jmoz

If unemployment paid that well, I'd have quit my job long ago! Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I have a lot of experience with SV, so I can actually answer definitely. The AP Control Panel is not at all required for AP on SkyView. It's only role is to make AP easier to operate. (It's not hard from the panel, but dedicated knobs and buttons are obviously handy in IFR.) The AP Control Panel is not required, though, and is NOT currently part of the STC. I asked at SnF, and autopilot is definitely part of the current STC and planned for future models (e.g. Mooney). They hope to add the AP Control Panel, too, but can't promise anything there. As for timeline for Mooney, their rep had 2 comments beyond what @Maurader already said: 1. They recognize that people are more likely to invest in a panel upgrade with a larger hull value, so Mooney and Bonanza could none ahead of, for example, Pipers, and 2. They recognize that if the upgrade isn't possible before 2020, it's appeal and value drops. Hope that helps! Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I counted at least 4-5 new HUD options, with several working with tablet apps... Something worth watching. Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I asked at Sun N Fun: they're targeting $6K install costs in a 172. Hope that helps! Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Don't hold back- what do you really think? Do you get a commission?? Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Yeah, that seems like a pretty decent reason! I can't tell if it's discontinued or not (it's not listed on discontinued products), but if you can't buy it, that's more-or-less enough. At $1075 list with no installation costs, I'd have thought that would be a sufficient price difference for it to exist, but I guess that's not the case.

Please pardon the naiveté of this question (just a PP, not yet an owner, and not instrument rating), but why not consider something like the Dynon D2 (http://www.dynonavionics.com/pocket-panel.php) for backup AI? It is, of course, not TSO, but nothing removable will be, and it's built on the same MEMS platform as Dynon's EFIS platforms. It should mount where you'd otherwise mount the phone, and it's got battery backup if your electrical system goes down. I'd personally be more comfortable, I think, with a single box with everything standing alone than with a panel-mounted backup AHRS connected by Bluetooth (not the most reliable protocol) to a phone if things went bad.... Assuming that there's a good reason no one suggested this approach, could someone let me know the error in my thinking? I'm not being facetious; I'm really looking to learn more from people with more experience.

Fun read, thanks! Sometime you're up this way (or I can come down to CGE; Kay's is good), I'd love to see the progress on your bird!

My club Cessna tops out at 105 KTAS on a good day (You've seen the paint; I'm guessing that's losing me a few.). I don't need too much of a headwind before I'm being passed by cars.... I get excited when GS is triple digits, as I seem to have a knack for finding headwinds. When I go to N57, I keep ending up in the right seat of an RV-7A.... Andre and I are flying it down to SnF if the weather cooperates. That said, I fear that flying his RV is bad preparation for a Mooney; it slows down VERY easily when you pull power because it has all the aerodynamics of a brick.

Speaking of- still hoping for an opportunity to fly with you and/or Jack..... Cessna's in an annual which is at 1 month and counting.... Argh.

Like I said- bathroom first, then fund recovery, then Mooney (hopefully). It's very unlikely I'll buy something without first asking you lots of questions (and possibly irritating you/trying your patience.)

Guess you didn't notice where I used your name in vain previously: JZ

Yup....

You probably said this previously, but I'm new around here- where in Delaware? I live in Newark (currently fly a club Cessna out of ILG but I'm hoping to buy a plane in the next year or so, which I'd likely base at N57.)

I've never seen L_I_F_T on a checklist.... What does it stand for?

That works out to roughly $18k for a 2 screen system (depending on screen size, etc). No clue on install costs Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Yes, exactly. My point was that the 7" is enough for the PFD and MFD, but I don't have enough information to know if would need the 10" with the EMS as well. Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I know that specific panel pretty well.... Worth noting that the 7" screen is quite sufficient for both PFD and map. That RV (classic SV, not Touch or HDX) doesn't have the engine monitoring. Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I read somewhere here that Dynon Skyview HDX is getting certified in the not-too-distant future. It's a nice system, and the complete package is something like $18K, which includes engine monitoring and autopilot. I haven't used the G500, but I have flown SkyView (in an experimental), and it's a pretty nice system....

That's great, thanks! I'm also very aware of the importance of a large reserve fund for unknown problems. I feel like the presence of an engine monitor serves two purposes: first, it's a good idea to have, and second it suggests the previous owner probably paid attention to the engine health.@Marauder had lots of advice. Sometime later in the process, I'll probably ask MS for lots of advice! Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

I thought I'd add my name to MS.... I'm a relatively new (~80 hours total, ~35 since finishing my ticket in August) private pilot, currently flying a perfectly okay, but ugly and slow (even for the breed) C172M as part of a flying club at one of my local airports (KILG). I've been reading MS for a few weeks now and see at least one familiar face from my other local airport, N57. (Hi, Chris!) I'm getting to the point where buying a plane looks feasible in the near future (roughly 1 year timeframe), and it seems like a Mooney is the ideal way to meet my needs. I've now sat in an especially nice F (again, Hi Chris!) and a pretty nice F, and I'm hoping to fly with the owner of the pretty nice F when we get some decent weather and he's available. My reason for preferring a Mooney is that being able to get from N. Delaware (likely N57) to Bar Harbor, ME (~450NM) in a reasonable time (3-3.5 hours, which corresponds to >130KTAS) without refueling drastically improves the happiness of my better half with an airplane purchase. She's fine with flying, but unexcited about flying for its own sake; she's much more enthusiastic about getting somewhere. Most of the time, it will just be the two of us, and I'd imagine any trips with 3+ people would be relatively short, so I'm mostly eyeing the C/E, though I'm open to an F if the right one comes along at a price within my range. My plan is to get my instrument rating in the plane after getting comfortable in it as a VFR pilot. As of now, my priorities (in approximate order) are: 1. Good, clean, solid airframe 2. Good engine/prop with a decent amount of time (likely) left on them 3. Decent or better avionics. I'd like a 430W or better, a functional second nav/com, a decent panel layout, an autopilot, and an engine monitor. I'd LOVE better, but I can live with that for now. 4. A good interior is important, but I'm fine with redoing that as needed. 5. Not-horrible or better paint is great. I'm ambivalent on electric/manual gear. Anyhow, I thought I'd introduce myself and say that I've been enjoying reading this forum. I should also mention that I'm a big fan of more information rather than less, so feel free to let me know why I'm wrong. Josh