FlyingDude

I had started a post about 1.5 years ago on this very topic: https://mooneyspace.com/topic/45873-big-brother-landing-fees/ At that time, I wrote to AOPA and this was the response I got. I had posted this response under the original thread, too. Thanks for your email. Yes, that is completely legal. Airports are free to charge landing fees and can use human observation, cameras, or other means to record them. Vector Airport Systems is at many airports. If you have been charged in error that definitely would not be acceptable and you should reach out to Vector Systems to correct it. At this point, I'd pick my battles. I (personally) am perfectly fine paying the 20-30bucks at places like Gatlinburg, Titusville, Centennial where I actually got great service. So maybe my beef is with in-the-middle-of-nowhere fields or "mandatory shacks you must pass to exit" where they want to milk people. I think we should also acknowledge the world we live in. #1 general aviation is seen as rich boys' playground. One recent example is this post https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10222217339017137&set=gm.8789214651174518&idorvanity=443036732459060 Look for Mr. Peter Barry who wrote this: "What a bunch of Rich whiners!. You tiny minority of Rich aviation people who want to fly in because it's cool. Has nothing to do with wilderness and its values. Your private, selfish wealthy act of flying in and around the wilderness ruins it for thousands of other people will actually value wilderness.. The solitude the beauty, the quiet the long long hike to get in.... Go whine somewhere else." So in the eyes of jealous losers, killing GA will be an act of "social justice." They'll attack with leaded fuel, then with noise, then with affordable housing on airport lands. They'll never stop. #2 As cities and towns expand, airports get engulfed. We are on the same boat as race tracks, shooting ranges and (lo and behold) farms for that matter. Yes farms. People buy houses next to farms and then complain about the smell. But this expansion of towns drives up property taxes, too. I heard from some airport managers that FAA grants are used for upkeep and renovations. If the hangar fees, fuel profits, etc. do not cover the expenses, the very capitalism would require the closure of the airport unless it's useful for some other purpose. "Playground for rich whiners" does not qualify... #3 Airport accounting. Though airports are allowed to charge landings fees, are they doing it to beef up their profits, or is it because they want to square their books with the rising costs? Are they being managed properly, or is there a lot of waste that could be prevented? I guess there, being an active member of the airport admin would clear any doubts. Other than that... Frankly, if landing fees are justified, I'd rather pay an automated system than a human - because a human collector would require much higher fees to cover their salaries, and not to mention a reduction in airport opening hours. Have you ever been denied landing in perfect day VFR because the airport was closed 6min ago? It hurts.

I commend your airmanship. Just thinking out loud. You said you found 5mm of ice under the wings. What if the tank vents got iced up? Clogged vents prevent the flow of fuel out of the tanks. Just a conjecture.

I asked chatgpt to calculate the expansion of 360 liters (90 gallon) of avgas from 0* Celsius while receiving 2kW power which would be the full sun load on 2 m2 surface area which is oversized for the above wing surface at 45th parallel and assumes full absorption, which means the wings are pitch black. 16mL per second. That's pretty nothing for the fuel vents to drain.

If Mehmed 2 hadn't conquered Istanbul, the illumination would not have started in Italy by the escaping Greek scholars. So no world exploration, no industrial revolution... Most probably your great grandfather would have died in a plague or in yet another endless turf war within Europe. Another side fact: Byzantium was weakened a lot by the plundering crusaders, which helped its demise. So they were screwed worse by the passing Christians than the invading Muslims. I'm all for unleaded gas.

I'm monitoring Pb-free avgas developments closely, too. One thing: though toulene is the used in the CS3204 polysulfide sealant, and in theory it is supposed to soften the sealant, my experience during the resealing of my tanks was otherwise. I couldn't soften the old sealant with copious amounts of toulene, so I resorted to acetone & MEK. I wonder how much toulene in the gas actually softens the sealant, if it indeed softens the sealant. Maybe we'll all just have to beef up the top coat. I'd prefer that over mandatory bladder installations.

DM sent

Protein bars, bananas. I've heard some people build a hose with a funnel in the cabin and run it to the plane's belly. Don't ask me what approved data they use for the 337 (piercing the skin) but I bet it helps keep the belly clean of oil and lead...

The method I mentioned was intended for adding sulphuric acid. Water is just poured in.

When I need to add 1qt or less oil, I lift the dipstick out of the tube and hold it upright with just its tip entering the hole [no references being made to humans], and pour the oil along the dipstick using its adhesive property on the metal. If you hover the tip in the hole without touching the sides, you can pour lots. It's quick, no frills, no mess, and you zip up the cowl door and go on your way. The method isn't very effective on windy days, but I don't like using a funnel on ramps. This was the method we were taught at driving school to add fluids to acid batteries (with a glass rod). I guess now they teach kids to not drink that fluid.

How much weight did it add?

Thank you all. The bird is hangared but in a non heated one. Michigan temperatures...

I've always wondered why cigars have to be bigger than cigarettes! Because 2x voltage!

Hi all, My plane came with Tanis heater patch under the sump. What are your pireps on heater bolts that go in the intake manifold fastening? I might get a set of 4. My only concern would be a 50W source steel in the aluminum block : would there be differential expansion due to steel heating first that would lead to cracking? Probably I'm overthinking. Anyway, does it get the cylinders nice and warm? Thanks.

Just DMed you

Everything is simple, if you know how to. I've been doing prop balancing since I got my A&P and there are some nuances to it. I can say that it's not on par with an engine rebuild, but it's not as straightforward as changing tires (though that can hurt you if you're not careful). If you are not careful, you can easily get lost in some rabbit hole chasing IPSs. No Alice waiting for you in chains, though.

Hi, I have a gsb15 (Garmin usb, dual A) with the connector on its side. I think a gsb15 with its connector on the back would work better for wire routing. Anyone in the reverse situation wanting to swap them?

Legally you can use your wing tip/tail nav lights and remove the rotating beacon. But those flashing lights are obnoxious and distracting while taxiing at night, not only for others but also for you. I can sell my working coffee grinder if anyone wants it. Myself, I installed a whelen LED beacon. I read online that galaxica's plastic dulls out if you leave it outside too much (UV damage?)

@carusoam welcome back you've been missed!

Is this configuration robust against an alternator fail at take-off? That's when the battery is at its lowest.

Just turn off the alternator field in flight and you'll read the actual current draw instantly .

@Bolter yea, I had found those resources, too, but the sectional mentions that specific VTPC so I had to see that. It's in the Ontaio VFR supplement...

... it means that the humor is not funny. Anyway, I wasn't expecting humorous comments from you after all your lawyer style arguments. You caught me off guard.

Why should there be a problem if the CG is within the range?

It does fly faster!

While you're here: how can I verify the requirements for an overflight? All this time I've thought just a valid ICAO flight plan would suffice, but I just want to double check. In Europe (at least 15 years go) we had to note the citizenship and ID number of each occupant on the flight plan. Should I still get a customs decal, in case an occupant needs to use the bathroom urgently? It won't hurt to bring our passports with us. Thanks.