Leaderboard

I'll be the first to admit I don't too much faith in this site. While there are some great posts and useful info- most of the content on here is useless IMO. BUT- this post is more about the quality of some of the folks around here more than it is the topics. A recent trip back home in the Mooney left my NSD-1000 HSI compass card dead. After pulling it out, I recognized the gyro wasn't spinning when power was applied. A quick call to Bob Bramble made me realize that no way was I going to spend $2 AMU on ancient technology. I had some components for the Aspen system in my toolbox from my time as an Avionics tech- so I thought I would pursue finding the rest of the 'archaic' PFD 1000, and so my story begins.Perusing eBay and other sites, it was apparent a PRO aspen system wasn't going to be had for cheap. I thought about doing dual G5s, I looked everywhere and considered all the possibilities- but I always came back to the Aspen. A search on craigslist turned up a system in London of all places! I was skeptical at first because I've dealt with the scams on CL before, so I approached with caution. After emailing back and forth with the seller multiple times- he seemed like a real person. Of course the seller was asking for a bank transfer and he stated he could not accept Paypal. Here is where I need to bring Andrew @Hyett6420 into the story. A message to him telling him of my woes got an instant response offering to help in any way he could. He called the seller for me and spoke with him at length about the Aspen and where the seller was at- he then called me and was discussed this; and based on his feelings we felt that we were most likely flushing out a rat. Long story short, after contacting the seller and informing him that I would be paying Andrew and then he would arrange for pickup and shipping of the unit, I never heard back- confirming my suspicions that this unit was either stolen/or wasn't even in the seller's possession. I have since found a new Aspen here in the states that I have purchased and am currently working on installing as we speak. The point of my long winded and boring post is a big thanks to Andrew. Without his help, there was no way I could have determined the validity of this sale without him. He offered a complete stranger he had never met (me) his complete and unwavering help. We have been in contact multiple times and we're hoping to take this shady character down. I have a renewed faith in the MS community and am really looking forward to buying Andrew dinner and drinks next times he's in the states- thanks again Andrew! Now, lets all go back to talking about LOP, flaps on takeoff, and corroded camshafts!

I get crazy I hate having to fix and try again or work harder, but when it's all over I look back and laugh. This plane purchase has been a nightmare and many things have gone wrong and I've learned a lot. It's not pretty and not the best, but it is fast and safe and traveling in it is fun. So in the end I win I get to say I own and fly my own Mooney and I am a pilot. That is more than most can ever say. Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

Got a friend who needed to get his plane back from another airport and he couldn't get an instructor to fly with him. So I offered as he said and I quote "its a Cessna". I'll help a Cessna 172 is fun to fly. Wrong it was a Cessna 150 Tricycle gear. No friend puts another friend in a 150 if they know he flies a MOONEY..... I had mosquitos passing me down wind. If ever you need a humbling experience and need a slower pace of life fly a 150 in a ND breeze.

I love this forum and find myself on it more than any other site. Channeling my best inner Anthony, there has been: Helpful information Those who think they know everything Those who actually do know almost everything (Note that there is much more of #1 provided by those in #3 than those in #2. You can tell the difference because those in #2 often tell you they belong in #3 while those in #3 just provide #1) New friends in people I haven't met (Mrs. Skates calls them my "Internet Friends") New friends that I first met here and then had the pleasure of meeting in person (I hope to move more from #4 to #5) Entertainment in the form of constant debates about the same old subjects... Even one person who felt the need to research where I worked, and what I did for a living for the sole purpose of belittling me in a post (He joined the one other person on my block list) Above all, it is an overall helpful, welcoming community that has been a part of my journey from PPL through purchasing my Mooney and the many adventures along the way. I'm not an internet forum analyst, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express 5 years ago...

My 231 has 892 lb useful load. My B55 has 1702 lb useful load. That's pretty close to twice the useful load. I guess you could call 800+ lb "a few 100lbs". For me, the Baron makes sense. I really don't care if it works for anyone else and I'm not trying to convince anyone to do anything. I have many years of experience owing and operating both singles and twins so I have real world knowledge of the true costs associated with this. For my Flying Samaritans trips, which I make a number of times a year, I cannot expect that fuel will be available in Mexico. In fact fuel has not been available the last three trips I've made. So I need to carry enough fuel to get from Tucson to the west coast of the Baja and back, plus reserves. That includes four take-offs and four climbs to altitude. In the Mooney that means I can take two small to small/average passengers with me. In the Baron I can take five average sized passengers with me, or more commonly four passengers with a lot of supplies. Or even three passengers with a whole lot of supplies. The Baron has an extended baggage area and nose baggage. Try to get that volume of people and stuff in a Mooney. Not only that, these trips have me over water for over an hour and over remote areas of the Baja of Mexico. If you're really lucky and really good, you may successfully make an engine out landing in the remote areas of the Baja where I travel, but you'll die before anyone gets there to rescue you. A parachute doesn't help you over the water or the Baja either. I can also do Angel Flights now that I couldn't in the Mooney due to useful load issues and also Veteran's Airlift Command. The Baron is the right airplane for me today. I never said it was the right airplane for anyone else.

