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DaytonaLynn

Line Up and Wait
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One who misses Daytona!
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Was happening by a little airport west of Houston. There is a Mooney there, 231 special edition. No one around to talk with about it, so
Any one that can shed light on what makes it a Special edition would be appreciated.
I may stop back by to try and get some info, what price range would make for a fair market value?

Thanks.
 
When I was looking at Mooneys I researched that 'special edition' was an upgraded interior. Offered on the 201, 231 and 252.
 
Interesting.
I like the mooney, but man that cockpit is small. I'm 6' 220 and I think it would be cramped.
Did you end up with a mooney?
 
DaytonaLynn said:
Interesting.
I like the mooney, but man that cockpit is small. I'm 6' 220 and I think it would be cramped.
Did you end up with a mooney?
Click to expand...

I'm 5'11 and 210 and always found the Mooney as comfortable as most other four-places I fly. Most are actually wider than a Bonanza which most don't consider cramped.
 
DaytonaLynn said:
Interesting.
I like the mooney, but man that cockpit is small. I'm 6' 220 and I think it would be cramped.
Did you end up with a mooney?
Click to expand...

I'm about the same dimensions and have always been comfortable on my right seat rides in the 201J's.

Ask for some rides to find out for yourself.
 
I have often heard that a Mooney is surprisingly comfortable and roomy once you get in. Did you happen to get the tail number? You can find a good bit of info about specific planes through Google, including the owners name.
 
DaytonaLynn said:
Interesting.
I like the mooney, but man that cockpit is small. I'm 6' 220 and I think it would be cramped.
Did you end up with a mooney?
Click to expand...

Flew a J for a couple of years when I was 6'3 and 240+. Was comfy. Now that I'm lighter I'd be even more comfy. Unless you have a very long torso or a giraffe neck you'll be fine.
 
How are some of you sitting in mooneys and able to call them comfortable? I'm not that wide, and my arm has been jammed into my side on the C's, E's, and J's. The last J I was in, I had to pretend I was Dustin Hoffman in rain man and keep my head cocked to the side so I didn't keep banging it where the sides slope up to the headliner.

What is your definition of comfortable? For me flying in a Mooney is like having a pebble in my shoe, and being forced to walk 10 miles.
 
EdFred said:
How are some of you sitting in mooneys and able to call them comfortable? I'm not that wide, and my arm has been jammed into my side on the C's, E's, and J's. The last J I was in, I had to pretend I was Dustin Hoffman in rain man and keep my head cocked to the side so I didn't keep banging it where the sides slope up to the headliner.

What is your definition of comfortable? For me flying in a Mooney is like having a pebble in my shoe, and being forced to walk 10 miles.
Click to expand...

You might be one of those folks built with a taller torso. I'm 6'4" and at one time was over 280. Never had the issue you are describing (either banging my head or having my elbow stuck in my side). The only time I feel cramped at all was when I was 280+ and I had another plus sized guy sitting next to me. Then it became a weight and balance issue more than a fit issue.
 
Flew five hours in my C with a buddy who is 6'3" and 290 lbs. neither of us had a problem. :dunno:

I guess comfort is in the eye of the butt holder!
 
Mooney's more of a sports car ride, sit low and close to the floor, as opposed to the sit-taller stance of the Bo. Neither better, just different.

Comanche (Ed's sled) is roomier than both, by a decent measure.

The Mooney is a little more challenging to climb into and out of, but not a huge difference.

The 231 is fast and efficient (if you fly high), but the engine is a bit stressed and not known for excessive life. I forget, some may have the siamesed mag drive, single point of mag failure. Check on that.

Well-maintained 231s are a very economical way to travel fast.
 
If I can fit my 6'2" 250 pound monster man body and Jerome Bettis shoulders in that plane and feel like a king, then you'll be good. Very comfortable aircraft with plenty of room.
 
I was a loyal Mooney 201 owner for years before my family got too big. I love 'em. That said, no way would I buy a 231. No. No. No. The engine/turbo setup is simply too fragile. The J is a great plane. The 252 is a great plane. The 231, not so much.
 
