Nick Pilotte

Wow! You better share some details of what you are upgrading to! That is gutted. That gives me slight anxiety!

Joe, they aren’t loading correctly.

I am not a lawyer, but since this isn’t an insurance declining all coverage, there isn’t likely an ageism issue to raise with anyone. Now if they flat out refused coverage, I think.... there would be a chance.

http://www.aeromedicaldoc.com/ Dr Bruce is the real deal. I’ve met him and he doesn’t BS anything. He is one of the (likely THE BEST) AME for difficult cases. Had to fix the link.

You should buy another Mooney to fly while this one is being updated. Then sell one off.

@exM20K Please share more Mooney videos. I love seeing local sights with a Mooney as the video vehicle. Perhaps I could by an orientation to Mooney ride from you too. I’ll buy fuel and burgers.

My son thought that was AWESOME. He’s 7.

I don’t have an O (yet), but I know of a few long bodies around me that are on 26-2800’ private airfields. One is an Acclaim. And here is video of it landing at one of the local airfields, LL10. Runway 18/36 is 2537’x30.

Why’s it got to be slow? RV8? Extra 300?

That really sucks Don. I’ve got a friend who is 84 and has a newer A36, I’ve been afraid to ask him about it lately too. Would a (gasp) Cirrus be any different than a 182? They seem to have performance more online with the Mooney with a few additional features like 2 doors, glass cockpits, and even a fancy red handle.

That’s a good point. KLAF is a 45 min drive to KIND which is a relatively small airport. You are likely looking at a connecting flights unless you are flying back to a major hub city. But, it’s also an easy drive to/from many areas because it’s along I-65.

It does have some additional cost items that are going to cause it to jump and I don’t know if that involves removing old wiring or if they plan on keeping old autopilot parts either. But I’d guess that is why they are booked out for a year. I do remember my dad taking the Cherokee there for a radio upgrade about 30 years ago too so they’ve been there a while.

Congratulations Don!

@OSUAV8TER I think we have a few takers on this mod and a vendor that has some experience with all things Whelen as well.

Bird Lives Matter!!!!

I don’t know where you are located but Lafayette Avionics at KLAF has posted pricing for installs. I have no recent pireps from there but my BIL used to work there until 5 years ago. https://avionics-laf.com/products/garmin-gfc500-autopilot-installed

Sounds like I just saved a ton of money by having a smart watch over an administrative assistant and a personal trainer.

I was all set to finally solo today and my airport is socked in with ceilings at 006...... I’m going to try again tomorrow but the weather doesn’t look like it will be improving that quickly. Congratulations @gsxrpilot That’s quite the accomplishment!

What Gary said. I’m literally trying to find a fault with it so I don’t show it to the wife.....but I’m prepping to sleep on the couch because I want to show it. I guess I see a TINY defect on the left side gear door. Nope. Not enough of an issue to withhold it. Marauder, I have to ask, was Lloyd a Mooneyspacer or did others know him? I’m new here but a quick google search gave me an obituary and it’s always sad to see an airman get his/her eternal wings. edit: I was working on my phone... going to my PC, I found he was a member here. Condolences to all.

You had me really concerned for a minute when I read your initial post. I thought, “this guy thinks things through, like his gorgeous Mooney. There’s NO WAY he’d wear that contraption out daily as a watch!” Glad we (or I) got a laugh about that. I like the Citizen Ti watches. I have a Seiko Ti watch my wife gave me when I graduated high school, not quite as fancy because we were kids but it’s still a great watch. But I can’t hang up my phone from it when someone from work calls me on a Saturday morning.

I think that does look like it will do what you want. BUT, I’m already wearing a watch. So I’d have to strap that on as well. Or, I’d get “the look” from my wife when I strap that on and wear it to a dinner with her. It’s not a very good looking device to me. So I’d have to make sure it’s charged and in the plane with me, on my right wrist, or I’d forget it. So if I’m bringing another device along, would it be a $30 fingertip piece, the one above, or should I get an iWatch that does it all in one? Yes, the latter is more expensive, but it does have a Mickey Mouse feature too. Speaking of which, it is close to 17:00 Zulu so it’s almost time for a beer.

I’m an Apple Watch user here. I charge mine for a couple hours each evening after I get kids in bed and put it on after I shower. I sleep with it on and it is my alarm clock. I have a Series 1, but if the blood O2 is accurate on the 6 I’ll likely upgrade in the spring. For me, it’s a watch that gives some convenience if I don’t have my phone on me when someone emails, calls, or texts; with a few other bits as a bonus. It’s not perfect, but neither is a Garmin because they don’t seem to be seamlessly integrated with Apple, nor is my heavy stainless dive watch (not naming brands) that I still wear occasionally.

Actually, now that I look, what about a Piper Vegabond? Cub-like but side by side seating.

Purdue University.

I would say find a decent Taylecraft. Or, I grew up in a circle of crop dusters and WW2 pilots. All of whose owned various taildraggers and a a family friend of ours had a Funk if you can find one. They are side by side, similar to the Taylor in performance. I grew up loving that plane.