Rhumbline

Only on my pancakes!

Usually oil-store.com but I also check out AirplaneOil.com and kellerheartt.com as they sometimes have better deals. Nope. I use Aeroshell 15w-50. Supposedly, additives are superfluous with that oil.

Oil & filter every 25 hours or 3 months, whichever rolls around first (usually the hours). This may seem like overkill but my situation is probably somewhat unique in so far as the engine is in its 47th year without overhaul and I want to ensure that I catch any developing trouble ASAP. Every mechanic I've spoken to, however, has suggested that every 50 hours or 6 months is adequate.

Give LASAR a call. Depending on the assembly, it can probably be overhauled. A year ago it was $350 and they had it for only a day. Hope that helps.

Why a Mooney? Why not?

Having had my tanks re-sealed last year, I discovered during the annual this year that the stripper used to digest the old sealant had run into and pooled in a number of locations in the belly. The stripper took the chromate off of the surfaces so treated that it came in contact with and congealed into something like dried glue which was very difficult to clean up. Though the airplane is old, it is very low time for its age and the innards are nearly pristine so I was a little bummed. I don't know if getting to it sooner would have helped but, in hindsight, I wish I had pulled the skins & panels off as soon as I got the plane home and done a little cleanup.

Did they offer any update on the status of the new mold for the step servo?

Definitely better than in your video. Weather and other factors have delayed the x-countries and other hops I'd planned over the past couple of weeks but a few brief local flights confirm that the oil temp indicator is functioning perfectly again. The right fuel quantity indicator is better than it was but I think it's still going to report an optimistic level though it does look like it will now show empty which it would not before; at least not without vigorously tapping repeatedly. The fuel gauges react as yours do in the video but the remainder are rock solid and indicate credible values. Headed to AZ for cheap gas and lunch tomorrow. I'll let you know if I'm disappointed. So far, I'd say it was worth the $250 and the whole cluster was yellow tagged. Had getting the cluster off to them not been delayed during the annual, I'd have requested an overhaul instead of inspection & repair of each of the instruments to better ensure that they might all give better service for longer.

Until recently, my gear warning horn switch was grossly maladjusted and would sound at around 18" of MP. I'd grown so tired of fingering that hole when slowing that my wife, to avoid the annoying squawking that she herself did not produce, would, of her own volition, finger that hole herself. It's as close as I'll ever get but you may now conjure all the thoughts and comments you wish regarding a me'nage a' tois!

I'm in. Name and address of the shop to send the contribution to...

I can empathize. Getting work done on my plane has been a magnificent frustration with down times ranging from weeks to months and, often, not all the work requested was accomplished. It has caused me to consider getting rid of the plane on more than one occasion. It's been in annual for six weeks now with no surprises and only a few small repairs that I requested be done in concurrence with the annual. It was all but completed last week after at least one unnecessary delay but I'm still waiting for the logbooks and the green-light. Missed another weekend burger trip. I'm afraid I cannot help but you may feel better knowing there's someone who is commiserating.

...or mizzen tops'l. If in doubt, you can always reference 'The Young Sea Officer's Sheet Anchor'. At least the sails are not back winded so the diesel is probably not driving the screw.

Glad you're back in business!

Sans GPS, I stated that it was useless for anything but flight planning. It is still a fine tool for that but I would not have purchased a subscription to ForeFlight or an iPad for that. It is the GPS component which provides geo-referencing in flight and the other information that GPS affords that makes it worthwhile. Otherwise, I much prefer having a large piece of paper that I can readily fold up or spread out a bit and instantly orient as I wish. I find the origami much easier than screwing around with the electronic device for merely looking at a map. Likewise, I just put a bookmark in the AFD and I can easily reference the relevant airports. There's no doubt that the technology has a "Gee Whizz" appeal but I'll take the simple reliability of the paper over the device on any day. It's also worth noting that I no longer fly IFR. If I did, however, I would not rely solely on the gadget to regurgitate the plate I want.

Told ya!

If we haven't reached it, we are well on our way. Even I, a card carrying Luddite, was a little unnerved when my ForeFlight/Bad Elf combination was rendered useless for anything but flight planning by the recent Ios 8.3 debacle. I had to remind myself that I have a chart wallet full of current paper which I actually remember how to use. I'm looking forward to leaving the gizmo behind and flying somewhere the old fashioned way this weekend. I don't think too many younger or recent inductees to flying would feel the same after having been ensconced behind a bunch of colorful screens that are doing all the thinking. As the fictional Admiral Kirk once stated of his training crew ,"I don't think these kids can steer."

