MikeOH

That possibility has always scared me...so, I have a rule (that has worked, so far, anyway): If the tow bar is hooked to the airplane the other end is in my hand!

I assumed nothing about what YOU told your wife. I quoted, and was referring to, AirPirate's story...and it was pretty damn clear HIS wife knew she'd been left behind And, if I'd done the same to MY wife...I'd likely be dead

I'm pretty sure that if I'd pulled that dumb stunt in an airplane I'd be dead now. Of course, I'd be dead if I'd done it with a car, too

Me, I'd be hoping there was NOT a next time

Pretty close! 74 (born 2/13/1923) according to the Wikipedia entry: On October 14, 1997, on the 50th anniversary of his historic flight past Mach 1, he flew a new Glamorous Glennis III, an F-15D Eagle, past Mach 1. The chase plane for the flight was an F-16 Fighting Falcon piloted by Bob Hoover, a longtime test, fighter and aerobatic pilot who had been Yeager's wingman for the first supersonic flight. This was Yeager's last official flight with the U.S. Air Force. That has got to be the absolute coolest 'last flight' in the Air Force, ever!

Don't feel like you were the only one! I stared at that photo for 5 minutes and was trying to decide if there were even pin holes...then, Holy Cow!! Hot rod guys pay for cut-outs like that

My advice to a discriminating buyer is to be ready with cash when the right plane at the right price comes along. I missed out on two before I figured that rule out

Be REAL careful with that thing. It screams EMI/RFI...YIKES! Open frame switcher design is not the best idea around modern avionics. Also, that particular model is a bit overkill at 1 kilowatt!! Just sayin'

Oh, I wouldn't bet against Chuck on either of those comments

Damn! You gutted that puppy! Should be reliable, now...nothing left to fail

Damn! That's a pretty good, "Hold my beer and watch this" story Glad it ended well.

Yes, likely the same member sent me the schematic and requested I not post. Note that at least one of the transistors is germanium, NOT silicon! I'd be careful trying to replace the circuit with just a rheostat as the rheostat would now have to dissipate all the power that the heat sunk transistor was previously dissipating.

What's failing that you keep having to replace?

Here's my story: 1) GE bulb burned out. 2) I ordered an AeroLites Sunsetter; $150 3) I removed the GE bulb and put in the Sunsetter...15 minutes, tops. 4) If my A&P has a cow at annual and won't sign off, I'll tell him to put the GE bulb back in 5) I'll let you guess what the hangar fairies will do when I get the plane back.... The regs allow me to change the damn landing light bulb...that's what I did. There is only so much government BS I'll put up with.

Yeah! That's the upright thing to do! Pretty uncommon these days. Thanks, EI

I hear you; I'd be bummed after buying and then having issues right off the bat. You're smart to be addressing this right away; sometimes these things sit in the box for a couple months before being installed. Then, when problems develop the 30 day guarantee has expired!

Hmm, if it was me, I'd call EI on Monday. Maybe it is the missing pressure sensor (which makes no sense. But, who knows...the factory!) I've called Insight for questions on my Strikefinder and, STEC on my autopilot and was quickly put through to technically savvy personnel that have quickly answered my questions. Hopefully, EI can do the same. Good luck!

After entering 'Power up programming mode' by holding both buttons down and then turning on power, there should be 11 'screens' to cycle through. If there are only 9, then it would seem you have just the FP-5.

Yeah, weird, I'd be really suspicious. Like the wrong part number switch is installed.

Likely a silly question... After polish, would shooting a clear coat over it preserve the look for a long time without upkeep?

I couldn't get past the "any engine is a crap shoot" regardless of hours; "you need to be able to afford an OH at any time," mantra. So, I purchased a plane with a high-time engine which had been frequently flown every year for a decade, and priced as a run-out. Two years in and no engine problems. If I have to OH the engine tomorrow, I've enjoyed two years for 'free'

I didn't know any better when I first started flying a Mooney. The FBO I was renting Cherokees from had a M20B and I thought it'd be cool to fly (It was!!). Went up with one of their CFIs (half my age and had tats, but none that said MOONEY!) and somehow survived 10 hours before I could rent solo. Flew a lot of hours in that plane before I got my M20F. Got a good rate on insurance because of the M20B time. Insurance was fine with the 'B' time to insure my 'F' (which says something about how they viewed the risk). Read the POH, picked up the plane from the pre-buy shop and flew it home.

Appreciate the advice. It seems to me the ignition hazard is pretty much the same (ignition of fumes)...just when only fumes explode there isn't a further fire!

This is EXACTLY what I did. So far, so good...2 years in

Two years ago I was in your shoes...I understand exactly what you are going through! I shopped for a LONG time and here are my takeaways: 1) Hiring an "expert" carries its own risks...a 'big name' I called wanted nearly $5,000. Of course, if he saves you from a disaster it would be well worth it. Thing is, when you read the 'fine print' even the 'experts' won't guarantee their 'work.' In the end it's still a crap shoot, I'm afraid. 2) A premium, but buying from a well known broker/dealer like Jimmy Garrison should be considered. Again, no guarantee, but guys like that wouldn't be in business this long if they were selling lemons. 3) Finding a plane that has been consistently flown 50-100 hours per year for at least the last five years improves your odds greatly! I was shocked how hard it is to find planes that meet that criteria. Most are un-flown dogs, I'm afraid. The plane I ended up buying had been flown nearly 100 hours per year for over a decade. First annual found no ADs open, and only $2K in needed work. 4) Don't buy a 'bargain' unless you like to restore vs. fly!