Seth

The B-Kool unit is not a gimmick and life changing. FBO’s usually have ice. Not difficult to load, you get cool air while taxiing and takeoff, and then again when you descend and are back on the ground. Life chaning - get one. In cool weather, no need for it and it gets taken out of the airplane. -Seth

Garmin announced they’d stop taking orders for new 430/530 W units in November 2011 and actually stopped in early 2012. so it’s been 6-7 years now. Originally went on sale in 1998. -Seth

That’s why I was planning to go 345. Then my transponder literally blew up (faceplate cracked off in flight) so I landed, and called my avionics guy, and pulled the trigger on the 345 installation. Love ADSB out and in. Skybeacon is a GREAT solution. The other wingtip will be the In receiver that will work with tablet apps. For aircraft with wingtips embedded or covered. They are working on a single tail strobe in and out unit too. For many aircraft this finally certified unit will be a great solution . -Seth

So at Oshkosh while renewing my Jeppeson database for my Garmin 430W (when you renew then you get credit for what you have remaining on your account, you renew, and you get a free two cycles plus the Oshkosh pricing - I think it was additionally $25 less but I'd have to check). However, I brought up the fact that I was about to go into annual (and my buddy who I was with was about to go drop off his airplane for a tank reseal AND annual) thus we were not going to end up using a cycle or two. The customer representative stated for us to call in, explain the situation, and we would get a cycle credited back to our respective accounts. It's not advertised, but if you call in and explain that you can't use your cycle update, almost universally they simply credit you an extra cycle. GREAT to know for bad weather, family situations, airplane down for maintenance, health, you name it . . . figured you all could benefit. I was VERY impressed with Jeppeson at Oshkosh. -Seth

Update: The Garmin rebate is in and being processed. $50 The trade in Aera 560 is on it's way (along with all required accessories for max value). $450 The XM antenna will be sent soon for additional trade in value. $100 I'll have the 660 in very soon and as noted earlier, will report back. This seems to have worked out well. -Seth

Bump: Anyone hear of any timeline? Any rumors? I plan to send mine 430W for the flate rate repair/refurbishment toward the end of the time period when it's possible (when the parts bins get low). Then, 2-3 years later, I'll trade in or sell the 430W as part of my upgrade to a 750 or current magic (or IFD - though I doubt is as I'm going more and more Garmin for the stack resale value at some point way down the line, or never). Right now however, I'm not changing a thing. Just curious if anyone has heard anything regarding the 430W service timeline - if we are a few years away still, that's great news. -Seth

Also, maybe we can make a deal in the future where we can make this a silent auction or raffle prize at Mooney Summit! -Seth

That’s a great pic and good competition!! -Seth

I will email these to you separately - PM me your email please. It's the picture I posted a few months ago. My daughter is in the middle leading her friends from the airport cafe to our hanger to look at her airplane. However, can you insert my Missile as to what the kids are walking to? Maybe crop down the picture as well as bit? Make the - background nicer? PM me your email and I'll send more pictures of the Missile. -Seth

There were a ton of witnesses. It was a great event! Caught up with a lot of Mooney owners and pilots and finally connected with others. But no, I didn't take a picture. Yves - new position for next year, have someone volunteer to take pics of the Mooney Space social! I will try very hard to be there again. GREAT event. -Seth

Sorry I couldn’t make this one! Glad you guys were able to fly.

Aircraft spruce and Dresser are the two tire companies to get the tires from. As noted. You want a 5.00 x 5. Two weeks ago I purchased a Goodyear Flight Special II for the Nose. Last year I put Goodyear Flgiht Custom III’s on the mains. My precious flgiht custom III’s lasted over 6 years and 600+ hours on the mains. The nose gear was at 7 and 700+. With no braking action on the nose, I decided to save a bit on the nosewheel tire but still decent quality, 1 lb lighter, and half the price. If it lasts anywhere close to the last one I’ll be happy. Plus the mains already gave 120 more hours on them. I purchased it at Oshkosh. Dresser normally has better prices and ships for free. But aircraft spruce really had great discounts at Oshkosh so I purchased there. I second Van Bortel if you are near them - in my limited dealings with them they’ve been great. I am rarely in Texas so locals know better. Good luck! -Seth

