dkkim73

Thanks again for all the great thoughts. I now have the iPad mini Gen 6 in a Pivot case. It will fit on a leg strap (old-school kneeboard on one thigh, this strap on the other). It won't interfere with the yoke even at the extremes, though it all feels fairly close together. Flew a couple of flights and it is easier to handle, smaller screen is workable. I sat in the cockpit and looked for other places to put it. There might be a place all the way on the right, in front of and just below the passenger-side handle. It would obscure the upper breakers in a resting position, but might work. Also could put it on the ceiling just to the left of the switches and vents. Might be awkard for anything beyond a glance. Or try the passenger-side yoke as a "resting" place (and of course if there is a passenger, they can use it attached or detached). Have been pushing myself to do as much as possible with the G1000 (eg. flip to WPT and check destination METAR via FIS-B (?) instead of looking at one of the portables). Plus that has the Sirius XM weather which is so nice. So where the iPad sits might not be as important... Though I still like looking at a portable for approach plate refreshers vs. the G1000, so having a good resting place is nice. David

I purchased a cover last month for a trip to Western WA where I knew it would sit out in the hot sun. I actually found the service great, Kathy got back to me within a day and managed to get me the cover before I left (quick service and very considerate considering they were going on vacation, too). Price was very good, perfect for me esp. only using a cover intermittently. Quality seems very good, I was pleasantly surprised. Value for the money is hard to beat in the aviation space. I inherited the Bruce's cowl plugs (excellent!) and pitot cover. I might try Mac's for other parts in the future, and won't hesitate to use them if I need wing covers at some point. I had not noticed any marking of the side windows, but will watch for it. You might be able to get them to add a soft inside layer going further back. It works well for the windshield. In fact, it sounds like there might be some other unadveristed options (someone mentioned an oil door flap, which might be nice if you use it a lot). HTH, David

I would strongly suggest getting an altitude chamber ride or (2nd choice) a ROBD (reduced-oxygen breathing device) familiarization (FAA version is the PROTE mentioned above, I have not tried that specific version). Knowing your own individual symptoms is a key asset for dealing with this. Add to that: -monitoring your SaO2 with a pulse ox (I'm using the Wellue ring currently with intermittent checks with a 2nd pulse ox); this won't detect CO poisoning but will detect hypoxic hypoxia, which is the concern with a failing O2 system -regular O2 system checks in your cruise flow (setting, pressure, flow indicator or confirm the sensation of flow); have a short flow to run if your O2 appears failed or questionable, e.g. "PRICE" (pressure, regular/setting, indication of flow, connectors/kinked tube, emergency setting if you have one). -I would imagine the cans would be useful during a descent, not really a full backup system. I'm still looking at that myself. The seat-back style bottle+reg+tubes+masks is probably the best. I'm still trying to decide whether to have a full backup or just another source to plug into, as I use the Mountain High. Simple is good, and maybe the Boost (or some other kind of "bail out bottle") would be easier from a KISS perspective.

On another MS thread, people are earnestly discussing whether it is appropriate to change a circuit breaker. Just as in other areas of life, we sometimes forget there are people with really bad ideas, ethics, and low standards, and just because we don't associate with them doesn't mean they aren't real and can't hurt us.

I'd have to research it, but seems like better than nothing for now? Esp. for IFR...

That's actually very interesting. I was kinda of joking in my mind about what you meant, clicked on the link, and not far off! More extreme would be this:

Hi there, Isn't the GDL 90 the ADS B transceiver? Or are you suspecting also a magnetometer failure? D

Transition to the Mooney took a bit of time to work out gouge power settings and get used to the slipperiness. It also feels to me it takes a bit of time to settle AS when flying descents by power, compared to the Skyhawk or Cherokee. But I imagine you'd get that with a similar-class other airplane(?) One *big* plus is the stability esp. lateral. Eg. Read the thread on spiral divergence and the Bonanza example. And the experience will be more generalizable. And the Mooney will instantly be a better traveling plane which will motivate you. It wouldn't be a terrible idea to do some training in a dead simple trainer first, then switch about 15-20 hrs in. OTOH several people on this forum did the "one plane from the start" approach and were happy with the result.

For most of us, I would say you should go ski there! But you probably have lots of great skiing at home!

The internet has taken the place of a number of 'zines. I wonder if we should make a point of engaging more in that forum, letters etc. I've read some great content here that could take the form of articles there...