Heresy ! Get the pitchforks.

Nice OP.... Personally, I've not contributed much to MS but I've enjoyed the camaraderie and advice. There are too many Mooney Spacers to list that have provided helpful guidance as well as entertainment these past two years. To name several that have helped me personally I am eternal grateful... @kortopates, @Marauder, @Clarence, @M20Doc, @kmyfm20s, @carusoam, @DonMuncy, @gsxrpilot, @Piloto etc... In the next year I hope to achieve my Instrument Rating and A&P certificate. That way, one day I will be as helpful as you gentlemen other than saying that I'm 6'5 and fat... the Mooney fits me very well.

The shoulder harness in my Mooney saved my life. I would have loved to have the AmSafe's, they probably would have saved me several years of dental work. Well worth the $2500. I will be in the front of the line also! Cheers, Dan

I bought one of these from Don and love it. The light changes color giving it a constantly changing look. Here are a few other pictures of it.

Yep I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Andrew at the summit, your description is right on, nice guy, regarding Chris's statement regarding baseless opinions, I couldn't agree more, many know my plane and what I'm referring to. I do enjoy MS though.

There is a wealth of knowledge on this site. I have received direct support from @M20Docand his wife. I am a little afraid to post any pictures of my plane, you never know what Clarence's eagle eyes will spot. I am sure that anyone that has met Andrew, @Hyett6420in person, will not be surprised that he provided help. There are many others that have provided tips and the occasional part that I have picked up over the past couple of years. I for one am glad there is this resource free of charge, although I am happily a "supporter."

OMG! You're installing an Aspen. I know you have a natural disdain for the information that some (ok, almost everyone) have presented on this site. What frustrates me is the stream of misinformation and personal opinion on products from people who don't own them. I've learned over the years, that internet information is almost always skewed and is often a disservice to those who read it. Do us all a favor and report the truth as you do this install. At least one reader will benefit from it.

And it turned out it was just a bad e-gap timing in the left magneto due to cam wear. It's an IO-360A3B6 with two Slick mags. The engine was remanufactured, and the mags were new and only have 250 hours on them, so I guess that supports the argument about quality (or lack thereof) of Slick mags. I thought it was just the cold weather, fine-wire plugs helped for a while but it kept getting worse. I had dragged my feet getting the mag pulled, since I assumed my A&P would send it out to a specialty shop, and I was worried about the mag getting sent out to a mag shop and being told I needed a new one (after the prop fiasco). Fortunately, turns out he does to mag work in house. On today's flight it caught after a one turn. Anyway, $230 later I have one mag with a 500 hour IRAN done, instead of $900 for an overhauled mag so I call that one a win.

It's not a debate or a choice - we don't get to choose. If we got to choose - then I would choose a 4 point airbag seatbelt. In order I would choose, 4 point airbag seatbelt, 3 point airbag, 4 point standard, 3 point standard. We can debate, discuss, or enjoy talking about, how to order that list, but.... But we don't get to choose because of the STC process - we can only purchase what the regulations allow us to purchase and no 4 point solution is available at this time or even in discussion. I have a 3 point standard and will upgrade to a 3 point airbag if I can, immediately as soon as it is available. If 4 point airbag, all the better.

Hey! When does real firsthand experience mean anything? As we have seen repeatedly, personal opinion has just as much weighting... Just ask the Garmin groupie.

What about a second Mooney? Surely there’s another up and coming Mooney pilot in the family! What could be better than a family trip while traveling in tight formation with a fleet of Mooneys?!

It’s possible, while going down this list... I think I have met about half the people here, in this thread, in person... including Terry, the OP. About five years ago... I had to drive to a lot of fly-ins... over the years... This year I got to fly (solo) to the mother of all Mooney fly-ins, the Summit. You can meet a ton of MSers there... It wouldn't have happened without the help of MS, and MSers... Thanks to those that let me fly right seat, and those who dared to fly right seat with me... my favorites are the MSers that have stopped by my Home drome for a ride, a cup of coffee, or a bite to eat... I think it was Jolie who said... Fly it forward... One of the most interesting MSers I talked to, was a guy organizing the first NJMP fly in... 201er's partner for the event, Patrick... He was so outgoing, he would talk Mooney with anyone... I do a fare amount of writing, welcoming new people to MS... helping new Mooniacs get situated into the community. I don't have much more skill than that... Bonal and others , often carry the Welcome torch when I’m not on line... I used to claim that I have read every post. If you wrote it, I read it... It was true, up until about last month... there is so much good writing going on here every day, I’m just unable to keep up... And i’m Ok with that.... It's fun being me. It's fun being part of the MS community. It’s fun being an MSer.... Best regards, -a-

They are on my short list... Have to finish my Master's first though...

