hammdo

Mine before and after: Dawley did it before he retired. AWI bought him out… (David @Sabremech sent it out and did the install for me).

Pretty much what I’ve been doing - as I discover items, get them done… David (sabremech) did a lot before I bought her, I’m continuing that approach… -Don

@kortopates? -Don

SWTA used black silicone on mine when they did the windshield: -Don

Ditto- flew with instructor while waiting on my first SI… Keeps you sharp… -Don

Are the exhaust/flameout tubes in good shape? -Don

Addison (KADS) is like that here in Dallas. I avoid ADS for the same reason. -Don

Mexico and Bahamas I believe are good with basic med… I did SI for a couple of years until I went basic med due to the SI rules/requirements/costs. -Don

Gauge has been working well, flew to the smokies and back. Visited Dollywood, Cades Cove, and Gatlinburg. Plane flew great, 1 qt of oil needed. Dealt with 50-60 knot winds but overall, she did great. oil change coming up and will do a check out of the engine compartment. Gas and keeping up the maintenance is keeping her going strong. Now, saving up for an autopilot…. -Don

Filed with it but they’ll give it to me anyway if I don’t have one. I tried direct in the past but the computer spat out a SID so I just put them in now. This morning, I think they wanted me gone :o)… -Don

FYI, happened today. Kusso1.BSKAT direct KMKL was my clearance and after takeoff and vectors, gave me direct to MKL after I asked… -Don

You’re gonna get a SID from the computer - and which one depends on how they are landing at DFW - same with STARs. Most of the time, you can negotiate with ATC after take off to a more favorable fix - generally you'll get ‘fly RW heading expect vectors’ to a fix on the SID. I have yet to get a clearance without a SID or all the fixes from one (which is why I pick a SID to save the writing). Regional ATC is pretty accommodating though if you ask nicely and there is some spacing available, they will try and give you a fix you ask for or a more direct one on the SID… -Don

I did my Surefly one year (left/pilot mag), then the next year did the right mag. A friend of mine (Kevin) bought his C, bought 2 overhauled ones and had nothing but issues for almost a year -- I lent him my backups (both left and right that had about 500 hrs) so he could get his home until the overhaul shop could correct it. I think its best to do one at a time. IRAN would suffice vs overhaul I believe since its more of an 'inspection' @ 500 hours. -Don

@Irmin, hope the family keeps the faith. Glad the procedure was life saving. Family is more important for sure. Keep us updated! -Don

Meacham though is right there and very close to the Stockyards… if that is one of your stops -Don

Spinks is great. Fly in there quite a bit. Can get busy for a class D. Denton isn’t bad either - gas is a bit more. Can hit 35W pretty easy from Denton. -Don

The tow bar -- got it all together and tested it out -- I need to 'extend' the Mooney tow-bar handle about 2 ft or so to give the tug better traction. The current length causes the motorized tow bar to jump and skid so I'll need to adjust that. Here is it assembled:

Well, fuel sender came in today from FedEx! Didn't know they delivered on Sundays -- anyway, got the sender installed (using AN3-4 bolts instead of the screws), ran a ground, added a 'hand-shake' or knife connector per the updated instructions from Air Parts, verified the gauge then had the fuel truck fill it up while I inspected the gauge and sender -- no leaks and the gauge works as expected!. I did torque the bolts to 20in lbs per instructions -- not a fan of the way the rubber gasket expanded but followed the instructions Did put tite-seal on the gasket (thin layer both sides). Buttoned up and gonna take it for a maintenance flight in the next couple of days before my next trip. BTW $275 to overhaul now… NOTE the new part number 610242-001 Fuel Sender Pics below:

Sender is on its way! $304 for overhaul with gasket and shipping. Getting itchy to get her back in the air. Addressing all of the items as they come up helps manage cost over the year. I’ll get this installed, tested and confirmed no leaks, then re-assemble everything. Hoping to have the sender this weekend or Monday… -Don

That tach tool is the same one I used to confirm my lower reading tach gauge. My tach gauge was 50 or so RPM low… -Don

Mine was like that and @Sabremech (David) did a quick sand and painted epoxy primer. Was glad he did that when I bought it… -Don

Man, service and supply chain issues -- talked to Airparts about my sender today -- they are backlogged ~7 days. So, it looks like mine won't be done until end of this week or early next week. I see why folks having work done have to wait so long. These shops are being inundated with work. My initial callup to them stated 3 day turnaround -- that shows just how busy (or talent starved) these shops are. At least that has given me time to get the towbar going. Lucky, the plane is in my hanger... -Don

I use the xnaut for my iPad to keep it cool.. so far so good… -Don

I print mine out for intended, home, and alternate. I then use a satin laminate so I can write on them in pencil. When a new change occurs, I do a new one… I have iPad, iPhone, stratus, and printed charts.

You don’t have to wait! I got the idea from below video: -Don