kevinw

Local airports on game day are always interesting. I would call the FBO and ask about parking. I flew to Indy for the Big 10 championship game two years ago (Iowa / Mich State) and that was an eye opener. The put me in a hold, in IMC, and told me to expect clearance to land in 30 minutes. Turned out it was about half that but crazy busy nonetheless. They moved most of the airplanes to a remote parking area and I suspect the same will happen at UNV. We all know the risk of damaging the nose gear if this is done incorrectly so I made sure the ramp crew was aware of it, and they were.

Why don't we chalk this up to "lesson learned" and let the banned member back in.

Sorry, I probably wasn't very clear. I wouldn't consider the 600 if it was available because of the expense. If I owned a long body model I would. I agree the 500 should work well on all M20 models but I'm predicting, like many others, that the 500 will be Approved for short and mid bodies and the 600 will be approved for long body models. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I really hope down the road that they allow third party PFDs to interface with the GFC500. I would be very interested in this if so. I won't pull my Aspen and even if the 600 was STCd for the J/K models I could never justify the cost. In a long body the 600 would make more sense.

What's interesting in the article is they flew a C172 with the GFC500 without electric trim or the yaw damper and they don't think either is necessary. The yaw damper may not be necessary but I think the electric trim is a must. Why invest that much money in an AP and have to trim it manually?

According to the article, the 500 has a base price of $6,995. The primary AI is $2,149 and the G5 heading indicator is $2,449. If you want pitch trim that is $2,100 and the yaw damper is $1,500. Base price of the 600 is $19,995 and $23,995 with electric pitch trim.

I was just reading the November issue of the aviation consumer and there's a story on the GFC500/600. The 500 is about $14K plus install and that includes the pitch trim option. The 600 is about $24K plus install and that also includes the pitch trim. There was no estimate of labor involved, only that as you add options such as auto trim and yaw damper the installation cost naturally increases. The article read both units performed very well. What I don't like is the G5 is required with the GFC500 but third party PFDs like the Aspen will interface with the GFC600. So basically I would have to remove my Aspen PFD if I wanted to install the GFC500.

What a great looking plane. Regarding the avionics, where does one stop? My $.02 is go with the Aspen and EA100. Remove the strikefinder and relocate the AI there. I would also add autotrim to the S-Tec 60 PSS. I have the same AP setup with the autotrim and to me it's a must. Replace the second nav/com with a 430W or just a KX155 and I think the panel would be ready to go. If the new owner wanted to take it a step further, he could add a backup AI and remove the vacuum system increasing safety and useful load. The problem is doing it now will increase the sale price and you would be gambling on what the future owner will want.

Not a bad idea...just might do that. Thanks for the info! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I came across this on the Mooney Pilots Facebook page yesterday. Check out this flight from Kona to Oakland. Is this by chance a Mooneyspacer? http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N916BL

Wow, just watched 16 Right The Romance of Flying on DVD last week for the first time. Yeah, I recognize that airport. Great documentary that I suspect almost every pilot has watched. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

co2bruce has his '99 Screaming Eagle for sale. He's asking $165K and it has a UL of 1142. This has to be the highest UL in a Mooney I've ever come across. Not a turbo, of course, but may be worth considering.

My 19 year old daughter wants a tattoo. I told her it would very much disappoint me and if she did it I would, in return, disappoint her...by taking away her 2017 Jeep Renegade. I think that kaboshed it. In any case I will be sharing this quote. It's spot on!

I added an Aspen PFD when my HSI was on the fritz and later added the Sandia SAI340 as my backup, pulling the vacuum system at that time. That got it to 895 and installing the LEDs last year pushed me over the 900 mark that I was after.

It's very possible; take it from someone who did it. I started with a UL in my '82 J of 875. Over the course of 3 years I updated my avionics and got rid of everything I didn't use like the ADF, KNS80, stormscope, etc. Along with that I made sure all the cables, wiring and antennas were removed as well. Then I pulled the vacuum system including the standby and lastly installed LED nav and recognition lights. I picked up 5 lbs from the lights alone! All that added up to 25 lbs. My new UL is 900.35 and that's with TKS. UL seems to be the Achilles heel in Mooney aircraft. Some day I'd like to step up to an Ovation but it will have to have a UL of 1000 or more.

So what is a fair price for this bird? We know the avionics are dated, there's plenty of risk involved, the consensus seems to be $35-40K to make it airworthy but it could be more depending on the engine. This is shooting from the hip but I'm thinking based on what we know a fair offer would be about $40K. If a J is what you ultimately want this may be your chance. I fly a J and they run cheap. $3,500 for annuals, basic maintenance such as oil changes I do myself, only burns 10-11 gph, insurance is $1,500 per year. Hanger rent is cheap but I'm not in CA. Things do and will pop up but (knock on wood) I've had no major setbacks. There are a lot of airplanes out there that are much more expensive to own and operate than a 201.

If that's true you're in a much better position than most people your age. Not having a loan will make all the difference in the world. Having a girlfriend who is into aviation is a godsend. Looks like a rare find and one that will probably never happen again. Only you know your financial situation and if you think you can swing it I'd go for it but go in eyes wide open. Also, if you do go ahead with it please hanger it. Like someone already mentioned, the sun will slowly destroy this beautiful airplane and you'll regret it two years from now. I'd like to see some interior pics just to satisfy my curiosity. Good luck and keep us posted!

My understanding is the GFC500 interfaces with the G5 only. If you need to interface with the G500 or Aspen PFD you have to go with the GFC600. So those of us who have Aspens in our panels may only have the GFC600 as an option. At least that's how I understand it but I could be wrong. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Copied/pasted from an article on businesswire.com: To express interest for the certification of additional aircraft types for either the GFC 500 or GFC 600 autopilot, please contact aviation.sales@garmin.com and provide specific aircraft make/model information. For additional information including autopilot interface compatibilities and more, visit: www.garmin.com/aviation.

Looks like the GFC is a direct competitor to the Avidyne DFC90. This is good news for Mooney drivers as it doesn't look like Avidyne will ever add the M20 to the AML. Hopefully Garmin will soon.

I just did the same thing with my seats a few weeks ago. Aero Comfort is amazing. My new seats must be a little heavier but there was no weight and balance change.

That useful load is incredible. That alone should sell it for you!

Thank you everyone for the compliments. AC cuts no corners and my 35 year old J now has that new car (plane) smell. Hector is the master and I told him that! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The word is something big is coming. A friend of mine was going to do some panel work and the avionics guy told him to hold off until after the announcement. The avionics guys said he knew what it was but swore to secrecy. Funny thing is my friend was thinking about putting a JPI EDM930 in his A36. I can't imagine Garmin is going after the engine monitor business. Personally, my money is on a replacement for the G500. Stay tuned I suppose.

The guys in our body shop use this stuff. It preps the surface and allows the tape to stick better. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk