10 Years of Mooney Ownership - How I Got Into Mooneys!
Ten years into having my Mooney M20J, I'd like to share with you how I was first introduced to Mooneys! This video is the story of how I heard of a Mooney, where I learned more about the clever engineering that went into the 201, other airplanes I considered, and about the day I bought my 201.
The first time I ever heard of a Mooney was Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000. One of the included airplanes was a Mooney M20M Bravo and it quickly became my favorite. By 2005 I was learning to fly gliders and soon after airplanes as well. In 2010, I came across an article in Flying Magazine about the Mooney 201. It was my first insight into the 201 and made such an impression that when I was ready to buy an airplane in 2011, nothing else could satisfy my interest like a Mooney M20J!
When shopping for an airplane, I considered a V tail Beechcraft Bonanza, a Piper Comanche, or even a Bellanca Viking. I knew right away that a Cessna was out of the question. But, even these other high performance airplanes just would not satisfy my appreciation of aerodynamic efficiency stemming from a glider background.
I had not set foot in a Mooney until the day I was buying one. And even then, I ended up riding backseat. Being new to airplane ownership, I opted to let my buying broker fly up front with the selling broker to check all the system functions and airplane performance. Due to weather and time constraints, I did not get to fly my Mooney until after I bought it. I'm happy to say it's the best aviation decision I ever made and I'm still flying the same airplane today. Although you might not recognize it with new engine, paint, and interior!
I have taken this airplane coast to coast. Maine, Florida, California, you name it. I have even flown it extensively around Canada and the Caribbean. Come along for my Mooney flying adventures on my Mooney201er KZhead Channel: / mooney201er
Great video! You warmed my heart... I'm not a pilot, but was a Mooney Avionics Technician in Kerrville from 1977 to 1982. At 66 years old, I'm amazed & happy to see that most of Mooneys, that I helped build, are still flying today! Your J's paint scheme is modern & beautiful. Hopefully you've updated your Avionics as well. Thanks again for making this video & sharing your experience!
Thanks for helping build these planes. I have a 77 J so you probably worked on mine!
You would scream to see what someone did to my 81 J wire harness. Im putting it back to the print minus the new avionics going in it. Love my J
When I was shopping, I just knew Mooney was going to be the way I go. I even had a M20F fall out of inspection. Evened up buying a Beechcraft Debonair. It’s a great cross country machine. It’s that said, I still may end up with a Mooney down the road. Who knows?!?!
Those are my thoughts exactly Michael and I totally agree on starting with Gliders then flying power and then moving up to the top of the line Mooney for the best combination of speed utility comfort and unbeatable style you can’t beat the Mooney!
I bought one eight years ago largely because of your early videos. Nice to see you're still in love with yours. I love mine. I just hope Mooney itself maintains in some form or other to keep us going.
It was 2002 when I flew a Mooney, the club my dad was in at the time had just bought one, and we took it to fla, then the v islands we ate the best seafood and flew back, the most memorable weekend that year, we also had a Waco cabin biplane that was cool too in the fleet
I received my license in a Cessna 172 and 4 months later purchased a Mooney M20M TLS Bravo and got signed off, best decision I ever made, make multiple cross country from Tucson to Louisiana often! Great plane, great community of pilots 👍
Agree 100% about your decision to buy a Mooney. Fast enough for personal use, flies and handles better than most trainers, and maintenance is not bad for a complex retractable. Happy flying Mike. Thanks for sharing your adventures on KZhead.
great job, mike. very helpful information here!
Great timing on my part! Thank you for this awesome video.
My man...I'm now even more inspired in getting a mooney after watching your video ...This Friday me and my mechanic are doing the pre-buy inspection on a Mooney M20F Executive with an upgrade on avionics...it's a bit overwhelming and exciting...I sold my Super Decathlon that I flew for 14 years....it's time to do long distance flying! 👍
Wow, we both have the same exact story. 😁 Never flown or sat on M20J, but I bought one from NC and I brought her back to CA. They are truly the best for my mission ❤️. Thanks for sharing your story!
