Rick Junkin

Skip, how long ago did you get your VA-400? I remember reading something talking about problems with the original lenses in the VA-400 and a change to a better lens but I couldn't easily find the reference I'm remembering. Your best bet is probably to reach out to the Vividia folks through their contact page http://www.vividia-tech.com/contact-us.html. I submitted a question and they responded within a day. I'm sure they've had this question before and will be able to steer you to a solution. Cheers, Rick

Vividia VA-400 recommended by Mike Busch early on. The scope connects by USB to a computer or if you're using an Android device you can connect directly to your phone or tablet, but you can't connect directly to an Apple device. I suggest getting the package with the battery powered wifi box so you can use it with your iPhone or iPad, and it will also work with Android devices and eliminate the cord management issues between the borescope and your display device. You will need an external battery - I use my iPad back-up battery. Here's the Amazon link for the wifi package: https://smile.amazon.com/VA-400-WiFi-Bundle-Ablescope-Articulating-Borescope/dp/B01MQPC6U1/ref=sr_1_3?crid=34WQ7TTPS9SD9&dchild=1&keywords=vividia+va-400&qid=1628342695&sprefix=vivid%2Caps%2C241&sr=8-3 Here's the link for just the borescope: https://smile.amazon.com/Vividia-Ablescope-VA-400-Borescope-Articulating/dp/B00GY7C9ZW/ref=sr_1_4?crid=34WQ7TTPS9SD9&dchild=1&keywords=vividia+va-400&qid=1628342695&sprefix=vivid%2Caps%2C241&sr=8-4 Cheers, Rick

Good morning! Everyone who has registered for the Mooney Summit should have received a "thank you" email from either Mike Elliott or me with the links to the hotels to get the block rates. If you've registered for the Summit and haven't received the info please PM me with the name and email you registered with and I'll get it to you right away! Cheers, Rick

I flew a similar track in a BE23-24 many years ago and never went above 10,000. ABQ is the best place to cross the Rockies without going too high, especially if you can stay VFR. Just keep a really close eye on density altitude, you may find you want to stick to early morning and early evening but your Mooney will do just fine. Cheers, Rick

Thanks for the reminder! Monitoring 121.5 in the #2 radio is always a good practice but especially when flying in proximity to a TFR. If they can talk to you things can go much smoother. Cheers, Rick

Ok, this changes my original recommendation. When you said SoCal I was thinking San Diego/LA. If you're going to be in the High Desert then the only thing you're concerned about is heat and sun. That's been covered by others. If you happen to be going to Fox Field (KWJF) or Tehachapi (KTSP) PM me. I may be able to help you find hangar space. Cheers, Rick

@cwaters I added this on edit to my original reply "I use this dehydrator https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/engsaver.php?clickkey=5716 and the desiccant is good for about three months here in the Tennessee humidity." You can also use spark plug desiccants https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/dehydrplugs.php?clickkey=5716 for longer term storage or as a substitute for a dehydrator in the short term. The benefit of the dehydrator is it forces dehumidified air into the crank case and offers protection to the crank, cam and all other internal components. The plugs do the same but its more of a pull from the cylinders rather than a push from the oil breather. If you were to decide to make the trip, the spark plug desiccants could be used at your tie down as a mitigator. You would want to check them periodically and refresh the desiccant if necessary. Internal window heat shields work well at keeping the sun out and the internal temps down. Depending on where you are going in SoCal You may or may not want to put a cover on the airplane. Covers can do more harm than good in a sandy environment. A good coat of wax with a UV additive to protect your paint would also mitigate the 3 months of sun. Just a few more thoughts for your consideration. Cheers, Rick

Hangar wins over tie down, all other things being equal. Three months outside in the SoCal heat and sun with little/no opportunity to get the benefit of flying her wouldn't be doing your bird any favors. Of course the flight across the country is spectacular and has value as well, so you'll need to weigh your priorities in that regard. I'd leave her in the hangar with a dehydrator hooked up to keep internal condensation and corrosion at bay, and then do a pre-lube procedure before starting her the first time when you get home. I've had to sit down for the past three months after a medical procedure (I get my wings back on August 6th, yay!) and that's what I've done with mine. I use this dehydrator https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/engsaver.php?clickkey=5716 and the desiccant is good for about three months here in the Tennessee humidity. The pre-lube is detailed by Mike Busch here https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2019/march/pilot/savvy-aviator-powerplant-resurrection. Cheers, Rick

This is most likely USN activity, exercising a ship's fire control systems. The threat is more to surface ships but the safety protocol is to keep aircraft clear in the event of anomalies that could send rounds up to where we could be. Cheers, Rick

Outstanding accomplishment! It's a novelty right now, but as the commentators said this opens the door to future innovation for commercial space travel. As for landing at the Spaceport, I'm a little more optimistic. Interesting that the background photo for the Space Port "Events" page looks like an Ercoupe fly-in. And the FAQ says PPR (prior permission required) which doesn't necessarily mean "no", you just have to have a good reason, from the airport authority's perspective, to land there. Attending a scheduled tour may be a good enough reason. Since it's owned by the state of New Mexico access may be easier than you think. Definitely worth a phone call! Cheers, Rick

Thanks for the input @Hank. The system we're considering does allow access through a PC for both registration and bidding. This would allow entry of sensitive registration and credit card information through a secured PC connection and then real time bidding through the app on your mobile device. Cheers, Rick

