Questions about GA Aircraft Choice/Purchase?

Question

I'm embarking on my PPL journey and am really excited about it. I plan on doing both the VFR and IFR certifications (for my safety and that of those who fly with me someday). I'm always a forward thinker and have been looking at possible future planes should I decide to rent. It would seem that Mooneys have a higher cruise speed and similar GPH burn rates as many Piper and Cessna models. I am wondering if someone with 75-100 flight hours can fly a Mooney M20C or if this is biting of more plane than can be chewed, so to speak, due to its performance characteristics. Is this more plane than a person should fly with that amount of logged time? Opinions? Or should I stick with a Cherokee 180, Archer or Warrior for my 1st plane consideration?

Answer 1

Sure.  A Mooney is not too tricky for a private pilot with 75-100 hours.  It's a complex airplane, so you'll need a type checkout.

Mooneys are, of course, very economical for the speed you can get, but being slender is a good idea.  To see what I mean, go sit in one.  They are somewhat sardine can-like.

Answer 2

After 17 hours, I was flying my first solo on my Kitfox homebuilt aircraft. The Kitfox is a two-seater taildragger that is has a very short fuselage. It is one of the most difficult plane to fly: adverse yaw, you must fly with the pedals all the time, landing is always on the edge of the ground loop.

The reason I write that is not to brag about my piloting qualities, only to illustrate that "flying" is a lot of things. The actual "aviating" of a Mooney (that I never flew!) is certainly not different nor difficult than any other plane. Navigation and flight planning is certainly not different either. ATC and radio communication is the same for any aircraft.

So, my humble opinion is that you should start your private pilot license and keep the future open. If being up in the air, free like a bird, is what you want, you can do it very cheap. If you are American (as I think) the Sport Pilot License might be for you. Of course, no IFR but ... do you really want it? It's really putting a lot of money in a license and a certified aircraft in order to be able to fly in the clouds. And even if you and your aircraft are IFR certified, it is not everywhere you'll find ILS to land on. Some days and some places are closed for all pilots.

Good luck with your PPL.

Answer 3

An M20J would be a nice bird to own, and certainly faster than my 172N (which I flight plan at 108 knots).  But they are quite cozy.  If you are interested in owning a plane, the primary consideration will be the thickness of your wallet -- especially with avgas around five bucks a gallon.  I expect that any of these -- Mooney, Cessna, or Piper -- would be suitable for instruction.  Get over to your handy FBO and inquire further.

Answer 4

I'm in the same position as you, and was actually looking at a Cessna 210 last week.

However, my instructor gave me some good advice, and I'll pass it on to you.

First, you're a student.  You're going to be beating the plane pretty good when you're landing, over and over again, in order to get proficient and get your license.  It can be pretty abusive on a plane.  Do you really want to do this in YOUR plane, when you can do it in someone elses?

Second, you should figure out what you like first.  Fly the Cessna (high wing) and some low wing aircraft too.  Figure out what your pattern will be - will you be going on longer trips or just short ones?  Will you want to do more acrobatic type thing, or just get from place to place?  How many passengers do you want to carry?  What can you afford?  

It's a huge investment - get out there in a few before you buy.

Good luck -