William Munney

The 310 HP conversion is a large waste of Mooney in my opinion. You need the engine, the prop, and the STC. It’s the largest amount of money for 30HP I have ever seen anywhere. You get some runway and climb performance but no cruise speed increase. If you absolutely need the short runway TO performance, then I guess you do. My 280 HP 96’ gets off the runway and climbs just fine. The 280 HP also has the added benefit of allowing you to takeoff, climb and cruise from 9000-service ceiling without touching the throttle or the prop. The Continental IO-550 is severely under-stressed at 280 HP which also makes me happy. Now, I’m not saying that people who have it don’t like it or can’t point to some numbers showing how 30 HP increases performance a bit….but, in today’s dollars, doing the conversion is a dollar per performance loser. If I were buying, I would pay an Avionics (Garmin GFC-500), TKS, Interior, or Paint premium before I would fork over a lot of cash for 30 HP. I had the chance to do the conversion after I bought mine and it was a hard pass for me.

And thank you all very much for this information. Avionics appointment next week.

No idea. But, I hear a beeping when the AP is disconnected…..but not through the headset. Not even sure i know what the sonalert is.

Great. Thank you.

Is the “aux input” a switch physically on the remote audio panel? In the rear of the airplane? Or is it a virtual button in the menus somewhere on the GTN 750? Thank you for your reply

Folks: There is a tone associated with the pilot disconnecting the Garmin GFC 500 Autopilot. And also one if disconnects by itself. I am hearing it through the cabin speaker but not the headsets….which is where i need to hear it. Remote Audio Panel with GTN 750. I hear it through the cabin speaker regardless of whether or not i have the cabin speaker selected on the audio panel. Any thoughts?

The Stratus was in the airplane when i bought it. Just using it as a backup now.

Stuff like this makes me laugh. Respectfully, airline pilots are the most experienced, well trained aviators in the world. We have ALL done the things you mentioned countless times before we got where we are today. It’s a completely different world from GA. Having experience in both worlds I can say that one does not necessarily prepare you for the other……and that does go both ways. I fly with absolutely astounding pilots who will fully admit that relearning all the “GA rules” is terrifying for them. But, that does not mean that aren’t perfectly capable of doing it well. I’m also pretty certain that few GA fellows are ready to pilot complicated wide body aircraft around the planet, day and night, in every type of weather. It’s probably a larger leap than going back to GA. As for gear-up landings, i think the right set of circumstances and distractions can cause anyone to make this mistake. I do not consider anyone immune and it just takes the one time. Really good pilots make mistakes. I have seen this over a lifetime of flying.

What works for us: G500 TXi, GTN 750, GNS 530 (WAAS), GI 275 Standby, GFC 500 Auto-pilot. And, the IPad. (Don’t forget the USB ports!) Starting at 7500’ in cruise yesterday, we were able to GPS navigate to the IAF for the RNAV GPS approach, descend from cruise in VNAV to the IAF and also the subsequent published step downs, follow the approach course to intercept the GP (glide path) and then descend to minimums while working only the throttle, the gear and the flaps. Occasionally the speedbrakes. This is a complete game changer for GA. The FMA’s (scoreboard) provide complete confidence in the workings of the AP by telling you at all times what pitch and roll and altitude modes are currently activated, and which ones are armed. The missed approach was accomplished solely with the G/A button, the throttle, the gear and flap switches with the AP remaining engaged the entire time. The airplane climbed to the missed approach altitude, leveled off, and entered the missed approach hold with no issue. I recommend changing the default VNAV descent angle in the GTN750 from 3 degrees to 2 degrees or less. Three degrees is too steep for piston airplanes without very low power settings and higher vertical speeds. Two degrees or less results in cruise descent rates from about 400-600 fpm which is nice for passengers and power settings. Two weeks ago we did the same in snow and ice (to minimums) giving the TKS system a workout. (120 knot minimum when using this system) This panel has satellite (and ADSB) weather which is nice because of the faster update rates but it’s not a MUST have. If you are going to fly your airplane in the weather and/ or travel long distances in it. I highly recommend moving your panel to the modern instruments. And, as many others have said, it’s best if you can do it all at once. It’s a functional, situational awareness and safety leap forward.

NOT paying. EVER.

I honestly can’t remember why I went with the GI275 vs the G5. Talked to Garmin. Talked to Maxwell. End result was the GI275 driving the GFC500. No problems. Very happy with GFC 500 and its integration with the GI275 and the G500 TXi…..GTN 750.

Possibly in a year or so if you don’t buy by then. PM me for details.

OK. thanks all. Looking at the Alpha systems with the HUD. Great suggestion.

Does anyone have experience with GA AOA (Angle of Attack) indicators? Any Ovation owners with one installed? Which one, how much and what is your experience? Thanks all.

Thanks gentlemen. Always great answers here.