Seth

Jose-. I lowered my XM subscription to the lowest Marine subscription of $10 per month. It has nearly all the aviation data the mid aviator package has and more importantly the big picture. For $10 per month I'm happy to have dual weather sources should my Straus not connect or run out of battery. If phone signal is your supply, you may want to consider "Skywatch" which I think is the name for the least expensive marine plan. -Seth

The Dynon unit I've thought about quite a lot. As an emergency tool. Now with the Stratus and Foreflight, having AHRS a mounted iPhone/iPad may replace the Dynon idea. I have thought of installing an electric AI as a second instrument in the panel for just this situation. The technological advancements and portables have brought down the price of non legal emergency redundancy. -Seth

Mike- Sorry to hear about the failure. Glad it didn't happen in IMC. This should be a straightforward repair/replacement for most mechanics. Check the cost to have it done at your current location and see what it would cost at your home drone of Linden. It may be less expensive to have it repaired in Florida. Did you have some sort of non legal electronic back up for emergencies? Fly safe, -Seth

Nearby yes. And I will. -Seth

I can't! I have Bravo over me at 3500 and I'll climb through it before getting to the edge. If I takeoff near my home airport I can give you that data, but not at my home field. KGAI - under the DCA/IAD/BWI/ADW Bravo in the Washington SFRA. Very cool idea -Seth

Yet . . .

I was not planning on upgrading my transponder to Mode S or ES for flying above 18,000 ft. However, I thought the GDL-88 would talk out of the box with whatever transponder I had, as the GDL-88 is what sent the out and received the in signal (to then display weather and traffic on the 430w AND send to flightstreem should I purchase flightstream additionally). The sub question, which I think was answered, is that the GDL-88 does not need an extra box or module to talk to non garmin transponders. If so, then that's one shop off my list right there, as they were going to charge me more to get the box that talks to any transponder, or just install a Garmin 327 or 330es (if I only needed the mode C, then the 327). Again, I'm looking to use the GDL-88 for ADSB compliance for out AND situational awareness for IN. That way I didn't have to replace my transponder. -Seth

Thanks! I heard differently from one of the install shops who I think was trying to get me to purchase a transponder as well. Is the 1090 receiver an additional cost or is it built in and on all GDL88's? -Seth

My cruise speed was not typical Missile at FL17, but the fuel burn was AMAZING!!! My groundspeed was amazing as well as there was a giant Low to my north (that's the weather I was avoiding) and I was getting fantastic tailwinds (40 or 50+) at FL17 so my groundspeeds were still well over 200 knots. The climb rate was not enthusiastic at all. It was way below freezing, but that high the percentage power was still pretty low. Do not quote me but I'd say I still had at least 400-500 FPM climb at FL17, maybe more. I can pull out my charts POH, but real world, she was climbing. It was not 1000+ FPM like I'm used to anytime I need it, but also not only 100-200 FPM. I do not plan to operate above FL18 often and since my aircraft is a J, my legal ceiling is still 18,800 feet, so that's why I probably won't put a mode S Transponder in my aircraft as part of my ADSB install. I don't fly up there often in the Mooney. I will go up before the 202 deadline however. -Seth

Okay - sub question - does the GDL-88 talk to non garmin transponders or does it involve an extra box/greater expense? -Seth

Let us know your thoughts with a PIREP after you try them out a bit. -Seth

12,400 in my former 1967 F Model in 2010 heading home to Maryland from the west coast over Montana. Climb was fine but not sure of the numbers, not enthusiastic, not struggling. 17000+ to avoid some icing in my current 1983 Mooney Missile in 2013 heading home again from the west coast, this time over Wyoming. I had O2 this time. Climb was fine - not sure on the actual numbers but not struggling, but not like she climbs from sea level (1500+ FPM). Before 2020 I'll take the Missile into Class A airspace at least once. I normally cruise between 3,000 to 11,000 feet depending on weather and distance. Best mix of performance and efficiency for the Missile is the safe as the F, 7,000 to 11,000. -Seth

I'll get some quotes but I think I've decided on my ADSB souliton . . . for now. My aircraft is 1983 Mooney M20J Missile 300. I have a 430W and mode C transponder. My aircraft ceiling is 18,800 feet, though with the 300 HP, I can easily go higher, but don't plan to. I've been up to 17,500 before out west. So after 2020, No Mode S, thus no class A for me. I'll go up sometime before then. I have never been in Class A, and I do want to check it off my list, especially in the Mooney Missile, but I don't plan to operate above 18,000 feet often in an unpressurized aircraft. I'm going to probably simply install a GDL-88 to interface with my 430w and keep my current King mode C transponder. I also have a Garmin Aera 560 and of course, an iPad running ForeFlight. I will wire it for Flightstream during the install so I can do that at a later time should I wish. I may throw it in with the install as well. Question 1: What is the all in install cost for a GDL-88 (I have the WAAS position source in my Garmin 430W). I'd love real world experiences and if you would rather not share, PM me. I will start getting quotes next spring from install shops and local avionics specialists. Please share the location of install as well. Question 2: Does the GDL-88 talk to the Aera 560 as that is currently interconnected with the Garmin 430W. Question 3: TIS-A vs TIS-B traffic- what is the difference and do I miss anything getting only TIS-B with the GDL 88? Dr. Bill - thank you for your PIREP on the GDL-88 and the 430W screen size - very helpful. If I update the 430W it will be to a 650 or 750, but that's not in the immediate future. Thanks! -Seth

