PeteMc

I was actually going to say that earlier.

Actually, the very definition of automatic. I do not adjust the Merlyn. IT adjust to the change. By your definition, a home thermostat is a manual device. Not the setting of it, but the operation once it is set.

You're not telling anyone anything they don't already know (or should know)... But then that's still not the point. But feel free to continue to change definitions because you don't like particular products.

WRONG! You are stating that because one device does not work/perform the same way as a different device that it is not an "AUTOMATIC" device. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. Show me the MANUAL CONTROLS on the Merlyn Black Magic and I will then agree it is not an AUTOMATIC device. I am not disputing that the Wastegate on the MB is a better device. But that is not the question here. There are no smoke and mirrors, I change the power on my LB and the Merlyn, by itself, adjusts. So that would... say the word with me... make it automatic by definition. Sure, if I go outside of the operating range of the Merlyn it cannot keep up with the changes I've made (e.g. craming in full throttle at sea level) or an over boost or a fast descent from altitude. But I'm perplexed how a few of you belive operating outside of a devices range suddenly makes it a "manual" device. I delt with various "automaic" audio and video controls for decades that could be pushed passed their limits. But none of us (engineers or operators) would suddenly start calling it a "manual" device since it wasn't. Sure, you occasionally would get beyond the operating limitations and someone would "manually" have to bring it back into range, but then it would continue to perform its "automatic" functions as designed. The Merlyn is no different.

Sorry... I still say you're wrong on this one. au·to·mat·ic 1. (of a device or process) working by itself with little or no direct human control. Merlyn Products, Inc. "...A pneumatic operated controller automatically senses engine parameters and adjusts to maximize engine and turbocharger efficiency..." Note they also refer to it as "automatic" in their description. I have never once "adjusted" my Merlyn Black Magic, nor do I have a manual control to do so if I wanted to. I get that it is different device than what you describe as "set and forget" wastegate in later Mooneys. And yes, they are an imporved device and prevent overboosting, but preventing overboosting is not the definition of automatic. And just because the Merlyn, or any other device, may have operational limitations, it does not excude them from being "automatic."

On the topic of potentially bailing on FF... Has anyone tried 8Flight? I know it is basically brand new (less than a year?) and they are hoping to take on FF and G Pilot. I'm also wondering if their launch time had anything to do with the sale of FF and they knew there would be termoil. But other than it exists and reading a few blurbs about it, I've never seen any posts from anyone that has actually tried it? Anyone try it themselves or have first had knowlege of someone that has?

Regretfully that seems to be the story of the Website in general. And my guess is they're going to put even less resouces into it going forward.

The Merlyn Black Magic can easily over boost pending what altitude you are at. I used to fly out of a airport at 79ft MSL, so if I quickly cranked in full throttle, as soon as the turbo spun up it could go way past 40". So for a basic Takeoff with the 231 and the Merlyn are to slowly bring in the power and let the turbo spin up an then set your TO power.. and then check it again after a few seconds. Whether you're comfortable at glancing over before TO of if you want to do it right after TO, but do check. And if you fly around the country, it will be different as you are departing Airports at different elevations. So never go with muscel memory to assume you've got the right power setting for TO because you pushed the throttle in the same amount you always do at your home Apt.

Not following you on this one. There are no manual controls for the Merlyn Black Magic. It simply measures the difference between the upper deck pressure and manifold pressure and adjusts accordingly... so, what I would call an "automatic" device. Granted, not the same system that is in the 252, but still no leaver to push or pull to "manually" adjust the wategate.

Exactly!!

I'd like to say that "I'm sure they will have a better AI model..." but have you ever asked the basic Google or Bing AI an aviation question? Pretty good at knowing a specific Reg and pulling that up. But when you ask AI a question it has to think about, I'd say 90% of the answers were wrong. Sometimes the answer would start off correct until you get to the end and the summary would be SO WRONG.

Do you think the number if accurate if you look at *only* the software engineers (and related staff)? That 40% tracks with what Amazon did at the end of the year as well as others. There's a big move for AI to do a lot of the coding and a much smaller staff to just monitor and and catch the things AI doesn't understand. (Hopefully flying through mountains is not one of those things. )

Now it looks like they are pulling the Trip Assistant too. Not that it was the best tool ever... it was not and needed a lot of work. But the concept was great had they just fixed it. One of their "reasons" is for lack of use. Duh! It was only available to the Premium level subscription (and I'm assuming above), but since it didn't work all that well, it was not a go-to tool. I do admit I would plug in Airports on my longer XC and my X-US flights to see what it showed me for fuel stops. It was the only place in FF where you can look at a multi stop flight and play with the numbers for you Stop Time to "guesstimate" the total travel time. Wish they had fixed/improved it and just offered it to everyone vs trashing it.

