PeteMc

I say ground ship a box to KCXP a week before you go and cut down your baggage requirements. That will open up a lot of other potential aircraft. For the shorter PNW trips, obviously you'll need less fuel, so more in baggage.

I can't speak to the 252, but I have a 231 with the Merlyn wastegate (no intercooler) and engine management is pretty straight forward. You will see a bit if an increase in MP just after takeoff (I've always assumed to to increased airflow and a little better engine performance). Then as you continue your climb above 10K you'll see a slow decrease in MP, both of which just require a minor adjustment of the throttle to correct. A J is a good plane, but I think you're right that the 231/252 Encore, etc. might be better for you if you if you're constantly crossing the mountains. And even when get east of the Rockies on a X-US flight, I am always still in the mid teens. Usually you're above the Wx, better speeds and typically very little traffic, so you're not constantly getting call-outs from ATC or maybe even frequent vectors.

The Anti Collision switch doesn't turn it on? You may be thinking that switch is only for the Strobes (if you have Strobes), but in some planes one switch does it all. Or a quick way to find it is to have someone stand outside the plane and turn EVERYTHING ON like the previous owner did. Assuming they see the Beacon, then start turning things Off until they yell at you. You could also do it at night or put a white box or something out a bit from the Beacon so you see the reflection if you need to do it while you're alone. And if you don't see the Beacon, maybe the bulb is burned out or there's a wiring issue. Oh... and have you emailed the previous owner???

I've also gone into Rocky Mountain Metro (KBJC) when going to the Denver area. Fuel prices were pretty good. And if the Wx forces you more north and you don't stay in the DEN area, the folks at Edwards Jet Cntr in Billings, MT (KBIL) were great. They apparently watched me droning along the entire way against some strong head from Sioux Falls, ND to Billings on the big screen they have at the desk. Got a big smile and a "you finally made it!" as I walked in the door, never having been there before. On a recent trip from WA down to Ft Worth we stopped in Tucumcari, NM (KTCC). Nice little Apt. And when the guy comes out to help you at the fuel pump, let him! Interesting setup on what switches to flip when and trying to read the display to know what to enter. If you end up at KSFF for any reason (lunch, overnight, Wx, etc.), give a holler. But FYI, fuel is a cheaper over at KCOE and there's the nice big hotel right on the lake.

I know some people have a problem with Air Mods (Mooney Service Center) in Robbinsville, NJ (N87), but usually the comments are "I've been told" with nothing more. I used Dave for probably 25 years before I moved and know multiple other people that have also used him for decades with no issues. And at the recent MAPA PPP in Ft Worth, he was called out as the Go-To guy in the NE, so I guess there's that too. For those that may speak up.... Was it a one-off or did you have years of issues? Was it when Dave had basically sold the business and was not around, then had to come back? Or it was during COVID when a lot of shops were having issue? All I know is a few decades of great service should carry some weight. Air Mods & Repair, Inc. 106 A Sharon Rd. Hangar A Robbinsville, NJ 08691 (N87) 609-259-2400 https://www.airmodsflightcenter.com/

So I'm guessing those will not be in Joshua's market, unless there is a design change that would work with them. His original concept discussed a light sensor. I'm just pointing out that the vast majority of planes, with gear lights, have gear DOWN lights, not nearly as many have gear UP lights, so designing off of gear UP might not be the best path.

Okay. I don't remember a Gear Up in the F (Trophy) that I've ridden in a fair amount. And also don't remember it in the J or Bravo. I don't have it in the K either. But I think I can safely say ALL retractable gear aircraft will have a Gear Down light.

Ah yes, I guess there are some planes that have a Gear Up light. The Mooney, Piper or Cessna planes I've flown all only had a Gear Down light. And I think I'd rather have any kind of warning system yell at me if I did not have a Gear Down/LOCKED light rather than a Gear Up light. That burned out Gear Up light may become an issue, at least once. But getting yelled at that the gear is not down (burned out light or not) I think would be the safer cross check.

You've got the processing power, so in addition to the light, why not have a "GEAR GEAR GEAR" warning. It could plug into the audio panel, have BT or the box could be big enough for a speaker and a small amp (which would be needed to make it loud enough). And I think you meant the audible alarm would go off when the gear light was OFF.

Wish it looked like that up here in the PNW!

I had looked at that, but it was out of stock. Reached out to Feather Hood directly just to find out more about it and he told me that he's waiting on a new shipment and they should be available again soon. Early on in this discussion (which is also over on FB) I decided I was going back to a hood. Now I'm just zeroing in on which one I'm going to get. This is one option, sort of like the one that clips on a baseball cap visor too. It comes with a hard plastic visor, but sort of doubt I'd want to use it, but who knows.

When I first got my plane it still had the original factory side curtains!! Who knew... I guess I should have kept them!

I was thinking of adding their tech to all the windows in the plane. Figured it would do a really good job a simulating Actual conditions!!! Might be a little tough flying into one of the more busy airports line Block Is on a sunny Sat. morning in the summer.... Okay... I stole that thought from someone that actually posted a while ago in some forum that "oh, that would be a cool idea to add it to the windows!" without really thinking of the consequences.

You very well may be able to get yours rebuilt now. A couple of years ago I could not find a shop that had the parts or a replacement from any of the various parts vendors. I ended up getting a digital replacement from Aerospace Logic. No complaints about the unit, just like all digital displays it took a little getting used to. So if you can't find one and need to buy new, you're looking for one of their MF200K30 (vs the 60GPH version). One MAJOR NOTE with them, they did something really strange with the STC that you MUST use their transducer and it does NOT work with JPI (or prob. any other fuel totalizer). So if you have a JPI (or other) my mechanic made a field mod to add a really long fuel line and put in the original JPI transducer as well as Aero Logic's. (Really long so there was no turbulence between either transducer.) https://www.aerospacelogic.com/engine-instruments/manifold-pressure-and-fuel-flow/

I was looking at those. But I'm sort of leaning towards @GeeBee's Super Hood. I like the idea of slicing away at the right side to match up with the shape of the panel. Then I'd be able to see across the whole panel at a glace. Should make it easier to set at watch the power.

I like that. I had something that looked similar that actually attached to the headset band and then you could just flip it up or down. Actually modified it a bit (e.g. cut out part of the right side) so I could see the full panel and not have to turn my head as much. It was pretty easy to just sit in the plane and keep cutting back a little bit at a time so I could see what I needed and not really see out the right side window. Should be able to do that with this hood too. ADDED: I like Sporty's, and did check their price. But there's a whapping shipping fee that brought it up to $42. Checked Amazon and although the base price is $8 more, I don't pay shipping (well, don't pay per item ).

That's the one I'm having problems with. After some other discussions on FB I'm wondering if it is the black that is giving me the issue. The old true "hood" that actually clipped to my headsets was away from my eyes and allowed in a lot of light, even though it was also black. The first pair of Foggles I used were the frosted ones. So maybe it is just time to get used to them, or that black unrealistic black void is messing with me. Or... thinking a bit more. Also it may be messing with my progressive glasses as it's blocking the top part. So I'm looking through parts of my Rx that I don't usually when I'm flying.

So I'm curious what people like to use for Hoods/Foggles with noise cancelling headsets? This year I got some new "clip on" Foggles and now realize they disorient me. I first thought it was because I had done such little hood work and not really any actual either so I was rusty... But I mean I was REALLY rusty/bad. Then ended up doing some actual on our long XC and was primed to flip on the AP, but I had no problems at all. So what's your favorite? I really don't want to go back to the traditional Foggles now that I'm used to my NC headsets. But will if there's no other good option. I've read about the Feather Hood and thinking of trying that.

That's why the cover manufacturers always say to keep it VERY snug. And I get the potential for dirt damage, and it does matter where you are, but I was on a ramp for years with no issues from my cover.

Following up on what @Eric J said.... After my interior was done I noticed these giant holes in the floor by the center console. Talked to my mechanic and he said they were just covered up by the old carpet that had probably just been installed closer to the center and covered them. So do check for openings and maybe worn/thin carpet where fumes are coming through from the engine compartment.

My plane had had a prop strike before I bought it and the required tear-down. They had the shop pretty much do an overhaul and tried to sell it as XXX SMO, but the logs didn't have the signoff. So I ended up getting a good deal. But at around 1700hrs I had an issue with a piston pin plug. Sure, I could have delt with the one cylinder, but figured with that time, even with the earlier work, I was not sure if I was going to be tossing money into the engine. Current engine is at 1500hrs and still going strong. I did have one cylinder burn a hole in the side around 1100hrs, so replaced it. But otherwise no issues and hope to get to or beyond TBO. The one thing that may change that is how long it currently takes to get an engine. I'm going to be watching closely to see if the parts and shop availability gets better or not. But as I get closer to TBO I may just get on the list to either have my engine rebuilt to get a factory reman. Then when my date comes do I'll make the change. The other option is to suddenly have an issue and just then start the waiting period for the engine I know I'm going to need in the not to distant future.

I always used my cover not for the paint, but to cover the windows and keep the sun from shining into the cabin. Helps with the heat in the summer, but also help prevent cumulative sun fading year-round when you're parked outside.

Assuming this wasn't for me since I'm the one that said you could confirm the Waypoints with current charts in the EFB for enroute navigation. Also just said that you an use your EFB and the NAV part of the GTN (or other) if you were not pulling up XXX VOR and putting into the Route as a Waypoint. (At least not without confirming the Wpt is still correct.)

There is no "Database" per se if you're using VORs. But you still have to have current charts and "data" with the correct frequencies, etc. So as long as you have current paper charts or a current EFB, you're good to go. The Current Database in question in this discussion has to do with GPS/GNSS navigation. So you could not add the DNW VOR to the Route in your GPS if you did not first confirm the location. But you could be in NAV mode and dial in 117.2 and follow the OBS needles to navigate to/from the VOR. Make sense?

You must compare ALL Waypoints. Not just the Airports. So every single Intersection, VOR, whatever in your entire Route must be checked. And before you say you filed "Direct" to the Airport. Remember they can reroute you and put you on an Airway with mega Wpts.