Seth

I have not tried the PFX. I own an original Lightspeed Zulu, a Lightspped Zulu 2, and a Bose A20. The A20 is what I prefer to wear, however it is my spouse's headset, so when we fly together, I use the Zulu2 and she gets the Bose A20. The A20 has a superior feel on my head, as well as the sound reduction and better/crisper sound overall, especially the music component - the music just sounds "better" with A20. However, the A20 is not as well built in my opinion and seems "fragile" with exposed wires compared to the Zulu's. The first flight the clip for the wire to my shirt literally blew apart - the second one Bose replaced it with cracked after a few days - the third is now a year old and holding up fine - don't know if it was a bad batch or if my hands are too strong. Their customer service was good for me, but that was in the first month after the purchase. I'm worried from what I hear if anything goes wrong. The original Zulu I've sent in twice for repair. The cords were losing connection at the control unit and I had them repair this - twice. Once under warranty, once not, and they didn't charge me either time. At the time, they knew Bose was the leader and they want to gain customers. They have, and they do you right. I feel the original Zulu is better than the Bose X (I've used them a few times). The Zulu 2 is better than the Zulu, and the Bose A20 is better than the Zulu 2. Interested what others have to say about both the new PFX and the new headset that's pitted against the PFX and A20 (third manufacturer - with the LED map lights). I forget the name. I used a David Clark passive for years and at Oshkosh in 2009 I purchased a Zulu. When the Zulu 2 came out, I had an old David Clark from the 1970s that worked but was not comfy at all. Zulu gave me a $200 discount (working David Clarks) off the price of a new Zulu 2, so boom - two passive headsets. The A20 I bought her (me) as a gift after trying some in 2011 and was amazed. got them in 2013 for her(me). I still have my passive David Clark as headset #4. I may try the Clarity Alofts or QT Halo's soon. I do not plan on the purchase of a PFX. -Seth

Great pics and thanks for sharing - let us know any updates from the show - glad the First Newly Produced Acclaim led the way. -Seth

Congratulations! You are going to love the cruise speed. When you are in a stiff headwind, think back to what your groundspeed would have been, and be happy you are fortunate enough to be in an O. I owned my Missile and my former M20F for a few short days together - the F thank goodness sold quickly. It was bittersweet but I know the current owner, and he's taken good care of her - new paint and some other fix ups. Happy flying and here's to a quick sale. Make sure to get a picture of two of your "fleet" for the history books. -Seth

Send / post pics and let us know updates fROM Oshkosh! -Seth

Sean- Great idea. We have a few Mooney pilots at GAI and FDK. I haven't been to Potomac field since I got my high performance checkout about 10 years ago in a 182. I'll PM you soon and I'm sure we'd have a couple local pilots (5 I can think of) who would be up for either flying as safety pilot or on the schedule similar to your proposal. Looking forward to meeting you. -Seth

Unless there is news to the contrary, this was my thought process. Shoot at the fighter jet, the jet outmaneuvers/breaks the missle lock/defeats the missile, and it continues to fly, climbs, and locks onto the next target it can find, the 777. -Seth

Absolutely terrible. -Seth

Good post Tim - great suggestions. -Seth

I find that we call ahead more to find out the tie down fee / ramp fee / fuel price of destination airports over other types of aircraft. However that could be because we fly more cross country. -Seth

$140,000 HULL, $1 Million Smooth, 850 TT - $1750 or so last year, hours are about 100 more, we'll see what the quote is - 965 now - will break 1000 hours before 2015. Update - For 2014-2015 $1699 - 140k hull, 1 million smooth -Seth

I have an old EZ tug that doesn't have a clutch - it's forward, back, or neutral. It also is on it's last legs and doesn't start every time - got it for free and then drilled/attached the Mooney adaptor. When it works it's great, when it doesn't start, I use man power. At some point I'll get a Sidewinder/Redline. http://www.redlineaviation.com/ Alex who drives a K model purchased a redline sidewinder and I'm inclined to go that way as it works well and he's next to my hanger - I've used it for demo a few times, you can take it with you, and it is very solidly built. A few people as mentioned have made tugs out of golf carts, old lawn tractors for a few hundred dollars with a broken deck, etc. The redline/sidewinder are for short use, for longer pulls, you need the EZ/equivalent or a tug vehicle. There is also the remote control tug thing that is extremely expensive, and quite cool - one of the guys at my airport has one and moves his Cirrus around with it - awesome toy, but I'd go with an EZ or Sidewinder/Redline. -Seth

Thought I don't have an Aspen, if I end up with the dreaded HSI issue, I'll probably get an Aspen as that will also get me GPSS, which I don't have now, and would cost 3 grand for on it's own. It's included with the Aspen. So I get a new HSI, Glass, a backup battery, and GPSS. I don't plan to update and add GPSS as I currently simply turn the heading myself at the waypoints, but if it was included in my upgrade unit for an HSI, then I'd do it. I hope however not to have that issue for many years to come! -Seth

Congrats on the sale going smoothly and thanks for letting us know - In retrospect, I should have PMed asking for the sale number. That's a great E that this guy is getting. New paint scheme on the Bonanza or simply respraying the same paint job? Take care, -Seth

Alan - I can't find the add on my iPhone - what was the winning bid as long as everything goes through?

