IndyTim

marauder - I'm still trying to figure out what's real and what's not with GDL88 installation. Thanks. Is this GDL88 sw or is it GTN750 sw that's preventing the display? Or both? Looks like the KAP150 is supported by the 43e. On paper.

Larryb, thanks for the info on the pilotpak. I was looking into that and it does simplify the licensing and reduce the cost. It's enough to push me over the hump on the 650 decision. It looks like I'm trudging right down the path that Garnin's product managers want me to be on. Dave - that's good advice regarding the engine. I hadn't thought of pickling it. I did run across a Continental bulletin that recommends pickling for storage from 30 to 90 days. Thanks.

Nice to see that you're still thinking about, or have actually decided on, a Mooney. I just went through a lengthy process of trying to figure out what to get. I was locked on -36 Bonanzas, and just couldn't find the right one. I kept returning to Mooneys, and finally found a 252 in great condition which I bought. I really struggled with the space issue, thinking I really needed the A- or B36 cabin. I had three competing missions: the 95% mission is me by myself, commuting long distances to client sites. A Mooney is absolutely made for that mission. My second mission profile is longish trips with my wife. The Mooney works there, too, although I have not yet verified for certain that it will carry a Co-Motion tandem bicycle when broken down into the two packing cases. I sure hope so.... The third profile is for two couples and luggage, and it's so rare that I've just let it go.... We'll figure something else out. However, I did want to throw in this tidbit of information: I'm over 6'2" and I love the Mooney. I have plenty of leg, shoulder, and headroom even with my headset on. Interestingly, I just flew three other people around a few evenings ago: my wife, my son, and his friend. My son is 6'4 around 185lbs, and his buddy is about 5'10". They sat in back, and claim to have been comfortable once they reclined the seatbacks. FWIW.

A little late, but good luck anyway. I hope it went well.

I should have clarified: I'm installing the G500 w/ GAD43e. I believe this allows the King AI to be replaced, doesn't it?

Well, I've sorted through several topics over the weekend with help from everyone here. Thanks to all. - GDL88 vs GTS800 vs both - 430 vs 430w vs 255 vs 650 - JPI 830 vs EI MVP vs G4 On to the next topic, which is: when I install the G500, I'll have a choice of two AIs to retain: the King or the Castleberry AI with inclinometer. I'm tempted to go all electric and get the backup battery for the Castleberry (if available). I haven't found any evidence on this forum of anyone actually removing the vacuum system in one of our planes - other than the AI and DG is there anything else that requires it?

I've worked through most of the decisions but have one lingering doubt about leaving the 430 in place. Looking for advice/comments. I did decide to do the G500 with GAD43e now. I think I'd immediatelly regret not getting that done as one complete project. The plan is still to slide the 430 down in place of the KX165. I want to replace the KX so that's a given. But since the 430 is non-WAAS there is no crossfill with the 750. I'm still pondering how necessary that is: like so many other capabilities, you don't really know what you're missing until you've tried it. Alternatives: a) WAA$ the 430. Rather not - I'd do a 650 before I'd do that. But this does provide some crossfill, and I'd have a backup GPS that will allow me to shoot LPV approaches if the 750 goes south. Sell the 430, and replace the KX165 with a GNC255. This mimics my current setup with a good GPS/Nav/Com over a 2nd Nav/Comm. It frees up panel space compared to 750/650 or 750/430. Has some limited crossfill - mainly the frequencies. But this feels like going backwards compared to just leaving the 430 in place with no significant change in the economics one way or the other. I don't gain any additional approach versatility, actually lose RNAV in the "750 is down" scenario. But then again, with backup instruments, a GS indicator off the 255, and manual navigation from the Foreflight or 796 charts, I still have an IFR-capable setup that's pretty good in the unlikely event I lose both 750 and G500. Just no RNAV/GPS, which could be big deal at smaller airports with no ILS or LOC. c) the obvious but as usual the most expensive choice is to just do a 650 but, hey, have to draw the line somewhere. And I'm not sure it's a necessity. Unlike everything else. ;-) I have GPS on the 750, the G500, Foreflight and maybe on the 796 if I hang on to it. What are the scenarios where I'd be thinking, geez I should have done the 650?

Thanks Oscar. I was looking for a shot of a 750 over a 430. I really like gray panels.

Yes. I have it set up currently so that it only responds to my own cell #. I'll add some family members' numbers (up to 5 additional authorized users are supported) so I can still control it in the event I lose my phone.

Looks like a great airplane. Anyone in the market for a J should have this one near the top of their list.

