OK I'm doing a little research project. Any of you guys know anything about airplanes? I have been looking at them online, and I like the Mooney M20's. Any bad info on moony's? I like the idea of the retractable gear. seems like it has a positive impact on spped and efficiancy.

Comperable models with retractable gear, 4 place, single engine, reliable, and good resale value?

Also, I'm going to want to add some nice electronics, suggestions on that as well.

Good call acting like you care about landing gear. No one will ever see you coming!!!111one

Good call acting like you care about landing gear. No one will ever see you coming!!!111one

wtf?:confused

M20 is a good platform. They are small inside though. To get a pair of 160lb guys up front they will be rubbing shoulders. They are quite fast though.

Mooney's are really pricey too.

Really depends on what you need it to do. Are you trying to get to Kansas City in 4 hrs or so? Are you willing to pay the extra money in insurance for a complex/retractable gear aircraft as opposed to just getting a bigger motor on a fixed gear platform(like a Cherokee 235 or a C182).

Edit: Just as an FYI, on a summer day, with full fuel, luggage, and 4 people, your mooney wont get off the ground. A 4 place airplane with under about 235 hp on it will gross out before you can get up.

If you REALLY want a true 4 adult, single engine, retractable airplane with good resale, look into the C210 Centurian, the Old Commanche 250(or 400 if you really wanna move).

Another option is an older Bonanza. Beechcraft are the Mercedes of private aircraft. They are expensive, but they are built well. Look into an older V35(I don't think the A36 was released yet)

One like this (http://adcache.aerotraderonline.com/2/1/7/86591317.htm) is a good deal..has a nice instrument panel on it, and has the dual yoke's(rare in older Beach aircraft), has about another 1000hrs on the engine before before another overhaul.

M20 is a good platform. They are small inside though. To get a pair of 160lb guys up front they will be rubbing shoulders. They are quite fast though.

Mooney's are really pricey too.

Really depends on what you need it to do. Are you trying to get to Kansas City in 4 hrs or so? Are you willing to pay the extra money in insurance for a complex/retractable gear aircraft as opposed to just getting a bigger motor on a fixed gear platform(like a Cherokee 235 or a C182).

Edit: Just as an FYI, on a summer day, with full fuel, luggage, and 4 people, your mooney wont get off the ground. A 4 place airplane with under about 235 hp on it will gross out before you can get up.

If you REALLY want a true 4 adult, single engine, retractable airplane with good resale, look into the C210 Centurian, the Old Commanche 250(or 400 if you really wanna move).

Another option is an older Bonanza. Beechcraft are the Mercedes of private aircraft. They are expensive, but they are built well. Look into an older V35(I don't think the A36 was released yet)

One like this (http://adcache.aerotraderonline.com/2/1/7/86591317.htm) is a good deal..has a nice instrument panel on it, and has the dual yoke's(rare in older Beach aircraft), has about another 1000hrs on the engine before before another overhaul.


I don't care for the split tail on the beech as far as looks go. how does it handle? It looks like a 6 place, if it is that would be a nice bonus. What is true speed on something like that at say 75%? what about consumption?

wtf?:confusedHa.. didn't think you would catch that. Several of the terrorists responsible for the 911 hyjacking and piloting went to pilot school here in the USA... and most of their teachers after the fact for whatever reason didn't think it was odd.. nor were they worried.. that NONE of them were the least bit interested in landing or landing gear.

Ha.. didn't think you would catch that. Several of the terrorists responsible for the 911 hyjacking and piloting went to pilot school here in the USA... and most of their teachers after the fact for whatever reason didn't think it was odd.. nor were they worried.. that NONE of them were the least bit interested in landing or landing gear.

I'm in my planez, circlin' yor hoodz. :shifty


Thanks for the info Justin, I like the looks of the Piper, and it has a 6 place configuration which would work better.

Those moony's are very nice. I would love to get my pilots license one day. My dad and his business partner are looking at an Eclipse at the moment. Man those little guys are nice!! Would be the bomb to be able to pilot one of those.

So, what you trying to smuggle?

I don't care for the split tail on the beech as far as looks go. how does it handle? It looks like a 6 place, if it is that would be a nice bonus. What is true speed on something like that at say 75%? what about consumption?

Typical Cruise on a V35 is roughly bout 165mph while running at cruise(not sure on what rpm/manifold pressure that is) The Bonanza is a 4 person airplane, there great to travel in.

