ahkahn

Sorry for the delayed response... but no, I use a Stratus 1. I have heard that the Stratus 2 orientation does not matter provided you calibrate it.

I was told by an Appareo rep to use the RAM mount to mount the Stratus vertically on a side window. The reasoning is that the GPS antenna is on the top of the unit and the ADS-B antenna is on the bottom of the unit, so if you're laying it one way or another you're degrading a signal. When I took mine off the dash and mounted it sideways on the side window (near my shoulder), I went from picking up 1-3 towers to 5-8 towers... some as far as 200 miles away. Huge difference! -Andrew

Thank you! I just signed up also. I've always been a Wunderground fan, but had no idea they even offered a subscription service.

If the POH/STC states 3200#, and you are at 3199#, I wouldn't think twice about it. Common sense (and a little business know-how) tells me that the engineers, test pilots, mechanics, insurance underwriters, attorneys, and FAA have built in some "buffer" room into that 3200#. I wouldn't try it, but I guarantee it isn't a happy accident that the load factor limit just so happens to be at 3200# exact. While not necessarily legal, I don't think that if you loaded the plane to 3201# it would spontaneously combust and mass hysteria and catastrophe would ensue. Now where the breaking points, stress points, or whatever else could happen truly is, only the engineers and FAA knows. I certainly don't want to be a test pilot and find out for myself. I trust their numbers are very "safe" and conservative numbers. -Andrew

I am actually in the process of a purchase right now. Same situation where the pre-buy turned up a laundry list that really boiled down to lack of correct maintenance. I actually believe in this case that the seller was oblivious to the shoddy maintenance. It had just been annualled 20 hours (6 months) ago! He is a hands-off owner who likes to jump in the plane and fly it. There were even AD's that had been signed off on by the prior mechanic and obviously not performed. The biggest issue was moderate belly corrosion due to the lack of airplane washes/dirty belly. When the laundry list came out, the seller balked because his mechanic told him my mechanic didn't know what he was doing and was obviously being overly picky.... although the seller hadn't seen the plane opened up in many years. I basically told the seller that he is free to come to the shop and take a look to see how bad the plane truly is, or we can both walk away and he can find the next buyer. The seller came out, looked at the plane, was shocked at how bad the innerds were and authorized any and all work to be performed. We're looking at about a 15k annual on this plane. But, he is stepping up and moving forward... he also took a lot of pictures and is going to have a friendly chat with his mechanic. My fear is that after spending this type of money on a new annual and all of this maintenance that the seller will back out... he still has a lot of emotion into this plane... it's like a child to him. He doesn't financially have to sell it. Moral of the story: Make sure you're dealing directly with the seller and being completely open and up front about the airplane... In my situation it wasn't that he is trying to sell a lemon, it's that he is under the wrong impression of the plane. -Andrew

I am in the upholstery supply business. I can second what Bob_Belville said with some limited authority that this was caused by the needle-punching in the embroidery were too close together and pretty much perforated the material. Leather will do that more so than vinyl because leather is unsupported (no backing). Vinyl is much stronger (because of it's knitted fabric backing) and will hold embroidery much better. Sometimes people will add a backing to the embroidery (usually white material underneath the embroidery) to add support for it and to help prevent this from happening. Any decent upholsterer or upholstery manufacturer should easily recognize this problem and be willing and able to replace/repair it. A few years may be pushing it, but it's clearly a quality issue due to the embroidery and not wear and tear. EDIT: Also, contrary to common belief, vinyl (faux leather, leatherette, etc) is a better/stronger/tougher product 95% of the time over real leather. In the trade, the only reason people ever use real leather is so that they can say they have real leather! It will last much longer, look much better over the long haul, and stay cleaner longer. -Andrew

Marauder, that is a beautiful setup! Well done! Another question: Can you finance major work like that? Meaning, what if one were to purchase a timed-out in pieces junker for 20k (presumably cash), then finance 30k new engine, 25k new avionics, and 10k on new paint/interior? -Andrew

Thank you all for your comments! I am looking forward to seeing one first hand! -Andrew

Thank you everyone for your comments! I didn't mean to offend any "C" owners with the "ridiculously small" comment... I did not sit in it, just walked up to it, and I know that Mooney's can appear smaller because they sit so low. @Carusoam: I am have not spoken to any Viking fans... I just did my research. I like the plane, but I much prefer the Mooney in visual appeal and specification. That's what has attracted me to the M20. @Daver328: Thank you for writing your comments! Again, I meant no offense by the "ridiculously small" comments. I really can't know unless I get into one. Otherwise, I appreciate everything you wrote and it has inspired me even more to continue the search. I will check into the pedal extensions. @Nopo - PM Sent. Thank you everyone! I look forward to talking more "Mooney" with you! -Andrew

Hi everyone, I have a PPL (4 years) and am actively working on an instrument rating. I am nearing the position to purchase a plane, and my missions are shining on the 4-seat X-Country family of planes. I have been renting a 182 for X-C trips and a 172 for training... I also have some Piper Arrow time, as well. I love the G-1000, and get that in the 172, but my budget does not dictate buying a plane with one. From everything I can tell, the Mooney seems to be a standout for me. I've been attracted to 201's or early 231's because of my budget (70-90k). It seems that the market on these has really dropped. My original crush was on a Bellanca Super Viking, but I've heard these are maintenance nightmares and are very difficult (if not impossible) to effectively service. I'm obviously attracted to speed (and efficiency!) The overwhelming complaint that I've heard about Mooney's is their interior size. I know that on the book they're slightly larger than 182's, Arrows, and the like, but I've heard the fit is different. I've read that short people have problems in Mooney's (I'm 5'7" with short legs) reaching the rudder pedals. I did take a look up close at a "C", and it appeared ridiculously small inside (but I know the J's and K's are bigger). My question (I know it took me a while to get here!): Is there anyone in (or around) the Chicagoland area with a 201 or 231 that would be so kind as to let me (and perhaps my family) take a look at their Mooney? If you'd even be open to it, I would also be happy to even pay for the fuel for a quick ride (dog and pony show!). It's not like buying a car where you can just head up to the lot and take it for a test drive to see if you like it! Thanks! -Andrew