I finally bought a Mooney - YEAH!!!

[FlyDave]

After looking at numerous planes for 2-3 years my quest for a Mooney is complete.

I had been looking at a very nice Mooney in Phoenix, had flown it, looked through the books and reviewed them a bit with my mechanic and was getting ready to get the prebuy done when last Saturday I looked one more time at airplanes for sale in my usual haunts on the internet. Parusing Controller, I found, what looked like a very nice 201 (and I was right!!) in Camarillo - only 50 miles from my home base. So on Sunday I went out to look at and fly it. I made an offer on the spot, arranged the prebuy for Thursday and completed the purchase yesterday - Friday. So this last phase of purchasing took 7 days - the fastest pre-owned aircraft sale Channel Islands aviation has ever seen.

The long and the short of this purchase is that I have been in the market for a long time and had looked at a lot of planes. When I saw this plane I knew that if the prebuy went well, this was the plane I was going to buy. I got a hangar (this is just icing on the cake after tying down for 5 years) and my new plane, N1160N, is tucked nicely away every night in her own house.

I've flew about 3.5 hours with my instructor yesterday and am flying a bunch more this weekend and an XC for work on Monday.

This is MUCH more airplane than a Cherokee - and I LOVE IT!! It climbs at 500 fpm at the IAS that the Cherokee cruises at, cruises at 157 kts TAS/11 gph @ 7500' without breaking a sweat  and the descent GS is easily 180 kts.. Twice, because of this descent GS I have blown past an airport that I thought was still miles ahead - this is increadible!!! Getting used to this speed is fun - but it takes some getting used to.

The plane is equipped with more that I ever thought I'd have: 1982 201, Original but nice paint, 2001 Leather interior - very nice!, GNS-430 (I have to do a WAAS upgrade), KFC-200 (WOW!!!), King HSI (slaved), FT-101, WX-10 Stormscope, GEM engine monitor which I'll replace with a JPI, Speedbrakes, inflatable door seal.

Attached are a couple of pictures from Controller. I'll be posting my own over the next couple of weeks.

[hansel]

Sweet!! Nice ride, Dave! And just in time for all the fun Mooney events coming up.

"Oh, the places you'll go!"

Congratulations!

(BTW- are you based at KEMT? I learned to fly there with the caltech/JPL flying club years ago-- lots of fond memories departing special VFR because of "haze" )

[N6784N]

lucky you, i saw this plane for sale and wished i could buy it. have fun with it

[FlyDave]

Quote: hansel

(BTW- are you based at KEMT? I learned to fly there with the caltech/JPL flying club years ago-- lots of fond memories departing special VFR because of "haze" )

[Buster1]

Nice work, congrats.

[hansel]

Quote: FlyDave

Yes - based at EMT. I have quite a few friends that fly the CalTech/JPL club planes.

[piperpainter]

Gigidy gigidy! Awesome!!!!! congrats!

[fantom]

What a great feeling it must be....enjoy!

[231Pilot]

Congratulations!  I love my '82 201 too.  Wish I had those speedbrakes.  You are going to love this aircraft.

[LuvFlying]

Yeeee HAAAAA!!!   Congratulations.  Your patients paid off.  I've got about 50 hours in my new bird and I'm loving her more and more each flight. So capable. So steady.  So FAST!

[LFOD]

Beautiful aircraft. Congratulations!

[mooneygirl]

What a wonderful feeling to get the plane of your dreams. I did the MOONEY Dance when I got Maggie my E model.  If you are looking to show off your new bird, check out our display schedule on the Mooney Ambassadors website. We would love to have you.

http://www.MooneyAmbassadors.com

[skyking]

Dave: Way to go.

As i have said many times. I wish i bought mine years ago. You are gonna love it.

Have fun and safe flying

Russ

[MB_M20F]

Congrats, Dave, glad to hear you finally found your Mooney. Let's go do some flying together very soon.

Morten

[MooneyMitch]

Terrific Dave!  Glad you found your Mooney so close to home too.  That's a major convenience.  Bring that Mooney to the Oceano Airport Celebration Day, May 8 at L52.  It's going to be a fun day for flying!  Have fun.

[FlyingAggie]

Dave,

Congratulations.  She is an awesome find. 

Coincidentally, I have been on a Mooney hunt for the last 2.5 years and I became a Mooney owner on the same day as you.

Don Kaye is to deliver my plane from CA on Tuesday and I hope to have my first transition lesson on Wednesday.  We will have to compare notes.

Alan

 

 

[drpep]

Dave, there seems to be Mooney fever going on here. Your new acquisition got my addiction unleashed again to find a 201. I currently own a 67 20E and it is a terrific bird. Nonetheless, I have always wanted to get a 201 even 10 years ago when I had a 76 20F. 

When I looked at the pics on Controller I had a sense that there really were finds out there. So heres to you Dave in your new ownership! Many many exciting times are ahead for you I am sure.

Philip

[FlyDave]

Quote: MB_M20F

Congrats, Dave, glad to hear you finally found your Mooney. Let's go do some flying together very soon.

Morten

[FlyDave]

Quote: FlyingAggie

Dave,

Congratulations.  She is an awesome find. 

Coincidentally, I have been on a Mooney hunt for the last 2.5 years and I became a Mooney owner on the same day as you.

Don Kaye is to deliver my plane from CA on Tuesday and I hope to have my first transition lesson on Wednesday.  We will have to compare notes.

Alan

 

 

[FlyDave]

Quote: drpep

Dave, there seems to be Mooney fever going on here. Your new acquisition got my addiction unleashed again to find a 201. I currently own a 67 20E and it is a terrific bird. Nonetheless, I have always wanted to get a 201 even 10 years ago when I had a 76 20F. 

When I looked at the pics on Controller I had a sense that there really were finds out there. So heres to you Dave in your new ownership! Many many exciting times are ahead for you I am sure.

Philip

[Jeff_S]

Way to go Dave. It seems like aircraft sales activity is starting to pick back up. As a relatively new member to the Mooney club I can only say I hope you enjoy yours as much as I'm starting to enjoy mine.