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Showing content with the highest reputation on 01/17/2017 in all areas

  1. Since most of their employees have been there for years I'm sure they are compensated fairly or they would have left. There's a huge difference in thinking to work for someone else or to own a business. Many people want to punch a clock, collect a paycheck and not have the responsibility. The fact that they would offer the opportunity to the employees first before selling it to someone else says a lot.
    10 points
  2. LASAR is in a very rural setting and I believe that their staffing truly likes the lifestyle there. Plenty of talent, with great competency, but I can understand a reluctance to take on the running of business aspects. Some years ago my father decided to retire from a very successful wood crafting and design business he founded at the end of WW II. He had about 28 employees then, all experienced craftsmen. He offered to GIVE the company to the employees if they would keep the business running. He offered to pay the legal expenses for the change in ownership, and that he would train anyone of them to act as the chief executive, and would draw no salary while doing so. He was proud of the company, and simply wanted to reward his staff for all their hard work over the years. After a host of meetings, the employees asked him to sell the company to someone who would keep it running- they wanted a secure paycheck, and not ownership responsibilities. He did sell the company, but in two years the new owner ran the company into the ground, and ultimately closed the firm. To answer a question, I was not interested in taking over the company as I had my own pathway to follow. I can't imagine owning my Mooney/s without LASAR, and especially Paul's advice and skills that proved so correct over several decades. Dan with his parts knowledge (and his good natured "we can find it" altitude) is simply irreplaceable. I hope Paul and Shery can find a qualified buyer, but I suspect it will be difficult. I wish Paul a speedy recovery. From conversations with his staff I know that even now he is in daily contact, and very much in charge. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    6 points
  3. I attended Cleon's memorial service last month here in Longmont. He was indeed a great meteorologist, pilot, instructor, builder, and - most importantly - friend. He taught all the partners in our Mooney in one capacity or another - basic transition training, instrument ratings, even my CFI. One of the last conversations I had with him was regarding an issue with a student, and he was helpful as always. It was a privilege to know him, and to have flown with him. You'll all be pleased to know Cleon was flying right up until a few weeks before he left us. He recently completed building a Rans S-19, which was as impeccably constructed as you might imagine. A friend of his who also built an S-19 spoke at length during the memorial, about how valuable Cleon had been helping him construct his airplane, and fly it thereafter. There were many pictures in albums at the memorial of Cleon's life in aviation, flying everything from that S-19, to Learjets, with a couple of Mooneys in there, too. Cleon was a great role model as an aviator, and the local aviation community was well represented at his service. For those of you so inclined, Cleon asked anyone wishing to remember him consider making a contribution to EAA chapter 43: http://www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com/book-of-memories/2791439/biter-cleon/obituary.php But as great an aviator as Cleon was, he was an even better person. Cordial, humble, informative, helpful, everything we aspire to be. I miss my friend, and I grieve with Toni and the rest of his family. Godspeed, sir.
    5 points
  4. The sad reality is that the value of the STC's is in decline with a shrinking fleet that is also perpetually declining in value. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
    4 points
  5. It will be well worth the wait...........
    4 points
  6. After I finished the installation, I had some routine cross-country flying to do before I would have a chance to do an "official" ADS B flight. So, I thought I'd try and see what the result was after the second flight. To my delight it PASSED! Check's in the mail! No maneuvers or special stuff. I was adjacent to the ATL Class B airspace, but that's it...
    3 points
  7. that they aren't paid well enough to be able to afford it?
    3 points
  8. Remember to get a Batteryminder and not a Batterytender as Concorde will not warranty your battery. There is a little blup on Aircraft Spruce under the Concorde batteries that says use of the Batterytender will void all warranties. Pritch
    3 points
  9. Sure is good to have a foot in the door, there in Kerrville. Thanks to somebody who knew somebody, an apparently secret, or at least very subtle old Service Instruction advising a fix for the very stuck trim problem that cost me my beloved Mooney has now been upgraded to a Service Bulletin. Not that I have received this thing, but my non-MSS mechanics might, now. Here's a hearty cheer for bypassing the chain of command. In exchange for not siccing my squadron of plaintiffs attorneys on the company, I'd get over my heartbreak and graciously accept one of those purty two-door Mooneys. ()
    3 points
  10. Many of you know Paul is in rehab following surgery. He has meant a great deal to our little corner of GA. My plane carries his parts and mods as badges of honor. We just replaced the gear lock block last month! Shery posted this message on her FB page within the past hour. It's probably not how the Wharton folks teach how to sell a business but it might work in Mooney Land: MOONEY FRIENDS: Many of you know that Paul has had health concerns lately, but we want you to know that LASAR is alive and well. Paul is going to be fine, too, but it is time to retire. We have 10 wonderful employees, but none are interested in taking over our business. We would so like to keep the legacy of LASAR going for our employees and our Mooney community. Please private message me if you have any suggestions, or know of anyone who would like to purchase LASAR. We would work with any serious buyer any way we could. It is time, and we are motivated! Please share to other Mooney sites; I'm not sure how to do that!!
    2 points
  11. I have been in the Mooney community for only 2 years now, and live on the opposite coast and so have never been to LASAR personally. Despite that, I have gotten invaluable assistance on the phone from them, including with parts and mods. I would have hoped a business that provides such excellent and somewhat unique service to the Mooney community would also be profitable and appealing for someone to keep going. I am saddened to think that might not be the case.
    2 points
  12. Richard (Rich) Jones Glad to meet ya.
    2 points
  13. There a many successful airport restaurants in California, but from what I've seen it all comes down to location, location, location with good food and good service. However the location is most important. If the airport is located too far away from town, towns people won't make the drive no matter how good the food. If the building doesn't have a good view of the runway and ramp, then what's the point in driving out to the airport? If the town is too small to support it, it will flounder. The towns people, or location in a terminal where there is scheduled air carrier service is key. Pilots flying in is likely less than 5% of the business, however their ability to land, taxi up and park in front of the diners is a draw for non pilots and kids. Folks that work on the airport will only frequent if the prices are super cheap. The same goes for many of the CB airplane owners based there they really can't depend on the locals to survive. The one creative solution I've seen is at Merced Muni. The restaurant there has struggled for years and changed hands many times. It is located a ways from town and there is little local airport activity. The solution that has worked so far is, they are open for lunch, but they have turned it into a destination at night. It's at the airport, so they have plenty of room and they can make as much noise as they want, so they put in an outdoor band shell, tables and chairs, outdoor bathrooms and of course a full bar. They have live performing acts there regularly. Loyalty to the bar, seems to be bringing in daytime drinkers from what I can tell. Pouring lots of beers now. The place is now well attended even during the day even though the food is bad, the service poor and has a poor view of the runway and ramp. It is now very much a local's hang out for some of the folks in Merced and it just happens to be at the airport. I admire the creative thinking and the effort they put in to make it a success. I just wish the food was better.
    2 points
  14. I’ll be surprised if it’s the filter for no reason other than they don’t often fail or clog. But I’ve been surprised before.
    2 points
  15. We did decouple the electric trim and I still could not move the trim wheel; the only way I could move the wheel is when we decoupled the jackscrew. Today, we reattached electric trim motor and trimmed it nose up (I had to help it by lifting the tail!). Lots of gunk on jackscrew, including what looked like lithium grease. Cleaned up what we had access to and greased. Movement is much better with electric trim and I can move the manual trim wheel. In the middle half to 2/3rds of travel, trim wheel moves fairly easily up & down both manually and electrically, so we've made progress. However, with nose trim full up, trim wheel still nearly impossible to move. The only long term fix is to pull the jackscrew out, replace the bearings, clean and lube the whole length of the jackscrew and reassemble and rig. Hopefully I won't have to do this again, although it's been a great learning experience:)
    2 points
  16. I did mine myself last year. Took about 30 minutes. The most difficult part is taking out the 15 or so screws in the aft most belly panel (not the three forward panels, but the panel closest to the battery compartment). It's a single screw on the filter housing. The filter comes with 2 new o-rings as well for the casing. Torque back to spec and safety wire if desired. Leak check and put the belly panel back up. Easy peasy. i bought the filter from CAV. I want to say it was about 150 bucks. edit: the filter seems to be of a standard sort paper filiment. The thing was pretty waterlogged with fluid when I replaced mine- the housing holds a bunch of fluid- so it's sitting in it pretty much at all times. double edit: if you can do an oil change- you can easily do this filter swap. And it is legal owner preventative maintenance.
