Good on you, I work on airplanes and I cant tell you how many owners put their wallet ahead of their life. There is no better feeling than having a good machine you can depend on. No one ever said "I'm glad I saved that money" when their airplane decided to eat corn.

If you are going into Nantucket (highly recommended), you can consider these airports along the way: Goodspeed, Montauk, Block Island and Martha's Vineyard. There is nothing inexpensive about any of them, but in the Summer months they offer so much charm, beauty and (excellent) food very nearby. In a slippery Mooney, Goodspeed will have your full attention.

As a fellow M20C owner, I have a 10k annual every five years or so. I like my plane to be safe and well maintained. Parts wear out, radios, instruments, and other items need upgrades from time to time.

That is definitely on the high side for a annual but not outrageous. Especially, with so many original parts still on the plane. Whenever the question of cost vs. safety crosses your mind. Just imagine that you fly over the mountains at night everyday then make your decision. Also Mooney's are one of the most economical complex planes you can have. Have the same problems with a Bonanza and you could easily double that cost. You have the right attitude. And every year you will have a even more dependable plane that will get you safely to all the places that you want to go.

Glad I'm an AP I also own a Mooney m20G I don't have these issues lol. Good luck brother

I hate that you have to give that disclaimer at the beginning. So annoying how people who are not involved and know nothing about the situation will judge and accuse mechanics of wrong doing. I spent over $10K on the first annual on my airplane and for the same reasons as you described. Wanted that clean slate to start from. And yet the comments I got from people accusing my mechanics of ripping me off were awful. Good on you for sharing this and for your approach. Personally I think it's the right way to do it with a new-to-you aircraft.

Bought my ‘65 Cherokee 180C about 2 1/2 years ago and when I did my first annual it was quite a journey as well. Just a lot of little squawks that added up. All in all about $15k spent (lots of preventative maintenance).

Sorry about the bad news. I also have a Mooney but it is my second plane. My first plane was a 1950 Cessna 170A that I purchased from my dad - he gave me a good deal. Dad did most of his maintenance with a sign off from an old A&P he had been using for years. My dad is a pretty good mechanic so I knew the plane was well maintained. I was also new to aviation when I purchased the plane. (I learned to fly in the 170 after getting it from dad.) Well... During my first annual my mechanic gave me a long list of items that needed to be repaired. Be broke it down by things that needed to be fixed now, things that can wait for a year, and things that should be fixed but can wait. I ended up spreading most of it out over two years. Like with you, my wife was not happy. We purchased the plane thinking it was in great shape. My wife was OK with purchasing the plane but not excited about it. When we got a repair estimate that was over 50% of what we paid for the plane my wife quit being OK which took away a lot of the fun of owning the plane. With time she came around and one of the reasons I got the Mooney was she liked it more than the Cessna. I'm lucky to have a mechanic I enjoy working with thought this whole process. Sounds like your next annual will be easier.

Extremely expensive... Good luck!

18k thats a very expensive annual. Usually leaking gas tanks or cylinders add $6000. I use to work at a large Mooney dealership years ago. I now have a Mod Squad M20C that I work on. Good luck with the annual.

I’ve had my C model for 28 years. It’s like adopting a child then finding out you have to send him/her to Harvard. My mechanic has become a good friend. One time during an annual he asked me if I was sitting down, I was and it still hurt. I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. Last year going into annual I thought the plane was good to go, but then it needed a cylinder, prop reseal and a carburetor overhaul, oh well. Thanks for the video, I feel your pain.

Check AD90-04-06 R1 it normally changes it to stainless steel with the option to use a fire resistant hose which Yours is not and besides if this was put in 1990 per AD it is over 20 years old I would get it replaced and use the AD for guidance. Hope this helps to keep You safe.

New subscriber - my first annual on my ‘62 C could have paid for a K or 3 flying C’s… if that makes you feel better.

My Arrow had 17 years of paper whipped annuals when I bought it. I had no engine work done and only had an ADSB transponder installed for instruments also all new LED Nav anti collision and landing lights. I don’t have enough hours to need NDT testing on my wing spar. My first annual was $40,000 forty thousand US dollars. That is every AD SB not complied with for the past 17 years being brought into compliance.

Boa tarde Donizete Braganca Brazil 🇧🇷✈✈✈ SP

Did you make a list we can view? I have an M20C and doing the annual (A&P). Learning a lot about Mooneys. Needs a lot of TLC. Previous Mech let a lot slide. Did you get nose gear part from Lasar? I was going to buy one they had in stock for mine. Now nothing. I have to send mine in to rework. $1150 Suggestion for future videos. You are prob in a room with no carpet as there is a bad echo. Hard to hear you. Thanks for info.

Love my C! Similar color as yours. I would love to Know where you found an air intake Bellows for $45. They are usually about $500 if you can even find one at all.

I’ve seen some sketchy things under cowls and behind panels. What I see in rental aircraft is that most of these little things can be fixed or prevented with common sense and attention to detail (and actually caring). Some of the repairs I’ve seen equate to lazy automotive mechanics with the “they’ll never see it” attitude like RTV being used instead of a cable tie or clamp. What do you think 10 months later? It’s almost time for your annual again. Was it worth it? Seriously considering an older M20 C through G.

“Clean slate” in aviation rarely happens…you can try…..

Should I buy a Mooney?