Every so often FF posts about how you will not be able to update the FF software if you are using older iOS/iPadOS. From what I know of Apple from back in the day, my guess is FF is not allowed to continue to offer updates of software that was designed for iOS/iPadOS that is no longer supported by Apple. So when Apple sunsets an OS, the App providers do to. (If any one releases software through Apple, maybe you can confirm if this is correct.)

Good point. This very well may be a big part of it.

You don't need to buy them from Mooney. I put in Whelen Recognition lights back in the 90s and a few years ago upgraded to the LED bulb. You probably want to talk to Gallagher Aviation @OSUAV8TER here and see what he can do for you.

I'll toss my suggestion into the pot. 1) Start using the FF Logbook. Pending how many flght you did last year... either manually start with 01/01/25 or if you had a lot of flights, just start with 01/01/26. (Only reason to start with 2025 is for FF to show the correct Currency.) 2) Download the sample_logbook_template.csv from the FF Website. And just start entering the Aircraft and Flights out of your paper logbook. 3) Once you're caught up to where the FF Logbook starts, EXPORT your Logbook which will be another .CSV file. Copy the flights from that Export into the .CSV file that has all of your other flights which will give you a complet logbook file. You can confirm with FF Support, but you can then just Import that file and replace everything that is currently in you FF Logbook. So basically you've got everythig now in FF. Notes on the .CSV template.... DO NOT delete or change any of the Headers (Titles)!! Do not Delete any of the Columns!! You can, obvioulsy, delete all of the Sample/Example Aircraft (top section) or Flights (lower section) to put in your data. Also, FF uses KABC, so be sure to add the K to the Airports that way if you just have ABC in your paper logbook. Also, if you have multiple flights in one day, FF may not show them in the correct order once imported into FF. I add a 0100, 0200, etc. in Time Out column for the 1st, 2nd, etc., fight for that day to put them back into the correct order.

You'd have to confirm with US Wings, but I'm wondering if the XL is for their Long version? So it is possibly a Large/Long vs my Long/Regular (which only has the one L tag).

No, I don't think it's different strokes. Pretty much what I'm saying too. I just want the plate there so there are no "Ummm... is that right?" The Plate page shows me where I'm going and it should just be a reference. But if something glitches or just seem off on the Nav gear, there's no futzing around with the getting the overlay more readable, it is just THERE. But then we also both agree, that was then, and now we're looking at the DP and hoping it keeps improving!

Yes, I get that. But if I'm being Vectored and every thing is set up on the panel, I might still be looking at the Map. But once I get that "Intercept the ____" and I've decided to continue in on the Approach, that's where I guess I go old school and want to focus on the Approach Plate and the Panel. But as you said, that's changing with the Dynamic Procedures, especially as they (hopefully) continue to improve upon the DPs.

I figure if I'm still looking at the Wx as I'm switching to the Approach, then something is REALLY wrong. I suppose if I were flying some sort of heavy metal then it might be a different story. Same with Traffic, if it's IMC then I'm not that concerned. Sure, there is always a chance someone will launch right as I get there. But then that was always a chance in all the pre TIS-B years too. And, in theory, if they are scud running in the pattern, I should see them before I switch to the Plates page too. With the Dynamic Procedures, totally agree that if I did use the Plate overlay, it would be silly to keep it on with the new DP. Now if you only knew a big wig at FF and could get them to make the overlay an OPTION!!!!

I actually do not like the plate over the map, well maybe I "hate" it is a better statement. And I don't know how many actual FF folks fly Mooneys, but if any of your are here, DO take note of the side-by-side that Pilot has. I know I've suggested years ago and I'm sure others have too.

So with the iPad in Horizontal View, you can do a split screen and keep the map on one side and the chart on the other? I've been tell FF they should do that for years!

Yes, but there are a large number of stories how the Auto Start/Stop messed people up. And then it matters if you care how accurate your Logbook entry is. Remember the Start is +60ish Kts and the Stop is when you slow below 60 Kts. So all the Taxi and Hold time before Takeoff is an ESTIMATE by FF. Sure, it's a fun toy that may save you... Or just royally mess with your time. Start engine, Start Track Log Stop engine, Stop Track Log Or... Just use Hobbs Time!

That's good to know. But I think I'd probably still use the SD Card. And hopefully they are going to get around to letting any panel device be the "Master" not just the GTN. I do have to pull my FS510 to install the DB in the GTN, but then I also just swap and leave the current update in my GNC. Back a few software updates they said that all the other devices would do a DB Sync from which ever device has the latest update, but that never happened. If they get that finally working I'm set with the one SD Card in the GNC.