Great review Mike. Like you, I had never even been in a Mooney until I bought one. As I was checking it out, I set the front seat where I would fly and then climbed in the back. At that moment I knew I was in the right plane. More leg room than most cars! I did get a chance to fly out and was blown away compared to the Warrior I had been flying. I have the F model with most of the J speed mods so I’m a bit slower, but still get over 20 mpg. You’ve got to love that efficiency!
When I finally could get into owning an airplane, I bought a Piper Cherokee 180. After several years I found I needed more speed to cover the distances I was flying. With the upgrade, I like you never flown a Mooney and the sat in one at Sun&Fun and said no way, too small. Started looking at other planes and kept returning for a harder look based on the efficiency alone. Set up to buy one on the West Coast and living on the East Coast took a friend that was very familiar with the Mooney. Once there he advised against the purchase and told the Broker, deal was off. They insisted i look at another in the area and it was only a couple miles from the Hotel. Took a look and the next morning getting first time in one flew Coast to Coast on a handshake deal. Hell of an insurance required BFR check-out at night eastbound for 11 hours. That was almost 20 years ago and like you, still enjoy the plane and often say, if I was to build a plane from scratch, the M20J would be the one...
MOONEY IS THE PIONEER IN EFFICIENT AERONAUTICAL DESIGN ahead of its time that modern aircraft companies followed or copied and improved on. Mooney must also adapt to the modern changes in aviation like creating more CARBON FIBER component for their aircraft to lessen assembly time and lessen parts.
Finally got that painted i see, looking good!
I two started as a glider pilot then glider tow pilot built up about 400 hours then in 1966 purchased a 1960 Mark 20A wooden wing with 180 HP. Kept this for about 1000 hours then upgraded to twin camanche, then several Senica and finally a Arostsar 600A. All the aircraft that I picked had to be clean aircraft that were fast/ over the years built up over 5000 hrs but I must say my old wooden money was very clean in fact about 5 mph faster that a newer metal aircraft due to the very clean wooden wing. I could true out at 185 mph in the M 20A. Retired now but follow avaition now on utube and enjoyed your video keep up the good work. Christoper Ottawa Canada
I remember your first video, then posted under 'soarbird' if I am not mistaken. Time flies (no pun intended). Always like your video's Mike. Greatings from The Netherlands
Great video! Well said about the Mooney. I bought my J about a year and a half ago and couldn’t be happier. As you mentioned, it never stops impressing me. Keep the nice videos coming!
Can't beat a 201!
The first time I flew the Mooney was in Microsoft Flight Simulator too. I was tired of flying the 172 and then started flying the Mooney for its fast cross country speed, even on flight sim. Nice airplane.
Way to go Mike! He firmly believes in his 201… best airplane ever! 😃 - a -
Nice. I would absolutely love to own a Money. A little outside of my budget right now unfortunately. If I buy, I will probably wind up with an Arrow or get lucky with a good deal on a Comanche.
So sold me want one.
Where do you keep your Mooney? Planning a trip by NYC stopping at KMTP, Block and Cape Cod on the way to Niagara Falls.
I'm out of Linden but you don't want to go there.
Imagine what would be to fly an Acclaim 😍
I prefer the lever throttle, carb and pitch controls is it possible to get those on the m 20 j ?
The earliest J's (1977 model year only) had them as did the F's.
Hey Mike, how many flight hours do you have now?
Approaching 2000. Mostly in my Mooney.
Almost 2000 hrs?? Wooooow. Where are you? Im just beginning on my mooney journey. I would love to chat with you
Hey I know that airport! That's not NJ, that's PA
Nope. Can't argue with any of your logic Mike. The 201 ticks all my boxes as well.
Guess your expectations didn’t include trying to put fold up bikes through that goofy baggage door. Doesn’t work. Mooney guys are all “rent a car” flyers.
nice video....but it is TWO OH ONE..;)