Seth

Gang- I went ahead and created a separate thread as to avoid thread creep from the other GI275 thread Quick question - from a dollar saving stand point. Is it possible to replace the KI256 to drive a KFC200 without replacing the KI525 HSI? I would still install a separate electric powered second Attitdue Indicator (either a lifesaver taken from another panel upgrade or another less expensive option out there) to backup the KI525. 1. Is this possible 2. Would I still have GPSS? Down the line I'm thinking of a G3X or a G500 TXI depending on which way I go with future AutoPilot - if my KFC200 presents problems, replace sooner with a G500. If it is fine, keep it. But for now to get rid of the vacuum system, standby vac, save weight there, and get a better more modern instrument than the KI256, I could replace it with just 1 GI275. The GI275 would again become the backup in my new system. Separately, the GI275, could still drive the KFC200 should I decide to go G3X as my big screen in the future (just thinking about it). Anyway, let me know your thoughts of why that's a NO GO, or if that does actually make sense. I have a Garmin 430W, a GTX345, and an Aera660 panel mounted. I'll likely send the 430W in for a flat repair while I still can to have everything refreshed prior to installing a GTN 750xi or whatever comes next way down the line. I fly with the GFC 700 AP in a different airframes I fly for charter and LOVE it. But the KFC200 is trucking along so I do not plan to pull it out right now. If and when it breaks way in the future, I"ll either grab a working part from someone who did an upgrade to keep it going or at that point pull it for the GFC500. The GI275 drives both the KFC200 and the GFC500, so that will replace the KI256, but again, does the HSI, the 525, have to be replaced or can that stay for now? Thanks, -Seth

Erik- You make great points. And, with the 275, you now have your backup to the 500txi of the future. That's another reason I'm considering the 275 as well. -Seth

It depends what's wrong with it. I had an old KFC200 servo go bad. The overhaul was insane. It was less expensive to buy a newer type of servo and overhaul that. I'm in a similar boat. If my Ki256 goes bad, I will replace it with a GI275. However, if I need to replace the HSI as well, then I'm starting to look at other possibilities. Again, as mentioned before, the GI275 though round, has the screen the edge of the bezel and looks AMAZING in person. I saw an install and was VERY impressed with this device. -Seth

I did it without and with O2. Get O2 - much less fatigue when up at 12,400. You are are mildly hypoxic there - makes a HUGE difference to have it. And also to pick up some tailwinds heading East! -Seth

I have a fiend who just installed a 275 and the screen is to the edge and much bigger than you think. The clarity is fantastic. It’s better than a G5. I’m considering going down this path as well. A G500 sounds nice. I’ll hold off a bit longer, but if either of my king units go TU, a 275 is going in vs an overhaul right now (unless Alan Fox finds me another in expensive KI256 like he did last time!!) -Seth

Agreed - I’ve done this flight twice from my base in Maryland but went clockwise not counter clockwise. In 2010 I was mildly hypoxic crossing the Rockies at 12,400. In 2013 I had portable O2 and climbed up to 16,000 heading west to get above the bumps in the Southwest and caught an amazing tailwind over Wyoming at 17,000 heading East. Having the O2 gave me flexibility and much less fatigue after long flights. I used it any time over 8,000 on that trip. The RAP suggestion is fun. If you love aviation, stop in Seattle. Land at Boeing Field. Go to the museum or flight (if it’s open!) and the Boeing factory if yours are currently occurring. Also, Paul Allen has a heck of a collection of aircraft - that’s a neat stop too. All around Seattle. Take a day or two in wine country north of San Francisco. Land at SMO - Santa Monica while it still exists. You are going to really enjoy this trip! Make sure you do the online special training if you are going to stop in Maryland and fly anywhere in or near the SFRA. Where in MD will you be stopping? -Seth

I purchased the AA pack for my icom so that I would always have an AA backup if needed. I tend to use the handheld to get IFR clearance when on the ground prior to starting my engine. -Seth

I remember that too. -Seth

Most Missile's are 3200 gross. Mine is about 40 lbs heavier empty, so my useful load is not quite at 1100, but I'll be close to that soon with a few upgrades. -Seth

Is the Aveo Wingtip not for the short bodies? I can see if Damien at Aveo may want to use a customer for certification for a short body. If it already is good to go then you can buy them. -Seth

I have not used him but when I did it years back it was the best $200/$250 I ever spent on my airplane. The difference in smoothness is fantastic. Let them know your typical cruise settings so they can target that range for the least vibration. -Seth

Correct - Aveo was there and showed them off. If anyone would like I can put you in touch with my contact at their shop in Florida for further information. They have been a nice sponsor of Mooney Summit giving a pair of wintipe nav strobes the last few years for the silent auction. They plan to be present when Mooney Summit occurs again in 2021. -Seth

Pretty good Erik!

