David Lloyd

I looked at that Mooney several years ago, it sold before I was able to sell my RV. Previous owner was getting 155 knots or so. What power settings are being used? The engine had about 1600 hours at the time, has it been rebuilt? Don't think the airframe is the reason for 147 knots in this case.

The ammeter in our Mooneys is pretty simple. The needle might drag on the faceplate. More likely, it is electrical, not in in the gauge. Two fused wires from either side of the shunt connect to the meter. If either fuse has failed, no indication. They are 1 amp, I believe, pretty fragile. Also, each connected point is an opportunity for a little corrosion over the last 50 years. Any one connection or fuse will cause the ammeter not to work.

Uhh, yeah, what Jerry said. If you have the iaf then destination in the flight plan, and then load the approach, it won't auto activate. If you load the approach in between the iaf and destination, it will. I watch a video that basically said never load an approach unless you know for certain the routing ATC is going to give you is the whole approach. I always get near, then pull up the approach, vectors, activate. But I'm no expert with the magic box.

Bet you could find out using the Garmin trainer. Bet you couldn't do it in 5 minutes or less.... From right now!

The RV-4 would be tight. All the tandem seaters, you need to realize when you turn your head and look over your shoulder, the canopy is a couple inches from your nose. Better try one on for size first. The panel is close up too, a little closer than a Mooney with the seat slid forward all the way. But in an RV the seat doesn't go back. Not bad, just different from what most people are used to. My RV7 was light, fast, move the stick just a little for a lot of action. It felt like a simple airplane, hop in and go without feeling guilty for the expense. Putting around, going for a burg

The service bulletin is for all Mooneys only into 1968. The flap attachment must have been changed during that time.

Battery in mine was moved aft when the 3 blade was added. Airplane was weighed last year and looking at the numbers, it would be out the front of the envelope if the battery was not moved unless at least one person was in the back seat. The McCauley 3 blade and spinner added 13-15 pounds (sorry, don't remember the exact number, it was either 13 or 15) to the nose of my plane. That also subtracts from the useful load.

Check for loose fittings or a hole worn in the MP line.

Once I had the ammeter in my airplane repaired, it works the same way. It is pretty insensitive. Right after startup, it will show about a quarter scale charge. After a minute or so, about a needle width charge, another few minutes about half a needle width charge. Next to no information! The ammeter being set up as a loadmeter in older airplanes is much better for providing useful information.

Anyone looking to purchase any airplane at a courthouse to satisfy a $26,000 mechanic lien better have their eyes wide open and ask a lot of questions. The OP gave the basic info and a couple days later provided pictures showing damage, prep for ferry flight, faded paint, the finished metal work. At that point others posted additional info such as the airplane sitting for several years after the damage. At that was posted well before the sale. I came to much the same conclusion as Alan seeing pictures when the airplane was listed for sale by the owner on MS some time back (at least I think

Eye doctor and glasses are the ultimate answer. Years ago, I started having problems reading the approach plates under a red light. Daylight was fine, night, no way. If I turned on a white light, yep, back in focus. Eye doc explained the red light involves a different focal length. Even if your readers work in the daylight, you may need something a little stronger at night. I ought to train my dog. Bark once for up, twice for down, growl right, whine left. Lick my face for gear down.

Edo-Aire transponder! Bought one about 40 years ago. It was still working a couple years ago when the Cherokee moved to Florida. Literally the second one I've ever seen.

So, a three blade may climb a little better, but not much. It may be a little faster...or slower. It may look better until the engine starts. It may be smoother or not. All things equal, it will cost more to have overhauled. It will weigh more, about 15 pounds on the nose. Want to trade for my McCauley 3 blade?

Get some color in a few more states.

Flew over the airport still a little high for the circling approach, makes a 270 degree turn to the left looking for the airport but with a little wind from the southeast is now a half mile north of the airport and fixates on Pontiac Trail that almost parallels the runway. Opps, that's not the runway, another circle, got slow looking for the airport now even further away. Too slow, end of game.