TCC

When it happened to me on a night flight, the unit was actually heat soaked and it overtemped. Avionics fan failed. Luckily, this was shortly after takeoff and before established on flight following. Did the CB pull thing once; didn’t solve the problem. We just stayed VFR and went back home.

Ahhh, gotcha. I must’ve missed that one.

Wouldn’t matter, I don’t go to the plane without both. I’ve gone through iOS and Android, worked thru six or seven EFBs and have been using digital flight planning/mission tools as far back as PFPS 4.0…about 20 years now, I guess. I’ve found the “best” platform/form factor/tool is the one you’re willing to learn, whether you’re paying for the app or paid to use a specific app. I’d hazard most pilots that self brief via their service of choice don’t realize unless they connect that service with 1800wxbrief.com there’s no FAA record of that self-briefing having been accomplished. I’d also hazard to guess most folks would rate Garmin Pilot and ForeFlight as having near parity. Except GP is available on android. And that version hasn’t let the user add a “PROC” to the flight plan in the EFB even though it’s been requested for at least six years now. Even the nifty “pack” feature some EFBs use is…an interesting concept. I have a dedicated tablet for my EFB, so all the FAA data charts, supplements, references, etc., all of it for the 50 US states gets downloaded for each flight. Some, but not all, NOTAMS, too. But most of that stuff that can’t be downloaded is available over ADS-B. Speaking of NOTAMS, that’s one thing I think FF and GP do better than iFly from a UI/UX perspective. But I get 15 months of iFly for 30% or more less than 12 months of FF or GP. When I do my CFI/II as a third career, I’ll spring for copies of both and likely drop iFly simply because those two are the lion’s share of the EFB space and I think it’s incumbent on an instructor to be proficient in the tools the student is going to use. Apologies for the long-windedness.

Wifi only Android tablet. I can use my phone as a hotspot if necessary then swap over to my Stratux for a dedicated GPS feed. Since my EFB (iFlyEFB) is resident on both the phone and the tablet, I plan & file off the web interface, then sync/download the plan to both phone and tablet. When I pick up my clearance, I usually just update the tablet if necessary; the phone copy exists solely as a back up. I also keep an up to date copy of Avare on the tablet so I have a backup EFB if it really came down to it. Probably overkill, but Avare is free and simple enough to use in a pinch. The likelihood of both devices on different OS and multiple EFB apps failing simultaneously is pretty low.

Since the GFC500 is dependent on a GPS signal in NAV mode, I’m curious if there was any GPS degradation at the time of these errors.

Choose your navigator and go from there. garmin navigator probably tips to scales to other Garmin avionics and autopilot. An IFD navigator probably tips the scales towards a Dynon panel. I prefer IFDs over GTNs but the GFC500 seems to perform better than Dynon’s AP however I seem to recall there’s been some updates that seem to resolve the altitude capture on the Dynons. Each system has it’s own set of pros and cons.

If you’re considering Hallmark, maybe explore Alamo Colleges A&P program, but I think that’s way down by Kelly Field, which is a hike if your coming from anywhere north of 1604.

Keep in mind you can also perform work beyond PM under the supervision of an A&P or IA. Not all mechanics support owner-assisted maintenance, but some do. If I didn’t enjoy wrenching and our A&P/IA didn’t support it, I would not do as much work as I do on the plane and little things add up over time.

Just flew one today, the Kelly Field ILS 16 behind a GTN750. At the lead radial, the GTN sequences to intercept the FAC beyond the IF. Once established on the FAC, the auto switch to VLOC occurred with about 4NM to go to FAF/GS intercept.

When did Junction close? AWOS is still pumping out the weather this morning. Nevermind; NOTAM’d as temp closure:

Gate 12 at CLL is great on field for lunch. LBX (Lake Jackson) has an awesome restaurant about 32 seconds walking distance from the tie downs. SJT has a restaurant on-field that’s been there since at least the 90s though a few years ago it changed owners. Burnet is just east of AQO and there’s walkable options. Pretty sure everyone knows about Hangar Cafe @ T82. The diner at Brenham closed again earlier this year. I’ve heard Lufkin has food on field, but can’t confirm. https://flightsforbites.com/ is a fresh attempt at building a crowdsourced $100 burger site. *I’m based at SSF and fly for food as a hobby.

RKP 3x courtesy cars and great seafood near the airport. GLS is nice; one courtesy car. CLL for lunch at Gate 12 when you want to feel classy.

How many hours have you flown in the past 90 days, since your 20-year break? The Mooney won’t be harder to fly, just different techniques, but you’ll need the complex endorsement to solo and to take the check ride. If you’ve already done the long XC, no big deal. If not, well…… I think the real question I’d be asking is “What DPE will I use?” and what that DPE’s opinion is. You’ll need to bring more systems knowledge for the oral and the DPE will want to be comfortable giving an initial in the plane. That may be the hardest part as some FSDOs are now requiring DPEs have PIC time in make/model to give an initial PPL ride.

I don’t know if the AD is warranted or not. That’s entirely a separate discussion from whether a direct final rule was the appropriate way to address the issue. An agency can issue a direct final rule when it believes consensus in the affected community exists. Owners still have 15 days from 1/27 to show an adverse impact due to the rule and *potentially* have the rule modified.

Do I see consensus? Sure, between the manufacturer and the regulator. Impacted owners can begin to comment on the day it’s published in the Federal Register, which is running at least 14 federal business days behind submission right bow. If you read the submission, it says the submission periods is 15 days, so what I see is some people will be ignorant, some won’t be impacted, and some will get their panties in a knot, impacted or not. Until it’s published in the Federal Register, it’s just a regulatory wet dream. But ignorance of the rulemaking process isn’t reason to launch the next Boston Tea Party.