Given your title, you needed to start of your post like this: It was the best of forums, it was the worst of forums...

You can a get a Mahogany model of someone's airplane with their paint scheme and tail number for that kind of coin.

Andrew's assistance does not surprise me. I have been fortunate to spend time with him in the UK as well as in the US, and he is the quintessential "nice guy". He would probably be what many of us in the US think of when we describe an English gentleman. Me! I will.

When I win the lottery I’m buying a TBM. Until then I’m buying tickets on Southwest when we need to take the kids somewhere.

https://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=148639 If I had an Ovation DX or GX or Bravo GX or Eagle with an STEC autopilot I would be all over this. You go from a rate based to an attitude based and add a lot of other features for the money.

Yikes - old men getting their heads up their Asspens. you guys just crapped all over this guys question - it was a good question. Mooneys are nice and b55s are nice - and they both cost stupid money. who the hell cares if one is 50% more stupid or 100% more stupid than the next.

3 partners bought it. It's in my hanger at HWV. They fly in on a beautiful float plane, then go have fun in their new toy.

I am like @Skates97. I like all the different types of clouds. Solid cloud deck while traveling to the Mooney Summit a while back. Panacea, FL Clouds you can see down through. KATL Clouds making shadows on the ground. Colombia, SA I'm easily entertained.

Over Scottsdale, AZ:

our 231 had the merlyn and tplus intercoolers and I planned 185-190 at 180 and 14.5 GPH. It wouldn't run LOP. I'd take the baron over the 231.

Scottish ....did ya celebrate Burns night on Thursday ? I made my first Haggis

In 25+ years, never heard "not cleared" from a Class C TRACON. "Remain clear," of course, but that's not "cleared" as in receiving a clearance. Changing your current direction of flight and heading in an unexpected direction to depart the Class C is a judgment call. That aside, I don't see the OP's stated scenario as lost comm. I wouldn't have even tried to call ATC at that point. i don't think anyone suggested you can disobey an ATC instruction, least of all me.

I just spent 60K installing a full FIKI TKS system. The result.....A totally non functioning system. To be fair, CAV did not do the installation. One of their two "certified" shops did. Mooney (my first choice) was to busy to install. Among other things the 2 main problems are 1. The tanks siphon them selves dry (as mentioned previously) 2. Quantity sensor (reads anywhere from 0 to 7.4 gal) even when the tank is bone dry. When full, no difference. I am taking the plan to CAV in 3 wks for them to trouble shoot and revise the new installation. Sounds like the sensor issue has not changed. I will bring up this thread and discuss the deteriorating product quality/reliability. I'm hoping to get a functioning system before winter is up.

Granted, I use an Android so you Apple folks may be different, but here is how I do it. To reorder checklists, not items in a checklist, but the checklists themselves so the Start Checklist comes before the Landing Checklist. In the upper right corner there is an icon that looks like a list with a curved arrow pointing from the top line down to the bottom line. Touch that icon and each checklist will get an icon to the right of it that is 3 horizontal lines like a short list. Touch and drag that icon to move the checklist to the proper location. To change the order of an item in a checklist, bring up the checklist you want to rearrange and tap the Edit button. In the bottom half of the of the screen the checklist items will appear with the same three line icon to the right. Drag the errant item to the correct location. Save your changes when done. Hope that helps. Bob

The -900 came with MP, RPM, Fuel levels, oil temp, oil pressure, FP, FF, Volts and Amps, OAT, CHT, EGT and a host of other features. It comes with Remote Alarm Light to be installed if the display is to far from the flight instruments. There is an available Remote Alarm Display that will display WHAT is wrong, not just a light to get your attention. As others have said, when you feel a strange vibration or something seems a little off, it's nice to be able to pull the data and see if anything is amiss. I have an "F" with an IO360 so no carb temp for me. I believe it can be added if you want. I liked the fact that I could replace ALL of my primary instruments. It really cleaned up the panel. The problem with the CGR-30P I ran into was it didn't have enough inputs to cover all the primary instruments and I would have needed the 30C as an add-on making the EI offering unacceptable. I LOVE the -900! Hope this helps! As far as cost, I picked mine up at KOSH for $2795. It took me and my IA about 45 hours to install. It's not hard, but it's alot of wire pulling and connecting. P.S. I upload all my data to Savvy. So far, I (they) caught a bad plug on #4. It also showed my how far off my stock tach was. I was only achieving 2550RPM. It now turns 2700. BIG difference on takeoff!

