Rustler

Here's a link to a good set of reviews for stylii used with the iPad. http://www.macworld.com/article/156560/2011/05/touchscreen_stylus_roundup.html

Rob-- You might consider routing MEM-->SAF-->FLG-->PSP. Terrain along that route is only moderately high, requiring not much more than 10,500 +/- and giving you the opportunity to stop at some wonderful places. Flying a little south of Las Vegas, NM, will allow you to get into Santa Fe at around 8,500'. Santa Fe is a great small city, with abundant dining, great accommodations, and the Indian market in the Plaza. Flagstaff is a little touristy but pleasant. If you want to make it a short first day, Tulsa is a nice place to stop. You'll want to check the weather closely, since we can have some pretty fierce winds here in New Mexico and Arizona this time of year. You'll be flying over some mountainous terrain but nothing overwhelming. It is beautiful in places. Have a great trip.

Bought my '80J from AAA and can't think of anything about the deal that wasn't top notch. Everyone was straight forward, honest, and as helpful as could be. The aircraft remains superb to this day and I've had virtually no trouble with it. Two thumbs up.

-

OR75--- Responding to a similar problem on my '80J, I opted for Medco locks. We replaced both the baggage-door and mai- door locks. I can guarantee that nobody will be able to use a Cessna, Piper, or other Mooney key to open either lock. You can get two locks with the same keys. Medcos aren't cheap, but they are significantly more secure than the originals.

Should anyone think their bad experience with Barron Thomas is merely an isolated event, here're two letters necessitated by his reluctance to return a deposit. I think they are self explanatory. 2 April 2007 Mr. Barron Thomas Barron Thomas Aviation, Inc. 14700 N. Airport Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Dear Mr. Thomas: This is a letter of demand for payment. I am seeking return of the Five Thousand Dollar ($5,000) deposit I made with Barron Thomas Aviation, Inc., on 15 December 2006. That deposit was made pursuant to our agreement (copy enclosed) to hold for inspection one 1976 Grumman Tiger. Following that inspection, I elected not to pursue purchase and personally informed you as to that decision and the reasons for it in your office. The required 90 days have expired (the aircraft has not sold). Since 16 March 2007, I have spoken with Lori at your office to request this deposit return, and I have e-mailed you twice (3/21/07 and 3/27/07) requesting a refund. In each case, I have not received any answer, and I have not received the refund owed me. As a result of this recalcitrance in returning my deposit, I am now demanding return of my $5,000 deposit within five days of receipt of this letter. If this refund is not forthcoming,I shall be forced to pursue this matter vigorously, seeking damages and interest. Sincerely, Copies: Arizona Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection & Advocacy Section Consumer Information & Complaints 1275 West Washington Phoenix, Arizona 85007 Better Business Bureau Greater Phoenix And the resloution . . . . Ms. Pamela L. Crabtree, Legal Assistant State of Arizona Office of the Attorney General Consumer Information and Complaints 1275 West Washington Phoenix, AZ 85007-2926 RE: CIC 07-06931 BARRON THOMAS AVIATION Dear Ms. Crabtree: Thank you for your April 17, 2007, letter. I appreciate your interest and whatever action you have taken. Apparently, it has worked. Mr. Thomas suddenly became interested in settling this matter, and I received a $5,000 check from him yesterday. It has been deposited, and I assume it will clear without problem. Please consider this matter closed unless you hear from me that the check has not cleared, in which case I shall request a reopening of the case. Again, thank you for your help. Sincerely, It was such a disappointment dealing with him, but it turned out OK in the long run. I bought a really lovely Cheetah, then the Mooney, each of those transactions being absoultely straight forward and producing lasting friends.

Seth-- I had a Horizon installed in my Cheetah. The installation was quick and simple, and it performed flawlessly. It has features other than RPM indication that warn of open mag circuits, overspeeding, etc. Nice instrument and nice folks to deal with (I got mine direct from Horizon)

Jim-- This was posted yesterday in the Vintage Mooney section of our board. "If anyone is interested I have a 3 blade MT with white and red scimitar blades for sale, complete with composite spinner for an E or F as is or it can be installed on a J with a different spinner. Asking $5,500 plus shipping Clarerence Beintema clarence@tricityaero.com 519-580 -1572" This is a really good deal, as you probably know.

Rick-- I used to hangar in San Marcos, and I'd recommend Tejas Aero Services to anyone. Mike keeps a close eye on everything in his shop and assures high quality. They used to paint Mooneys for the factory, and Kerrville was always satisfied with the work. The fellow who did my interior will probably do yours if you use Tejas, and I get lots of compliments on mine.

By all means use an escrow account if there are any questions about the transaction whatsoever. You certainly want to be sure that his bank releases the lien as your money is transferred. I have used the AOPA escrow services, and they were great. Everything went as it was supposed to, and all parties walked away satisfied. I can't remember how much it cost, but it wasn't much for the peace of mind it brought.

Roger-- I'm just up the road from you, a couple thousand feet higher, and generally fly 12,000'-14,000' with EGTs running in the 1425-1475 degree range. Summer/winter? doesn't seem to matter much, but maybe 10-20 degrees lower in the weather we've been having.

Roger-- I've tried to download the ABQ sectional here in Taos and have received the same error message mentioned above. The chart area lights up green and has half an "X" in it.

For those of you who have entered into or read discussions about that Scottsdale aircraft broker, you may find this of more than passing interest. http://www.azcc.gov/Divisions/Administration/news/101104Securities.pdf

I used Western Skyways in Montrose, CO, and could not be happier. Reasonably priced, did what they said they would, and I have a very strong engine. I also opted to do the conversion to true dual mags, which I consider mandatory when doing one of these overhauls.

I fly out of 7100'. Approaching Taos, I'm usually at between 10,000' and 12,500' and leaned to about 8.2 gph. Descending to pattern altitude, I'll richen ever so slightly, but the mixture control is at about half out. I then leave it there and land. What we often see here is someone entering the pattern, then going full rich. The aircraft will usually land OK but when power is applied to proceed on the taxiway, the engine floods and quits. Departing, I use the standard procedure of starting with the mixture fully leaned, then enrichening when the engine fires. I enrichen only to about halfway in, then check the engine for smoothness on runup. When applying power at departure, Itest the mixture for full power before disengaging the brakes.

KLRDMD-- Your statements do not match any of my experience with 3-blade props. I installed a 3-blade MT composite at annual this year and here are my observations. 1. The MT, as it came from the factory, is smoother than any 2-blade I've ever had after dynamic balancing (1 on a Cheetah, 2 on a Twin Comanche, and the previous one on this Mooney). 2. Climb is noticeably enhanced, something very comforting at 7100' MSL where I hangar. 3. Virtually no decrease in speed at cruise has been experienced. I true at 150, exactly as I did pre-installation. 4. The prop is significantly quieter and smoother (almost no vibration) at all speeds than the original, particularly enjoyable on long trips. 5. The MT is about 9 pounds lighter than the 2-blade that was on the plane. That's not a typo. Just some observations from 60+ hours behind the 3-blade. I have no connection with MT except to have bought someone there part of his swimming pool.

Because there had been so many "ins and outs" of equipment over the 30 years of its existence, when we replaced the IO360A3B6D with the IO360A3B6 in my '80J last summer, I decided to start clean with a new W/B. There was hardly any difference between the computed values over 30 years and the actual weight in 2009. Didnn't make her any lighter, but I was very glad to have a verified W/B to begin anew. I think it cost $50 or something like that.

Bodie-- Check your PMs.

Here's the New Mexico registration information. "The registration fee is based on the maximum gross takeoff weight of the aircraft and is calculated as follows: aircraft manufactured in 2010-2009, $0.02 per lb.; 2008, $0.0175 per lb.; 2007, $0.0150 per lb.; 2006, $0.0125 per lb.; 2005 and older, $0.01 per lb. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING YOUR AIRCRAFT’S CORRECT MAXIMUM GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT. There is a flat $10.00 registration fee for balloons. There is a flat $5.00 fee for change of ownership. Registration fees are in lieu of all other state and local property taxes assessed on aircraft." Mine's an '80, so my annual fee is $27.40.

Bodie-- Good. Looking forward to seeing you.

Eldon-- If you put "S W Smith + aircraft engines" in your Google search engine slot, you'll find out who re-did your engine. Edit-- Make that "T W Smith + aircraft engines." I'm wondering if they're still in business.

Bodie-- Let me know if you are coming to Taos. I'd enjoy having lunch and chatting about Mooneys and construction (I'm an architect in my former working life).

rlbowley-- Apparently you haven't provided an e-mail address. If you want to make the trek to Taos, I'd be glad to demonstrate a 1980 J for you. Won't even charge you the gas for the flight. It'll give you a good idea of how the aircraft performs at 7100'. I was fairly near you last week on a Grace Flight and wish I'd known then of your interest.

rlbowley-- Check your PMs.

Oops. Randy in Nevada's post was his, not mine.