Going from Wannabe to Newbie

[richc22]

Experienced Mooney (Moooniacs);
I have to opportunity to buy a low time 67 Mooney with low hours for low bucks. Flying time? 11 hours in a 172 20+ yrs ago with frequent 'rides' in between (to keep the dream alive). My questions are;
The radios/transponder have been harvested, seller (and friend) recommends Garmin, your feedback appreciated.

I have been reading up on the Mooney, landing appears to be the area where most issues have occured, followed by high altitude oxygen related problems.

Open to input as my flying background is minimal...

Plane use will be recreational, possibly 900 mile jaunts to prospective vacation area.

Thanks

[tazmaniac0350]

I bought a 68 m20c a few months ago and love it. i noticed the landings were not harder then a piper or anything else but the landing speed changes dramatically even by adding a extra 150 in the back seat. so when you have a full load make sure you land with power on. i hope if you replace the avionics if you can afford it try to upgrade the panel and have them reconfigure to the T panel but garmin is a good choice.

good luck
jeff

[Dantilla]

Mooneys are great airplanes. They will teach you speed control. Just a few knots fast on landing, and you will float along a couple feet above the runway for a long time due to their efficient wing. Do NOT try to force it on, as you may induce porpising. Just slow down a bit, and Mooneys land great. No problem whatsoever if you are based at an airport with a long runway. Just don't try to get into a short strip until you are very familiar with it.

For this airplane, get firm prices for new radios installed. You can easilly spend more on new avionics than the purchase price of a "low bucks" early Mooney. Even if you find some nice radios used, the cash can disappear quickly when having them properly installed.

[Dantilla]

Something else to check before purchasing this airplane- Can you get adequate insurance? For a reasonable price? Some insurance companies don't like writing policies for low-time pilots in a retractable-gear airplane. It would be a real bummer to buy this airplane, then have it sit on the ground without radios and insurance.

[ajw22]

Flying time? 11 hours in a 172 20+ yrs ago with frequent 'rides' in between (to keep the dream alive).

Do you have a private pilots certificate or do you intend to do training in the M20C?

A Mooney is not a good trainer.