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@PT20J was right on the colors. None of the colors were right for what I wanted so I had a custom color made up. I put this project aside for a few weeks as I couldn't wear a respirator while my nose was healing post surgery. Structural repair to the overhead console is done and I've started to paint some parts. It's nice to see some progress but I wonder if I went too light on the color. We'll see when the whole interior is back in. Worst case, it will all come back out and get repainted. My interior had more damage than I realized but it's all fixable, it just takes time. How is the wemac assembly removed? The wemac seat is glued to the backside of the overhead console and I'm afraid that if I cut through it, I'll end up doing damage on the finish side of the overhead console. I'd like to avoid doing that but they need to come out so that I can paint the area properly. The upholsterer is working his magic on the seats, I expect to have them back this week. I need to order the carpet; I got the burn certificate for it today. The hardest part is finding someone locally to serge the carpet as it seems everyone does binding instead.

I just got the data from the county. KWVI sells, on average, 11,600 gallons of 100LL per month

I'm looking for a part number/replacement for this puppy: pretty difficult for me to find it in the svc/maintenance manual but I'm wondering if a Sky-Tec Sts-M12 Battery/Master Solenoid By Lamar would suffice, other than how it would be mounted?

https://www.seaerospace.com/faqs/314#:~:text=Will the KX-155A%2F165A,A radios include additional features.

Do Mooney’s wag their tail much? No. Is it noticeable, yes. Surprisingly noticeable and steadying. In the PA46 I fly it’s damn near Required equipment and that’s a “straight tail single” too.

to my best recollection factory parts biz used to be $5-6M per year, everything revolves around that number, a lot of the know how resides with the few people left in Kerrville, hope Lasar makes a go of it

On the job training is the best learning. If you learn, you get paid; if you screw up, you're no longer employed.

Running 17.5 GPH 1590 TIT. I tried to run it LOP however TIT at that FF would be at 1650 and loss of speed would be almost 15KTS.

I find that even in the GPS environment that radio is way cool!

A 70 year old German machinist who taught me everything about materials, machining, engineering, CNC programming (even though he couldn't use a computer), how to hunt, how to be a man, never to back down from a fight but still remain humble, and when I should not make a sarcastic comment! Mike is still kicking today, over 90 years old. They simply do not make people like him any more. All hail the old timers!

For years the only option for rudder trim was this: http://www.aerotriminc.com/id2.html Not a huge difference in price just to add the YD on the Garmin now.

Yes. I was referring to Continentals. Lycomings are easy, get a holed rubber scientific flask stopper of the appropriate size, stick a piece of tubing through, put the stopper in the oil filler in place of the dip stick Here is my Continental solution: Use pourable flex seal to seize the tube in the funnel Funnel sits nicely and seals the filler bypassing the breather tube. Much easier than snaking up the breather line.

There was a pro photographer there filming everything. I’m sure the pics will appear soon. it was the best Summit yet! Alex Gertsen and his team really did a fantastic job. I took a pic mid day Friday of some of the people in the hangar

The Chinese didn’t buy in the same duress, I mean Mooney was desperate but the climate was different. the city of kerville does not want the liability and maintenance expense that manufacturing facility will cost simply for the bare minimum when empty. I would bet it’s close to a million a year in insurance, water electricity, fire currency etc. also, I don’t recall the FAR that covers a manufacturing license, that would take years and millions to acquire. my guess is that Laser will be bought out within five years by textron or that vc firm that bought hartzel. The market is small but it is easily to monopolize. what are our options but to sell?

how did you get that tail compartment so clean? did you do it? want to do mine?

A few years ago, I had also a problem with my stall warning: It switched on during flight at (verified) speeds way above the stall speed. On one flight it even stayed on during the taxiing on the ground. Without removing anything, I sprayed a good amount of contact cleaner from the outside into the stall switch and exercised the switch with the master switch off. It worked out very well and never made any problems afterwards.

Switches often wear… they are designed with an over center bump that keeps the either opened or closed… as they wear, they can easily be bumped and switch positions… I haven’t seen one physically switch, but not change the open/close status… in this case… it sounds like the switch is operating correctly. But, the next device in line is probably not… master switches are not as complex as the CB switches that carry more load… PP thoughts only, not a mechanic… best regards, -a-

I was unable to go to the summit this year (we were in Seattle) and would love to get feedback from those who attended. Any pictures, comments or reactions from attendees would be welcome on this platform! How many came? Were there any contests - what were they, who won? Photos of the planes? I am sure there are great stories from those who were there about their experiences, please share! Maybe we can come next year!

This has been discussed ad infinitum, think Don Maxwell said if it does not rattle, don't replace it, lubing the actuator per service manual is a good idea, I have never seen a broken spring and do not know anybody who had one break, think the part is $2500 and the labor typically runs at $800

Great details Lance! thanks for the memory bump! in the non-gps environment… that radio was way cool! best regards, -a-

YD. When I am flying long trips it’s sure nice to have on those bumpy days, IMC too.

My wife and I just had this discussion on a flight Saturday. When we put in the GFC500 I didn't add the yaw damper, couldn't justify the extra cost. In cruise I typically stick my foot/boot in between the rudder pedal and side panel to keep it straight and not have to keep constant pressure with my leg. It would be nice to just let the AP do that work. I still might add it one day.

Have you flown one with a YD?

Remove the other one, use it as a template, go buy a piece of lexan and there you go

My last emails with Duncan say that only the 'long body' is covered by the STC, and that they are working with BK to get the new STC approved for C through K models. I've asked Duncan for an update, as I'm ready to purchase as soon as the STC is updated.