skydvrboy

I recently had a new starter installed on my M20F. In doing so, it was found the at the ignition switch was arcing, so a new ignition switch kit was installed. Since this work, I have had difficulty in starting the plane. I go through my normal starting procedure (throttle 1/4", mix full rich, fuel pump on 3-5 seconds) and it just cranks away. Almost without fail, no matter how long I crank, the moment I release the key the engine starts. At first I thought this was just coincidence, but it has happened several times now. Any ideas on what might be wrong? I considered the mags, but they pass at run up. I have not tried an in-flight mag check since this issue started. I also haven't listened for the shower of sparks to see if that may be the problem. I'll be taking it back to the mechanic on Saturday to check it out, but I thought it would be best to offer some clue as what may be going on here.

In the more rural parts of the US, $1200 buys you closer to 20 shop hours. I've used two different shops, one charges $58/hr and the other charges $62/hr.

Not trying to take business away from Alan, but you can get headrests that fit from any junkyard. Most Toyota and Mazda headrests will work. You are looking for 3/8" posts on 6" centers. I was able to find some that almost perfectly match my interior color, but worst case, you have to recover them.

That's interesting. I was told by my CFI that I should first get some training with a CFII so I know the instrument scan and basics. Then go do a bunch of flying with a safety pilot before finish up with the CFII. When you did your initial flying with a safety pilot, was it someone who was instrument rated that could make sure you using proper scans, etc. even though they weren't a CFII? I also do 90% cross country trips and exclusively hand fly my plane (no autopilot or wing leveler). I don't have a certified GPS in the plane, just dual nav/coms, one with glide slope.

I finally had a reason to use the "Mooney dip" on my last flight. I was doing touch and goes before deciding to go to a different airport. I noticed the plane wasn't accelerating in cruise like normal and noticed the gear was still down at 115 MPH. Yeah, at that speed, raising the gear was difficult, but I remembered the "dip" technique. A slight push forward on the yoke and the gear nearly put itself away. Sweet!!!

Congrats on this major accomplishment! I need to do the same this year.

Have you considered a Stratus ESG? It has the WAAS GPS source integrated and runs $2,995. Our FBO got their rental Warrior done last year at a local shop that was installing these for a flat $500. (I assume they still do) You would be out the door for less than $3500 after the rebate.

I know this is an old thread, but I had to comment on this as a guy who worked in the tire industry for 10 years. The rating on the sidewall of a tire is NOT a recommended tire pressure. It is the max pressure for which the tire is rated. The recommended tire pressure is based primarily on the weight/surface contact area that the tire must support. On vehicles, the recommended tire pressure can be found inside the driver's door either on the door itself or on the frame. For motorcycles, the recommended tire pressure is very close to the max rated tire pressure.

@joekinnc Page 33 in the Landing Gear section.

With CHT's that high and brand new installation of the JPI, I'd first check the accuracy and calibration of the sensors. If nothing else has changed other than the replacement of your old gauges with the JPI, then the CHT's shouldn't have changed either.

It looks like you're trying to find out just how long you can fly over Texas!

I started with FltPlan Go since it was free and have since stuck to it because it seems to do everything I need. Is there anything that ForeFlight offers that FltPlan Go doesn't or is it just a better user interface that you are paying for?

I'd study up a bit on Target EGT and the red box. I got chastised pretty hard on here in my very first post for mentioning that I climb 125 ROP, being told that was too lean. In looking at the engine performance charts (peak ICP & CHT) 100 ROP in a climb is just about the worst place for your engine to run. Here would be a good start for reading. https://www.jpinstruments.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Mike-Bush-Red-BoxRed-Fin.pdf I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be along shortly to point you to some better reading material.

I believe a previous owner of my plane fit into that "really thrifty CB" category. When I changed my pucks, there were 5 different date codes, ranging from '67 to '94. I believe he measured each puck and replaced them individually on condition. They now all have 4/18 date codes.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have carpet half way up the sides. I've been considering these simple clips with pins in the back. Then clip on whatever kind of pocket I can find (or make). I too use my iPad, but I keep expired sectionals in the plane just in case my iPad goes kaput in flight. Plus sometimes I like to be old school and practice my dead reckoning and pilotage skills. Calculate my magnetic heading, pick a couple points to find along the way, and launch with (gasp) no GPS.

