Johnnybgoode

Took the big book on a deployment for a couple of months. Actually learned some stuff. Took the test when I came home. It worked for me, but it's an extreme way and I don't recommend the deployment end of it if you don't have to...

... Many of my access panels below the wing have somehow become concave... I have no idea how this has occurred, but I cant help but think they are causing extra drag. Would it be worth replacing these panels with ones that are not concave OR removing and working the existing ones so that they are flush with the wing.? i brought this up a few months back and made a slight change to my ugly paint 65C. I purchased some 4" wide 3M 471 and taped up all the forward inspection covers, doing away with those gaps. I haven't put in a doubler yet to get rid of the concave feature, but found that the plane flew noticeably smoother after the unsightly addition. I have some ideas on how to proceed with a more permanent solution, but all require time, which is in short supply in my life at the moment. I also wonder whether modifying the larger, rear panels would be as effective due to their position on the wing, aft of the spar. Open to criticism or improvements of my idea. Patrick

Anybody ever used a fire extinguisher inflight? Just curious.

So a nice gentleman on here has set up a GoFundMe account for Don and his wife in this, their challenging time. Use it if you want to. Don't if you don't. Why does something like this even warrant negative comments? Just curious. None here.

Similar to these, I bought a couple of the bright orange triangular shaped marshaling wands and they work great as transient chocks. Don't weigh a thing either. Good luck, Patrick https://www.trafficsafetystore.com/traffic-wands/day-wand#PAIR WND DAY16

You missed the part where I mentioned that I already have it, but that's okay. I am not a hater of the tech, but you have pointed out two pretty small areas compared to the rest of the country where the equipment will be "required". Uncle Sam taught me to fly about 20 years ago now - and for the record, I have flown into all the USAF bases in FL - and I just don't feel that the benefit is there for me in the Charlotte or surrounding airspace. Oh well, opinions, I guess... To each their own. And in the end, it's just $$.

So there were lots of midairs before this technology in Florida and Phoenix? I really didn't hear about it being epidemic. But you are right, I don't fly in those areas VFR. Perhaps though, the technology has changed the way we fly VFR - used to be we looked outside, not at our tablets.

While I understand your viewpoint, and am equipped myself, I think that the number of midairs shows your lifesaving claim to contain a bit of drama.

Sure is, until you fly around it a time or two. First trip out of the country was with Bill. We went to a small dirt strip in Germany with a day off in England. He and I and our engineer spent the down time at the Air Museum at Duxford. It was a great way to start out my career!

Bill Peters, perhaps? My former wing commander.

I would, but it might turn some heads and I'm not sure how well we'd fit in the pattern doing low approaches in the Herk...

Back in 1998 for me, and I still find myself at HTS every now and then...but only for a few more months.

Yes. Contract MX by Delta. Perhaps more than "routine" maintenance, as they have local guys at their base of ops for that, but Delta has many such contracts.

A bag of tricks was mentioned. My advice is to add to yours EVERY TIME YOU FLY. Don't limit learning or practicing to when you are supervised. Know your limits and stick to them but try to stretch them at every opportunity. Just did the dreaded 180 in my RV-4 a couple weeks ago. Apples and oranges compared to the Mooney, but it was surprisingly easy. Sounds not nearly as dramatic as Pete's. 10,000 hours and a bag of tricks I've been working on for 20 years though. simple thoughts...

Sounds like Steingar and I use the same publisher.

While I love the 300XL, I'm a one point-direct user because of the clunky user interface.

A fellow Hokie! Good luck. "99 EE Patrick

Give yourself plenty of time and use it, if necessary. My bIggest concern would be getting sucked into a leg you should not try weather-wise due to a need to be home in a day or two or three. Always float the caps and plan to land with 2 hours in the tanks until you get an idea on real world fuel burn. Does your new bird have a modern fuel flow computer? That will be valuable, if so equipped, but I'd still verify it religiously by good old math for the first few flights. I personally wouldn't bother with O2, but that is more a personal preference. I don't usually fly my C at altitudes where it is required. Will you go faster W-E at altitude? Generally, yes. Again though, we're figuring out a new plane, so time in the seat, even at cruise, is not wasted. Just plan the route to not need it and enjoy the ride. It'll be a long one either way. Finally, where in Virginia? I grew up in the western mountains. Keep us posted and congratulations on finding the one for you! Patrick

I have used PeeDee Avionics at Cheraw a few times, most recently for an ADSB install. Shannon and the guys are professional and timely in their availability and have done nice work for me. Patrick

The thing I find interesting is that my RV-4 has one inspection portal under each wing and it is a beautifully flush mounted, handmade piece. No need for tape there. is there only one under the -7 also?

Which RV do you fly?

I was an engineer before a pilot and so the testing part is interesting to me. Don't mind the effort, which is actually nil. The 3M tape leaves no residue. And I have had no tape lift over 5.5 hours of flying. Thanks too for the alignment advice.

I did it, and it seems faster. Problem is I had never done the fancy 3-way tests to determine speed. I did put in the AV-20S and was surprised to see 153kts TAS the past 2 days while flying. I have an overhauled engine and am breaking it in, so not going easy on it, but this number surprised me. I have no speed mods, to speak of, except the brake reversal STC. Well, and the lower cowl closure, which isn't really a speed thing. More testing to follow. So far I have only taped up cowl seams and the forward set of underwing ports. Open to ideas on how to test my pitot system for accuracy. I suppose that avionics guys have a tester they use to pressurize and test it, right?

This is the discussion I hoped to learn from. I've "heard " lots of things over my 22 years of flying, but I've "heard" many things from politicians too. I was hoping to hear some science and we may be on the verge of it. That said, I taped, carefully, but didn't get to fly. Tomorrow...

Thanks for the input guys!