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I earned my commercial pilot license today. As some of you have read I started checking off specific items training wise for my commercial pilot license in 2010 in my former F model. I had become proficient in all the maneuvers when I sold the F and upgraded to the Missile in late 2011. With a newly overhauled engine, I didn’t want to practice certain commercial maneuvers. 100 hours later in 2012, 2 cylinders cracked while under warrenty and I had a top overhaul performed as I did not trust the remaining cylinders. 100 hours later in 2013 I got engaged, married in spring 2014, my daughter was born in 2015 and my son in 2017. Life just got in the way. So in 2018, 2.5 weeks ago, I passed my written and today I passed my oral and practical. Next will be multi, CFI, or tailsdragger rating. -Seth

This is the proposed upgrade. Hoping to have her in my hanger by the end of August. We shall see.....

The HDX is an awesome unit and I took that into consideration when planning on upgrading my Mooney but based on costs and how much I wanted to tear into it I felt like the TruTrak was a better fit. In your case I think it is a valid consideration since you are doing the Aspen too but In general I don’t think the HDX is a fair comparison to the TruTrak. Once you buy the equipment, do a full tear out / re install and cut a new panel you are into the project for north of $12k possibly more. I think if you want a full re do of the panel there is no better option then the HDX when it is approved since it has everything in one really cool package, if I were you I would wait to see what Dynon has before pulling the trigger on the Aspen / TruTrak. The TruTrak on the other hand is something I can get installed with minimal surgery to the Mooney that will give me a very useful full featured autopilot. TruTrak estamates 20-25hrs install time for the Mooney kit, I will post updated hrs after mine is installed. Another factor was that there were only 3 approved install centers in the US for Dynon Certified. All that lead me to TruTrak and I liked the set up so much I became a dealer. The cool thing about all this is the AWESOME products that are becoming available for our vintage aircraft!

But he can install the new AP and sell his still-functional Brittain parts to his CB brethren whose upgrade funds are committed elsewhere at the moment!

Agree absolutely. He will offer an unbiased, honest assessment. Not to impune the work of others mentioned here, I think your goal should get someone who can give a fresh perspective. Brian was a former factory test pilot, FAA liaison, maintenance director, and wore several other hats while at the factory. Over 7,000 hours in all models, but as nfonville said, he will only work on the TLS/Bravo, Ovation, and Acclaim platforms. You won’t regret the decision. Good luck. Steve

I've been flying a 310 lately. It is wonderful sitting there in those big chairs with your arm on the arm rest with a hand full of throttles! Lots of elbow room. The power on takeoff is awesome! A great performer! Then I pull up to the gas pump

Based on all their previous approvals I would venture to say no however nothing is final till the approval. How they explained the lack of the ILS feature to me was that it would be a hang up in the approval process to have the Vision interface with all of the different brands / configurations of ILS outputs. Given that there is a GPS/LPV or straight GPS at just about every airport and many of the smaller airports have only a GPS and no ILS makes it a non issue for me. Couple that with all the other features that I get that are way above and beyond what my century III and legacy autopilots give me and I am happy especially for the price.

I have one. You will need to run one or two wires to it if you want the sync feature. The other wire is used to connect to the strobe switch and you would reuse the original Nav wire to turn on the solid white. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

After almost having to cancel a flight due to the nav update being corrupt (and the laptop at home) I finally gave in and bought the Bad Elf Wombat. It’s pretty slick. You can do the nav updates and send your engine monitor data to Savvy using your phone.

Robert we should start the TD club for those of us that are somewhat tech deficient. May get more members than the CB club

I flew an M20C for a decade before MooneySpace was born... The Mooney Factory was shut down... My wing leveler was inop... I bought it anyways. Have no fear. The plane will fly perfectly well without a wing leveler if it comes to that... Realistically these devices soldier on using new rubber hoses and other rubber bits.... and electrical tape... Then when the new low cost APs come out... you can pray for the Brittain device to croak... A good CB can’t let something go that is still working. Best regards, -a-

Anthony I think that's what Paul (gsxrpilot) is worried about.

Long term purchase or short? Went from an Archer to a Mooney 3 years ago and won’t ever look back. Archer is a great all around plane but no match for the Mooney. Just finished my instrument a month ago. If your gonna fly a Mooney long term I would finish the rating in the plane you’ll be flying in.

It took me 55hrs in install my 900 in my 231. To do a second one I could probably shave off 10hrs. It's not hard work, just tedious. I spent a good amount of time just thinking about wire management, and strived to make it a clean and tidy installation. Just Changing the shunt probably accounted for 5hrs. Mooney buried that like it was a pirates treasure. As others have recommended, I wouldn't go with an 830 in the 231. The 900 is the way to go. With the 830 you legally need to maintain your original gauges. A bad probe or gauge could easily eat up the cost difference between the 830 and 900. That being said, an engine monitor will be one of the most important things you will have in your 231. Even an 830 is infinitely better that what you have now. Cheers, Dan

I purchased a Wombat at SUN-N-FUN. The unit has a short or something where the WI-FI connection was sporadic, I contacted the company for assistance, after a few questions they immediately are sending out a new unit I will then return mine. We usually alert all to bad companies, the Bad Elf customer support was awesome and quite easy to work with. For information the company stands behind their products are first class to deal with.

Are they actually going to make them to fly an ILS? That's one of my biggest hangups with them. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

You going to have to pull the probes, etc. And unlike the 830, the 900 has to go back to the factory to be reprogrammed. Sounds like a lot of $ & work, ever consider just keeping 900?

