Leaderboard

Well, I started this project off with just trying to get ADS-B compliant. Airplane is a 1963 C model. As they worked through my airplane they found so much wrong that I am surprised I could fly IFR at all. As you know a 1963 airplane probably has had a lot of work done to it and mine is no exception. But as things were removed and replaced over the years, the wiring was never removed. There were hot wires going nowhere. Other wires that should have been removed long ago that went nowhere. There was a static leak that I was unaware of...etc...etc... So I took the plunge and did quite the upgrade. Garmin G5 HSI, Garmin 530W, Garmin GTX 345 transponder, Garmin GMA 345 Audio panel, JPI EDM 900, new panel. The only unusual thing is that the Attitude Indicator is not centered over the yoke but that was due to the small area on the left side panel that you have to work with on the C-model and the number of instruments trying to pack in there. The panels were pre-made and available from LASAR if anyone is interested. Here are the pre and post photos for your amusement.

I don’t know about you but I’ve studied the process for eApis and there is nothing intuitive about it. Well, I just downloaded an app called Flashpass and it makes everything simple and straightforward. It’s available in the Apple App Store and, I assume, on the google equivalent. $60 per year. I’ve heard enough stories of US Customs horror stories that, cheap bastard that I am, I couldn’t resist. No regrets.

I'm not sure why this is an emotional topic. Some like vanilla ice cream, others chocolate. Both get the job done. I think you should look at the values/differences of both approaches and make the decision based on your assessment of what meets your need. I'm happy as an owner who has 27 year old bladders. They owe me nothing... As for the fuel leakage in an accident. It comes down to basic physics. If the accident momentum is high enough, nothing is going to keep fuel in the wings.

I've revised the mounts slightly. Included the pilot holes to mark the corners of the panel for cutting, and moved the mounting holes around to give 1.5D minimum material around the holes (on the mount and the panel). The mount fits between instruments on a Mooney, and above an HSI if installed. Aerodon

here's one, Def have to go back.

I went to Fredericton, NB this weekend for a conference...and came back. Friday when I went I left a bit earlier in the day than I might have, to beat the storms that were going to blow in, which turned out to be a good call. There were a few storms building up enroute and cloud layer with bases at 2-3k and tops at 9k, and I was at 15500 which was a nice place to enjoy the sunshine and easily steer clear of any build ups to a severe clear arrival at CYFC. Yay CANPASS. I had never been but Fredericton is really a nice town on the river. Lot's of nice shops and restaurants and classic but well kept old homes. And I brought my folder bike and there is a really nice rails to trails bike path for miles and miles along the river. Plus across the river there is a dedicated walking/bike bridge. The town is actually half and half on both sides of the river. ...and I got some work done and went to the conference. There is a picture of bacon wrapped scallops by the river. Another picture of sushi at a Korean restaurant - bacon sushi! Everything is good with bacon. Plus spicy-bim-bim-bap. Returned this morning - there is a picture of me looking across the wing right at the border between New Brunswick and Maine. Then I did customs at Bangor, ME. And I borrowed the car and went and got some lobsters. Bangor is really a nice town too with canals running through town. E

A hangar wench to help you pull your planes in?

I have seen a ton of people happy with both. I have searched to find anything related to any additional safety that bladders may or may not provide. It would seem logical that bladders may provide additional safety in a gear up situation (fire ignition from sparks etc), does anyone have any articles, info or opinions (I know there will be a few of those ... )

Now my plane doesn’t suck....... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

In the spirit of solidarity with our brothers in the great white north, we'll be spending part of our summer holiday in Canada. The US Canadian border used to be the longest open border on the planet. Shame on us American's for bringing that era to an end.

All modern airliners have integral tanks. The reasons: Only cans of sealant need to be in stock at the MROs for tank repairs. With bladders you need to have in stock the bladders for each wing section for each plane model. Bladders weight is considerable more vs integral tanks, thus reducing payload capacity. Moisture trapped between the bladder material and airframe structure can cause corrosion. José

I have to agree. For the sake of my marriage, it was mandatory for me to join - and complete - at least one such group when I went through this process...

There are two ways to wire the mic phone jacks. One is with a PTT one of the phone terminal would go to ground with a PTT in a hand held mic or headset with PTT on the cord. The other would to be to leave that wire off. Probably need to know how yours are wired. A rub or a stray strand of wire would cause the TX to be stuck. Next is your PTT buttons on the yoke. They also connect to ground when the PTT button is pushed closed. Sounds rubbing wire ish. Also sounds like a bad audio panel ground. What's the MP circuit consist of?

I think they'd put the W&B out a bit and forget any notion of 'sterile cockpit'.

if you go bladders definitely get the 64 gallon version. I have the 54 gallon version and would like to have the extra 10 gallons on a few of my flights.

Done!!! Still troubleshooting the Accutrak II, but everything is in place. Compare with "before" photo on the 2nd page of this thread. Another museum piece Mooney brought forward decades in terms of technology.

AGL aviation in Morganton NC is not only an MSC, but also an installer of Bruce's spatial interior ( SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT along with both of them being sponsors of the Mooney Summit) Bruce and I put this interior in my F way back in 2014 and it made a new plane of it since the rest was up to new standards except engine time. Great product, passionate guy that Bruce!

Me +2, Mini Marcopolo, and Boss Marcopolo Ron

A 78’ J will have an Airspeed safety switch. I had that same problem this time last year. Next chance you get climb out as slow as you feel comfortable 85mph or so. If the gear doesn’t go up, pitch the nose over to 90 or faster and see if the gear goes up. If so the bad news is $1,400 for the switch. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My wife does ours...create a crew,air craft than a manifest ,than it's maybe 2/3 min to do your self.Having paid 60 bucks for something which is free ,your membership in CB club is suspended

Chris The Garmin requires a G5 to provide heading. I don’t believe it will work with your Aspen but maybe that will change. At least that is what Garmin has said previously that they require a G5 and is posted on their web site. If you want auto trim the GFC500 will require their trim servo which adds to the cost. If you want a flight director then a 2nd G5 is required. Add them up and you will soon be well beyond the upgrade cost of your Stec 60 for a GFC500 not to mention the additional cost to replace your Stec servo’s with the Garmin servo’s and the associated wiring brackets etc. You are my hero with your panel and of all folks you know the way these projects expand. Oh almost forgot you need to add an adapter to the GFC500 to allow your GTN to use GPS Nav. WARRANTY: Since this is a non tso’d Garmin product it carries only a one year warranty compared to the Stec3100 3 year warranty and two years on existing servo’s if you put a P.O. in before the STC. Is issued on our Mooney’s. In terms of the Aspen displaying the data/controls and interfacing with the 3100 that comes from Barry but as I said this is cancellable prior to when the STC is issued so it’s a non issue to me. I suspect Aspen will require some fee like they do for the Stec 55X interface. However the Aspen will interface with the Stec 3100 now. As I mentioned Stec has developed this to work with mechanical HSI EFIS and glass so you are good to go. Now Let’s look at the Tru Trak. That system does not have electric trim period so how will that be handled? It also will only work with GPS. It will not track the VOR/LOC or the associated GS because it cant be interfaced. Do you really want to give up that VLOC capability that you have with your current autopilot? You have one of the best panels in the fleet with multiple backups so I can’t imagine that you would settle for less. Finally like the Garmin GFC500 you have to rip out your current system servo’s with all that entails so the install cost will have to be higher than a straight upgrade. As I said I think when you really look at the costs the Stec upgrade is quite competitive and the value is compelling. I’ve also heard a rumor of a lower cost of $9000 might be in the wings. We shall see. However my primary interest is not in the lowest cost but rather the safest autopilot with the best value that I can get at this stage of life for my right seater. Truth be known I don’t think I’ve flown a dozen coupled actual approaches in my entire flying career. I prefer to hand fly them which keeps me current and hopefully competent. With that said I consider a basic autopilot like the Stec 30 with altitude hold a go/no go item for IFR. This will now be expanded to include flight with passengers VFR.

Yes, the bend goes inside. You guys caught me at a good time. the nose wheel was just about to go back on. It is back on now. Its Miller time...

I'm in aviation, my wallet is flat.......lol

You forgot "feather", kinda an important memory item.

Your “vent” was a wonderful “tribute” to your friend. Vent received. Vent appreciated. I look forward to the conclusion. Another “Good Guy” that flys will be missed by those that loved him. Always hardest when young are lost... Truth be told I should have flown last weekend, but it was hot/humid and weather had convective predictions for going up and return. Didn’t pan out on poor weather.

Day 3 in the books. Good session. Worked on engine out at cruise and setting up for short term cruise or resolution. More steep turns, I was much more prepared today for the steep turns. The right steep turns are coming along nicely. Still losing altitude on left turns, not bad, but need some work. Did a few take off and landings. Feeling very happy with my landings and short field work. I think M01 is 3800' x 75' . I've been making the landings in plenty of time for the next to last turn-off. Feel very good with the overall training. No regrets so far. Next week we have sessions scheduled Mon-Fri next week. Fortunately, no days have been weathered out so the wheels keep turning. More updates to follow. We are already starting to talk about schedules for IFR training. My only regret is I did not start the advanced training sooner. -Tom

The plane was sold a few weeks ago to a fine gentleman from New Hampshire.

Did a plane wash once or twice knowing it was not convective. Even then, it was loud enough that I could barely hear air-traffic control over all the rain with the volume turned up. Now I do most of my washing with the hose.

Say hi to Cheryle for me. My inspiration to try harder, smarter, and more often... Best regards, -a-

Maybe two finally flying. Eagle flew last week for first time in 7 years. Stinson next.

I’ve been to the cook-out... and I have seen the promised Jaeger Interior... It shines. It gleems. It looks really modern... it’s... memorable! I also saw a Turbine start up... To put things in perspective... I have a tiny/micro memory capacity. The Jaeger Interior in Maurader’s F is nicely memorable, as is the leather in 201er’s interior, and the sounds of a Turbine come to life... That was easy! If I had a Jaeger Interior, I wouldn’t fear installing new wires like I do now... go industrial hook and loop fasteners! (Aka Velcro) I also met Brian & Pankey, KMac and DualRated, saw Mrs. Marauder again, almost remembered Marian’s name before i heard it... And I hope to remember Terry for not looking like my friend Terry from high school.... (I got it figured out now) Pleasing note: Mrs. Marauder is not representative of the heard. Compact, more like a single Aspen device than an entire instrument panel... I’m happy to report ... It’s amazing how memory works... only the important stuff stays... Mooney fly-ins are a blast. Best regards, -a-

At least you are a hockey fan an no one is talking about the nba. Vegas is a blast but if you really want to party go to New Orleans. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Funny, it was shot on an iPhone, uploaded on an Apple Macbook Pro and opens just fine on my iPad . .lol. Apple haters gonna hate

Are you sure that's Texas? The wind isn't blowing!

We bought ours because we love it when ATC reminds us to lift our legs, constantly.

Panel In! Trillian has an upgrade! A G500 TXi and an Aspen Pro Evolution PFD with backup battery. New behind the panel is a is a wx 500 remote stormscope. I looked closely at my backup options including original steam gauges, l3 ESI 500, and aspen pro backup. Chose the aspen backup as it has a two hour battery, synthetic vision, can track two Nav sources, has a dual HSI display which I like and has emergency gps ( it keeps your last gps course so that you can fly it, unlike the others if you actually lose all electrical power, you would lose all gps info). Have to especially thank @donkaye and @Marauder ( I watched your you tube video on your aspen) and all of you that helped on this thread with my decisions along the way, thanks! Still working out issues with the engine monitoring eis system, but the txi display is so incredibly clear, makes every other display including the gtn 750 look like a so so you tube video compared with the latest 4K ultra high def tv in your airplane, love it!

Aircraft Designs at Pine Mountain Lake uses their proprietary inserts in the side panels to gain additional elbow room. I really notice the difference. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk