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helitim

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Everything posted by helitim

  1. helitim
    The test run today went well. A couple of small issues but nothing that caused any problems. No leaks noted so far. If my IA will sign off tomorrow, I would like to get up for the first flight since this is the first forecasted decent weather we've had in a few weeks. I'm really looking forward to seeing of there is any significant performance changes. Tim
  2. helitim
    " Get ADS-B IN and see most of the traffic. I personally think the scanning technique of pilots makes a bigger difference than the paint color." I agree that scanning is important. No matter how good my scan is, I also want the other pilot to see me. Based on the responses here, it appears that the paint job is not really that important other than using a white base coat for visibility. The rest is just personal choice it seems.
  3. helitim
    Like I stated " or something exotic like that". Yes, those types of colors stand out almost anywhere but maybe Burning Man. We know not to use light pastels or blues that would blend in with the sky but were hoping someone here had access to some research that might show color combinations and patterns that enhanced visibility. I just called AOPA and spoke with a counselor but they were no help. I'm sure there is good information out there somewhere, just have to locate it.
  4. helitim
    We are making plans for new paint. My question to the group is, what do you think is the safest paint color (aside from blaze orange or something exotic like that) scheme design, or combination to make an aircraft the most visible inflight and on the ground? Or, does it really make that much difference? Just because I might have a favorite in mind doesn't necessarily mean it is a good choice from a safety perspective. Your thoughts please? Thank you, Tim
  5. helitim
    Clarence, The engine shop ran the engine for break in on the test stand. Would you still suggest the pressure lubrication? Tim
  6. helitim
    Going to the engine shop during the reassembly process was quite educational. Given the chance, I highly recommend it. tim
  7. helitim
    The interior plastic panels. I had ordered almost all new panels and not one of them fit correctly. After quite a bit of cutting and fitting, I was able to make two of them work but the rest will not fit. Some of the panels were stamped M20C/E or E/F. No mention of J model. The ones that were stamped J must be from a completely different year model even though I gave my serial number with the order. It wasn't just the fact that they sent the original parts incorrectly but they sent two more replacement pieces incorrectly. The customer service rep would apologize profusely every time we spoke and would promise to get me the correct parts and then.....nothing happened. No call back, email or anything. Very frustrating. It's hard to believe I am AOG because of plastic panels. After this fiasco with Plane Plastics, I will be hard pressed to order from them again. Bright side is that once all this is complete she will be in pretty good shape for a long time to come. Tim
  8. helitim
    My recent firewall forward and interior project is starting to show some significant progress. This evening I was able to complete the engine install and connections to the point of a test run on my next day off, which will be Friday. Plane Plastics seriously screwed up on my interior pieces and I have had no less than 6 or 8 phone conversations trying to get the correct panels. Today showed a glimmer of hope as I finally contacted someone who stopped what they were doing and actually went and figured out the problem. She finally sent me photos of the correct panels and promised they would make them for me tomorrow. Time will tell. The following photos shows the engine overhaul progress and install as of this evening.
  9. helitim
    Thank you all. The right door is readjusted to close correctly when in flight. When open, the door is close to the nose gear but does not touch at any point of operation so, I guess it will be left this way. It just seems that Mooney would not have designed this system to be somewhat arbitrary in where the gear doors line up when opened. I just don't believe this is correct but can live with it, I guess. Tim
  10. helitim
    If the discs are 25 years old, I would consider doing exactly what Allen shows and remove the truss, disassemble and inspect the bushings at all the joints. I did this just a few weeks ago and found excessive wear on two of the bushings. While it was apart, I media blasted and repainted the whole thing. Replaced the steering horn and biscuits. Even added a new tire while it was apart. Have a new nose wheel assembly now. Can't wait to get the engine back on and see how it all flies now.
  11. helitim
    First time I tried extending, I thought it was broken because it was taking so many turns. Little learning curve there.
  12. helitim
    During my annual the other day, I counted the manual turns to drop the gear. 109 turns. I guess I have the 40:1 gears.
  13. helitim
    Have they finally decided to get your guys corralled in state?
  14. helitim
    Thank you Byron.
  15. helitim

    Just wondered where in Alabama you live? I moved from Blount County near Oneonta to California a few years ago.  Have a lot of acquaintances still there.  

    Tim

    1. Show previous comments  1 more
    2. helitim

      helitim

      Pell City used to have a really god little restaraunt on the field.  Don't remember the name but I flew in several times.  I agree you are at a good field.  Used to be a lot of very nice folks around there.

      Work brought me to California but I do miss the South and the slower pace of things.  Too dang many people out here.  Can't go anywhere without 20 other folks around.  Another 3-4 years and the wife and I will be retiring and moving somewhere a lot less crowded.  We flew (commercially) to Florida 2 weeks ago and looked at several airparks and properties on private runways.  Very enjoyable trip.  Learned a lot about airparks.  My favorite was either Spruce Creek or a private field near Frostproof.

      If you are ever flying up near Oneonta, fly over WILED intersection and look down.  I built a 2,000 ft grass strip there on top of Berry Mpuntain and had a home there for several years.  It is absolutely smooth enough to land a Mooney on.  At the time I had a Cessna and loved flying off the grass.  My ex-wife and daughter still live there  if you wanted to land. 

      Tim

    3. Oldguy

      Oldguy

      Sammy's Touch and Go was the restaurant, but unfortunately Sammy died in a crash while doing low passes at the airport. The kids got the restaurant, but couldn't run it so the building sits waiting for the lease to expire.

      I feel the same way about the speed of life in some places. Lived in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and here but mostly in Texas. We will probably head back to Texas as I still have a condo on Galveston, but the goal is a place in Belize for winter and one in Ashville, NC for summer. Wife lived in Minnesota before we married and with my time in NH, snow is not in consideration.

      I have actually seen the strip near Oneonta. We have a deer lease up there and when I took one of my partners up to fly over it, we saw a strip kinda in the middle of nowhere. Must have been yours.

      Let me know if you ever get down this way to visit.

      John

    4. helitim

      helitim

      John,

      You would be surprised how many private strips there are in that area.  Within 10 miles of me there were 6 that I can think of.  I routinely flew to a neighbors house 2 miles away just because I could.  

      Never spent any time in Galveston but have a sister that lived very near Asheville for many years.  They loved it up there.  I flew into the Asheville airport and remember it sat down in a kind of bowl in the mountains.  First time I flew in, it was a bit unnerving to shoot the approach and break out of the clouds to see that you are surrounded by hills.  Very pretty area though.

      i have no plans to be there any time soon but, if that changes I will contact you.  If you ever come to the Bay Area, I am based at KLVK.  Give me a shout. I'll give you a Bay tour you won't forget. Nice talking with you.

      tim

  16. helitim
    Carusoam, Agreed, they should close in flight. I have looked at other Mooneys and see doors in slightly differing positions but none as "off" as mine. When I have tried adjusting them, one way is better and the other gets worse. Trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong. Tim
  17. helitim
    Mooniacs, The attached photos show the gear doors on my J. As you can see, when the doors are open,the right side gear door leans way in towards the centerline of the plane. When the doors are closed, the right door does not close all the way properly. When I adjust the linkage to close the door properly, the right door is even closer to the nose gear. While this doesn't seem to affect flight of the aircraft, it just looks odd sitting this way. I also tried moving the small shims back and forth on the bolt where it attaches to the gear door to change the lateral spacing but to no avail. Can someone suggest a solution to the misaligned doors or, is this "just the way it is" on some. Mooney's? Thank you, Tim P.S. The engine is out for overhaul which is why things look a bit different in the photos.
  18. helitim
    You can also put a small spot weld on the end and it holds just fine.
  19. helitim
    The price increase must have just happened. I bought one week before last for $835 from Spruce. Somebody got greedy overnight when they realized the price discrepancy.
  20. helitim
    DIVCO is not doing my machine work. I did speak with them and they had a replacement case if needed.
  21. helitim
    I will check with them, Thank you
  22. helitim
    Machine shop called today and said all my parts are good except for the case halves. The engine overhauler said they would start tomorrow looking for a case but I wanted to check in here and see if anyone knows of a good source? Need it ASAP. Thank you, Tim
  23. helitim
    Machine shop called today and said all my parts are good except for the case halves. The engine overhauler said they would start tomorrow looking for a case but I wanted to check in here and see if anyone knows of a good source? Need it ASAP. Thank you, Tim
  24. helitim
    We had almost this exact issue on the 152. We sent the comm back to the factory for a bench test and they were unable to duplicate the problem. Neither was the avionics shop able to duplicate. The fourth trip to the avionics shop I insisted that they check the antennas and wiring and they found the base of the antenna where it mounted to the plane was severely corroded to the point that it was causing intermittent loss of contact. Cleaned the antenna base, and problem was eliminated. Point being, don't overlook the small stuff when trouble shooting. This may have nothing to do with your problem but our symptoms were just the same.
  25. helitim
    The only real advantage I can think of with dual slicks (or Bendix for that matter) would be that you could then add a slick start to the system for easier starting. We added slick start to our Archer and 152, it made a significant difference in ease of start. Tim
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