Greg Ellis

That certainly is pretty clear but I don't see in the list that it is mandatory to replace the cylinders. With everything listed you certainly are overhauling or replacing just about everything but I don't see where you have to replace the cylinders. Am I missing it?

Not sure. I think I bought my first one 3-4 years ago I think. All three have had metal cases.

It does say on the metal case that all of the three I have owned came in. This is the latest. The big difference between the older versions and version 5 is that version 5 no longer needs the blue silicone sleeves to protect the articulating head end of the scope. It now has a black tungsten braided mesh.

More photos from the new scope.

So, I have had a Vividia borescope for a few years now. But the newest version, 5, I believe it is, is night and day difference over the old lower resolution scope. The latest version is a high res scope that takes great photos and video. If you want a fairly inexpensive borescope then I recommend checking these out. And I don’t get any money from them. Just a very satisfied user. I am having an issue with one of my cylinders. I am not posting these pictures to get advice on the cylinder so please refrain from that. I am posting them to show you the difference between the old version of the Abelscope and the newest version. And it is not terribly expensive either. I think it was around $300 or 350 for the WiFi version that connects wirelessly to my iPad. So just a positive pirep in case anyone was looking to invest in a borescope. So the first image is from the latest version of the Vividia Abelscope. The second image is from the older scope with low resolution.

They only require a DNA sample if your ADS-B fails....

I don't think that was meant for you personally. I receive those as well. Read it and it will show that It is a special alert that was put out due to midair collision in Alaska in 2019. The FAA states at the bottom that it is a special alert to make sure ADS-B manufacturers are meeting TSO requirements.

You are correct that on the older firmware pressing the LF and Dim buttons together will show the Hobbs and also the Tach time on the same page (at least on mine). Hitting the next button takes you to a different page showing firmware revisions, etc....

May have been mentioned already but this has some basic information about the different models manufactured and when. It will get you up to 2006 at least. Not sure if it will be helpful. Mooney Model Chronology (mooneyevents.com) But along with a few others here, I would love to recommend a Mooney to you and say it will be the perfect plane for your group but with what you are asking, you may want to seriously consider a 6 place airplane and realize you may be giving up efficiency for comfort and peace of mind knowing you can load the airplane how you want without sacrificing fuel, payload, passengers, etc... or change your flight mission to be 3 people and baggage in order to also be comfortable as well. Just a thought.... good luck with the hunt.

I have a short body C model. I kind of wish I had purchased the Yaw Damper even though I was talked out of it by a number of people. While controlling the rudder is not that big of a deal in the C model, I just think it would make my GFC500 just that much more hands off. I am super happy I got the trim servo though.

Interesting. I just watched a video produced by Flying Dirty (dated Feb 2, 2022) and the title was "Why I am not happy with this Autopilot" Overall he states that it does some good things and some things he does not like. It is a good review but not exactly a glowing review of the autopilot. He also states towards the end of the video that if you fly a lot of IFR then this (Aerocruze) is not the autopilot for you. He also talks about what Don Kaye mentions that it has a 700 foot minimum, it will not shoot a coupled GPS approach. Flying Dirty admits that it handles climbs poorly and he hand flies his airplane to altitude and then puts on the autopilot. You have a different take on this autopilot and if it works for you then great but Flying Dirty does not give it such a glowing review. And, in fact, the following is a quote from a response by Flying Dirty on this video. He was responding to a comment made by a viewer of the video. The lines in red were written by Flying Dirty on his own video. The Aerocruze/trutrak is a peace of junk. You want to be extremely careful not to trim up too much or it will release tension and drop really fast. They’ve had several problems with that. Trimming up too much could be particularly dangerous at low altitudes and probably why they have a 700 feet limitation. I learned to trim by disconnecting the autopilot periodically and checking the trim. I never would recommend trimming up too much with that thing my friend. Maybe things have changed since February but I don't think this is actually a glowing review by Flying Dirty.

@KLRDMD may be able to provide some insight here. He has owned both Mooneys and a V-Tail Bonanza but I am unsure what year his V-Tail was.

My 63 C has one. Not sure if it was stock or added later. Was there when I bought the airplane 16 years ago. I have read through all the old logbooks and don’t recall reading an install entry but that was a long time ago.

In my C model, I paid about $28,000. And that also included a G5, a mid continent charger/clock, a new altimeter, a new copilot side panel, removal of all vacuum components, and the parts and labor for everything including the autopilot with servos. I think I would shop around if I were you.

I’ll second EzWxbrief. Excellent source for weather and weather planning. And his YouTube videos every weekday morning are excellent if planning a trip or just want to learn about weather.

A shop in Clovis, New Mexico. My hands were tied. Forced landing in Clovis. Only shop on the field recommended Western Skyways.

If in my own airplane, I usually entertain myself much like @Hank. I monitor the airplane, watch the world go by outside. Continuously plan on where I would go if I had an engine failure, etc... I don't listen to music, I don't read the newspaper (some may know what that is...) And, much like @Hank I am convinced that somehow ATC knows what is happening in my cockpit. It is amazing how they clear you to a certain altitude and wait until you bring the MP brack, bring the RPM back to cruise and then and not until you have set up for cruise, will clear you to climb to your next or final altitude. I think it happens all the time.

Yes. I can see it as well.

My only comment is that I had an engine from Western Skyways put into my airplane and had a lot of problems with it. I know lots of people use Western Skyways and have never had anything but great things to say about them, but that is not the case for me and I probably will never use them again. And I will just leave it at that.

You should be able to go to the actual graph of the flight on Savvy and cut and paste the URL that is at the top of the page here. That should give access to everyone to see the flight.

You mentioned in your original post that you are using Savvy to help out with this purchase. I would suggest that you contact them on how best they like to proceed for a smooth outcome. Mike Busch has written many a writeup about how the buyer went out of order to get an airplane and Savvy had to try to fix issues that should never have been issues to begin with. So, I would consult with them first and see what they say. If you are a Savvy customer then you are paying for their service to help you out so use it.

I would be surprised if it did. If it was announced, I think it would have been reported on Mooneyspace.com by someone seconds after the announcement. Could be wrong though but with so many waiting for it I would think it would have been posted by now.

As always, we expect, nay....demand photos!!!!

Looking forward to going to your talk on Tuesday at Airventure on the Dangers of Low-Topped Convection.

I think he was saying that the filter on the front of the cowl will clog with wet snow. Carb heat does not affect this since it is on the front of the cowl and not in the carb venturi inlet where ice can form as well.