    2 points
  17. I use this reg to take all those line boys who just got their VFR PP along as safety pilots. Their eyes are sharper than those older guys with the complex signoff. [emoji2] Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    2 points
  18. I was shocked and saddened when I opened up and read the latest issue of the MAPA Log and saw that Cleon Biter “Flew West” last month after a battle with cancer. I’ve known him since I first started teaching for the Mooney Pilot Proficiency Program as a new Mooney instructor over 20 years ago. He was one of the best pilots I have ever flown with. He was one of the first Master Flight Instructors. As a meteorologist, he really knew and understood Weather, and every time I taught for the PPP and would sit in and listen to his weather presentations I learned something new. After one PPP in Jefferson City a number of years ago, he took Wayne Fisher, another great instructor, and me back to Kansas City where we got our flight back to our home cities. He flew with perfection. While in the FBO I asked him to review how he did a preflight weather briefing. We headed to the computer and he took the time to detail how he did it. Since he was in Colorado, I recommended many students in his area to get their transition and other training from him. I always got positive feedback from them. The flying community and especially the Mooney flying community lost a great teacher. He will be greatly missed…
    2 points
  19. Cracking when you drill plastic is usually because the sharp cutters bite in too much. What works for me is to drill a few seconds into brick or concrete to dull the cutting edges. Obviously, you then have a plastic drill bit, not useful for anything else. For cutting, a jigsaw does the same. It tries to cut too quickly. Use a thin cutting disk with an electric drill... or a dremel.
    2 points
  20. The fact that it moves with the electric is interesting. It makes me think it might be the clutch in the trim servo. The Centaury servo engages with a solenoid that meshes two gears. If that solenoid is stuck then the electric motor would move it but you wouldn't be able to move it by hand except by overcoming the slip clutch. Remove the chain from the trim servo and see if you can manually move the trim.
    2 points
  21. So true, I've handled many people who go into business, are extremely good at there craft then fail. Many folks are good with there hands, many good with there business acumen, only those great with both generally succeed. Its a smart person who knows NOT to go into business.
    2 points
  22. I hope someone keeps LASAR up and running. That would be a huge loss to mooney owners.
    2 points
  23. Love my VW Jetta TDI ! It is both clean and efficient. Just not simultaneously.
    2 points
  24. Hank - living where you do, I'm guessing all those boys have removed their DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) systems and are running unrestricted exhausts. Or they are driving older diesels before DPFs were required The DPF system requirement has been in place for years. My 2011 F350 uses this filter in combination with DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) captures the black soot you are seeing and burns it up. My diesel runs cleaner than my Jeeps. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    2 points
  25. I had a piece of acrylic laser cut for the window that covers my trim and flaps indicator. Really simple process with Ponoko.com...you download a PDF with their templates then use a graphic editing program to define where the cuts go. Upload your file and for a couple of bucks you'll have a perfectly piece of acrylic. They also do a variety of other materials as well, so you could experiment with aluminum. Good luck!
    2 points
  26. You need to get out more. Like out of the country more, You're describing 1980's diesel technology. Go to Europe and drive an S class Mercedes diesel. I'll bet its quieter and cleaner than what you're driving now.
    2 points
  27. You might be able to use a Dremel mini drum sander to smooth the lines. The small jagged edges are prone to cracking and crack propagation with the acrylic material. polymer engineer, not just a PP... Best regards, -a-
    2 points
  28. Measure the diameter of the wire. Check with California Push Pull. Inc. You will have to buy one with a knob, and cut off the part you don't need. My hangar elf changed mine several years ago. No problem since.
    2 points
  29. Yeah..get that about 10.2 Approval....As a new avadynes user...current software is working just fine,...quantum leap over 430w/530w which they replaced k
    2 points
  30. Yes , because mechanics should work on your plane for free........ Its what they live for..... By the way if that line fails in the year after they sign it off , the feds will climb up their ass with a microscope...... But its cool , their time and training , expertise , and liability are of no value to anybody....
    2 points
  31. It would be a convenient way to describe thick fog,,, unless you can't see your wing tips even on a very clear day... Best regards, -a-
    2 points
  32. ^^^^ All the proof anyone needs that bees are aerodynamically unable to fly . . . . .
    2 points
  33. With this group of Cheap Bast$&ds, you'll need to pay them to take it off of your hands. [emoji6] Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    2 points
  34. 1 point
  35. I bet the service is far more lucrative than the STC's and part sales, but I also bet none of the three legs of the stool can stand very well on their own, either. Quite a conundrum, and I hope they find a solution that keeps it open and makes everyone happy. A lot of the value is in the employees too. I'm mildly surprised they can't come together to own and operate it... Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
    1 point
  36. I can't emphasize enough what an impression this behavior made on me. When Cleon was giving me instruction for my CFI, he regularly reminded me that he "didn't know everything", asked for my input on things like terminology and teaching approaches, and debriefed our lessons by actively seeking critique on his own teaching. This from a guy with thousands of hours in a huge range of aircraft, to whom my experience matches up like the proverbial gnat. I like to think one of the ways I honor Cleon is by seeking input from my own students, and maintaining a sense of humility regardless of experience. We're all just students at some level, and Cleon was such a great example of that positive attitude. Thanks for reminding me of that today.
    1 point
  37. I wouldn't stress about oil on one bottom plug for now if it's the first time you've seen it. Just recheck at next oil change, maybe scope the valves then. I won't try to explain the myriad of causes for this per my understanding, as there are much more knowledgeable folks here. Your throttle cable is likely fine - just make sure it moves the lever on the carb from full open to full closed. If not, have A&P adjust.
    1 point
  38. I don't know - but I am guessing - given that the sponges out on the wings can dry out if you don't use it enough and somehow the fluid has a hard time getting through all parts of the sponges, then perhaps the same thing can happen to the filter - maybe it can dry out and become less able to transmit the fluid over time? I don't know for sure though - all I know is that I read the operating manual and it says if the yellow high pressure light is on and not going away with the reset option, then it is time to replace the filter - and this is confirmed in forums over on beechtalk and copa (cirrus) that people have experienced this and replacing the filter fixes it more often than not. So back to my original question - last part of my original question - has anyone had just this job done and if so, can they remember how much shop time we are talking? Mostly for planning a day - is it a drop of my plane and go get lunch then fly home job, or is it an all day affair? Or is it standard enough skills to enlist the mechanic on the field?
    1 point
  39. I love my Touareg 2 Turbo Diesel!!! Vroom vroom! Just wish my wife would let me take it to Moab.
    1 point
  40. I went out to the hanger earlier this week to finally empty out the mini fridge for winter. Everything was froze solid except a few bottles of water. It was fun playing with, but makes me wonder why I live in Minnesota. -Dan
    1 point
  41. The TKS tanks are under the rear seat behind the pilot and the pumps are under the rear seat behind the co-pilot. The filter is aft of the pumps shown in the red circle. The filter is number 40 in the exploded diagram below. It uses a filter element inside of the sealed filter assembly.
    1 point
  42. Increase the value of your a and put a RayJay Turbonormalizer in it. I just know where you can find one. John Breda
    1 point
  43. You could install it at either end of the cable, in the cockpit at the control linkage (under the upholstery) or at the rear by the O2 tank. If you use a light spring, there is no issue. With the over center action on both ends of the cable, the spring will never move the cable on it's own unless you have selected one with too much tension. Tom
    1 point
  44. With this article coming out, I happen to have a lightly-used "F" for sale. Only $150,000!! Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
    1 point
  45. I'd spend the $12 on Amazon for one of these when bending $100 lines.
    1 point
  46. From 14 CFR 43: §43.7 Persons authorized to approve aircraft, airframes, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, or component parts for return to service after maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration. (a) Except as provided in this section and §43.17, no person, other than the Administrator, may approve an aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or component part for return to service after it has undergone maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration. ... (f) A person holding at least a private pilot certificate may approve an aircraft for return to service after performing preventive maintenance under the provisions of §43.3(g). From AC 39-7D (https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC 39-7D.pdf): "ADs are authorized under part 39 and issued in accordance with the public rulemaking procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), Title 5 of the United States Code (5 U.S.C.) § 553, and FAA procedures in 14 CFR part 11." So, as above (RLCarter), ADs fall under part 39 and not part 43.
    1 point
  47. I rewired (installed a new switch) an entire trim switch once only to find out the AP disconnect switch was bad. This is actually more common than the switch going bad. I was about to pull the servo motor when I found some help at Western avionics at SNA. Give them a call. Talk with Scott or Stan. -Matt
    1 point
  48. Time to limber-up and dig behind the panel to check the air duct tubing. You likely have deteriorated ducts, or they're not attached somewhere. It is very simple, but difficult to access. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
    1 point
  49. For a different perspective, I thought I would slip this one in sideways-
    1 point
  50. I was on a commercial flight to KABQ once about 20 years ago. I was chatting about aviation with the guy sitting next to me. I don't think he believed half of what I was saying. On final I looked over at him and said "He isn't going to make it" My seat mate responded incredulously "What the hell do you mean he isn't going to make it?" I said the plane is going too fast to land. He said "you are crazy" at which point the power came up and we went around. "See I told you he was too fast". We maneuvered for another approach and I said we were too fast again and I hope we have plenty of fuel. The power came up again and around we went. The third landing was without incident. All I can figure is there was a new guy in the right seat.
    1 point
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