Mike- What an adventure! As quoted in an article about flying north, if you see a polar bear, and then you don't, proceed with extreme caution and be warned - the bear is stalking you. If you are flying to truly remote locations I hope your survival gear includes a rifle despite what laws that may break. Really enjoy following your progress!! -Seth

Sven, you couldn't have said it any better. Thoughts and prayers to the families. We really have all become one big family. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet Bill and I hope Mike recovers quickly and without too much pain. Fly safe. -Seth

The current bid is $586,000 and bidding closes tomorrow. Just over 32 hours to go. All proceeds will go to the Mooney Museum and you get the first brand new Acclaim. Only registered bidders can continue to bid at this time - should be fun to watch (I am NOT bidding nor am a registered bidder). http://www.mooney.com/first-to-fly-auction/ -Seth

Mike- What a great trip! Do you have supplemental oxygen? It'll be great to get a tailwind heading home up high. -Seth

No Damage History and full logs. High compressions on the engine. Besides sitting for those 10 years, and now flying 100 hours on the engine that was sitting but seems okay, what other "gotchas" may there be? You had mentioned something of the interior that needs a little work - is that in the baggage area or did you complete that? -Seth

Very Sad. Condolences to the families. Yes, more P-51's, and warbirds in general, have been made airworthy each year since the early 1990s. (if not the late 1980s). I would love to own a T-6 someday and maybe a piece of a P-51, but the cost of maintenance and the fact that the planes are not at all as well made nor designed for daily use/transportation and longevity are what needs to be realized. These machines were meant to last a few hundred hours, swap an engine, and fight a war until the next design/upgrade came out, and be flown every few days. Not last decades and be flown once in a while. If you understand, as this pilot and CFI probably did, then you should operate as such. I'm curious if there was an engine issue, or if it simply was poor maneuvering down low as indicated in the original post. I love seeing the aircraft still flying on a regular basis. Planes need to fly - we have a lot on static display and I have to hand it to the wealthy who keep these birds in the air and thank them for preserving the flying history. Accidents happen - we just need to mitigate as much risk as possible without reaching the level of non-participation. Be safe - happy 4th! -Seth

Here's to a quick sale Alan - any more upgrades/touch ups since I saw your E? Paint looked great then and I liked what you were doing with the interior. Did you do an oil analysis after the oil changes? I'm sure the levels, if any, have calmed down dramatically 100 hours after the overhaul. Any warning signs or she's good to go? She seems to be priced very fairly. I've suggested two different people (one's an individual and one is a group) contact you. -Seth

Just glad you weren't offended. And again, you have a GREAT E. Have a safe weekend and here's to a deal occurring. -Seth

Honestly, I really hope you do get your asking price, as your aircraft is perfect, but part of why I sold my F and purchased the Missile is because even if I added speed mods, A/P, engine monitor, interior, paint, and made it perfect, I'd still have a heavily modified and beautiful 1967 F. So I sold it and put the money I was going to invest in it into a newer airframe and speed. I think you have an amazing E and I hope you are happy with your final selling point, however even though it is amazing, the next closest E asking price on controller in the USA is: $59,900. I hope you are able to get $60,000+, but I just don't see you getting your asking price. Again, no disrespect, as your plane looks AMAZING - just market forces. And really all that matters is the buyer willing to pay. You have a great airplane. Good luck! -Seth

When I purchased my first Mooney I had 2 hours retract time and HP endorsement (even though I didn't need it) and about 120 hours TT. I was required 10 hours dual and 10 hours solo prior to carrying passengers. In my Missile, I had only 2 hours of "J" time vs "F" time so after a checkout I needed 10 hours solo before carrying passengers. Good luck - just watch your airspeed in the pattern and final and you'll be fine. -Seth

Congratulations!!! I wish I had a good idea for you. My great grandparents were fortunate enough to celebrate their 75th anniversary and my maternal grandparents are at 65 years, celebrating 66 in December. I'm just glad I'm about to celebrate my third month of marriage - 50 years is a GREAT accomplishment, and something to aim for. Again, congratulations. -Seth