dlthig

No proof, but I was doing 170kts GS in a 172SP the week before Christmas. You gotta love the fast moving cold fronts. The landing was sporty in an airplane that light.

First, Randy, you've got a beautiful Ovation. I was talking to my bud with the J and he was thinking that the new ones were wider than his. I've got a .xls with a breakdown of the progress of the Js, but not so much on the interior configurations. I'm still sitting on the sidelines getting my homework done.

Thanks Jim, I was discussing with a friend who thought the new ones were wider.

That's the question. Are all M20s the same width?

Anyone know anything about this conversion? A C-177 was supposed to be first, followed by other 200hp airplanes.

George, you're just a skinny zipper-suited sun God. I guess the AF physical fitness standards aren't up to the Navy's.

Mooney13, how much do you weigh? I'm 6' and 210lbs. I keep getting told that I'm OK in a Mooney, but I'm leaning toward a Comanche. One day I'll make a decision. Currently, I fit OK in my normal, government loaned airplane.

http://www.staysealed.com/products.html Try this, I can't endorse them. No experience, I'm between airplanes.

I know that I saw some covers for fuel caps. They were red with RBF streamers and weighted to hold them in place. I just don't remember where I saw them, but they are out there.

Are you trying to say that you don't prefer a "textured" interior. I've got to fly both back to back to get a real comparison. As you can see, my normal ride keeps me busy and I don't have to worry about room in the cockpit.

I think that I know the answer to this question, but which airplane? The Mooney is about 155kts on 11gph with about 950-1000 useful load. The Bo is about 10 years older another 5-10kts on another 2-3gph but my biggest draw is the room and load of the Bo, about another 200lbs. Other than critiquing my grammar, any ideas?

Thanks for the information. Jim, I had a 180D years ago and taught a student that was about the size of my father-in-law. Our CG was usually out the front and I carried weights in the baggage area for a while to keep us in CG. I'm curious about the gross weight increase around 1990. I think that will put the airplane out of my budget of under 100k. Also, did the Js get heavier in the 80s with more equipment and soundproofing? I'm thinking the 78-79 time-frame carried more? I'd like as much useful load as I could get for the times that I may want to fly with 750-800lbs of people.

I've asked this on other forums, but I'm all for second or third opinions. I'm 6' and 210lbs, my father-in-law is 6'3 and 300lbs. Will we fit in the front seats of a J model? We've sat in a PA24 and I think that we'd be OK in a Comanche, but I want a newer airplane. I'm focusing on Js and B/C Comanches. The speeds are about the same, but the Comanche will carry more, but I don't expect to always need the extra 200lbs. Also, I've read about the load on a J, but I don't have much real-world facts on load. I'm a Piper guy that is willing to jump ship, I just need a push.