kevinw

This has to be the highest UL I've ever seen in a Mooney. I gained about 20 lbs of UL when I removed the vacuum system from my J so that helps a lot. Great looking airplane, can't imagine it will stay on the market long.

Always learning something new on MS. My first thought would've been OEM. Thanks for the info guys!

I now know how lucky I am. I pay $110/mo for a better than average T-hanger with electricity and snow removal included. Keep in mind I'm in Western Iowa and things are priced as such. We have a really good manager who will do just about anything you ask including fueling up your plane, although I don't abuse that one. Self serve is $4.80 but if the manager is there it's full service. Guess I won't complain if the rent goes up a little next month!

I have a sample from Aircraft Door Seals that I could send you if that would help.

There's a good article about runaway trim in the current issue of AOPA Pilot (Jan 2017 issue, page 87) titled "The Other Autopilot Failure". In the article one reason this happens is the pilot disconnects the AP while putting forward or back pressure on the yoke which may prevent the pitch servo from disconnecting. To make matters worse, the more you fight it the more it wants to go in the other direction. Other than pulling the breaker or shutting off the master, the way to disconnect it is to pitch in the direction the servo is going and it will release. The lesson is always disconnect the AP with the controls neutral. Worth reading for those of you who subscribe.

I'm sure most have read this but good info for Rookie. http://www.mooneypilots.com/mapalog/cruisepower.html

I do too. If I could add 160 lbs of UL to my J I don't think I'd ever sell it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have a 530W / 430W stack currently and considering upgrading. Will my Garmin GTX345 transponder work with IFD products? i.e. display wx and traffic?

'82 J model, UL 900, 64 gal tanks full fuel payload 516. TKS equipped that reduced UL about 45 lbs.

No I don't, just the 1000 but this has me thinking about adding the MFD.

I read that recently as well. My 201 goes in next month for its biennial IFR and I'm getting the unlock done at that time.

I log every flight I make in my logbook so down the road I can show a potential buyer my airplane is flown regularly. It would be nice to talk with the donor about it. At $59K it's an opportunity for someone who was initially looking at a short body to get into a J for a similar price. Worth investigating.

I'm still wondering if the engine is running too lean. Did you try increasing the mixture to see if the temps reduce? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have the regular Parmetheus. Thought of upgrading to the Parmetheus Plus as they claim it's 80% brighter but someone on another thread said while you should definitely buy the "plus" over what I have, to upgrade it probably isn't worth it. I hear the AeroLED that Raptor mentioned is the best but comes at a price. I changed mine myself and made an entry in the logbook.

As I read this thread a couple things come to mind: 1. Quality work comes at a price and I'm good with that as long as I know up front. 2. We can't expect a shop to price match parts from Aircraft Spruce but don't clip me either. They deserve a fair profit like the rest of us. 3. As an owner of a car dealership that has a shop I know we "can" charge for everything, but we don't because it sends a very bad message. The charge for the seat rail cotter pins would have me running for the hills. This move tells me everything I need to know about this shop and that is while they may provide excellent work, they are masters at maximizing labor hours. The minimum quarter hour is another bad sign in my opinion; we go by the tenth. 4. Lastly, I really appreciate both my mechanical and avionics shops now more than ever. They are certainly not the cheapest but they've never surprised me like the OP was either. Takeaway, find a good shop you trust and stick with them. Just my two cents... Kevin

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/orion650eseries.php?clickkey=22748 for the wing tips. Both 12 and 24v are available in green and red. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/orion500series.php?recfer=8881 for the tail. Labor to install was a couple of hours I believe. These went on a '82 J with the wing tip lens covers.

That's a very good idea! To view his attachment you have to save it to your computer and open it using Savvyanalysis. Can't be opened just by clicking on it. Take a look, it's interesting.

I have the Whelen Parmetheus landing light and last year at annual had Whelen Orion series LED recognition lights installed. They are much brighter than the old ones but as far as help during taxing, not a whole lot. Biggest advantages are other planes will see you easier, 4-5 lb gain in useful load, very little electrical draw and most important they look really cool! My A&P told me he installed three more sets to guys that stopped by his shop while mine were getting installed; they were that impressed.

Nice job on making it safely on the ground. Can't imagine how scary that must have been. It's easy to look back on this and second guess yourself but the fact of the matter is you're here to tell us about it and without injury. Hold your head high for a job well done.

A couple things on my EI system. If you decide to install it, have it reprogrammed to 20d. One of their techs, Mike I believe, advised me of this. Too much cylinder pressure at 25d in the IO360 he said. I would also install one of their new switch panels. I still use the rotary but Mike the tech said the rotary switches are a problem child and that's why they now offer these. You mentioned your switch is suspect. Lastly, I looked at your JPI data and aside from Cly1 which must be an error, your CHTs run hotter than mine. I'm far from an expert but on one of my last flights my CHTs were 1: 351, 2: 354, 3: 336, 4: 363 with OAT of 32dF. I have my JPI alarm now set at 400d (lowered from 425) and I've never been close to that. In the summer the hottest #4 ever ran was 380. I didn't see an increase in CHTs after installing the EI but my EGTs run 1400-1420 which seem a little high and I don't think they were that high before the EI. Here's a pic of those new switches.

From a guy who had similar starting issues (perhaps not quite as bad) I found two things that really helped. First, I had Champion massive spark plugs in my new FRM A3B6 engine and while changing my starting procedure helped some, I still struggled with it a bit. After installing Tempest fine wire plugs, I've never cranked with so much confidence; night and day difference. I truly think I had bad plugs from the get go. But before you run out and buy new plugs there's one thing I would try when using both Bobs starting procedures. Increase the throttle a little more. My procedure is exactly like Bob-S50's except I increase throttle 1". Just seems like mine needs a little more air and I think my engine runs a little on the rich side; yours might too. I don't bring the mixture in all the way in once it fires either. Like Bob said, about half way seems about right. Give this a try and let us know if it helps. It's frustrating...I've been there. Kevin

Nice work Cruiser. I've been looking for this info as well. Very helpful. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I flew up to Flying Cloud (FCM) for the Ryder Cup in early October. I pulled into Thunderbird Aviation and on that day the ramp fee was $200. Normally it's $25. Buy 15 gallons of gas and it was waived so that's what I did. Not sure what the other FBOs charged that day but that's the highest I've come across. I will say the service was top notch. Free food and drink available and the people were very friendly. Fuel prices weren't too bad either.

A 182 owner once told me his airplane was like driving a pickup truck. I couldn't agree more. A Mooney, on the other hand, is like driving a sports car. Big difference there and therefore depends on what you want. Don't let the insurance scare you off. If you have little or even no complex time after one year and 60 hours or so it will drop significantly. I fly a J and love it. It's everything Mooney stands for; speed and efficiency. Easy to fly and easy to land as long as you're at the right approach angle at the correct speed. In cruise they're as stable as they get. Also check the safety record of the Mooney and you'll feel good flying your family in it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk