Experience transitioning from C-172 to complex aircraft as potential first owned aircraft?

"Jack Allison" wrote in message
...

Interesting. I've only started to look at costs for complex Cessna
hardware, mainly because that's what I'm most familiar with. I definitely
want to consider options such as this, especially if cost can be in the
C-172 range.



The acquisition cost for a 60s vintage M20C is indeed comparable to many
172s.

However, the operating cost will be higher because there is more maintenance
on a retractable airplane and because parts are not as common as for a C172.

Nonetheless, the older Mooneys are among the least expensive ways to step up
to a retractable.

Some people say Mooneys have too small a cabin -- that is true if you are
more than about 6 feet tall, but cabin width is negligibly smaller than
other complex singles.


--------------------
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com