NJMac

I always pay for instruction and rental with an AMU check. Hasnt netted me a discount yet. Ill ask about renting it dry Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Was flight planning for the rental 172 (sad) and in the Dayton OH area, 100LL seems pretty consistent at $5/gal. Getting south KY, TN and Atlanta area where we are going its pretty stable around $3.50/gal. Just an observation and wondering why? To try and add myself to the CB club, would you ask for a discount on the wet rental rate if refueling saves the owner $10-15 / hr? I was thinking I would. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Its not technically a loss until it is realized. Im not going to worry about loosing some money *if* i sell the plane in the future. I might not sell it. Ive got no idea what the future holds. So ill spend what im comfortable with now and potentially deal with that choice later if it comes to be. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Ive been watching IFD videos on YouTube the last 3 hours and I'm freaking pumped. Cant wait to get this upgrade process underway. I already put my deposit on the monitor and panel work. Waiting for an updated quote so i can make the deposit on the avionics portion. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Just got off the phone with mr avionics guy Josh. Cost delta from a great known history 430w to an IFD440 is $2700. Seems like an easy choice for the 440. Other than money, any reason not to? Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

I actually shared this thread with avionics guy, Josh. He pointed this out to me as well. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

I have him looking at substituting the 430w for a 650 or 440. He quoted $8500 for the 430w used which immediately made me think that's a) high and B ) newer tech upgrade range for a small delta.

They did put prices next to everything but I chose not to put them online so it did not become a further point of contention in discussions here. I wanted to focus just on what was recommended, not necessarily the cost. However I don't think the labor rate for the shop would have a similar outcome so they quoted at $75 per hour. The owner of the shop did come over last Wednesday and look at the plane along with the mechanic. I will take your advice, thank you, and ask if it's a quotation or estimate Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Brad, fantastic feedback. This is my first time treading in these Waters so I appreciate any and all perspectives on this. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

I got the quote back from the avionics shop today. Came back pretty fairly I think for costs at roughly $19k all in. Appreciate commentary on the specs if you all dont mind. Used GNS-430w Used GI-106A indicator PMA 8000BT audio panel - new Stratus ES transponder with rack - new Stratus 2i unit and interface to Stratus ESG - new ACK A30.9 parallel/serial encoder - new Rami AV-585 Duplexer Rami AV-17 antenna Rami AV-74 DME xponder antenna GPS antenna RAMI AV-64 marker antenna Wire, headphone jacks (no in plane intercom or push to talk a of now), circuit breakers, avionics master switch, etc (2) Forbes Aero FAP 08-1 Surf Mr Mic/Phone Jack 3 port cooling fan (6) SCAT-5 Duct (2) push to talk switch (40 hr) installation labor IFR test 91.411 and 91.413 move ComNav1 to ComNav2 in new configuration The mechanical shop is going to work hand in hand with the above shop on this project. They will be running most the wires for the intercom and antennas since the plane is opened up right now. They are also installing the JPI EDM900, and docking station (will be getting a 2nd iPad for my lap), laser cutting all the panels and moving the various guages. We were initially going to be leaving the left side of the panel alone but after today's comments here about the standard 6 pack, and my instructor talking with the mechanic, we will be doing the standard 6 pack on the left too. We're gong to *try* and fit the JPI in a vertical alignment to the right of the altimeter / 6 pack. Looking online, image attached, it looks like there will be no real estate below the monitor? We were thinking one VOR may fit below the EDM but I dont think that will work looking closer as I typed this. Guess both VORs will be to the right of the COM stack, then the docking station. The mx shop estimated $5k for the EDM installed, plus another $5k for the panel cutting & moving and their work pulling wires for the antennas and plane intercom. Should result in a working WAAS GPS, ADSB in and out, a sweet engine monitor, and much improved usefulness with plane intercom and BT audio. Im totally stoked. Again, comments always welcomed.

Since you have experience with both a non-standard and standard six pack, is the upgrade worthwhile in your mind? Or were you comfortable with the shotgun orientation previously? Don't you become comfortable to what's familiar? Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

My guess is it'll take me about a year to get the instrument rating. Hopefully the tru trac is certified and we can put that in during the next annual which should coincide with me being instrument-rated. The mechanic and avionics guy talked with me last week and they're suggesting putting a docking station into the panel on the right side. They're recommending an air Gizmo for the iPad Mini that we use. Does anyone have any experience with that? I took my wife up in the 172 yesterday and held the mini in that area, and I'm not sure that I'm really going to like it in a fixed position so far from my eyes like that. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Appreciate the comment about spacing out the improvements. I guess my logic is that the plane has a 400 hr engine. Id rather spend an extra $5k on a monitor now than do something wrong and damage the engine. The. ADSB, 430w, and com panel upgrade seem to be pretty necessary. The other thought was once I get the bird flying, I just want to keep it flying and not have to take it out of service for weeks here or weeks there doing some upgrades that I deferred initially. Maybe im seeing it wrong? Looking at our total investment, i still think we are not under water yet. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Its a 64 E. That was also a comment that for the cost of a few rebuilt guages would equal a new JPI Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Removing guages was the idea. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Considering adding an engine monitor. EDM 830 or 900? Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Love it. Guess part of the problem is wife and i dont really have a plan or a budget that we live by. She wants kids. Thats going to happen by hook or by crook. I really hadn't considered the overall cost of the kids TBH. The business has needed real estate in the past and will in the future again. We just pulled the 20% down pmt from our savings. Love the 12 year amortization on buildings. Too many ideas and shiny things catch my attention. Hard to keep to a plan when I just want a nice plane to cruise the skies in. The E I have now is plenty for the dogs and I. The plan gets blurry wondering if wife wants to fly with me and if / when kids will have fit in too.

The sad reality is i dont really know what i want to do right now. Maybe best not to start spending until i do.... Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

I logged back into the site on chrome to edit a post and have been on for about 5 mins and havnt been redirected. That's a recent record. Seems like the changes were for the better.

Anyone have any cautions about installing a gtx 345? Id really like to at least start with the adsb and having "in" seems to just make sense. Is there a better option to accomplish the same objective? My wife hasnt said no to the $18k trial balloon that was first floated. So Im thinking i might get hard numbers for the 345, 650, and a new audio pannel. We're not necessarily hard for money so if i dont get a good return financailly, i guess ill chalk it up to the expense of enjoying life. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Appreciate the feedback everyone. Id say this could be our forever plane if I left the dogs or wife at home. Id probably choose to leave the wife. I mentioned that to her last night and it didnt go so well. Too bad Mooney doesnt have a 6 place, then i wouldn't have to disappoint my wife. Lol Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

I've actually been deferring an Android update for close to 3 weeks now. I don't think that would be the answer either Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Totally forgot one of the main missions. In the next 2 or 3 years my wife and I would like to have a house on the bay and Traverse City, really Suttons Bay. The thought was would fly up with the family and dogs most Fridays and come back on Sunday. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Mind sharing more about why you think 650 minimum? Just curious why Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Appreciate your feedback on that. My wife wants two kids and my two pit bulls are my Sidekicks that go everywhere with me. So my guess is we'll be into a 6 Place plane as soon as she gets the kids she wants. Wondering if we don't get into a Barron or larger Cessna twin and at that point we might just shop for a pannel that's already been done for us. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk