FlyDave

cnoe, I didn't know that FF had implemented this. I think they do tend to stay a step or two ahead of Garmin on features. I can only speculate that Garmin eliminated this extra screen dimming due to users complaining that the couldn't read anything on the iPad screen after this was turned on and not off before shutdown. Dave

So, I've been told by 2 or 3 MSC's that Mooney has 4 or 5 of the gear rod in stock. But they are closed until the 4th. I'll order it on the 4th, get it on the 5th and have it installed on the 6th. As far as the fuel leak goes, I spoke to Greg at Advanced Aircraft in Troutdale, OR and he said he may be able to patch it. If he can he can probably do it while I wait. Fly up in the morning and fly home in the afternoon. And a patch is just time and materials - Wow!!

Chris, The extra dim mode described in the article I listed was implemented in Garmin Pilot when I first used it. But they eliminated it shortly thereafter. I don't remember if it was an option under settings or just the left most position on the slider. Dave

Chris, Garmin had implemented this in Pilot a few years ago when I started using it. But they removed this feature - I think because it darkens the screen so much that if you shut down with it in this mode and turn the iPad back on in bright light you can't see the screen. At least with the home button triple tap feature you can make out the screen enough to get to the slider. Or, if you shut down at night, be sure to do the triple tap and turn up the brightness a little before shutting it off. Dave

I've been frustrated flying at night with the iPad display because it's just too bright - it is almost blinding in a dark cockpit. So I went looking for some sort of a screen protector or some sort of light filter that I could put over the iPad screen at night to dim it further than the stock lowest setting. What I found was the following iPad/iPhone setup "trick". It worked great tonight with the lights off/dark room. I don't think it will be perfect but it's definitely a big improvement over the stock slider settings. http://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-dim-your-ios-screen-with-an-accessibility-setting-trick/ Dave

John, Great points - thanks for the analysis. I had an 830 in my J and it is a great unit. My 800 is right above the yoke shaft and I don't have room to put the 830 there. Where are you planning to put your 830? Dave

I've been trying to make a connection between the 2 but can't come up with anything I've done. No hard landings, physical damage, earthquakes, Marauder's girls sitting on the wing, acts of god, etc. I religiously put wood down between the hangar door rails and a small ramp so the plane doesn't bounce going in or out of the hangar. I don't think the broken rod affects anything but the inner gear door nor the fuel leak affected anything inboard of the leak such as the strength or integrity of the rod or any other components. The left wing has never been patched according to the log books. Nor has there been any evidence of a leak on that wing. Also, the rod on left is intact - as far as I can tell. If anyone has any ideas on how these two issues are related please let me know. Thanks, Dave

StinkBug, Thanks - I'll keep that in mind. When my mechanic saw it briefly on Thursday he said we may be able to get it welded so I think he has someone local if we go that route. I do want to check into the SB I mentioned and see if we need to replace the other items as well - and on the other side. See you all on the 10th (if not in my Mooney maybe Bonal's Mooney or, weather permitting, in the plane in the attached picture). Dave

Paul, Thanks for the input. I'm going to explore all options first thing Monday morning and will report back here as to how I'm proceeding. Thanks, Dave

I'll let you know - thanks.

Aaron, Yes it does. See attached pic. Dave

Yes, Sunday the 10th of January at 11 AM is the final date and per this poll, Watsonville is our destination. I have a call into the Watsonville Airport manager to get things arranged but probably won't hear back from him until Monday. I'll post here as soon as I talk to him. On a different note, I went to my hangar on Thursday and found what you see in the pictures below: fuel leak (I'm hoping can be fixed by my on-field mechanic) and a broken rod on my right main gear linkage causing the inner gear door to hang in the breeze. The right tank was patched in 2004 so I think the sealant in that area has just given way again. The broken rod, Mooney part number 550082-505 is part of Mooney service bulletin M20-254, dated 4/1/93 but doesn't list my SN on the affected list and there is a note in the logs in 1994 stating N/A on the SB. None the less, we'll be complying with this SB now. Bonal - I may have to ride with you to the fly-in!

I just "liked" your post.....I hope that doesn't mean I'm gay!

If I named my plane it would have to be "Don Corlene" because every time I go into the hangar he "makes me an offer I can't refuse"

All, As of right now we have a potential for 30 planes and 40.5 attendees. I'm still waiting on thinwing and mikefox to confirm their headcount but I'm going to start making arrangements. If anyone that isn't on the list below is planning to attend, please send me a headcount. Screen Name Attendees Flight2000 2 MB65E 2 stevesm20B 2 bonal 2 xrs135 1.5 Bennett 1 VetRepp 1 thinwing X 3914N 2 kmyfm20s 1 N803RM 1.5 StinkBug 1 Mhemperly 2 wishboneash 1.5 pfactor 2 M016576 1.5 Conrad 1 M20S Driver 1.5 rahill 1.5 DaV8or 1 Larry 2 Nemesis 1 mikefox X Jim Peace 1 zerobearing2 1.5 Jim F 1 ottorecker 2 Jetlag 1 JonHop 1 flydave 1 Total 40.5 Thanks, Dave

I used Don Maxwell for the prebuy on my Bravo. I've also called Don on a number of occasions and he is more than willing to dig into an issue on the phone. Don is one of the nicest people I've met in aviation and if I lived near his shop I'd use him for everything! At home, Petaluma, CA (o69) I use Mangon Aviation. Ron Mangon is a "tool guy" and has amassed a number of Mooney Specific tools over the years. Mangon isn't a MSC but have a fair amount of Mooney experience.They aren't cheap but they do quality work.

Paul, I did call the "Vintner's Bar and Grill" in The Radisson at SMX and they can accommodate us as well. If we settle on SMX we can choose either place. I'd like to nail this down and start making final arrangements this week. Dave

All, If you haven't seen my previous topic on this get together, here it is: http://mooneyspace.com/topic/17236-west-coast-mooney-2016-get-together/ Please post in either my previous topic or this one if you plan to go (January 10) and how many will be in your party. Thanks, Dave

VetRepp, Thanks for the clarification - Italian, not Mexican at Ella's at WVI. Also, they added the LPV approach in the last couple of years. I used to fly there to visit my mother but I never did like the localizer approach! Dave

Bonal, I'm trying to keep it somewhat centrally located. Since STS is 50+ miles north of the bay area it doesn't fit that criteria. I called Beeb's at LVK and they couldn't accommodate 25-40 people. I don't know how many people are coming - probably won't know until we get there - but we've got to plan for the maximum number of attendees. Dave

Please select your preferred location

All, I called the restaurant at SBP and they cannot accommodate a reservation for more than ~15 people on a Sunday morning. As of right now this is the list of attendees (note that anyone that has specified 1 to 2 people are listed at 1.5. Also,anyone that has not posted the number in their party is listed as an "X"): Screen Name Attendees Flight2000 2 MB65E 2 stevesm20B 2 bonal 2 xrs135 1.5 jrwilson X Bennett 1 VetRepp 1 thinwing X 3914N 2 kmyfm20s 1 N803RM 1.5 StinkBug X Mhemperly 2 wishboneash 1.5 pfactor X M016576 1.5 Conrad 1 M20S Driver X rahill 1.5 DaV8or X Larry 2 Nemesis 1 mikefox X Jim Peace 1 flydave 1 Total 28.5 I'm posting a poll of 3 alternatives that I've contacted and can accommodate a party up to 35 people. Please place your vote for location there. Thanks, Dave

I'll coordinate with the FBO and restaurant once I have a headcount.

All, I'll need a head count of all attendees for the 10th at SBP. Please re-post with this number if you didn't include it in your previous post. Thanks, Dave

I have had Top Gun do a number of things to my planes and always found Mark to be an honest and up-front guy. He and his mechanics know what they're doing and do the job right - no cutting corners. Mark has also been very supportive when I call or stop by asking questions and looking at things. I have dealt with LASAR on a number of questions and parts and for the most part had an excellent experience. Last Saturday Paul Lowen met me at LASAR to look at my arm rest which had broken. I left the arm rest with him that day and it is now ready to be re-installed. Paul and his crew, just as Mark at Top Gun, have been very helpful whether on the phone or in person. If I was going to drop my plane off for annual somewhere I wouldn't have a problem with either of these shops. But I prefer owner assisted annuals and do that with the shop on my field that I know and trust. LASAR will do the owner assisted annuals but as DaV8or stated, it's a bit of a pain to get there for the owner assist.