Hank

Hey, wow, three threads on this--General, Modern and Avionics. Wish I could get one, I'd redo the whole Panel with Skyview, monitor and A/P!

Ya'll J & K owner's just got lucky, the Vintage crowd is still waiting. I'd put one in tomorrow if I could. MOONEY M20J AND M20K AUTOPILOT NOW FAA APPROVED Dynon Certified announces that its autopilot - available as an option for its certified SkyView HDX avionics system - is now FAA approved for all Mooney M20J and M20K aircraft. When equipped, Mooney pilots benefit from a full-featured three-axis autopilot system – including yaw damper – that is approach capable when paired with a compatible third-party IFR navigator. Dynon Certified products, including this autopilot approval, can be purchased and installed by any Dynon Authorized Installation Center. Additionally, pilots can opt to buy Dynon Certified equipment directly from Dynon and have it installed by a qualified installer. Pricing for a three-axis autopilot system starts at a list price of $6,434 for Mooney M20J/K series aircraft, including all required brackets, hardware, and servo harnesses. Frequently chosen options include the SkyView Autopilot Control Panel ($644), which provides dedicated autopilot controls for the pilot, and the Knob Control Panel ($335), which has dedicated knobs to adjust the values that pilots adjust the most when they fly under autopilot (altitude, heading/track, and altimeter setting). MORE ABOUT THE MOONEY M20J/K SERIES AUTOPILOT   STAY CONNECTED Dynon Avionics | 19825 141st Place NE | Woodinville, WA 98072 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice

Well, the Pilatus has a turbine engine, it's just turned around backwards.

This is a problem with the modern fiberglass cowls. My C has removable cheeks on both sides, so I've only removed my lower cowl once, with help, and it was quite awkward dodging the lower blades. Good luck, and be careful. Obviously point one blade straight up and don’t rush. A blanket on the ground helps, too.

The FBO at Niagara had a stack of one-page printouts on the counter a few years back. I flew two and a half laps while my wife took pictures. Navigation is all by landmarks, how to stay on the U.S. side of the border, with fixed and rotor wings separated by altitudes. You'll get great photos!

I rarely use the thumb button, as I find the additional resistance a good reminder to bank gently in the pattern. Don't usually make a whole lot of turns unless I'm looking at something, and then use the thumb button.

There's plenty of paved parking. Airdrop said they have some overnight space for pilots, check with them, the camping gear takes up valuable space.

It's surprising how much a short body can carry. This is what I unloaded into an F150.

They originally said to not bring water, but I'm carrying some. Try here: www.operation-airdrop.com Be patient here in Concord, I've been in lo e for 40 minutes, not to the taxiway yet. But these people need everything we can take them!

The FBO here at KJQF is swamped. I suggest stopping short if you need fuel. I've been waiting 90 minutes for a top off, all loaded and ready to go. Oops. Let's try this one:

I found a bolt in the bottom of my cowl once, and didn't fly until the A&P put it back. Now I pull on the alternator with my right hand and the belt with my left hand before every flight. Both should be tight. I think the belt was tighter after it got replaced a few hundred hours ago; still pretty tight.

The weather looks better tomorrow. I'll dodge the TFRs and be there midmorning, I hope.

My neighbor killed a baby copperhead with her walking stick yesterday at the end of her morning walk. Little guy wasn't a foot long, and kept coming after her.

Wow, i can't erase the fallout on my phone. . . Is the gear really "under"engineered if it didn't fail until significantly after its anticipated service life, i.e., TBO? Seems to me ti be not seriously overengineered. But what do I know about gear design? All I've ever done is buy, review and approve molds to make plastic ones, then run the fool out of them in production.

Wow, the Bravo typicallynhas 280 hp, often has modern avionics, and cruise speed often reaches around 150 knots! That makes my C look like an absolute bargain of a speed demon . . . . But all that aside, what is on this particular Bravo???

My little C struggles when climbing to 10K and above. As for Direct, most of us aren't blessed with a big turbo . . . . But it sounds like fun!

I think your Book was written by Marketing! Below is the page from the Owners Manual for my 1970 C, at those setting it shows 164 / 167 mph depending on weight. If I remember, your C is 1965 or earlier, so in 5-8 years, the plane lost 15 mph!

I've heard that I-10 is an easy route. Just make sure there are no tunnels . . . .

Anyone gonna meet me in Concord? I was the only single with over 400 lb available useful load the last time--I didn't fill up until after my first delivery. The problem with a short body, though, is always space, not weight. Operation Airdrop is well organized, everything is boxed and weighed, and stacked on carts with the total weight shown, Just load as much as you can hold. Remember, the weather is usually great after a hurricane passes through!

Like this:

That's a beautiful drive. My fishing buddies and I took pictures "fishing" in a snowbank at the pass once. If memory serves, the pass is 11,900 and a few feet.

It's cra-cra!

Isn't that a composite blade? I wouldn't expect wood or fiberglass / carbon fiber to Crack neatly across the grain. I also wouldn't expect aluminum to crack neatly like that, either. Maybe @Cody Stallings has some relevant experience he can share.

You're a brave soul! I went in and out of Cody from the east, up the valley to BIL VOR specifically to go around the Absarokas!

My 12V Concords average around 7 years. I'm happy with that. I write the installation date on top with a Sharpie.