DaytonaLynn said:
Was happening by a little airport west of Houston. There is a Mooney there, 231 special edition. No one around to talk with about it, so
Any one that can shed light on what makes it a Special edition would be appreciated.
I may stop back by to try and get some info, what price range would make for a fair market value?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

OP, let me know if you find any cheap starter planes in the Houston area. I live south of Houston, and just started training for my PPL.
 
Back to the original question, Mooney put out a number of special addition airplanes the same way some cars are special editions- it probably isn't meaningful to you as a buyer unless you're looking for a museum piece and original condition is important.

The 231 Ks are great airplanes, but only if you fly high. It has 210 HP and it's heavier than the J model. 75% HP is about the same in both planes, but the K model is heavier, so the J will outperform the K down low. Up high the K runs away due to its ability to maintain HP. Articles I've read say it's about equal up to about 8k then the J starts to fall behind.

I love my plane for everything except for ease of entry/exit. I do pretty well, but I can't call it graceful. Once I'm in the plane it's very comfortable. The feeling was very different going from a 172 with a ton of head room to the J which has less headroom, but as soon as we took off on my first flight in a Mooney I forgot the difference in headroom. I'm 6' 200lbs and AggieMike and I were comfortable in the front two seats.
 
smccray said:
I love my plane for everything except for ease of entry/exit. I do pretty well, but I can't call it graceful. Once I'm in the plane it's very comfortable.
Click to expand...

I found the 201 very comfortable except for one aspect. The "sharp" corner of the center column was a little to close to my leg. I always ended up with a sore spot on the outside of my shin from resting my leg against the center column (well, always on flights over 2 hours). I usually had a small seat cushion I'd pull from the back seat after departure and would put it between my leg and the column. I've never heard anyone else complain about this, but it always bugged me. Otherwise, I really like the 201.
 
I sat in an F once. I decided Al Mooney must have built that plane with me in mind. I fit so well. I WANT.
 
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I like to watch Mooney guys roll out on the wing and then try to look cool after they are finally able to stand up while wondering if the tearing sound was their trousers or their underwear. Kinda like watching a cub bear try to pee while wearing boxing gloves. Then they look down and see they scraped the wing-walk and ruined the leather on one shoe.

I on the other hand just nonchalantly slide down the side of the seat onto the ramp and hope my cuff doesn't catch on the assist step and allow the dragger to hoist me on my own petard.

smccray said:
Back to the original question, Mooney put out a number of special addition airplanes the same way some cars are special editions- it probably isn't meaningful to you as a buyer unless you're looking for a museum piece and original condition is important.

The 231 Ks are great airplanes, but only if you fly high. It has 210 HP and it's heavier than the J model. 75% HP is about the same in both planes, but the K model is heavier, so the J will outperform the K down low. Up high the K runs away due to its ability to maintain HP. Articles I've read say it's about equal up to about 8k then the J starts to fall behind.

I love my plane for everything except for ease of entry/exit. I do pretty well, but I can't call it graceful. Once I'm in the plane it's very comfortable. The feeling was very different going from a 172 with a ton of head room to the J which has less headroom, but as soon as we took off on my first flight in a Mooney I forgot the difference in headroom. I'm 6' 200lbs and AggieMike and I were comfortable in the front two seats.
Click to expand...
 
I like watching the Cessna guys whack their head on the wing/strut/pitot/flap/aileron...
 
wabower said:
I like to watch Mooney guys roll out on the wing and then try to look cool after they are finally able to stand up while wondering if the tearing sound was their trousers or their underwear. Kinda like watching a cub bear try to pee while wearing boxing gloves. Then they look down and see they scraped the wing-walk and ruined the leather on one shoe.

I on the other hand just nonchalantly slide down the side of the seat onto the ramp and hope my cuff doesn't catch on the assist step and allow the dragger to hoist me on my own petard.
Click to expand...

EdFred said:
I like watching the Cessna guys whack their head on the wing/strut/pitot/flap/aileron...
Click to expand...

Now that is some funny stuff and one of the reasons I ended up in a Mooney. Rather have scuffed up shoes than a scuffed up head!
 
wabower said:
I like to watch Mooney guys roll out on the wing and then try to look cool after they are finally able to stand up while wondering if the tearing sound was their trousers or their underwear. Kinda like watching a cub bear try to pee while wearing boxing gloves...
Click to expand...


Hahahaahaha!!
 
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