MB65E

Sorry bout that, that was the installed price on another machine I was involved in. It was tied to the Transponder and came on when there was a target. That $1500 put a bad taste in the mouth for what it does. For the recog position lights I guess that makes sense. Cheers, Matt

Aircraft spruce sells a controller from MAX Dim I believe. It has multiple positions and is approved. Whelen does sell their controller but it's single function and lower amps( AKA Nav lights I believe) and I'd rather have the max dim with more functions and higher amperage. These units are approved for the regular GE lamps so you know they'll have no problem with the amperage on an LED. One could grab a bosch flashing unit and install a simple toggle switch to remove voltage from the power side of the lamp and have it go thru to the flasher instead. Bosch makes great products. PSA offers a flashing unit that is rated to 15a. This unit could work but some will argue about the Bosch and PSA units not being legal. However they both are simple, standard, well made electronics.... I have tested the PSA unit on the bench with 12v with 3 Nav lights hooked to it. The Nav lights drew almost 8 amps! That's 2x the amperage of an new LED landing light. And about half of what the circuit was raised for at 15a. The unit had no measurable heat increase from ambient. Finally, if you want an easy no fuss install, the Aero LED with the flashing units are awesome! (Run the PAR 46 in the CJ) Little more than the other brands, but I think it's a way better lamp, with a built in flashing unit. Or for $1500 Percise flight has a flashing unit that does the exact same things everyone else does. So once again, there is no great, easy, CB, solution. -Matt

If it's a documented STC from Lasar, they will have all the drawings you need. They are always great to talk to. -Matt

I have only known of one broken Lycoming camshaft, but it sound like the airplane was making power. I bet the cam is intact. The clearances are tight its in a strange spot for anything to get whipped up there. I'm leaning more towards 601's comment. I would be more interested in the jacking procedures that were used for the last 20 years. Bravos have the foward jack point. I have been scared of the D ring and try not to use it unless it's just the engine weight. Please let us know! I'd call around to engine shops, ask for a serviceable case(possibly new) and go thru the engine. I would try to keep all the steel parts you could. Keep your cylinders and have them overhauled. (Well.. they are parallel valve so it's not so bad for replacements. But having overhauled ones, there is no way to verify how many heat cycles or hours are on the core) It's nice to say it's a fresh overhaul but...if you plan on keeping it, I'd do an IRAN. You could probably get at least another 1000 hrs for only the parts you put into it. Nice airmenship by the way, -Matt

Its to protect the factory tube from long pointy sheet metal screws when installing the left cover there. (They should be type-b tin merman screws...but) There are a few other spots in the belly where a long screw would chafe the factory tubes. Cool!! It wipe it all down with corrosion X and go another 20 years! -Matt

Hi Tank! It does sound high. However being the first year inspection on a complex airplane. It would not surprise me if there was a laundry list of corrections that needed to be done. If your just in Vegas, Phoenix and central/northern CA have great shops. It's unfortunate that Vegas does not have more General Avaition facilities. As for the quoted "flat rate" pricing, it's been a Long time since I have seen anyone get off for only the "flat rate". I'm sure Jewel does fine work, but that price is for a no squawk clean airplane that that have clean logs and an AD list that is understandable. I am 4+ years into my M20E and still work hard each annual to make it better. This was after a Muncie MSC 9K annual by the prior owner. I would be interested in their squawk list. On my annual this year I tried to keep a log of my time. After 50 hrs...I quit counting. This was with a bit of tinkering and painting. But, I find it hard to think that any shop could preform the inspection in the 20 or so hours most say it takes. I would get more involved with your inspections. You'll learn a lot and get a feel for the value of the work performed. Hope that helps, -Matt

I have always cross referenced google maps and Forefight on my phone. The only catch is traffic flows. -Matt

Fun Stuff, thanks Dave!! Home safe, Matt

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday. Jan 10 2016!! -Matt

Thanks for the local tribal knowledge guys. I cleared work, now to clear Wx. Launching out of Mojave sat night overnight at e16 then to Watsonville in the morning. Should be fun putting names to faces! Be safe everyone. I think we'll pull it off better than any other pilot group. -Matt

I posted an article in the downloads section on the airplane from a Sport Avaition article from 1982. It would be cool to see the airplane in the right hands again. Great Article! -Matt

That was a deal! What's the current ES option upgrade cost from Garmin? ie 330S to 330ES. -Matt

The power of MS! " And some kind of Garmin, IFR super 21" lol!! -Matt

I like the technology, it's like giving yourself a raise by not changing landing lights. I wish the paddles were approved, but they are not yet. I just can't justify them yet. I also wished the modern LED strobes produced more of a strobe effect. They are more like a bright blinking light than a strobe light. I love the white single strobe lights that are on a -60 Blackhawk. They are smokin bright, single flash that really catches the eye. I have a old white single strobe on the mooney. It's super bright, but does ring in your ear via headsets. But, I like the PSA paddle products. -Matt

Thanks for the legwork Dave! -Matt

What's the goal? If the company is purchasing the aircraft, I would not reccomend the older E. The J has more creature comforts that make the J "feel" better for Pax. If it's an E you already own or a known E, I'd stick with that then. I think there are several modified E's that are faster than stock J's. Hopefully you were looking at indicated 140kts. I would think most E's would do that. If an E is cleaned up and rigged correctly you can get 160ktas out of it. Mine is just shy if that. A J would be a great addition to your company. -Matt

The com cord box has one extra button on it that has the blue tooth button icon labeled on it. The later A20s with the second gen blue tooth have even a different harness. The controller box on the later ones has a shorter pig tail that goes to the aircraft. 6-9 inches or so. -Matt

Clever Craig! -Matt

We named ours Patients. -Matt

The only way to see the cam is to pull the cylinder. A bore scope won't help. At this point I don't even think it's worth it to pull a cylinder. I would just pull the entire engine. Just check Corrosion of the spars, skin joints. Tail feathers, longerons near the battery box. Rear spar caps by pulling the rear seat and inspection areas. Look for popped rivets in the tail attachment areas. If you pull the trigger and it's a straight airframe, you'll be fine. We pulled the trigger on a $41k E that lasted 30 hrs on the engine before I overhauled it. Not the best investment there, but it's now a safe and fast. It will be a fun project if there is no corrosion -Matt

Nice work!! That's what nice about schools like that, the examiners are usually the owner or friends of the owner. The last time I tried to schedule an examiner for my SES the examiner wanted more than it cost to rent the airplane. My next kick will be to try and finish it at Pat Maggie's in HNL. Btw- his operation is for sale... enjoy, -Matt

There is a Tri tip guy just down the road from the south county airport (e16) that would love to have us all I bet. Awesome food. He has a mobile smoker and travels! I'll find a name... -Matt

XC concord!! I've had some odd battery failures in the past. Any electrical issue I have now, I first have the battery Cap checked. That eliminates half of the electrical system issues and chases. I just recently switch to a Concord Lead Acid on a CJ. Original Marathon Nicad last 8y. Next one lasted 15 mo, this last one went TU after 6mo. But I caught the warrantee. Would you believe Citation only has a 6 month warrantee on new spares?? Those are $8500 batteries!!! Ugg. Keep it it up Concord! -Matt

Cool...I mean hot! -Matt

Whereever is good with me. Never been to Ella's. That'd be fun. If the fog is bad, we could default to another location instead of a full up cancel. Options are good. -Matt