Greg_D

Well, if you were a student pilot, you were flying on his certificate, so I'd place the blame on him a little closer to 99%. The point in telling him about it is so that he can learn from it. If he does, maybe he won't make that mistake again. And maybe he won't kill someone or cost them a $60K repair bill.

Yeah, that CFI! I hope he wasn't a Mooney specific CFI. That was super irresponsible for him to "shrug it off" as "old gauges or something". Have you connected back with him to let him know what the REAL problem was? How long/how many hours did you run it like that with the temp gauge pegged?

I don't think the guy who owned it after me flew it very much over the years he had it. That's probably why the cam went soft. I think he lived up in South Dakota.

I owned it from 2004-2009. And yes, I used Don Maxwell when I lived in TX. If I remember correctly, he did patch one of the tanks during an annual. If you're ever over my way (KDWH), please send me a message. I'd love to come by and look at the plane before you sell it!

That WAAS upgrade is pretty expensive. I think you may be better off getting something older at a cheaper price and then adding what you want later. The upgrades have really come down in price over the last few years and the capabilities they bring are incredible.

I know it sounds crazy, but I am looking for a cover for my plane while it sits the the hangar. Something that would cover the entire airplane, wings, cowl, everything. Looking for something light weight since it doesn't need to go on the plane outside. Something in individual pieces would probably work well. Why am I looking for this? My hangar seems to collect a lot of dust and debris. They aren't sealed very well from the outside. I hate cleaning the plane and then going back a few days later to see it dusty and dirty when I haven't even flown it. Does anyone know where something like this can be purchased?

The linked plane has the Moritz gauges. As Lance mentioned, be careful with those and make sure you price in switching to something else and be prepared for the down time while that work is done. Bravos are nice, but you will pay more in fuel costs and maintenance costs along the way. Just be sure you need the turbo and use it often enough to justify the price differences. You mentioned the KFC-150 as a "want/need". Have you considered something more modern like a pair of G5s or GI275s driving a GFC500 AP? The King stuff is getting old and is super expensive to repair. I just got a quote to replace my King setup with the dual G5s. $21K. Along with getting to remove the vacuum system and associated gauges, you get a much more modern AP with stuff the King units just don't have (envelope protection, IAS climbs/descents, level button, and VNAV).

I have taken it to OSH a few times. Not sure what year you are referring to. Did anyone ever reseal the tanks? I was having an issue near the end of ownership where little pieces of loose tank sealant were clogging the fuel system. It happened the 1st couple of times while in cruise, and the guys who looked at it said it was carbon associated with the TN setup. It happened a few months later shortly after takeoff and that really got my attention. I was about to have the tanks resealed before I traded it in on an Ovation. Weird, but on my 5th or 6th flight in the Ovation, at the same airport, I lost a mag during takeoff at about 500 ft. The engine ran rough as I came back around to land, but nowhere near as rough as loosing all of the power from one cylinder in a four cylinder airplane!

I’ve wondered about that 7” G3X. I think it’s plenty big enough for a Mooney. Certainly more screen than 2 G5’s or 275s. Are you going to use the G5 as a backup once the BK stuff is gone? I’m guess the 7” G3X will drive the KFC 150 in the interim, but the box that goes between them is crazy expensive. Please post pictures when complete or as it’s being worked on!

What's the difference between the 43 and 43e?

On the advice of some, I took a look at the G500 TXi. Nice system. I'm wondering if there would be a way to just install a single 7" screen version and have that drive the KFC-150 until I am ready to pull that out and then go with the GFC-500. I can't see pricing anywhere for that, so it must no be a popular option. What else would I need to add to make the 7" version work for me?

It's not the actual cost of cutting the panel that worries me. I've done those before. I just don't think there is a way to upgrade incrementally when going that route.

How am I going to drop the vacuum system with a single 275? I thought those had to be installed as a pair or with a different electronic AI in order to eliminate the vac system...

There's a guy over on BeechTalk who did something like I'm talking about, but wound up having to put a G5 in to talk to the GFC 500 since the Aspens won't do it. Seems like quite a bit of extra cash. Of course, if they ever get the Aspens to work with the GFC-500, the decision would be easy. Even easier would be if Garmin would make something to allow the G5s to work with the KFC-150! I'd be all over that right now, and then switch to the GFC-500 down the road a little!!!

That's my old plane. I put the new panel in, and of course traded it in on an Ovation shortly thereafter. There are many times over the last few years that I wish I'd have stuck with the F model.

I don't think TruTrack has a flight director or provides anything close to the capability currently offered by a KFC-150. I am trying to keep the same level of performance when it's all said and done.

Sounds great, but in my original post I said I wasn't interested in cutting a new panel and therefore the TXi and G3touch were not being considered.

I have a functioning KFC-150 autopilot in a 1994 Mooney Ovation. I am looking at upgrading the system in an incremental fashion, starting with removing the KI-256 and KI-525. Since I am looking at keeping the King autopilot in for the time being, what are my options and costs for upgrading the instrumentation 1st and then switching to a GFC 500 down the road? The two options I've come to so far are installing a pair of GI-275s or getting the Aspen E5 Evolution. Both options should allow me to remove the vacuum system. Two issues I see with both of these systems: the GI275s don't work with the GFC 500 (yet) and the Aspens won't work at all and likely never will. A GFC 500 install at a later date, with the Aspen in the panel would also require a G-5 to be installed as I understand it. Another question that I can't find an answer for is regarding the altitude preselect. Does the Aspen or the GI-275 solution eliminate the need for a KAS-297 altitude preselect? I am not looking to make a new panel or extensively modify what's currently there, so the TXi and G3touch options aren't on the table. That said, it there another option I may have overlooked that won't require panel cutting and will get to were I need/want to go? I haven't mentioned the KI-300, but would be interested to hear thoughts on that if anyone has seen one in the wild. Thanks!

What should the resting voltage be on Concorde 24 volt batteries?

I am thinking about going this route as well and keeping the KFC-150 for a while longer. Also considering Aspen's new E5 Evolution, which seems to be a little cheaper with the discount they are currently offering. Does anyone know if an Aspen will drive the GFC500 from Garmin?

What about the un enlightened IAs? Anything that can be shown to them? I know one guy who makes owners take the LEDs out of their planes before he will sign off an annual.

I’ve seen posts regarding the legality of putting “tractor” LEDs or other non original landing/taxi lights in certified aircraft, but most seem to be at least a few years old. Does anyone have anything new to share that might point someone in the right direction? Maybe a new AC or legal opinion from the FAA...

Why did you need two AP units?

What did the $16K quote fro the two GI 275s include? Which AP would you be connecting this to and what options did you get on the 275s?

Well, I chatted with the OP a few days ago. Looks like he settled on a Cirrus. They really know how to market to the inexperienced pilot. I don't think he even got to sit in a Mooney before someone at the airport talked him into brand C.