Ross- I’m in for this idea! Will PM you shortly! -Seth

As mentioned before, now that I have an SUV in the fleet (2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee) I’m having some fun customizing it. I’m looking for an aviation themed trailer hitch cover. I’ve looked at a few online. Any suggestions? -Seth

I have a new to me 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 180,812 miles on it. It will be my true 4x4 vehicle (99% on pavement) and also my runabout first hauling stuff and putting miles on so I can better fix up and preserve my E39 M5 (also with 180,600 miles on it!!). So I’m actually going to go all in and put family icons on the back windshield of the Jeep. But I want to do them in airplane icons. One for me, my wife, my two kids, and the dog. Does anyone have a website to recommend for where to get the family airplane vinyl stickers for the back of the SUV? Thanks! -Seth

Anyone else having issues accessing the Mooney.com website? I couldn't get it working yesterday or today. Seems its a 404 error right now. -Seth

Is it pretty much gone now?

Congrats!

In reading the Electric Mooney thread, I began to internalize a battle I continually fight: An all in one vehicle or numerous specific task vehicles. Example: Cars: I'm a large fan of depreciated vehicles for certain missions and a good newer family hauler for safety with the family. An SUV/Truck/Minivan for people moving. An older SUV/Truck for hauling stuff, a sports car for fun drives, a sedan cruiser/sports sedan/wagon for longer drives/daily/not needing to bring the family but have flexibility to have more than one pax comfortably. Do you buy one newer car that does all of it or do you buy older depreciated better to the mission vehicles? I'm building a fleet of vehicles. We have the sports sedan, the economy mid size sedany, Newer Station wagon for the family, and an old SUV for bad weather and hauling. I also have access to a convertible for fun. Two of the 5 are manual transmissions (convertible and my sports sedan). Aviation wise, do you keep your older Mooney for longer missions and get an electric airplane for the simple flying around fun? Maybe build an experimental two seat and have that be the electric airplane? Use the Mooney for long distance travel but save the engine and fuel costs for local fun flying to the electric aircraft? Then you don't need as much power, thus lighter batteries, etc. If I could I'd have a fleet of airplanes and a fleet of cars tailored to specific uses. In aviation, what's the better solution - an all in one where you don't have multiple insurance rates, hanger costs, subscription expenses, etc, or a fleet of airplanes, maybe some older, that gives you what you want for each mission? Would love to hear your thoughts. -Seth

We'll miss you Bob. Great man and role model. -Seth

That's a big $$ item on a Cirrus. TKS/FIKI is $45,000 I forget what AC is, but with those two, you have already increased the price substantially. The base leaves out a lot of equipment. Most of the buyers of SR22's at the place where I charter them are out the door $800,000+ -Seth

It was not - that was base price. They all leave the factory with numerous options adding over $100k to the order. Most SR22's, not SR22T's leave the factory at over 800k

Parker is great! I recently switched as well. -Seth

The Cirrus is not $450,000. That's base with no options. Once you option it up it's going to go for closer to $550,000. It's the wrong engine combination for the airframe. It doesn't climb as well in my opinion, as it should. That said, for a flight school, it's a much better looking aircraft than a C-172. It also does not glide as well. Again, it's a larger airframe. Clients will need to rent more to get comfortable as the side stick is not as intuitive as yoke. Also, the buttonology is very important in a Cirrus. This makes for more rental time before solo, more instruction time, so it's a win from management from that perspective. Also, it's simply a cooler airplane to fly than a Cessna. I work as a Part 135 Charter Captain for Open Air: www.flyopenair.com. They also have a flight school with both SR22's and SR20's. The clientele is different than the 172 and PA28 flight schools at the two airfields they operate. I can put you in touch with the owners, who are VERY Cirrus biased, for operation talks, drawbacks, and positives. The maintenance cost is obscene in my opinion compared to a 172 or PA28. The warranty helps with that during the first 3-5 years of ownership if new. The M10T and M10J would have been great for this market if it had come to fruition and didn't have the issues that appeared. Take care, -Seth