If you want a good solid airplane, look into a Cherokee 235(also known as a Piper Dakota in the later 80's models)
235hp, fixed gear, cruise about 13gallons/hr, has extended range tanks, easy to fly etc.
Or a Cessna 182. Its Cessna's competitor to the Cheroeke 235. It has the 6-cyl Lycoming I0-540(IIRC), cranks 235 hp, stuff as much shit as you want into it and tie the rest to the tail hooks and be on your way. They cruise about 150-155mph(125-130kts)

Be wary of retract gear. The motors add alot of weight, and they are more to insure.
Look around for some 80's model Cherokee 235's, Cherokee 6's, C182(Q was a good model).

If you want a plane just to take the wife up and go bore holes in the sky, you can pick up a Piper Warrior 2 (160hp over the 150hp motor) for $60k all day long. But if you want a TRUE 4 adult airplane that you can fly somewhere, look into the C182 or Cherokee 235.

Like I said, it all depends on what you need the plane to do. You can buy an old Cherokee 140 with 4 seats in it...but it will never get off the ground with 3 adults in it. If you really want a 6 person airplane. Look into the more expensive Models (such as a C210, or Cherokee 6) But remember, those things all have ~300hp motors that drink $15ga/hr...and I think 100LL Av gas is kissing the $6 mark at some airports like Addison.


Just an FYI: I got my Pilots License when I was 17, and got my Multi-Engine raiting at 18. I am current right now, so if you wanna split the cost of a C182(Addison rents em for like...$120/hr or something) I'd be happy to take ya up and let you get a feel for it. Remember, these are airplanes not BMW's. They dont "handle" as quickly as youd like. You input a movement, then wait for the aircraft to react. If you want a fast ass little M3 for the sky that you can't put 4 people and luggage in, look into a RV-4.

Typical Cruise on a V35 is roughly bout 165mph while running at cruise(not sure on what rpm/manifold pressure that is) The Bonanza is a 4 person airplane, there great to travel in.

If you want a good solid airplane, look into a Cherokee 235(also known as a Piper Dakota in the later 80's models)
235hp, fixed gear, cruise about 13gallons/hr, has extended range tanks, easy to fly etc.
Or a Cessna 182. Its Cessna's competitor to the Cheroeke 235. It has the 6-cyl Lycoming I0-540(IIRC), cranks 235 hp, stuff as much shit as you want into it and tie the rest to the tail hooks and be on your way. They cruise about 150-155mph(125-130kts)

Be wary of retract gear. The motors add alot of weight, and they are more to insure.
Look around for some 80's model Cherokee 235's, Cherokee 6's, C182(Q was a good model).

If you want a plane just to take the wife up and go bore holes in the sky, you can pick up a Piper Warrior 2 (160hp over the 150hp motor) for $60k all day long. But if you want a TRUE 4 adult airplane that you can fly somewhere, look into the C182 or Cherokee 235.

Like I said, it all depends on what you need the plane to do. You can buy an old Cherokee 140 with 4 seats in it...but it will never get off the ground with 3 adults in it. If you really want a 6 person airplane. Look into the more expensive Models (such as a C210, or Cherokee 6) But remember, those things all have ~300hp motors that drink $15ga/hr...and I think 100LL Av gas is kissing the $6 mark at some airports like Addison.


Just an FYI: I got my Pilots License when I was 17, and got my Multi-Engine raiting at 18. I am current right now, so if you wanna split the cost of a C182(Addison rents em for like...$120/hr or something) I'd be happy to take ya up and let you get a feel for it. Remember, these are airplanes not BMW's. They dont "handle" as quickly as youd like. You input a movement, then wait for the aircraft to react. If you want a fast ass little M3 for the sky that you can't put 4 people and luggage in, look into a RV-4.

I'm loooking for something to fit 4-6 people in for long trips (Kansas city is actually one the destinations, Baja Mexico, Houston, San Diego) I also want to be able to just jump in and fly up to Oklahoma to go pig hunting.

I'd like to be able to go 165mph to actually make it worth using for trips to Houston and such. I'd also be using it to take clients on trips after I got some decent time under my belt.

On teh rental, is that wet or dry? $120 hr wet would be nice, but I doubt it will be that. When is a good time to do the rental? I'm booked this weekend with entertaining, next I have to go to Abilene to help my parents finish a remodel, but the one after that I'm free.

I'm loooking for something to fit 4-6 people in for long trips (Kansas city is actually one the destinations, Baja Mexico, Houston, San Diego) I also want to be able to just jump in and fly up to Oklahoma to go pig hunting.

