milotron

So....what are you upgrading to??

Very nice. Did Aerocomfort do the interior? I like the non-black glareshield; that really brightens the interior.

Most Ks of this vintage have the electric backup AI. Mine does, as does most I have seen around here. I believe vacuum pump failure has been an issue or concern with Mooney at this time.

+1

And possibly eliminate the vacuum pump and associated costs/risks. If/when mine goes, I will likely go that route. Too cheap to pull the trigger until then. iain

Regarding time: If you work like me, and it sounds like you do, you would be working on the airline while travelling enroute, similar to the drive. I tend to make quite a few phone calls in the vehicle while driving ( bluetooth headset ). I sometimes even toy with the idea of getting an assistant just to drive me around and increase the amount of time I can respond to calls/emails/texts/issues, etc. None of this is really practical when flying yourself. I tried the bluetooth in the Bose A20 for calls, but cell coverage is typically poor at altitude and non-existent in many of the areas I travel over. Ultimately, I do choose the Mooney for the time savings from the security at the airports and that I can depart on MY schedule, rather than lingering around the airport for hours waiting for the return flight. All of this ultimately leads me to be home at a reasonable hour or not staying over night so I can spend more time with my family ( and on Mooneyspace )

Tempest fine wire. $1200 CDN upgrade but helped my high altitude misfire on my TSIO360MB K. Theoretically should last to TBO without replacement.

Nice K Kevin! I got my my K home one year to the day! I went from Quebec to Victoria instead. I have the TKS also and it has come in handy a couple of times over the mountains, including the initial ferry flight. iain

If I recall, the stock CHT sensor on the K is on #5, right hand side front. It might be sharing the probe well with the JPI sensor and will read low compared to it them. Did you have cowl flaps open? 11,000 and OAT of -2C is not very cold at all. Where were you? I have had cooling issues at 12k and above with my K, even with temps much colder than that, prompting more cowl flap opening than down lower. Just looked up in Flightaware ( because I am Canadian and we have to stick together...) What was your fuel consumed on that leg from Springbank to Regina?

It is all about local geography. I often use my Mooney for work travel as I live on an island ( a big island, but an island nonetheless..) and about half of my travel requires an expensive ferry ride for 2 hours, plus waiting. I can fly there in 15 minutes. Also, most other destinations are smaller towns and commercial flights typically need at least one stopover, thus adding more time, pain/suffering. Factor in the security dance and Mooney is a no-brainer. Plus being able to operate on YOUR schedule is priceless. Like Hyett6420 said, the Mooney is a time machine.

Funny how they replaced the old VOR/ILS rod antennae with that blade, or is that an antenna also?

Hi Brad, what part of the plane is that first image from? Beautiful plane by the way....:) iain

Thanks Paul, Mine appears to be the original from 1981. it is pretty rough, but Hector says he can repair it. Looking at it again, I think I am beyond just paint.

Several of the glareshields in this thread have additional, round vents in the top, presumably to provide relief for the electronics underneath. Was this a factory thing? My K doesn't have these. I like the input on painting. I am reconsidering the ultraleather in favour of this. As a sidebar: The glareshield ( mine at least ) is very tight between the two pillars when coming out. Do you guys project the side pillars with tape or something when removing it? I get some paint damage on the pillars during this operation. I also need to increase the cut around the center post and add the filler piece, perhaps this will make removal/replacement easier and less damaging?

The overall play in the rudder does to an extent reflect the play in the steering mechanisms and the rudder pedals. On mine you could turn the nose wheel 2-4 degrees and the rudder would not move. It was pretty bad. Until the nose gear retracts, that is what stops the rudder from moving back and forth without the pedals being actuated. I did the same thing as bluehighwayflyer a month or so a go and it made a huge impact on the steering squirrelliness on take-off/roll out and was also noticeable in less 'slack' or movement in the rudder. That tiny bit of play in the bushing of the steering horn translates to a fair bit of movement at the tail. Tremendous improvement on my plane. Until I started preloading both rudder pedals at touchdown, the plane would veer back and forth, scaring the begesus out of my transition instructor. I took him up recently to reinforce that it wasn't me...Straight, stable and smooth now.

There is also one on Ebay that is fully recovered. I have dealt with the seller and he was very accommodating. Don't forget with aerocomfort you have shipping both directions...for me, in Canada this is a non-trivial cost.

+2 for Aerocomfort. Going to get mine done there later this year, along with side panels.

Fantastic info Dave! Thanks, that is the direction I was looking for. Wiring diagram suggests a connector or terminal there too. Hopefully I can isolate it and verify which end has the ground. Also glad I don't have to service the switch... iain

Switch contact is doing as it should. It grounds the circuit under a stall event causing horn to sound. At least that is what the schematic shows. Assume that it is wired correctly. I will be chasing down 2) next. Just trying to figure out what routing it takes to minimize chances of breaking more interior plastics... iain

Thanks. That is what I need to sort out now. Switch works fine; gear horn works fine; No other issues. I'll pull the side panel on the weekend and poke around some more. Ws thinking that maybe an interior panel screw jagged the wire or something, or maybe it is shorting to ground at the horn itself. Just glad I am not buying a crazy expensive life detector or trying to get that thing out to replace the microswitch. With the TKS on the wings, the two philips screws holding it in place are not accessible and there are two nuts bodged in the back with straps.

Yeah, I don't know that I would do it myself either. Looking forward to see what comes out this year too.

Yes, TKS and rain. The switch works fine. I put a meter on it and the contact shows as open, then closes when operated, so seems to be good. I gave it a shot of contact cleaner any ways as I had it out to clean the headphone jacks.

Hi, It would seem that my stall horn has decided to stay on permanently. Only pulling the breaker turns it off. The stall switch changes state and appears to be functioning correctly suggesting that the wiring between the switch and horn is grounded to the frame somewhere. ( the stall switch completes the circuit to the frame/ground ) What route does this wiring go from the wing to the overhead panel? I am assuming through the B pillar just behind/beside the pilot, but I would like to avoid taking half of the interior apart to find this. Thanks, iain

Anybody ever do a full G1000 installation? Probably cheaper to buy a plane with it, but thought I would ask.

I had the same issue when I first got my K and put one of the plastic color coded things on the end of the key. That provided just enough extra cushion and leverage to make it not hurt anymore. While at it, I coded the ignition/door key red and the baggage key is blue. They are indistinguishable from each other without it.