Why, of course! In fact, PM me if you're interested in purchasing it. It's not quite the build quality of the visors, but could be improved! Perfect business opportunity for an entrepreneurial gentleman such as yourself. (oh, the internet has made me sell my soul...)

Thanks for all the specific tips. I experimented with cutting into the case and thought it would be more of a thrash to do well and get sealed back properly. So I went with an overlay approach. Compared photos of the original -009 gauge pattern, measured angles in ImageJ and cobbled together a dial image in Powerpoint's vector draw facility, scaled as able and printed some dials out (someone with a real drawing program could do much better!). Used a dime to cut out the center and lined up the capacities at 22.25gal and "1/2" (estimated of course). Used clear repair tape to apply it and then installed in the plane as per prior advice above using RTV 108 silicone. Photos attached. I'm still going to either clean up the excess silicone or fill it carefully in flush, and then follow up with @PT20J's tape approach over the top. Also attached is a PDF of my Powerpoint of the dial faces (it won't let me upload the .PPTX here, can send if anyone needs it). I had to play with print scaling to get the sizing right (I put a sizing rectangle on the image to help with this). Just in case someone else has the same problem. It's not perfect but I think pretty usable and an excellent stopgap measure until the correct gauges become available again. I would imagine the approach would work with other dial ranges as well. Wing fuel gauge overlay.pdf

I've seen kneeboards that have a minimalist "rubber band" type approach to grab the corners of the Mini, and a small Pivot case would attach to my kneeboard strap. So if I am using it for charts and the occasional freq or filing reference, that would probably be adequate and well down out of the way (visually). Anyone tried it in that mode? I suppose with the Pivot case I could get an extra mount and just experiment. Good point above was to just lean more heavily on the G1000 and "get fast" with that. I *definitely* have been leaning on it (and Sirius XM) for in-flight wx, especially NEXRAD, and traffic. Also, I suppose, in an (unlikely) backup type situation I can just move devices around. E.g. if relying on AHRS from Sentry or Aera, just clamp it up front...

That mount on the right, where does it attach? In my case I think it would obscure too much of the MFD, and some of the breakers. It does look nicely below the windshield, though.

Now *that* spider-grip looks like something out of the Matrix... Thanks for the pic! I was going to ask but you beat me to it.

That is a totally fair criticism. Not my intent. Also the reason I haven't tried any suction cup mounts (except one on a back window for the Sentry). More so wondering about having it "out of the (physical) way" yet "accessible". I was thinking to have the ipad at the top of the panel at about the level of the glareshield, or along the roof tilted obliquely, not obsuring too much view. But that might not be possible given the layout. That panel above has more dead space on the top right than a G1000 setup. I'm thinking more and more of using the co-pilot yoke space... Kind of a trade-off between "having it handy but stowed" and "front and center". To @GeeBee's point, I have tried leaning more heavily on the G1000. Part of it is probably acquiring the familiarity to get any bit of info quickly (freqs, etc). I'm going to keep doing this more. I do think the tablet is a handy way to review places more quickly and also have them able to pull out for periodic review. Kind of like a printed copy on a clip...

Is this the one? https://mygoflight.com/collections/mount-to-yoke/products/flex-clamp-yoke I am using the RAM mount for the Aera 760 and it is solid, though rotates with a bit of pressure... and the clamp part comes uncomfortably close to the gear switch at full deflection. I might try putting one unit on the co-pilot yoke, good to follow along (if I have a passenger I usually hand them the iPad) and I can always grab it as needed (esp. with a detachable mount) to check freqs, plates, etc. Lots of great replies on this thread, TYVMI for the quick replies! I just ordered the Mini gen 6. D

Have thought about this, mounting it high on the pole. Have you noticed it interfering with the compass at all?