Looking forward to hearing about all these updates live at Mooney Summit! Airport day is open to everyone registered, wait list, or those who just feel like dropping in. -Seth

Would love to but I already have a previous commitment for Saturday. My airplane is also in annual. I’d grab right seat with a friend or drive since it’s so close, but again, I can’t make it this weekend. -Seth

I know - I like XM better too. And I also have the 9.99 marine sky watch program. However, I’m not buying the new XM receiver the 660 uses so I’m going to go 100% ADSB weather in the air and use my iPhone on the ground. I’ve flown with both the last seven months and the purpose of XM and ADSB weather is to avoid the big bad nasty weather. Use your mark I eyeballs the most you can. -Seth

Any rumors on how long Garmin 430W support will remain? Forgot to ask at Oshkosh. I’m curious when the date will come when you can’t sent it in for the flat rate repair. Hoping it still a few years out. I've decided to keep my 430W for now as I just purchased an Aera 660 to replace my 560 with dedicated traffic pages and a much more useful everything. Between that and upgrading my iPad in November, I don’t new to put more money in the panel today. I feel used prices of 430W units will not drop terribly in the next few years. Just curious the rumors and facts of the support timeline. -Seth

I purchased the Aera 660 at Oshkosh for a trade in on my Aera 560. Plus there was a small Garmin rebate on top of that. That will give me AHRS backup for now plus if all electrics go out. A backup in panel GPS and a backup Artificial horizon if needed with the synthetic 3D stand alone feature. Will report back once it’s setup and all bugs are works out. -Seth

I traded in my Aera 560 for an Aera 660 with a Garmin rebate on top at Oshkosh. I’ll get my AHRS backup that way. My iPad mini2 is running faster again now that I’ve cleared off a lot of programs and will keep it for now. Maybe Black Friday I’ll scoop up a Mini4 or by then will test the size of the 9.7 in the cockpit. Will circle back in November to hear the current PIREPs. -Seth

I pulled the trigger on Sunday in the Aera 660 swap. I flew Sunday afternoon back in a friend’s 201 from dropping my airplane off at annual and he just so happened to have a 660 in his panel. Compared to 7 years of flying with the 560 I’m thrilled with my decision and very happy with the functionality. I played with it for about 10 min in flight. Can’t wait to install mine. -Seth

That's one of my preflight checks from anecdotal stories such as this.

I saw a C-172 at a flight school hand prop by a big burly guy who yelled at the pilot what to do (he was the owner). It fired right up. I forget if they went for the flight or over to maintenance. knowing the flight school, it likely went for a flight. -Seth

Aircraft Spruce: $450 for trade in with all accesieies. $100 trade in for XM antenna (which does not work with 660 anyway) Garmin rebate $50 (Oshkosh deal) 660 price is $750. So out of pocket once all credits come in is $150. I’ll buy a new airgizmo doc that has the same footprint of my Aera 560 doc. I’ll sell the 560 doc on eBay or here or wherever. 7 years newer equipment, new databases. AHRS and traffic now on a separate screen when needed. If I lose my KI256A gyro, I will still have AHRS and thus an artificial horizon in panel. If I lose power, backup navigator in panel along with 3D synthetic view with the little airplane that should again act like an artificial horizon. -Seth

I checked out the D3 when there. It’s great except it has no aviation database or obstacle database. If I didn’t have a GTX345 to feed a Garmin 660, id consider it. Its considerably less than a G5, L3, and more. I plan to trade my Aera 560 in for a 660 today and with the Garmin rebate of $50 spend around $150 for the delta (plus a new air gizmo dock - plus install) for backup AHRS in the cockpit with synthetic vision - signal will come from my GTX345. Also, I get 7 year newer technology AND new databases. -Seth

Don’t have the time now at all, but at some point yes. Was leaning toward an RV-8 (decades from now) but this one has caught my eye. -Seth

My thoughts exactly. A ton of performance. -Seth