gsxrpilot

What @carusoam said. I just wouldn't buy a Mooney without an autopilot. I bought an M20C in 2014 for $48K that had an Stec30/altitude hold. I now fly a 252, $119K, with a KFC150 with pre-select. In five years I've yet to spend one dime maintaining an autopilot. I've found both to be very reliable. It's not easy to find a short body with an autopilot, but just keep looking. They come up for sale every once in a while. And are still a good buy. But have your cash, pre-buy, logistics, all ready to go when the plane appears. Buying an airplane without an autopilot anticipating that there will be one available in the "near future" just leads to disappointment. I'll reference several members on this forum who are about to lose patience and sell their Mooneys that are still waiting for new autopilots to be approved for their Mooneys. We just don't know when it's going to happen. And when they eventually come out, you can buy one to replace the Stec/King/Century just as easily as you can install one in a Mooney without an autopilot. Be patient, get your ducks lined up, be ready to buy when the right Mooney comes along. It will be a much better financial decision to buy an E with an Stec30/altitude hold, minimum, rather than buying one without and upgrading.

I've thought about it and likely will at some point. I really haven't done the right side yet. But you're correct, the lighter plug is kinda ugly.

BTW the patch for all the IFD navigators was released by Avidyne directly to owners several weeks prior to April 6. I did my own upgrade for my IFD540 and it took all of 5 minutes. I like companies that will work with owners as opposed to those that require a visit to the avionics shop for this type of thing.

+1 for MyGoFlight $$$$

Yeah, that's really hard to say. The benefit is really just in ramp appeal as far as I can tell. I don't know of any performance gain, but it does look cool on the ramp. So for my "forever" airplane and ultimately hoping to have the best/new, 252/Encore in the world, and I can afford it... yeah it's worth it.

PM sent but for everyone else... Southwest Texas Aviation www.swta.net

Yeah, it would be good if AVEO would answer the phone, but I'm sure if you reach out to JD, he can get you an answer.

What sort of update are you looking for? Your best option is to reach out to JD at SWTA. He's in contact with them.

I believe they were IFR.

Yes, it's a go. I'll see you early Friday morning at KHYI.

In Memoriam: Jeffrey Carl Weiss All of us at Angel Flight South Central are heartbroken at the news that we lost one of our own yesterday. Jeff Weiss—who from 2002–2016 had volunteered so generously to fly Angel Flight patients to life-saving treatment—died on the morning of April 22, 2019, when his plane crashed outside of Kerrville, Texas. Jeff was an investment banker, and yesterday was flying several members of the Houston real estate community to view a potential property purchase. The Beechcraft BE58 took off from West Houston Airport in Katy at approximately 7:30 a.m. and crashed at 8:50 a.m., about 10 miles away from its destination, Kerrville Municipal Airport, according to the FAA. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Jeff had 42 years of experience as a pilot and an exemplary safety record at Angel Flight South Central. He used his considerable talents and generosity to fly patients to medical appointments with us for nearly 15 years. He also financially supported the 1940 Air Terminal Museum at Hobby Airport in Houston and was generally a committed philanthropist. Our hearts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of all who were on board.

The only reason not to use the sticky mount on paint, is if your paint is so terrible that it will fall off the plane with the camera. The sticky mounts don't have any negative effect on paint.

I don't know what happened and have no twin time at all. But over on Beechtalk the two most experienced Duke instructors in the country don't think he lost an engine. They think it was a departure stall/spin. Like I said, I wouldn't know or even be able to speculate myself.

I only ever use GoPro sticky mounts. Vertical Stab Belly/Tail skid Horizontal Stab

Correct. I had the same crank in my M20C. When it's only 180 hp, you need to be able to remove all the drag you can. I wish I had the same crank up step in my 252.

Unfortunately we can't. In fact, this is the whole purpose of the Caravan. The only way to ensure parking/camping with your friends, is to land with your friends. The only way to beat the FISK chaos and land with your friends is to arrive in close formation. Therefore... the Mooney Caravan formation flight to Oshkosh. It truly is the easiest, low stress way to get to Oshkosh.

There's a bunch of us in Texas who fly formation all the time, and most are FFI carded pilots. If you're in Texas, we'd be happy for you to come along.

I'm pretty sure a blind guy put that panel together.

Who arranged that 6-pack?? Not an instrument rated pilot.

Some of the newer models do. GoPro is now on major version 7 with sometimes three or four minor versions to each major... so the older ones, no, some of the newer ones, yes.

Friends don't let friends park at KAUS. KDEC is the place to go... unless you're gonna be here for a week or more and want to get some work done while you're here. Then land at Smithville where JD will put you in his hangar. Of course you can get your oil changed, or engine monitor installed, or other work done by the crew at SWTA. Depending on the day, you might even get a ride into Austin and not have to Uber.

A late model (1998) M20J would be worth more than my 1987 M20K 252.

My favorite as well.

That training should be fine and should qualify you to fly with the Caravan. I would suggest reaching out to Bucko Strehlow, his contact is first dot last at gmail. He's the Flight Ops Director for the Caravan and has the last word on these matters. I'd also encourage you to go ahead and register for the Caravan on www.mooneycaravan.com.

I've always loved the mountains. The Smokey's were my first love as I went to high school in Asheville. Now having just moved to Denver, I'm loving the big mountains! I won't have the Mooney there until June, but looking forward to exploring all the little airports in and around the Rockies.