Hi All, As part of evaluating modern flight tools, I purchased an iPad Air (5th gen) to run ForeFlight on. I've found it excellent for planning and also use it in conjunction with the G1000 and other resources. I have it in a Pivot case (very solid) and also bought a thigh strap, intending to use it alongside my kneedboard. The only problem is I'm concluding it's just too big for my setup. For those that use iPads, what size do you use and in what locations? Interested in any experiences, but especially with the crowded G1000 panels. I'm considering the following: - trade-in for an IPad Mini (smaller, keep on original plan) - figure out a good suction cup or bracket mount (window, compass post, something else?) for either the large or small iPad As for the yoke, I got a RAM mount and have been using an Aera 760 when flying IFR as a backup. I still haven't decided my final configuration, had also considered have a pivot mount there and putting the iPad in that location. Really an embarassment of riches when it comes to data options. Thanks, David PS. If anyone is particularly in the market for a 5th gen iPad (excellent condition with glass protector and Pivot hard case) LMK. Otherwise I'm probably going to take advantage of Apple's trade-in options.

An interesting example might be "net neutrality". While it is has been held up as protecting The Little Guy, it arguably has historically allowed large players (Gloogletube Alphabet Octopus) a fairly cheap means of distribution subsidized by others. I'm not sure this proves the rule, as an example or as an exception, but it is another example of how entities can abuse the system. To a certain extent, this should be self-correcting by market interests, and ideally "pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered". However, you could argue there's a perverse environment in which public opinion can be bought (introduce straw men and distracting issues), there is regulatory capture, etc, etc.

Well, you're kind of understating the case... It's worse in places. OTOH the more this affects individual people, the more the failures of this approach become apparent. It's a convenient way to manipulate people who are unmoored in morality, history, and religion, and buy into this new guilt-cult. But once they feel the torch of the inquisition on their own butts, they start to become more skeptical of the philosophy. We're starting to see cracks in the woke capture of institutions. But, yes, GA is a minority and easy to vilify. Just like most "soak the rich" pitches mostly hit the upper middle class.

Hi All, Saw a thread on boost pumps and thought I'd ask about something I've noticed the whole time I've had the plane: With the low boost pump on (indicated for certain conditions and altitudes) I heard some static-y electrical noise over the intercom. Does anyone have any info on this? I can certainly imagine a motor might be noisy, though I suppose it could also be a connection or switch. Curious if there are high-likelihood places to start. Not a show-stopper, but something I've been meaning to look into at some point. Thanks!

I'm not sure if the baseline in this community renders our judgment meaningful in any case. :0) :0) :0)

Well, there have been some victories for individual rights in the last few decades. E.g. firearms rights, though that's 2 steps fwd and 1 back at times. Cities just won the obvious right to prevent squatters in public spaces. Etc. The main countervailing trends IMHO are 1. pervasive data collection and arguments to instrument everything, 2. the managerial mindset, where no robust distributed system can be tolerated when instead a Grand Design can be imposed ("So efficient!"), whose brittle weaknesses and negative externalities will only be seen much later. But who knows when it comes to ATC. I think there is a strong argument that it is a strategic piece of national infrastructure that needs to be overcome. And the federal bureacracy is probably evolving as younger, more institutional, minds rotate in. One thing that occurs: there have historically been some advocates for GA at the national level, e.g. James Inhofe back in the day. And I'm struck by meeting some fairly successful and connected people via GA. One of our potential next Senators from Montana made his mark in business with an aviation company (bringing ISR approaches to wildland firefighting) and has a GA background. So maybe it's a matter of good advocacy. E.g. the privatization proposal in the 1st Trump administration.... maybe it's a matter of who's ear the community can get. I would like to see a little less focus on unleaded gas and a bit more on a bigger positive vision for GA in the national advocacy groups. That's a subjective view.

I've had the "computers will replace people" discussion multiple times over a couple decades. In my opinion, it's actually a very complicated issue, more than just some proofs of concepts in heavily-resourced and controlled environments, and more than is going to be decisively argued in a few posts. Replacing human pilots in the complex soup of the current civilian operational environment seems like an untested leap of faith. Traffic detectors and good autopilots are a large step away from replacing the pilot entirely. I'm actually a little non-plussed at the AF Times quote of the Secretary about being willing to trust it with weapons release authority. Hopefully he means that in a limited context. I'd actually heard of this project for a while (obliquely know a guy involved). While it's a necessary avenue to pursue for competitive reasons, particularly in ACM environments where the human factors can be severe, it's still a limited context. I think there are a lot of people with so much neophilia that they end up with blind spots. And there's a huge profit motive to push skilled humans out of certain roles in multiple fields, replace them with less-trained people, automation, etc. So it's also not a neutral evaluation in the civilian world. That 2 cents plus $2.97 might get you a cup of coffee.... somewhere...