Skates97

I didn't think the inner ring was that difficult to replace. Make note of what order nuts/washers go in as the shaft is taken apart and put it back together the same way. Adjust the nut as necessary prior to putting the cotter pin back in.

Hmm... This would have to be a trip planned out a couple of years in advance, but putting together a trip with 2-3 Mooneys to Alaska would provide company as well as a safety net in case someone had problems along the way.

Here it is.

I was just about to post a shout out to Jesse but you beat me to it.

I love all the signatures on the plane.

That should be at the beginning of the list!

Having lived up in Eagle River outside of Anchorage as a kid a trip to Alaska in my Mooney is high up on the bucket list. However, when I finally go I will take the inland route through the Yukon and up the Trench.

Sooooo far behind on posting, which is what happens when you travel almost every weekend in the month. There is a flight to UT, another to ID (including Yellowstone), and one to AZ that I need to finish up. The posts are almost done but need to put together pictures and video. However this past Thu-Sat my wife and I flew into Oceano L52 for a night of camping and then over to Santa Ynez KIZA for a night in Solvang, CA. Just an FYI, Check lists aren’t just for flying and diversions aren’t just for airports… Oceano, CA (L52) Airplane Camping – Santa Ynez (KIZA) to Solvang, CA

I don't know how I missed that pointer on the irrigation from your post... Do they care if people turn off the irrigation? I could update my post with the instructions you gave above but don't want to put that out there if they don't want it to be common knowledge. I would think if they wanted to they could put up a sign about how to turn it off and ask that it be turned back on. Not knowing that we could turn it off led us to spending our second night in Solvang which is something my wife has wanted to do for a long time. We will go again, but we will be better prepared next time... My short PIREP: Pros It's right by the transient Parking Only for use if you fly in (probably will always be able to find a place and it cuts down on the noisy neighbors you get at a lot of public campgrounds) Walking distance from Old Juan's Cantina and the Rock & Roll Diner Bikes for your use Close to the beach and tons of rentals of ATV's if you want to ride the dunes Restrooms right by the pilot lounge Fire pits Cons $12/night transient parking and $15/night camping fee. (Neither one waived even if you buy fuel) If you like hanging out at the campsite, there isn't much to look at besides old hangars... Daily irrigation from 12-2pm... If you want to stay more than one night you have to break camp or risk the sprinklers soaking your tent. In fairness, if you were to watch the sprinklers for two hours you could probably find a place to pitch your tent where the sprinklers don't hit, but I didn't want to watch for that long. Dogs on the other side of the fence bark all night long... (You can't see them through the bushes and trees, but you can hear them) Oh, and bring bug spray, the mosquitos are huge! Full write-up of the adventure, including Santa Ynez/Solvang, tons of pictures, and some video on my blog. Oceano, CA (L52) Airplane Camping – Santa Ynez (KIZA) to Solvang, CA

2,400 RPM, 15" MP, level off and if necessary a shallow climb for a moment will get you to that magic 120mph to extend those "lower speed brakes" every time. Just make sure you plan ahead enough to do that. Then you are set up well for pattern speed.

If you decide to buy it I'll have to hop over for breakfast again at the Waypoint Cafe and meet you to take a look. I'll buy your breakfast.

It is a delicate balance between staying hydrated, but not too hydrated...

On a straight in I typically put the gear out at a five mile final. I will go a little below the glide-slope at that point specifically to nose up and bleed some speed and get my gear down. With the Johnson Bar I'm stuck with 120mph for gear extension and it doesn't want to fly that slow if it is clean and in just about any kind of a descent (even a shallow one).

That describes everything about life.

I have pulled the breaker and not noticed anything different in the headset so I am going to say no. However, if there is some it may be lost in the bit that I get from that rotating strobe underneath that sounds like a 500 year old coffee grinder...

As others have said, slow down and for me it was slow down early until I got a better feel for how long it would take me to slow down. Almost 100 hours into flying my Mooney and I am much better about arriving at pattern altitude at pattern speed without spending 2-3 miles before the pattern at pattern speed...

I had mine plugged into a generic one coming from the cigarette lighter for awhile and it worked well but I have no idea brand it was. For probably the last 20 hours of flying I have used one of these and it is wired into a spare fuse with no issues. http://www.ebay.com/itm/151569060902?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Going to go with the silicone that Andy linked above. Already have it set for will-call tomorrow at Aircraft Spruce. I'll have my wife run out and pick it up. (The blessings of having an awesome wife and AS about 10 miles away.)

There is a huge gap back at the base of the #3 cylinder where it looks like whoever put the baffling in just decided it was too much work to finish it off. It ranges from about 1/2" to 1". Shining a flashlight from outside the doghouse you can see it easily. That will be more difficult to get the material down in there but I'm sure will make a difference. Here you can see it with the light from behind. I only remove the top/side panels to get to the plugs. Very simple and easy. However, when I did my oil change last time and was also rotating plugs I had left my work light sitting on top of the oil filter behind the doghouse. When I was doing the top plugs on #2/#4 I noticed light shining through a gap at the back of the doghouse and thought "that can't be right..." I tried looking at it closer but couldn't really tell what I was seeing. I had a trip to take, and my temps have been typically 380-390 in climb and 370-380 in cruise so I put everything back together with plans to dig in more after the trip. Tonight was my first chance to pull the top off and see what I was really dealing with. For a 50+ year old plane it really is in good shape. After seeing pictures of some other dilapidated doghouses I'm glad I have the one I do. I'll get the felt replaced and if it lasts another 50 years I guess my son can worry about replacing the next time.

I think it's a great opportunity. Even if it takes you some time (few years) to get it where you want it you do have time. I seem to recall another young guy @Raptor05121 who bought a plane, put in the sweat equity, and has done a lot of flying and made a lot of memories. He's going through some headaches with his exhaust currently, but I don't think he regrets buying his bird. Maybe you can be a student of his and engage in "Raptor Methodology."

Took the top off. This is the material around the back. It is screwed and riveted into place, but falling apart and there are gaps. It looks like it's supposed to fill I the gap between the engine and the back panel of the doghouse as it goes all the way around.

Someone posted this once before but I like it.

I sent them a message that I would like to be added to their list and can provide a deposit/full payment prior to them beginning production again if necessary. Hopefully they are available again soon.

Looks like Van Nuys? I've flown past there a number of times. (Although I must confess I don't know why it's famous...)

I may have to peruse the hardware drawers in my parts departments at our dealerships tomorrow... I know that we have some smaller stuff there. I'm fairly certain the plane won't know if it came from there or Spruce... Thanks for all the info guys. I will have to post some pictures and results after I get into it.