hubcap

Approach vectored me for a right base to Rwy 3, which meant keeping me at 10,000’ until he called my base which put me about 4,700’ AGL on right base. A bit higher than I am accustomed to, and I couldn’t have done it a couple of years ago, but I threw out the speed brakes dropped the gear and some flaps and intercepted the glide path on a 2 mile final on speed. Those MAPA classes have really paid off. BTW - I highly recommend Aero Center Casper. Rock star line crews and service.

I tend to be pretty conservative in the way I manage the engine. I run LOP 95% of the time in cruise. I can easily get 150 KTAS at 10,000’ on 10 gph. Most of my flying is in the Midwest where don’t have mountains to worry about.

In my view, this is all about context. If I am flying a few approaches for currency and I need a safety pilot, I expect you to keep your hands off of everything unless we are fixing to bend metal. If you are preparing me for an IPC or my CFII then I would expect you to throw in a few curves. Just my .02

It’s that time of year for me to go to Casper, Wyoming on our annual business trip. According to ForeFlight it is 699 miles from KLXT to KCPR. Myrtle was at the top of her game today. I filed for 150 kts and 10,000’ because the winds were not favorable at our normal 15,000 - 17,000’ From engine start to shutdown was 4.2 hrs. That’s is an average ground speed of 175mph or 152kts. Did all that and only used 42.1 gallons of fuel. That is ~16.7MPG. Myrtle does a great job.

I won’t takeoff on a cross country trip in IMC with a non-functional autopilot. Hand flying 3 hours in IMC doesn’t seem like a good idea to me. I did my instrument training in a plane without an autopilot, so I learned how to hand fly, and I do hand fly over half my approaches in order to maintain proficiency. Using technology to make us safer seems like a great idea. Technology becoming a crutch seems like a bad idea. When I was getting an IPC at a MAPA class my instructor told me he didn’t like giving IPCs to Cirrus pilots because as soon as he failed the autopilot the pilots all failed too.

I have flown Myrtle in the flight levels a few times, but honestly, the sweet spot, for the M20K 231, as has been mentioned, is somewhere between 15,000' - 18,000'. The few times I flew in the flight levels it was to take advantage of the tailwinds but honestly at the end of the day I doubt I will venture up there again. The juice just isn't worth the squeeze for me, and to @LANCECASPER's point, if I were going to fly in the flight levels, I would definitely have some type of back-up O2 system. Another thing that has been mentioned is the difficulty in hand-flying in the flight levels.....I wouldn't do it without a good autopilot.

The Flight Aware data looks like the plane’s groundspeed was really slow before it ended.

Do not spend any money on aviation until you get a valid Medical certificate. Do not train in a Mooney for your PPL. Never buy a Mooney with the thought of renting it out.

Welcome & Congrats on a great plane and a great trip!

When Myrtle was down for 7 months getting the panel upgrade, I flew with an instructor after the first 3 months and then again when the project was complete 4 months later. I thought it was a good idea then and I still do. I have 500+ hours in Myrtle. I guess the correct question is “Why wouldn’t you?” I can’t think of a single good reason not to.

Has anyone ever seen a private equity company lower prices on anything? I wouldn't be surprised to see ~40% price increase on Foreflight after this buyout takes place. Many will leave, but many will stay with Foreflight and in 5 years the buyer will set it on fire and spin it off with so much debt that it collapses in a few years. Remember ----- Remington, Toys-R-Us and Red Lobster? The same exact thing happened to all those companies. I think TWA had a similar ending......

I recently purchased 2 of the V-Band clamps from RAM. It is the replacement for part #653332. They were $499 each. They had them in stock a couple of weeks ago. I posted about this in another thread.

I bought two of them for $499 each.They delivered last week.

I prefer to avoid cumulus altogether if possible. I don’t like the ride. I have never been denied a deviation.

The built-in system is very convenient. With the O2D2 from Mountain High a tank lasts a long time. Unfortunately the original equipment is getting difficult to replace/maintain.

The altitude compensating pressure regulator was $2.8 AMU. Honestly, if I had it to do over again, I would consider just buying a portable O2 unit. It would have been cheaper. My IA got the re-built regulator from an O2 .parts supplier but I’m not sure which one. There are no new ones apparently. I will ask him who had it.

Absolutely stunning!!!

Myrtle came out of an overly long and extensive annual (waiting on parts…imagine that). There were no repairs necessary, just preventive maintenance stuff. Had all the engine hoses and landing gear biscuits replaced. The delay was due to a pesky, difficult to find leak in the oxygen system. We had to purchase the altitude compensating pressure regulator. Apparently mine had developed a crack where one of the fittings screwed in. Anyway Myrtle is doing great with good compressions at about 1000 hours. (Don’t remember the exact number) For the first takeoff we just stayed in the pattern and did a full stop landing…..which I didn’t bounce by the way. Everything was working great, so we flew down to Springfield and I hand flew the ILS for practice. Saw a couple of Mooneys on the ramp. The remodeled FBO for Midwest Premiere Aviation is wonderful. Borrowed the courtesy car so we could run down to Buccee’s. Gotta love some Buccee’s. Better than the $100 hamburger. Made the trip home and everything was good. Knocked some of the rust off and now we are ready for another year of aviation.

Unfortunately, it’s a matter of what you can get rather than what you want. Myrtle just came out of annual and my IA told me the clamp would need to be replaced this year. I will take one of these in hand rather than wish for something I have yet to see.

Where is this riveted version available? And how much does it cost?

I came across a comment by a guy on Facebook who said he was able to get the PN - 653332 from RAM. This is the clamp for the M20K 231 with the TSIO-360-LB or GB engine. I believe the clamps that were on when the AD came out will all be timed out of service later this year. I gave RAM a call and they had them in stock as of last Friday. You will need to order it using the RAM # - 2177-300. The price is $499. https://www.ramaircraft.com

An orthopedic doctor may recommend surgery as that is the way they make their money.

I had both eyes taken care of several years ago with no issues whatsoever. Couldn’t be happier. I do still need readers.

@DonMuncy