Mister_Bevilaqua

I am involved in many online forums, and I have even been a moderator in a few. This is common amongst all of them, especially so with the high-end gun forums. They tend to come in waves and creep up periodically every year. Just when you think you've weeded them all out, they come up with other tactics to infiltrate once again; sadly, it's a revolving door.

We deal with this in other forums; valid, legit accounts get hacked. Rarely is it a long-standing member who goes rogue; it's usually that long-standing member's account is now being run by someone else, and they use it to their advantage.

The more I think about it, the more I think that I prefer two GPS/Nav units over a Nav/Comm.

Thoughts on going with the GNX 375 GPS-Nav and ADS-B IN/OUT transponder instead of the 355? This will allow me to ditch the 327 transponder/tail beacon ADSB/Sentry setup I currently have, and it will then give me weather and traffic on both the GPS and my iPad/Foreflight/Garmin Pilot. Then I can install the GTR 205 for a secondary Comm. I'll still run the 430W to the CDI, and then next year I'll add dual G5's or 275's, which will give the 375 a needle on the HSI, and then in year three I can finally replace the 430 with a 650 or 750.

After talking to my Avionics guy, I am leaning towards installing the 355. I'll run it as a standalone second comm and GPS Nav for now, and then I'll install DG/AI G5's or 275's next year. I am hoping the 430W will continue to limp along for another 2-3 years until I can justify replacing it with a 650 or 750.

I guess I could install the HNC 215 and use the CDI in the display as my secondary until I install a new GPS and G5's or 275's in a few years?! This would give me a new second radio and NavCom now, without having to invest in a second standalone CDI/106 that will eventually be replaced anyway.

I don't plan to install G5's or 275's for a few more years. I am trying to make the most budget-friendly decision for right now. As much as I'd love to do the rest of the panel all at once, it's just not feasible at the moment.

Good point, exactly why I refuse to put anything more into the 430W.

There's a lot to consider here. I know I want to rid the plane of the old Narco unit at a minimum, I am just not sure that I am ready to make the financial commitment of a 355 and a 650/750 at the moment, with 275's or G5's to follow soon after. I still have a few weeks to make a decision and get the parts moving before it hits the shop. Option 1: Pick up a clean, used SL30 NavCom and another Garmin 106. $4K + harness Option 2: Garmin GTR 205 for a secondary radio and forgo the IFR improvements for another year or two. $2500 + harness Option 3: Garmin GNC 215 NavCom and another Garmin 106. $5600 + harness Option 4: Garmin GNC 355 GPS/NavCom and another Garmin 106. $8,000 + harness

I am working on an instrument rating at the moment, albeit in another aircraft. I'd like to fly IFR in the Mooney, but to what degree and frequency, I don't know just yet. I'll take a look at the 355. I am trying to balance the funds spent this year versus the desired panel upgrades. I know I will be replacing the 430 soon enough, but I wasn't quite ready for a $10-30K upgrade in avionics this year.

GMA 340, GTX330, 430W. Engine management is totally run on EI MVP 50. My plan in the next 1-2 years is to replace the 430 with a 650 or 750 and add two G5's or 275's.

I am looking to replace an old secondary radio Narco Com 120, but I am torn between paying twice as much for a NavCom like the GTN215 or sticking with a secondary radio like the GTR205. Thoughts?

I noticed the grading system on your flight in ForeFlight this week, kinda cool.

I've also considered this alternative. I have been considering going to LED's all around. I am not a fan of running strobes at night while taxiing if others are present.

Thanks for all of the replies, looking into adding a beacon at annual.

Consulting with my A&P/IA about this. But if I move forward with that plan, what's the condition, and what do you want for it?

Great idea!

I know most won't want a left-side yoke for the right seat because the PTT would be on the left horn, and the left hand should be used for panel adjustments and throttle/mixture/prop controls. That said, I don't necessarily care about accommodating a right-seat PIC, it's more or less to allow for a right seat to be able to handle comms if necessary. Upgrading to J/201 yokes entails quite a few pricey and hard-to-come-by parts, and the aftermarket Bonanza yokes with adapters are PMA, but the Mooney isn't in the approval listing at the moment.

Would a left-side E model yoke (thin/straight) with the opening for the clock work on the right side as well? I am considering picking up a second left-side yoke for use on the right side since it's pre-drilled for the PTT.

Does anyone offer reproduction placards for the throttle quadrant? The lower placard below the throttle, mixture, and prop levers, and the flap switch placard are in haggard condition, just looking to spruce those up a touch.

In theory, we could host a weekend event centered solely around general/preventative maintenance. Make it a full-on Mooney fly-in event, social hour, meals, etc. We'd just need to get a Mooney specialist A&P/IA on board for teaching the material.

Yea, I have considered adding one at the annual, but I'd have to find the factory beacon switch as well so that I can run it separately from the strobes. I agree that running strobes at night while taxiing is extremely obnoxious.

Hoppes No.9 smells the best, funny enough, I have all three mentioned. TriFlow is preferred on uniball joints.

Sounds awesome, but I doubt it'd ever come together. A boy can dream....

It's wild how much it differs.