Maule Driver wrote:
Just to add another thought.... (I have limited Mooney experience/knowledge)
operating occasionally on grass may be different than basing on grass. You
will always have 'bad' grass days on occassion if you base on it. Given the
need to go or get home, you will be sorely tempted to operate on such days
(i.e. mud, soft, or uncut).

Another issue may be insurance if you are basing on grass.

I live on 3400' of grass with trees on both ends and would never consider
owning a Mooney for that reason, even though that would otherwise be my
first choice for a retractable.

Another data point, FWIW. I've never landed my J model on grass, but have
taxied on some pretty rough grass on a couple of occasions, like getting from
the runway to my camp site at OSH. I'm always nervous about it, but have yet to
see any damage. Limited data, 'cause it's not something I do very often. I may
just have been lucky. I'm still going to be nervous when I do that.

Dave