Am I the only one wondering what kind of stuff is going to be coming out of planes and to the used avionics market when the Skyview HDX's start going in?

8A6, Wilgrove Airpark. RVs are both fast and fun and comfortable for one or two. Not so much for three.

Built the one I fly. It flies great. I had no tailwheel time (other than getting the endorsement) prior to flying this. As tailwheel airplanes go, it is a piece of cake. But, there just is not enough room for my wife and little dog on long trips. CLT to CVS is painful for a dog to sit on our laps. Wanna trade?

Super news for my Super 21 Sent you my email, Thanks

Nope, someone on Beechtalk did.

Whether it's your forever airplane or not, your survival as a pilot, as well as your precious cargo, will be greatly enhanced with an engine analyzer and the knowledge of how to use it. These days good airmanship includes the knowledge of how to manage and monitor your engine. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Inquiring minds want to know. Did Peter Garmin buy it?

VERY GOOD LESSON carusaoam! My C did (does) have the short rudder. From your lesson my take away is; I’m glad my new to me F has speed brakes. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

I’ve got an EI engine analyzer but have never been able to download it to a windows 10 laptop. There is a translation program that should allow this old software to work but I’m too tech-deficient, it seems.

So most of you have noted the waviness of the tracked course in all this flying. What could the problem be? Bad G5? Bad STEC 50? The avionics shop eliminated all the usual suspects. G5 and 480 CDIs were rock steady. STEC 50 servo cables loose? Did I want to invest the time and effort to chase them down? Josh asked me to wait until I came back from Oshkosh. "Why?" I asked. "Because the flightaware coverage there is somewhat more precise than near Ottawa (or even Brantford)." he replied. So Ok. I checked out the tracks from today's flights from Ottawa to Brantford to Detroit to Madison, to get ready for the Caravan. Anyone else see the difference? The last one is completely within (ADSB? TIS-B?) coverage and straight as an arrow. I am good. We're done here.

Maybe they want 10 PO's from Mooney owners before they get the STC for it or something.

Yep, something like this. I made these a couple of years ago for mine.

I brought a 14yr old boy for a few days about 6years ago... He took a class on welding and some other things with the EAA group... he had a blast... Bring a spare battery (jump start type) plan on plugging phones in to recharge... Set up the find my friends or Life360 app to be able to find them if they get lost... There is so much cool teen stuff.... big radial engines, Jets, airshows, Mooneys.... a few famous people.... some cool cars.... real military planes... Go ahead and plant the seed... you never know what will grow out of the experience... Best regards, -a-

Hey CapnKirk, I did about the same thing. I had slightly more hours TT but I did all my IR training and check ride in the Mooney. 8 years later I'm super happy with the plane and the fact that I did the training in the actual plane I've been flying all these years. Go for it! Btw, where are you based? (Never mind just saw your at KMIO) -Kris

That’s what we did with my 900 and EI FP-5L. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

SWTA is now in Smithville... still about the best option for a pre-buy in central Texas. Have you been on the phone to Don Maxwell to ask him about the plane. I'll wager a tank of gas that he'll be able to tell you more about that plane over the phone than another shop will discover in a pre-buy... and Don won't charge you for the phone call. I'm not saying you don't need a pre-buy, but if you haven't had the conversation with Don, you'd be a fool not to call him.

Change one preload and they all change in unison. BUT it should only take 4 hrs to reset EVERYTHING from scratch. One MUST get the correct position of the main bellcrank correct before any of the 4 rods are adjusted. Once done correctly it should really never change much except for injury to the system.

Sorry to interrupt, but that sounds...R-rated

I have the same situation with my boat and motorcycle. For some reason USAA couldn't write the policy in California so they broker Progressive. Policy shows up on my USAA app but when I call I get a progressive agent is has had USAA specific training (whatever that means). -Robert

Installing a used GNS530w or 430w also gives you a potential long-term upgrade path as the IFD540/440 are owner-install slide-in replacements. By the time you wanted to upgrade you could probably get one of those used as well.

There is some reason the gear preload needs resetting. That needs to be found out. Something bent, something worn. Just one main needing resetting would be a concern.

You're certain about the price? $59,871? Not $59872?

95V has sold, pending a pre-buy inspection. The purchase agreement has been signed and both parties are satisfied... at least I am. So, thanks to Mooneyspace for finding my buyer. The only listing or mention of my plane for sale has been here. I had lots of calls and several offers and she sold quickly. If someone wants a Mooney, they’ll be checking Mooneyspace. The buyer is a wise, young family man who will make good use of 95V. I’m really enjoying myself and appreciating his enthusiasm for this Mooney. It is rewarding to know she’ll be well taken care of. I appreciate all the advice shared here and will visit often just to make certain everyone is still getting along. I never shared much, but valued the advice so many of you have provided. Thanks and blessings to you all, ron

I don’t think think gammi will even sell you injectors if you have a single egt. They wouldn’t be able to tune them for you which is the entire benefit of gammi -Robert

My IA reinspected the spinner today and agreed there is no crack therefore no airworthiness issue. I appreciate your thoughts, offers, and input. Crisis averted on this one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Don’t you have like 12 to 18 stop drilled holes around the circumference of the spinner through which a bunch of screws live? Spinners ain’t cheap. Seems like overkill but I’m just an O/O.

I am not telling ANYONE the best place to retire. As soon as I do, a gazillion old people will move there and ruin the place!