hammdo

Ok talked to my Avionics shop - earliest is April of next year for install. Duncan and I discussed options and suggested I order in around early February - giving time for the updated STC and changes to the install kit to be completed. I’ll look to order end of January to first week of February. That gives me some time as I didn’t want the warranty period to start too soon. Excited but wish I could have installed this soon but that is the breaks… -Don

Duncan said I can order and get it. My avionics shop said they can get it also. I may wait a bit to see if the new STC gets done first. Once I pull the trigger, I’l let everyone know… -Don

Couple of nice vids on TruTrak/AeroCruze:

Nope $3000-$3500 difference. I had my avionics shop check. Obviously the Garmin is upgradable (trim servos etc) but for my needs, I don’t mind trimming myself. I just need a simple autopilot - better than none and still a very capable one… Basically ~ $10,500 to $11K installed for the AeroCruze -Don

After some time and research, finally booked a time to get an AeroCruze for my plane. Wanted a Garmin but the Kit/install price for the AeroCruze is about the price of just the Garmin unit not installed. For what I need, the AeroCruze will do it. I’d rather have an autopilot vs waiting another year (2026). I have other plans to get tanks sealed vs patch so I figure I could budget and get things taken care of and still have an autopilot. Going with the flat pack and plans are to mount it above the audio panel. Have to wait until April of next year but this will pretty much complete the Avionics. BTW, just picked up a Dynon D3 Portable as a back up. Going to mount that up soon. -Don

Spot on - Same here on the GNC355 - enter hold In Lieu then suspend/unsuspend. I practice this with my CFII often… -Don

I don’t think deleting is a good idea - if just 1 pilot learns from those reports, it’s worth it. I read them to learn. I ignore those posts that may go off the rails but it is an open forum and comments - good/bad/off topic - are expected by me… -Don

I fly earlier but in Texas as is AZ, you roll with it if you want to fly. -Don

Practice approaches with my CFII today - boy was the wind something 360°-100° gusting 35 all over the place — we had to switch runways 3 times due to the changes - clear and a million but wow… tough under the hood but I managed 3 holds (step down practice too), and 3 approaches. Plane did great, brakes worked very well. I got beat up a bit with the gusting winds but slowed her down to minimize the bumps. Love flying this plane. I have annual scheduled for January— will need IFR Cet. Saving up for autopilot still. Haven’t decided which one… -Don

I ask them when I land if they are familiar - and take a pic. Taking a pic seems to ‘help’ as a reminder. Most of the places I’ve been to are very aware and has not been an issue. I do have the ‘mod’ on the front… -Don

Damn, do you have a portable air pump to see if you can pump up enough to move? FOD somewhere… Edit - see you got it back… -Don

Sherman - wow, flew in there a lot -Don

@Vance Harral, I believe this analysis is spot on. Sims are different than my panel - although I use the Garmin Trainer a lot to keep up with the ‘buttonology’. I have my Garmin trainer setup to use the GDU 700L as that is a close enough to my G5 (minus the Synth). I do all of my X-Country flights on that and in ForeFlight before taking trips. Helps a lot. I prefer to train in my plane often (every month) with my CFII - keeps me from getting behind the plane that way. Sims miss the IMC part for me — that is a whole other ballgame. I use the Icarus when no IMC, that thing is really great! -Don

Put a Garmin 375 (first choice) or 355 with an updated indicator that can be used for the VOR and I’d keep the rest original ;o) (maybe dual fuel digital - I have one from my B still)… See’s in pretty good shape in original form… -Don

From Al Mooney book: ‘Mooney was then devoting his talent to the development of the Mark 20 family. The four-place Mark 20, with the hallmark forward-swept tail, was another solid airplane that achieved 180 m.p.h. on 180 h.p. The Mark 20 was certified in September, 1955 - two years after the prototype was flown.’ This one I believe is 150 HP so… something to think about… -Don

Happens a lot here in Dallas when we get front passages. Had to do tailwind landings on Friday before the tower switched runways. I can tell the difference and GS is the other clue. Since I do full stop landings, I’ll float a bit with the tailwind until she settles… -Don

Stratus layer today and was able to get in 3 IMC nice and stable approaches in. We don’t get those type of stable layers too often during this time of year so was grateful for that. The plane did great, brakes worked perfectly. Post bug cleanup, ready for next trip. Smokies or Branson in a couple of weeks. Wanting that autopilot — for those x-country trips ;o)… David had the TruTrak wired up already, hard to decide, really only want the auto pilot for the cruise portion of flight. Gonna wait a bit and continue saving up… Aerox system is in and I’ll get that setup next… -Don

Yep, I hear ya — CA gov seems to ignore what they ‘don’t’ like… -Don

You can download a new one here: in our downloads section… -Don

Well, let’s hope that works but, if it doesn’t, look out CA pilots/airports. I imagine a lot of closures - FAA rules still apply though if they took federal funding… -Don

That push button starter reminds me of some of the 50’s cars my Dad had when I was a kid - some were on the floorboard! -Don

After landing uncontrolled airport I’ll say ‘Mooney (tail number) down and clear runway xx (airport)’. I leave the ‘active’ off.

Need a none of the above or negotiate with traffic. If they are not talking, I make my decision earlier and do a 45 or midfield entry as appropriate. Sometimes I’ll break off and overfly the field at 1000 higher than traffic pattern to get a layout of the traffic. That is why most of the times i goto towered airports on trips. Straight in does not have priority and should work to get into the flow of traffic - except maybe IFR on a IMC day ;o) -Don

EzWxBrief is an excellent program