell me can you beat a solid 160 knots at 10.5 gph??