gwav8or

I used Aero Valley for avionics in my Mooney a couple years ago. Chris and Jeremy are great guys! I was very happy with their work all around. All in at 10k? That's parts and labor? Two servos? Not a bad price at all. Once my Mooney gets back from getting the corrosion issue fixed, I plan on visiting them and getting quotes for the AeroCruze and an engine monitor.

So, an update to the "missing" corrosion post. I posted a topic about some corrosion that was found in the wings on my Mooney during annual back in October. The mechanics found some corrosion in both wings during annual inspection and deemed the aircraft unairworthy. Also during annual they found evidence of rodents in both wings. Dead mice, droppings, etc. I posted pictures in this group and at least one person here recommended that I file an insurance claim. Some local folks that I know were also encouraging me to file the claim. So, I filed the insurance claim and provided the insurance with everything they asked for. Upon review of the information that I submitted, the insurance made the decision to pay for the repairs. I took the plane to Don Maxwell in mid December and am now waiting on the repairs to be completed. Thank you hammdo for picking me up and taking me back home!

Could it be for the ejection seat or the parachute? /s

Looks great! You'll like the recessed G5s.

Yeah, I agree it's gonna come down to personal preference. And yeah, I'd rather not have to deal with a 3rd servo to die and/or have run away trim. Plus, I don't mind adjusting the trim.

I've started getting quotes for a GFC500 autopilot for my '67F. I already have the 355 GPS, 345 transponder, dual G5 install. I just got the first quote. The shop quoted the GFC500 install with 3 servos - pitch, roll and pitch trim. The pitch trim adds about $3,400 in hardware cost. Unsure of the additional labor to install pitch trim but total labor (including pitch trim) was 60 hours. Labor cost sounds about right to me but I'm no expert. Total parts quote was just shy of $16k. Is it worth the extra 3k (plus labor) to add the pitch trim? Also, if there is a servo for both pitch and roll, is a third servo actually required for the pitch trim? Again, I'm no expert, just asking questions. I'm also considering the Aerocruze but don't really want this thread to become a Garmin vs BK contest. :-)

I love this! I have a buddy that is gonna print one for me. I have a couple dumb questions. 1. Will it also work for the copilot side on the right side of the yoke? 2. You got the part #7400K111 ?

Not a mechanic but that sounds like a battery issue. Have you tested the battery to see what the cold cranking amps are? Not a mechanic so I am probably wrong but it’s where I’d start. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm not an A/P but I agree with Savvy, that looks like cracks in the deposits. I'd have your mechanic clean it properly and thoroughly (per Savvy instructions/advice) and see where it's at after.

I personally like having the option of an analog backup. When I did my panel upgrade, I purposefully kept my kx-155 with GS and had it refurbished just so I could keep the VOR/LOC/GS functionality. I may never need it but it's a little peace of mind just having it.

Yup, McFarlane all the way. Also while you're at it you should go ahed and get the prop cable too. When I got the McFarlane TPM cables, I also had them rearranged in the more standard throttle, prop, mixture arrangement.

Glad to hear she's back in the air Don! I know it's been more than a month (and probably seemed like 6) but that has to be the quickest "rebuild" of an engine i've ever seen! Congrats!

A very important detail, kind sir is that I have a 1967 M20F, not a C. :-)

Well fortunately for me, I don't have the doghouse. But from what I understand, part of the aluminum baffling has to come off and according to the mechanic, the alternator also had to come off. So, that along with the Power Boost inlet and the oil cooler the bottom cowl had to come off. idk but after looking at it more closely myself that seemed accurate. To my untrained eye.

Yeah, after taking the cheek cowls off and looking more closely at what would need to be done, I agree. It's more involved than a few simple bolts/screws. For those that say it's only a couple hours, I'd like to see a full uncut video of someone removing and replacing the cowl on an unmodified 67 F.

Yeah, I agree it's more work than I thought.

The shop rate is lower than average. I had a pwc worked on recently and their hourly rate is 50% higher than my A&P. I know I shouldn't complain.

Do you still have the power boost intake, cable and oil cooler on the front cowl? I watched a guy drop the bottom cowl on a J and it was super easy. Only thing to worry about was the landing light.

Yeah, I'v wondered the same thing. The only thing I can think of that would be in the way is the power boost intake boot. Not sure though.

Yeah, I didn't think about the intake duct. You're right, that would be a bear.

Yep, the 172 I fly occasionally has the same starter which is the reason I went with the SkyTec. Looking forward to it. Wonder if the high speed starter will make any difference in hot/warm starts?

Thank you for that explanation. It helps me a lot. I agree, these can be difficult aircraft to work on. I'd love to do an owner assist annual but my only time available is weekends and of course the shop is closed on weekends. I know it would help me out a lot. Maybe some day. The description of the intake boot r/r makes a lot of sense. Yeah, it was very generous of him to knock off 4 hours. I actually do feel bad. But the bill for 12 hours labor had me saying some things while sitting at my desk at work that had my coworkers asking if I was OK. lol This is the second plane I've had this shop take care of for me and they've always been really good to me so I don't foresee taking my plane anywhere else.

I asked him if his invoice had a typo. He revised the invoice down to 8 hours. Still sounds like a lot but I'll take what I can get. Does anybody have instructions or a video on how to remove the cowling on a '67 F? Mine is bone stock, no modifications other than a panel upgrade and avionics last year. I'm tempted to start doing the r/r of the cowling myself if I can do it in an hour.

He also just told me that he has 12 hours in the work. Said they spent the morning putting the cowling back on. Holy cow, how difficult is it to r/r the cowling?

He told me the following via txt: "It just took awhile to do. Like all of the cowling plus front baffling had to come off. It was an ordeal for sure."