I just got my Reiff/Witura switch up and running yesterday. It took me probably 3-4 hours of on/off work to get everything going. Some of that was due to issues with T-Mobile's Prepaid Card activation process which frankly left much to be desired. But that's not an issue with Reiff or Witura. I work in technology for a living, and I generally don't have much difficulty working with stuff like this, but given that I'm getting impatient and distractable in my advancing years it took me a few false starts and an email to tech support at witura.com before I had the switch working. PIREP: 0. There are no indicator lights on the outside of the unit, to tell you that it's ready to receive an activation call. There IS a big blue light that illuminates after the unit has been switched to ON and is providing power. But there is no visible sign on the outside surface of the unit to tell you that it's ready to go. I find that irritating and inconvenient. Especially since it was somewhat challenging to set up and get working to begin with. Essentially, the only way to tell whether you've configured it correctly, and plugged in the right connectors etc, and haven't messed anything up screwing the cover back down, is to actually turn the unit on, or SMS text it for status. This is a feature I would add to the product, immediately, if it were in my power. And I would make sure that light glowed green only when the unit had been fully configured with SIM, battery, connectors, and the correct SMS configuration commands. 1. 6 screws must be unscrewed to get in and out of the unit to install SIM card and plug in the backup battery. I think I unscrewed and screwed in those screws 60 times in the last 24 hours. 2. The SIM card must not be a micro SIM. The unit wants the older, full-sized one. If you go to T-Mobile and get a prepaid SIM card as Reiff's info recommends, you'll end up a with micro SIM. That won't work -- be sure to get the little adapter that converts the micro to a full-size SIM. Undocumented feature, as far as I can tell. The adapter was free from Walmart, and I feel fortunate that the guy behind the counter there thought to ask me about it, and threw in the adapter to be safe. 3. Opening the unit I received, there were two electrical leads that were not connected: one for the backup battery, and another one that looks like a 12V out. Or something - doesn't matter. Just plug in the battery lead - if you plug in the 2nd lead the unit won't activate. Don't ask me how I know this. 4. Once you have everything set up correctly, which means by now you may have unscrewed and screwed the 6-screw cover about 9 times unless you were smart enough to leave it off until it was really, truly working, you can activate and test the unit. 5. When I first tested the unit with a phone call, it would turn on, then immediately back off. It would not stay on. In Reiff's Manual Supplement, it says: "Telephone call – without timer: Send this text command: *PSSW12345*RLY=ON. Instructs the relay switch to stay ON permanently when you call it." I had to do this, and once I did it the unit would stay on when I called it. 6. Also in the Manuals Supplement, I discovered that it's possible to activate/deactivate power with SMS. Those commands are *PSSW12345*RLYP=ON* to turn it on and *PSSW12345*RLYP=OFF* to turn it off. That assumes you did not change the default password of "12345". Neither this feature nor #5 above are covered in the base manual, so be sure to get and read both the base manual and the supplement. Now that it's up and running, I'm pleased with it. Pretty darned cool, to be able to turn on preheat over at the hanger. I've still got it at home, playing with it, and I use it to surreptitiously turn off my wife's desk lamp while she's working. No end to the fun and games you could have with this thing. Edit: 12/9/2013 7:12pm: Just a note on T-Mobile: my prepaid account has been setup with voicemail and not at my request. So at this point the unit is not responding to calls since they are rolling straight over to voicemail. I have yet to call T-Mobile and reconfigure the phone service. Make sure you attend to this on your call to your cellular provider, and deactivate voicemail.

UPDATE: I've decided to hang on to the 796 for now, at least until the new panel is in and I have a chance to see I really need this as backup. Since my XM subscription will move to the GDL69a, I expect I'll still be willing to let this go, but I won't be able to say for sure until Feb/March.

National Register of Historic Places entry is here: http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/aviation/col.htm It says KCGS is "one of the oldest" but the article is not definitive. I did a quick search and couldn't find any other serious contenders. But CGS looks like the site for a whole slew of aviation firsts, including the first "blind" ((IFR) cross-country flight.

Very cool Seth. Here is the wiki link for College Park. Pretty interesting history there. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Park_Airport

Yes I agree the Monroy extende tanks would be good. With my current roster of trips I'm good for now. But this is high on the wish list.

Wilco Steve, pictures as much as I'm able although I'll miss most of it unfortunately.

What exactly causes the flow impact? Is there a difference in the curvature of the tks panels, compared to the base wing leading edge? Is there anything the installer could/should do to minimize performance impact?

Nice panel, Bob. It really cleaned up well. how complete is your traffic picture with the gdl88? And do you have Diversity?

FIKI TKS is still $57k and change. At least it hasn't gone up again since the big jump a year or two ago. But still, wow.