Cool, have you enrolled in Miramar's A&P program? Highly recommend it. You can do it evenings after your day job like I did and its almost free. The ground school for your IR at Miramar is a great opportunity too.

Yep... when you gotta get there fast, there is no substitute for a Mooney!

49? That is all?

Not sure if its related, but I saw in the news the military will be jamming GPS on the west coast for a large red flag exercise. Not sure when/where but I thought you guys would need to know.

Some years ago I was driving a Mazda Tribute (clone of a Ford Escape), equipped with shoulder belts, and in dash air bags. I was sliding down a mountain road covered in black ice, and I hit a snowplow head on that was also sliding in the opposite direction. The closing speed between the two vehicles was about 60 MPH. The front end of the Tribute simply collapsed (as it was designed to do). The airbags went off for myself and my passenger. To say that we stopped short is no exaggeration. My passenger was wearing a necklace and the light piece of jewelry on the chain caused the chain to break. The snowplow blade was noticeably dented. Neither I, nor my passenger had any injuries beyond light bruising from the shoulder belts. The airbag sulfa smell was overpowering, but three of the four doors still opened. At $2500 for a set of two AmSafe airbags, I’ll be at the front end of the line. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes. In a center It goes in as a VP message. Basically an abbreviated flight plan.

Thanks for the info. It was obvious that they were not understanding what was going on. It definitely looked like a great place to fly. OK, I looked it up a quid is a pound.

Just keep going. You received an instruction to keep you away from other traffic. If the instruction was as simple as you say, there was no reporting requirement. Once you get there, the instruction is over and you are under no restrictions. Your temporary inability to get through to ATC is not even lost comm.

Nope, the dog goes everywhere, he is one of the kids. Most days I like him better, he has never once talked back. If the dog is not welcome we don't go there. Over the past 19 years of dog ownership my wife and I have gotten pretty good at planning with them in tow.

I lost track, so I may be missing somehting. The only times you should ever hear the word "cleared" when normal VFR (as opposed to Special VFR) are "Cleared into the Class B" and when receiving a takeoff or landing clearance.

Standard seat belts (when worn) has proven to save lives many times. And in those instances were there is fire (likely) AmSafe belts is not going to keep you from burning. The impact kinetic energy on a GA plane crash is 9 times that of a car. And AmSafe does not pay for damage to your plane, limbs and lawsuits but an insurance will do. Avoid the embarrassment, get the piss tube, it will keep you dry after the crash. José

Thank you for sharing this. I am always hesitant to buy something from CL, or even eBay without being sure that the seller is legit. On the other hand I do believe that this forum provides a good sounding board for issues and problems we may face. Each time I asked for advice I receive good ideas and ways to address the problems I was facing. So thank you to everybody. Of course there is always the discussion that leads to nowhere, but that is the entertainment aspects of a forum like this. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I'm like Jim... But more compounded into the polymer, than dyed into the wool... You get more consistent coloring by putting the color in before making the fiber... Try feeding stylish colors to a sheep... Got to know my M20C down to each nut and bolt... Learned to fly each procedure as good as I ever was going too... Moving to the next Mooney was surprisingly familiar... In a typical fashion, I engineered my family to stay the same size... back seaters can be full sized for about 10years... between sports and college, my back seat has been more empty than filled... The only change in family size over the years was an addition of a medium sized dog... For your flights, the 310hp Acclaim makes a lot of sense... Changing to a different bird and starting over with all that knowledge acquisition.... Added cognitive cost. Not unless I was Going turbine.... then I would be calling Mooney before committing to follow Jerry and our other Brad the Acclaim owner on the P46T band wagon... both those guys were LBers before moving on... @Jerry 5TJ @BradB Go turbine or stay Mooney, your choice... How’s that for mental mathematics..? Best regards, -a-

This simple mod must be good for at least 30 KNOTS, maybe more.

I'd love to get together. And I'd be happy to take you up in my 252 and see what you think of it. The best speed I've ever gotten out of my 252 is 205 TAS at FL250 burning 14gph ROP. For me 14gph is when I'm pushing her flat out which for me is 75% and 100 ROP. So that's the worst fuel burn you'll get. Recently I flew 1150 nautical miles from Austin to eastern NC. I was at FL210 and FL230 for the whole trip, LOP at 9gph, 4:50 time enroute, and used 51 of my 76 gal. There were tailwinds involved.