hammdo

Same one I use - even have a backup. -Don

Burnished the brakes, did some flight testing, all good. Boy, I can really tell the difference new linings make. Pretty easy job, now to do some more training. I need to find me a Mooney CFI just to get a different set of eyes on me. Rather do that over the Safety Program right now (did take the safety program a couple of years ago). -Don

Did the oil and brakes last night -- brakes are super easy with the right tools. I was able to access the caliper and remove the pads. Really simple job compared to what I do with the racing setup I have on the Camaro. Pics of the caliper and the clamp I used to keep the piston in place (also pushing it back in -- slowly after cleaning things up). The pads were down enough where the wear marks were just about gone -- no sense taking chances. Cleaned things up with scotchbrite and put the new pads on -- I used 5/32 clecos to hold the pads in place while I set the rivet -- the tool makes removal and install a snap. Put it all back together and safety wired the bolts -- that took a bit more time ;o). Having the brake reversal made this a much easier job for me. I'll test out the brakes and do the burnishing in the next day or so. Pics:

For my GNC355, I took the Sportys and Gary Reeves Garmin training courses. Sportys/Garmin has a manual with training scenarios. I found that helpful with the Garmin training simulator. -Don

The wood looks immaculate… I bet she flys great… -Don

I use that feature often when not using a ifr approach… -Don

I spared everyone the several thousand year old bat guano pic ;o) -Don

Yep, that it is. David reshaped the lower and the top to be aerodynamic including the inlets… -Don

Water/spring inside the cavern and more :

The Caverns were wonderful -- wife did NOT expect the very steep climb out on the 'Discovery' tour. The first tour, Heritage, was much easier. Wife and I got some nice pics -- and the cave water was crystal clear -- they even setup drinking fountains (with filters) to sample the water! Very fun weekend trip -- and the Mooney makes it so nice to not have to deal with traffic -- 66-73° temps at altitude too. Trip back was also fantastic, nice, cool and we got a lot of shortcuts from ATC -- I really enjoy flying IFR -- even in VFR conditions. We did encounter some clouds and weather but, the Stromscope helped us keep and eye on the build-ups -- great tool to have! pics of the caverns:

Aerox finally came in! I'll need to take some time and setup that in the airplane. I'm due for oil change and brakes so that is on the list for this week. Wife and I did another trip in Texas to the Natural Bridge Caverns. We chose the San Marcos airport since the hotel and airport are nicely located and, San Marcos has an outstanding FBO - Berry Aviation. Class Delta and excellent service all around -- got my plane in a hanger before the storms hit! The trip down was super @ 8000 feet -- the plane just hums along. Really happy with the performance and fuel burn.

Oil cooler on the SabreMech cowling — note the ‘cool’ air inlets… -Don

Mine are in the same locations. My oil temps are outstanding and I’ve never had any problems - even with temps above 110° here in Texas -Don

David did this with his cowling mod before I bought his plane. Here in Texas, 390s or less CHT- depending on my fuel flow - during the summer… -Don

Congrats on what looks like an excellent bird! -Don

Mooney chicks ready to ‘fly’ - or ‘fry’… -Don

What David did with mine:

For sure - or scratching a new windshield - like I have -Don

Ugh, I know the feeling all to well…. -Don

Congrats! Welcome home…, JD and Laura are great… -Don

That’s good, I just bought a new concord so I’m betting in the next 5 to 7 years the FAA will be ready.. ;o) -Don

I’m happy to do it. I’m assuming remove the cover and change the wiring… If you do a video, I’ll just follow it… -Don

Right now, owning with hanger, annual, updates/upgrades/fixes/maintenance, subscriptions, insurance, fuel I’m averaging 20k-22k for my C over the last 4 years. First 2 years higher as I added G5s, fixes for avionics, gnc 355. I do my own oil changes and things I’m allowed to fix. I do about 100 hrs a year, highest was 144 hours in a year. Some years higher, some lower, it depends on what you do. I try to stay on top of things through-out the year to avoid big annuals. -Don

Yeah, I’ll probably need to do the switch change also. She’s working great though! -Don

Ordered a 2 person Aerox System with Boomula from Scott - he gave me a discount code that pretty much covered the Boomula addition. Like the system, simple and on those longer flights, need some to keep me fresher when 8000-11000 feet. If I fly out west/Mountains, want to have that. I’ll put this in the baggage area but with me getting older, more ‘ox’ is not a bad idea ;o)… -Don