Mark89114

So when I bought my Ovation 9 years ago from a gentleman in Canada, it had a fresh inspection, brought it down to the US for yet another inspection and DER signoff. No major issues. Approximately 4 months into ownership, brought to my local mechanic to show me how to change oil on an IO-550, during the oil change, he looked over the whole engine and found the left exhaust manifold was worn through, pulled it off and was inspecting the muffler and I guess the screens inside were loose, sent them off for repair. (details are foggy, going on memory as I haven't dug up paperwork yet). Little bit irked went through 2 annual inspections in 2 months and no exhaust damage was notated, but that is in the past. Here I am at annual and we find the right manifold worn through, dutifully pull it off for repair and we peek inside the muffler and the screens are clearly all out of whack, should have taken a picture, but I didn't. Attached is picture of exhaust manifold, thinking it is 25 years old. Again will check the logbooks. My question is....what is life of a muffler? I have had backfires vary rarely on some conditions where I can't see what I did to cause but I am guessing it caused the damage? Or are these things just fragile?

Mine failed....would like to just put "new" one in versus the expense of LED's....yeah i know upgrade but that is not my nature until i absolutely have to. Sent email to gallagher for quote on LEDs as i am only sort of stubborn. Whelen A413AHDA-CF-14/28

The reason I had a question was one of the fields I didn't understand, as I didn't think it was necessary... Related to who did the inspection, DER and some other alphabet group I didn't recognize, and none was an option, so I picked NONE. It went through, didn't cost me any money as all of the AD's that were mandatory and didn't allow special flights were complied with. Was briefly concerned as the mechanic said the FAA guy wanted to come inspect the plane, which I thought was a waste of taxpayer money, thought in my own mind anyway. All done airplane back and waiting for annual.

My airplane is finally being put back together from the nose strut towing event....... I am doing my best google searching, FAA reading, etc. but there are a lot of opinions and nonsense out there. I have the portal set up and it leads me to 8130-6 which requires a mechanics signature, fine. My "new" mechanic at out airport says the FAA used to allow him to do them and get permission but now it is on the owners to do the legwork and he isn't 100% sure about the process. He is asking his inspector. Seems like the form is asking me for signatures on airworthiness, well that is the problem and reason I need the ferry permit, to get it back to where I can get the annual done. It isn't technically airworthy.

I think the wide variation is whether airplane has TKS and 310 HP upgrade. Supposedly the 3 bladed prop costs a knot and I have heard 7-9 knots for TKS. Based on my experience seems reasonable. My airplane is also slightly out of rig and have an engine approaching high time.

There is a well written thread on here somewhere where poster does it himself. He built a spray rig, etc. My mechanic says if you want to hate your airplane do this yourself. I am going to say something stupid and based on what I have read on the internet and seen in my own tank. The application doesn't look hard, as sloppy as my factory stuff it must not be mission critical. YMMV

I am 29-0243 Ovation. I was just trying to provide some info, which may or may not have been of value.

No advice on the socket issue, but I had to replace mine and the same problem sort of. Details are a little fuzzy so bear with me. The wires were too short and inaccessible so we had to run new wires further downstream in the wing. Now it is coming back to me....the canon plug was failing and is inaccessible, looks like factory hooks it up and then rivet the wing tip in space, we simply moved a new canon plug down further in one of the access holes. I agree seems ridiculous to buy a new light set up for a $15 bulb mechanism.

Just a reminder to check anytime somebody tows our Mooneys. I specifically mention this to line guys and get either a i understand or a blank stare..... The FBO really overworked this somehow. So far they seem to be accepting reaponsibility but now the repair process starts. I am guessing this would have failed anf a much bigger problem.

I literally have no idea what the cost could be for a repair. An EIS is going to cost $15K (I have no idea) but I think that is a fair number. It is where and how you want to spend your dollars. Either way it is going to cost a lot of money.

what is a VOR?

This is the company I talked to only 4+ years ago. He said it is just a rumor that they don't repair them. Your mileage may vary. Mine started magically working again. So never did a follow up. Please let me know how it goes. Kind regards, Mike Paulsen Sales/Customer Service Mgr. Repair Center Radiant Power Corp. a HEICO company 7135 16th Street East, Suite 101 Sarasota, FL 34243 Email: mpaulsen@rpcaero.com

Don't question why....it is for the safety of the children.

I think it should be about 25 knots, 1 AMU per knot pickup? I suspect any speed increases might be due to the fact that the airplane gets rerigged, maybe better, maybe worse?

Nice repair. Looks good to me. I too also don't use the yellow and red cans as pictured for any type of fuel. That would clearly be dangerous.