Leaderboard

Good afternoon I have the Garmin 796 mounted on the control wheel of my 1977 J. I have my checklists in Excel format on a computer, then saved as a PDF, and copied to a SD Card that is inserted in my 796 unit on the upper left side. I can access the checklist using the Document program. However I noticed there is a Checklist button on the 796 that will load checklists if they are in .ace format. I downloaded the Aircraft Checklist Editor from their web sit, but have no idea what to do next. The program will not accept any file accept .ace files, and the help function will not work. From the Map page, I press the back button on the bottom left, then touch Doc Viewer, and the page last viewed shows up in the screen. I can simply press the Map page to get back to the Map display. So my point is maybe there is no need for me to further work with the checklist editor. I do know we cannot edit files, like checklists on the 796; to make changes or additions I will go back into my original Excel file, edit, save, save as PDF, copy to the SD card, insert it into the 796, and I am done. My goal is having my checklists on the 796 and no longer use them on my kneeboard. The kneeboard will go in the back seat. My kneeboard will be only for writing on a small tablet for both VFR and IFR work. I have also put the checklist PDF on my iPad2, in the Document section of ForeFlight. I do not have the iPad mounted in my aircraft, but it sits in the right seat or back seat. With my 430W as my navigator, crossfilled to the 796, the iPad is just another backup device (used primarily for preflight planning at the FBO). I am curious to know if others are using the 796 for their IAP's. I have ForeFlight Pro, so the Instrument Approach Procedures are in the TERPS index in the Charts button. The chart is too small for me with my reading glasses so I stretch the chart out and this seems to work OK. I can load the same chart on the iPad too, sitting nearby in case I need a bigger piece of glass to view the entire chart. On both, the airplane is depicted for situational awareness, which is very nice. I have moved through the 496 to the 560 and now the 796. All great portables but the 796 is a step above the others. My one concern is heat...the 796 generates a lot of internal heat. I have the unit hardwired to the aircraft electrical system and I do not need the remote antenna, except for the XM weather puck sitting on the glareshield. Anything we can learn from one another about using this remarkable portable is helpful. Always learning.

We just use an old lawn tractor that we bought for $50 about ten years ago.... They are the most popular tugs around here.

There is a doctor/businessman in town here who has a share in a piaggio that comes and drives him all around sometimes. He has nothing but good things to say about that plane.

So, this is one of those questions that Benchmark is tailor-made to answer. Let's put an M20J at 8000 feet, best power, WOT and RPM pulled back to 2400. You are making 135 hp at 11.1 gph or so. Here is a graph of a McCauley C212 under those conditions: Note the thrust horsepower is about 118 hp. Now consider running LOP to get the same power, it takes about 2550 RPM, 9.2 gph and you are still going about 155 knots or so. Note the thrust horsepower is exactly the same. Remember, you are much better off picking at altitude where your CAFE parameter is maximized for the wind and route. If you like WOTLOP and 2400 for cruise, just put those numbers into the fltplan.com advanced burn profile and then run the wind matrix button off the flight log page. It's really handy, and it's free.

I use the Redline Sidewinder. An awesome piece of equipment IMO. It is very light and compact when folded up. Real easy to put in the baggage compartment. It is expensive, no getting around that. I bought mine because I have a bad back and for me it is worth every penny because I can easily take it with me. My only complaint comes from the Milwaukee part of it. The batteries seem to be kind of crappy. I need a new one now as it won't hold much of a charge anymore. If you do get one, make the mod I did to make taking the drill motor off the unit much easier. Basically, you trade the factory Allen bolt for a handle and you drill and tap a screw to retain the locking collar with a little screw. Below are pictures.

I own a Mooney because I want to. No other justification is necessary. Just like my TV or my boat or my car or my house. Do I need any of this stuff, no. But I can have it, and enjoy it, so I do. This is all assuming that one can afford this without being in debt or compromising their future. Larry

My underwear drawer...

Well Bob, being a briefs guy myself, let me weigh in. I own a set of the -13x, also own a Zulu and a Telex ANR. I think of headsets like underwear. Seem guys like the freedom of boxers and others like the equipment held snug. Headsets are the same way. I have a buddy who is a CFII and periodically flies with me to correct my acquired IFR bad habits. He hates my Telex and insists on wearing the Clark's. I personally find the Clark's like a pair of thongs. A bit too tight and putting pressure on the wrong places. I think it is all a matter of personal taste. I find the Zulus very comfortable. The Telex folks must have figured that more is better and have VERY large ear muffs on them. The Clark's are okay, but I find them uncomfortable after an hour or so in flight.

Alex- Congrats again on your new bird - can't wait to go flying with you. You know my opinions on tugs, but what I didn't mention is that most owners, just like aircraft, will let you know what they picked is what to go with. Many of the tugs work, and personally I sometimes suffer from paralysis from analysis. The reason I like the powertow is because they do well in wet or bad weather as you just have to push down on them some, and physics wise, more weight equals more friction equals more traction (not quite the equation, but the logic). My old powertow that you saw was the EZ 35 model - there really is not clutch. It runs at a constant speed, and you lift if off the ground to slow down progress when pushing. The reason I use it is it was free and with a little elbow grease and the help of a mechanic, it works again! I purchased the Mooney hookup for it from Powertow and got it working. If it breaks, most likely I'll order a new powertow EZ 40. When I was in Minnesota Tim Lundquist of Strategic Aircraft showed me his EZ 40 and the improvements are substantial as there is a clutch and it just is much more nimble and easier to use. I've never used a two wheel model, but probably would like that too. Last suggestion is what we talked about which is to get an old tractor/lawnmower off craigslist for $100-$350 and then remove the broken cutting deck (why it's being sold cheap) and bolt an attachment point on. Get a towbar, and boom, you have your own mini tug. I think Brett (bnicolette) used to have a similar tug setup - Brett - can you post a pic? If anyone else has this sort of tug/tractor/riding mower setup, please do post. Towbar- The towbar that came with the Missile is adjustable (it expands). The reason we had the short towbar is because it fits in our baggage compartments. The long tow bar is good for steering, but is hard to leverage for pushing. I've thought about getting a long one just for the hanger and leaving the adjustable one in the airplane for trips. Good luck! -Seth

That sounds like my retirement plan. I received it in the mail yesterday; it's a plastic bag with a roll of duct tape with instructions to place the bag over my head and tape tightly around my neck unitl I reitre! WARNING! what ever you do DO NOT touch Awful_Charlies avatar!

Lean it aggressively to the point it runs rough. When you apply power during run-up, the engine will stumble and you will realise you have to enrichen it.