Scott- I'd agree, but what about slightly larger aircraft or those in a club configuration in the back seat? I had the same thoughts from the pilot perspective - we are staying in our seats. But for others in an aircraft with space to move around? This could be very well received. -Seth

Lightspeed has done it again - advancing the headset market. They have just released the Tango - a wireless ANR headset: http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/Tango/subgrouping.htm?cat=35717&utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Lightspeed%20Aviation%20-%20Communication&utm_content=Tango+launch+-+Nov2015 And it looks like it costs $800.00 - less than the PFX ($1175 and Zulu 2 $900) -Seth

Go LED - I waited 3 years before I did it and kept purchasing the old GE bulbs. There are a few you can use: -Whelen - approved - get the Gen II as it's brighter -AeroLEDs - you can get the more expensive version that has the on/off/pulse feature so that your landing light can pulse for better recognition, or go with the simple and less expensive on/off version. The AeroLEDs are brighter than the Whelens. -Grote Trilliant (not approved and much less expensive) -Seth

The 6 battery life is so much better than the 5. My older brother and I have the small 6, but my younger brother and father have the big 6, and my wife still has her 5 as both 6's are "too big." The battery in my 5 could not get me through one full day. My 6 gets me through two days without recharging. I too think the 6, both large or small, would be great "mounted" somewhere in the cockpit. I have reached out to foreflight to try to find out why a deactivated iPhone can count as an iPod? For instance, it'll do the same as an iPod touch, but also have a 911 call feature should it be needed. That way you can have two iPad's (primary and backup) and two smaller units (your iPhone, and a previous deactivated iPhone acting as an iPod touch). -Seth

That happened to me twice in my former M20F. Both times it did not clear until I was safe on the ground and had a mechanic clear it. Once dirt (2009) once paint slivers (2011). Shook and ran rough, but did provide power. No engine monitor in that bird. -Seth

Airmods in NJ N87 has a good paint shop from what I've heard (not experienced) and is an MSC. They paint a lot of Mooney's. Also there is a lone shop at Corman Field D74 in Delaware that does good work and touch up work. -Seth

After purchasing a Stratus 2 from one of the members of this forum (THANK YOU!) I decided I was not yet ready to give up my XM service entirely. However, at $54.99 per month, I decided to drop my XM Pilot subscription for this lower priced option. I'm also flying less as new father (won't hit 100 hours for the second year in a row, though I'll be in the 70s or 80s. Last year I had just over 90. I think you actually get more for the lowest level Marine subscription "Skywatch" (lightning) than you do for Aviator Lite (no lightning), but as noted, Skywatch, the lowest marine cost, is $9.95 per month vs $34.99 per month. So, I went with Skywatch for full radar coverage, lightning, and as noted METARS and more. I'll test it out this weekend but it seems I've lowered the annual cost to $120 vs $660 and I have two sources of radar now should either unit have an issue. That's worth $120 per year in my opinion. I personally also like the display slightly better on the Aera 560 than I do on the Stratus ipad (more pixels in the data on XM?). It cost nothing to lower my service, and if not happy, I can always up my service again in the future at no cost. Thanks for the CBC tip! (Cheap Bas---d Club). -Seth

You know, not to go too much into thread creep, but within the first 10 flight hours of owning both my aircraft I did have failures that needed work, and this was after a prebuy. The oil temp indicator failed on my 1967 F model at about 8 hours of flight time. I had it sent out to be overhauled and reinstalled. The brand new vacuum pump on my Missile was leaking oil as a gasket had a very small bubble imperfection. That was repaired (gasket replaces) under warranty. However, that is two planes and both with a repair in less than 10 hours. We always say put aside 10% of purchase prince for work/upgrades year 1. I'm curious how many owners have had a repair issues within 10 flight hours of owning their birds. I'd still like to see a 25 or 50 hour warranty, but maybe the amount of time selected, 10 hours, does cover the first issue. -Seth

At Mooney Summit III the ceritified program was discussed To even be considered for the certified program, the Mooney in question needs to have been serviced at MSC's and comply with certain maintenance items. A plane can be brought up to certified standard if not always serviced by an MSC, but that can only be completed by an MSC. It's actually a good way to get MSC's more business, keep the certified planes to a specific standard, and thus increase resale value or lower the loss of value on new airplanes purchased. It's not a bad move. But I do not think this is the announcement McStealth was inferring. I'm still holding my breath . . . -Seth

I have two LED bulbs. They are both AeroLEDs. One is the LX model and one the HX model. They are bright and one of them pulses, my taxi light can pulse as well. If your ship has one landing/taxi light, get the version that can be, on, off, or pulse. It's just a third wire run to the built in functionality of the unit. Daytime SOP: Landing Light On, Taxi Light Pulse Nightime SOP: Both ON, when near well lit ramp or people, Landing Light off, Taxi Light on. -Seth

It does indeed!

Could you still get a 76 F model with the Johnson bar? Was electric gear an option then? I'm curious where the Johnson bar cutoff occurred. -Seth