Thanks Anthony, fixed! Cheers, Rick

Greetings All! We're looking at taking the Silent Auction bidding electronic for Mooney Summit VIII and we want your feedback on this idea. We're constantly looking for ways to to improve the Mooney Summit experience for everyone, as well as reduce the cost and administrative burden of executing the Summit. We are looking at existing services and tools that could allow us to make the Silent Auction both more available and easier to access, as well as easier to administer and execute. The most promising service we've found so far requires bidders to download an app to their mobile device (phone, tablet), register with the service, and enter credit card information to be used for payment of a winning bid. We want to get an idea of the impact moving to such a system will have on our bidding audience. Please complete the poll to help guide our decision to move our Silent Auction online. Thanks for your help and participation! Cheers, Rick

One last reminder for those, like me, who tend to wait until the last minute - this is it! Today, Wednesday June 30th is the last day to register for the Mooney Summit at the Early Bird registration fee of $99. The $149 event registration fee will go into effect starting tomorrow. We're looking forward to seeing everyone in Tampa this year! Check out the agenda at http://mooneysummit.com. Cheers, Rick

Hi Ricky, Email me rick.junkin@mooneysummit.com your wife's name and what she would like under her name on her Event Badge (tail number, nickname, etc) and also tell me the name you registered under and I will update your record. Piece of cake! Cheers, Rick

Now's the time to register for Mooney Summit VIII before the registration fee increases on July 1st to $149. You have another 12 days to register at the Early Bird amount so don't miss the opportunity! Go to https://www.mooneysummit.com to check out this year's agenda and get registered. Cheers, Rick

This is correct, we are finalizing contracts for room blocks at three different nearby hotels. We'll get the hotel registration information out to everyone as soon as possible. Again, thanks for your patience! Cheers, Rick

Yea, I overstated that a little. Using the lowest possible power for the final portions of the approach/landing and taxi gives me plenty of low power time before shut down and it usually exceeds 5 minutes. I don't idle in place before shut down to get more cooling time as it doesn't really work that way, as pointed out in another post. I'm really looking for a decent CHT drop of about 30 degrees before shut down. As far as whether it matters, I believe it can't hurt so I do it. Cheers, Rick

My training was to verify two positive indications of a climb (altimeter and VVI) before reaching for the gear handle/switch. You'll see my gear hanging as I accelerate in ground effect and retract after I've pitched up at climb speed. Just sharing the technique that's worked for me. Cheers, Rick

I use Camguard in my Bravo. I've only owned the airplane for about 300 hours of flight time since 2016, which is part of the driver to use Camguard. I've had no problems and change the oil every 25 hours or six months, which ever comes first. I'm religious about ensuring low power settings for the 5 minutes before engine shutdown to avoid the coking problem. Most of the time that cool down starts at the FAF or on final if VFR. Cheers, Rick

My airplane has a 2014 paint job on it and required touchup of all of the access panel screws and a number of chips that occurred during panel removal, which Paul did as part of the reseal job. Paul also repainted the wing walk. But if you're planning to repaint your airplane I would definitely wait until after you have the tank work done. The quote for a complete strip and reseal of my M20M last August was $11K. As I recall it took a little over two weeks to complete the job because one of my wings had quite a number of difficult to strip areas due to past tank seal repairs. Paul doesn't guarantee a completion date due to not knowing what he's going to find once he gets into each tank. In my case the left wing went pretty smoothly but the right wing was a mess. Cheers, Rick

I had my M20M done last summer by Paul Beck at Weep No More at Willmar MN. I'm very happy with the results! Cheers, Rick

Our hotel contract is pending, and we will be getting the registration information out to all registered participants as soon as possible. This will be available to you no later than the end of June. Thanks for your patience! Cheers, Rick

@FastTex You're welcome! But I would give them a call at (618) 566-5265 to see if they might be able to get you fuel, especially if KBLV is the closest airport to your daughter. Things seem to be changing daily. Cheers, Rick

@FastTex Air traffic around St Louis is relatively light for a Class B and the approach controllers are generally happy to give you vectors rather than STARs and SIDs to and from the surrounding airports. At Mid America the north side of the field is the civilian side. The last I knew there is no FBO or 100LL available on the field anymore, but you can try calling (618) 566-5265 as listed in Foreflight and the AOPA airport listing to find out where to park and where to exit the ramp. They used to have a very low volume of small scheduled air carrier operations out of the terminal there but I don't know if that's still true or if you can get a rental car easily. Boeing does large unmanned aerial system testing from the north ramp so that's something to be aware of and ask about as well. I would definitely call first before going in there. The plus side is the USAF controllers are really friendly and helpful. If you aren't committed to KBLV but want to stay relatively close I recommend KALN, St Louis regional airport in Alton IL. Fuel is expensive but they have a full service FBO and there's a decent restaurant on the field. Or you could try St Louis Downtown KCPS. Its closer but fuel is a LOT more expensive and it isn't in the greatest area but it does have full services. If you're just trying to get into the St Louis area and don't mind flying a little further, assuming you're coming from home, I highly recommend TACAir at Spirit of St Louis Airport KSUS in Chesterfield MO. Their self-serve fuel is some of the least expensive in the area and it's right off of interstate 40. Super easy in and out. That was my home field for about 8 years. But it's about 40 miles west of KBLV so may not fit your plan. Cheers, Rick