I'd like to be able to go 165mph to actually make it worth using for trips to Houston and such. I'd also be using it to take clients on trips after I got some decent time under my belt.

On teh rental, is that wet or dry? $120 hr wet would be nice, but I doubt it will be that. When is a good time to do the rental? I'm booked this weekend with entertaining, next I have to go to Abilene to help my parents finish a remodel, but the one after that I'm free.

I rented a C172 out in Rockwall for $70/hr wet. When I did my complex training, they got a 180hp arrow that is $90/hr wet.

Im busy this weekend but lemme know when is good for you.

There is a guy that I used to fly with that has a C182 that flys down to Houston about once a month to see his kids. Most the airplanes you are looking at have about 4hrs of endurance(except the Cherokee 235. They have tip-tanks)

Look into some C182's..there roomy inside, amazing instrument platforms etc.
I'm a shorter guy, so I always liked piper more(they have shorter panels)

San Diego is a hard flight in a little plane, ESPECIALLY over mountains. You are going to be near the limits of a NA engine(~12k feet with luggage) not to mention over 11,500 you need to be on o2.

Seriously, if you plan on flying into the Mountains, look into a Turbo-C182. They drink a lil more, but they have onboard oxygen, and you can take it up for 20,000ft or so.

For a 2000NM trip to San Diego, its FAR eaiser to just hop on the big bird and be there in 3 hrs.

Based on what you've told me, just look into some of the high-end turbo'd 4 seaters. Look into the Turbo C182, Piper Saratoga's are Turbo'd, a T210, or a Cherokee 6 that someone turbo'd.

In all honesty, if you plan on putting 5 adults in something and moving, you need to be looking at some of the light twins. ESPECIALLY if you plan on making longer trips(like to San Diego or Baja).
I'm a Huge Fan of the C310. Stay away from the 400 series on Cessna...right now they have some like $20k AD out on them for a wing spar that COULD be, but probably won't be extended down to the 300's.

The Baron is always fun, look into a C337 Skymaster(push/pull configuration).

For $180k, you can get a bad ass Navajo..thats a cabin-class aircraft that can seat 6 in luxury. I know a guy that can stretch his Navajo non-stop from Tyler to Las Vegas cruising around $8k feet.

I need to get into a single first. I have a guy who is an A&P willing to do my certs and the training I need (cert instructor as well) so I'm looking to buy a small project type plane that might need electronics, maybe a TBO or major, and some interior, then cut him loose on it, learn to fly, upgrade it and sell it and move up to a twin after flipping a few singles. I have 2 other partners (one being the A&P) with funds ready, but I'm about a month or two from being ready. We would like to keep our budget at about $30k each, so if we could find a plane for $60k then we would have $30k for maint, and upgrades (which will go fast if it needs a panel upgrade)

Mostly I want to be able to have the option to jump in a plane and haul ass to where ever I feel like. My family lives in Abilene, wifes live in Houston, and our friends are all over the country (Kansas, S. Carolina, New York, L.A., etc)

I need to get into a single first. I have a guy who is an A&P willing to do my certs and the training I need (cert instructor as well) so I'm looking to buy a small project type plane that might need electronics, maybe a TBO or major, and some interior, then cut him loose on it, learn to fly, upgrade it and sell it and move up to a twin after flipping a few singles. I have 2 other partners (one being the A&P) with funds ready, but I'm about a month or two from being ready. We would like to keep our budget at about $30k each, so if we could find a plane for $60k then we would have $30k for maint, and upgrades (which will go fast if it needs a panel upgrade)

Mostly I want to be able to have the option to jump in a plane and haul ass to where ever I feel like. My family lives in Abilene, wifes live in Houston, and our friends are all over the country (Kansas, S. Carolina, New York, L.A., etc)

For a great single engine starter that can be had cheap, and fixed up cheap-look into a Piper Warrior II.

The market is usually really good for Warriors, they are a really good entry level plane, and all the C172's are banged up my flight schools.

I got a buddy of mine, that flys a V35. He bought it, had it re-painted, new panel put in, and I think hes got right at $100k in the aircraft, but she is beautifull.
http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/jetter2/Flying/LNC_N7322B.jpg

I took this one at the Fly-in Cafe' at Lancaster Airport.
Same airport, heres the C182..

http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/jetter2/Flying/LNC_N735ND.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/jetter2/Flying/N735ND_PNL.jpg