Lax291

I think they may have been a copy and paste issue with the description of this forum when it was created. Unless the majority of you are from Texas?

Another Connecticuter here out of KHFD. Looking forward to the group! Might be going to the Nantucket Christmas Stroll this Sunday, weather permitting. Anyone been before? https://christmasstroll.com/

Picked up my plane with an instructor for transition training, did about 3hrs the first day. Set off to fly up the East cost from FL and about 3hrs in we see the alternator annunciator light. We land, find maintenance and they identify a wire that's pulled away from a terminal on the alternator. Replaced it, and we're back off and heading home. 1.5hrs later the light comes on again, land safely and the alternator needs replacing. The scramble began to get a replacement overnighted for Saturday morning delivery. All's well that ends well and I really appreciate that happening (even though it added more expense and delay than expected). Was able to experience the failure with my CFII who is an airline pilot with thousands of hours in his Mooney, and saw that he was cool as a cucumber the whole time. Also gave me a quick introduction to airplane ownership from shelling out unexpected AMUs to having to be flexible with your plans because things will happen.

Watched a video from "The Challenger Pilot" the other day and noticed he used a technique to confirm if he received a landing clearance. Taxi light off means no clearance received, light turned on indicates clearance received. Thought this was a simple but effective way to capture and remind oneself of the clearance. Wondering if this is an airline SOP? Do others use this technique and like it? Any pitfalls to be aware of if I start using it?

Why would I do that when I can bother you about it? But in all seriousness, yes and it seems like there was no definitive smoking gun. I'm curious if any new information might have come to light to help zero in on what might have happened. Maybe I missed that in the threads?

Good morning and hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Having met Fred a few weeks before his accident, I’ve been following this closely. Does anyone have any better idea of what happened, any more information that’s come out to help prove/disprove a hypothesis?

Review and more info courtesy of Sporty's https://youtu.be/68WIefOLgQQ?si=TL_UmnJNEQvielV_

An update, been traveling and just got back to the hanger to locate the source. Getting under the panel and pulling on some wires, narrowed it down to a bundle of wires on pilot side. Didn't have time to individually check each one but will send to the avoinics shop so they can find it.

Think you have convinced me to pull the trigger on it. I was thinking that when not using in the plane, if I can somehow mount it outside the hangar, I can now connect a smart switch to the wifi and remotely turn on, say a heater, from home.

Thanks @N201MKTurbo, was under the panel with the flashlight to see if I could see anything. Didn't even think to turn on the radios and start tapping wires! That was my first time looking under the panel, holy crap, that's a lot of wires!

I did notice when I did trigger it with pulling back on the yoke, the transmit symbol did not show up on the GTN. Would you expect to see the Tx there if it was the PTT? Also, I think that switch was replace just 3 years ago on pilot side.

Odd thing happened last few flights. Startup, radios on nice and clear. During runup and go through flight controls check and when I pull the yoke all the way aft, the static starts. Almost sounds like squelch is off. Not there all the time, but intermittent and not enough to interfere with understanding transmissions. Have confirmed it's triggering when I pull the yoke back as the static is heard and I see the red intercom light come on. Thinking a loose wire that's being bumped by the yoke linkage behind the panel? Anyone experience this before? Radio 1 is GTN650xi, haven't isolated radio 1 from 2 yet.

Looks like GP updated the category speeds and they now match FF.

This was my experience with the orbital buffer. Had speed settings up to 6. Spread the polish with #2 and worked it with #5, no issue going over the rivets.

Wanted to post some quick photos of the paint correction project I started last weekend and at first I was apprehensive to start cutting the paint with the polisher, but after doing it I couldn't recommend it more if your paint is looking dull and dingy like mine was. The buffer and polishing compound made it fool-proof and results were spectacular (in my opinion). I'll link what I used below if anyone else wants to give it a go. Orbital Polisher: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089N83CWF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title At first I bought the Griot's Garage polisher, died on me after 30 minutes, this one is much better and much less Extra pads: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07STT35FF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 Groit's Complete Compound: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PA2LMD2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 This not only cuts and corrects the paint, but also polishes at the same time. All photos below are after 1 application of the compound, 4 passes with the polisher, and wiped clean. Photo 1 - Upper left section polished, everything else not. Notice how the overhead light reflection looks from polished to not. Photo 2 - Right half of wing polished, left not, can see the line where I stopped Photo 3 - Setup Photo 4 - Tail section before Photo 5 - Tail section after, I think the darker color shows better with the photos I still have some watermarks/oxidation spots and maybe down the road after another light cutting that will come out, but what a different a little compound and elbow grease can make!