Ditto on oil and intervals. My motor is original with something under 1500hrs since new. The previous owner (an IA) was steadfast in the use of Aeroshell 15w50 though he advocated as sufficient an oil & filter change every 50 hours or six months. Since the engine is nearing the aforementioned total time and its 47th birthday without an overhaul I choose to change the oil every 25hrs to detect any trouble as early as is practical. It uses around 1 1/2 quarts between changes, compressions are in the mid to upper 70's, performance is good and my current mechanic still comments on the ostensibly unusual fact that the oil analysis comes back absolutely flawless each time. I'm certainly in no position to make any recommendations and the logs clearly indicate that other oils have been used in years past but the current plan seems to be a good recipe.

I just got my cluster back from Instrument Overhaul Service of San Diego (619 449-5565). I'm afraid I cannot yet report on the quality of the work accomplished as it has not yet been re-installed but they were to have repaired the malfunctioning right fuel and oil temperature indicators. I also asked them to inspect the remaining instruments to see if they would benefit from any work. Cost was about $250. I'll update one way or the other after the cluster's re-installed next week.

I just had this done during annual and actually gained 65 kts. The increase should be worth it since you will arrive at your destination before your departure time!

Way better deal than I got a couple of years ago. I paid $1,650 and got a $400 refund after I sent the Dukes core back. Sorry I didn't see your questions sooner but it sounds like they've been answered. Good luck getting going again!

I replaced the original Dukes with a C&J Aviation 4140-00-21ACJ nearly two years and 200 hours ago. No trouble yet but I certainly wouldn't expect any either.

In post-racial America, you are a racist if you are not a minority and disagree with the POTUS or the administration's policies. If you also have conservative leanings, you are churlish, greedy and without compassion in addition to being racist. If you are not a minority, have conservative leanings and own a firearm, you are also a domestic terrorist.

Just came across this. So far, one of the better sounding solutions for anyone looking for a less expensive alternative for their simple panel... FreeFlight Systems announces Equip-It 2020 — a program providing complete, rule-compliant ADS-B systems for light general aviation aircraft for less than $2,000 Waco, TX, (March 16, 2015) — American manufacturer, FreeFlight Systems, announced today that it has launched Equip-It 2020 — a program to provide ADS-B equipment for light general aviation aircraft (GA) that breaks the $2,000 barrier for a basic, but complete, system. Equip-It 2020 features the product line, RANGR Lite, in two configurations — an ADS-B Out (only) system, FDL-978-TXL list priced at $1,995, and an ADS-B In/Out system, FDL-978- XVRL for $3,695. FreeFlight Systems is committing to build 10,000 of these systems in an effort to reduce costs to the GA community and is offering them through participating dealers. Both systems come complete, no “fine print,” with built-in WAAS/GPS, and include ADS-B and GPS antennas, an install kit, control head and/or Wi-Fi module if needed. The systems are based on the successful FreeFlight Systems RANGR “Blue Box” product line, with some reduced feature sets. The RANGR Lite systems are non-diversity capable, and have a clear coat box finish. The In/Out XVRL product has the ability to display free weather and traffic via our Wi-Fi module to a portable device only. Some of the I/O required for integration in larger aircraft has also been removed. Customers who elect to start with the low-cost Out TXL system will have the option to upgrade to the In/Out XVRL version at a later date. FreeFlight Systems is part of the ongoing “Equip 2020” working group, which has brought together the industry, users, and the FAA to address the actions necessary to ensure the entire US fleet is ready to go with ADS-B on time. In those meetings, it became clear that price was a real barrier for owners of small aircraft. Proposals to reduce the requirements for ADS-B, in order to reduce cost, were not gaining traction because the critical nature of ADS-B systems requires aircraft-quality, installed, avionics. “Many of our customers, especially those with older aircraft, told us that they need a low cost option for equipage to meet the January 1, 2020 deadline for ADS-B,” said Tim Taylor, President and CEO of FreeFlight Systems. “We needed to find a way to accomplish that without compromising the quality of the system,” he continued. “Volume was the way to make that happen, and we are stepping up.” The RANGR Lite systems are being offered through participating dealers only, on a first- come, first-served basis. Shipments are expected to begin in late Q2 2015. A list of participating dealers will be announced on April 8, 2015 via our program website, www.equipit2020.com, during the Aircraft Electronics Association Convention. Contact your local dealer today and ask about the FreeFlight Systems Equip-It 2020 program.

I had a similar problem. With the engine running and changing rpm and selecting individual magnetos it was confirmed that the source of the trouble was ignition noise. The mags were due for overhaul anyway and I replaced the ignition harness (unquestionably original) at the same time and reception on both radios is now clear as a bell.

Aha! That's a trick question. Assuming the dilithium crystals are properly cut and aligned, the question is how much anti-matter will be required? Oops. My geek is showing...