Use the KISS method and keep it simple. WOT, full RPM from takeoff to cruise altitude (adjust mix to target). To transition to cruise, leave WOT, reduce RPM to 2500, & LOP. For descent, leave everything as is, lower the nose, and enjoy the speed! Only need to reduce throttle when you want to land.

Amazing how people freak out over things they don't know about. The propane bottles would present a big problem, but the ammo popping off wouldn't endanger anyone. Unless the round is chambered in a firearm the bullet won't be propelled when it goes off. The case will actually go further than the bullet and if you're more than 3 feet away, you won't even get a scratch from a direct hit. Similarly, there is pretty much zero chance of the jet fuel igniting. Jet fuel is NOT flammable, it is combustible. Unless the fuel is heated or atomized it will not ignite. The flammability of jet fuel is so often misunderstood that even my son's science teacher thought it would explode anytime there was a spark nearby. My son insisted on proving his teacher wrong, so we "borrowed" some jet fuel from the nozzle at the airport and proceeded to make a video putting matches out in the jet fuel. No explosion, no flame, no excitement.

Nice!

The problem is not that you have 5-10 ppm of CO. That is harmless. The problem is that you have an exhaust leak into your heater system. How long will that small hole stay small? What are you willing to gamble on that?

@gsxrpilot If/when I upgrade the audio panel & intercom, I'll definitely give them another try. Perhaps when I redo the panel to put in a JPI 900.

It also has to be the correct flat side. One flat side has small round holes (that's the side that picks up your voice), while the other side has longer slits in it (that side will not pick up your voice). I like the light feel on my head and not having it squeezed on long trips, I really wanted these to work out.

That's the exact problem I'm having. I have to yell into the mic in order for it to pick up my voice. The problem is when I adjust the squelch so that the HALO picks up easily, then the other headsets are picking up the ambient noise in the plane. The HALO works great if I'm the only one in the plane, and I'm sure it would work fine if all occupants had HALO's. This same problem was experienced by another MS'er and went away when he purchased a new plane. I suppose I could use "airplane math" and use the HALO's as an excuse to justify new avionics or a new plane!

I purchased a Quiet Technologies HALO headset at Oshkosh last summer thinking it would become my primary headset. It doesn't seem to play nice with my old radios, so I've decided to part with it. I probably should have done this a long time ago, but with all the great reviews I really wanted to try every style of earplug and have my wife do the same. I also didn't feel right mentioning it for sale on the other headset threads before I had made my donation. It's practically new. We both tried the same set of yellow foam earplugs and I tried the black ones once, but all the rest are unused. It was the mic that didn't work well with my radios. If you need pictures let me know, but I think everyone knows what this is. Since I regularly use all 4 seats and only have 4 headsets, I'd like to see if anyone is interested in trading an older ANR headset for it. The only ANR headset I've been able to try out has worked beautifully, so that's the direction I'd like to go. Make me an offer! If I don't have an acceptable trade worked out by 3/7/19, I'll sell it for cash. Full disclosure, I already have one offer to buy it for cash, but if that falls through, I'll go down the list.

I think my plane is just way too loud for the Halo's to be effective and the mic doesn't seem to play nice with my old radios. I have a set that I bought at Oshkosh last year and tried the various plugs and just wasn't satisfied. Thought my wife might like the fact that they don't mess up your hair, but she wasn't impressed either. If you are looking for a set send me a PM, I'd love to trade them out for an ANR headset.

If your typical mission is going to include the whole family, the F is the way to go. Mine has 1067 useful and most are in that range. That would let you take the whole family, baggage, pilot stuff, and enough fuel to make any of your destinations with a single fuel stop. Just make sure you do your W&B calculations, the Mooney will fly at gross. I have no idea how it flies above that, but I'm sure there are a few around here you could tell you (offline, of course).