jdrake

Just in time for the weekend... I've had great success at Taylor Lobster in Kittery ME (https://taylorlobster.com/) We do "lobster runs" 2-3 times per season. Their retail space is just minutes from Portsmouth NH (KPSM). Excellent lobster in a wide variety of sizes, competitive prices, simple access and a great airport. As for the gory details, I fly to KPSM and park at Port City Air. First rate, friendly FBO with SEVERAL courtesy cars. The FBO and field are immediately adjacent to I-95 on the NH/ME border. Hop on 95 North cross into Maine. 2nd exit is Kittery and Taylor is less than a mile from the interchange. Google Maps says door to door distance between FBO and your lobster is 7 miles. I'm getting hungry - might see you at the retail window this weekend lol!

Add another vote for Air Mods or Weber. Both excellent MSC shops.

Perfect tip - thanks!

Anyone recommend a reasonable detailer at Blue Grass airport? I haven’t had a chance to give my J a proper bath and wax recently. Hoping to get it done while visiting Lex this weekend. Usually leave the plane with TAC Air. thanks in advance!

it works!

+1 for the M20 separator.

much older model with Mooney adapter available in NJ.

Appears absolutely identical. IIRC there is a line of screws inboard of the inspection panel that run front to back. I might be seeing things in your pic but it looks like there is a Phillips head screw at the center of your stain. You might take a fine point sharp object (think ice pick-ish) and gently pick away the wingwalk material over the screw to expose it. At the early stages of my leak, I did that then very gently retightened the screw. It definitely slowed the leak but my shop ultimately backed the screw out, applied sealant to the underside of the head then replaced. Zero leak since that repair.

+1 for the fuel weep. That specific stain appears identical to one that appeared on my J a few years ago. The fix was rather simple. Removed the wing walk material from around that specific screw. Backed out the screw and placed a small amount of sealant on the threads then retightened. Repaint the wing walk material and voila. Do make sure fuel level in the right tank is reduced as fuel will escape when that screw is loosened.

+1 for Smyrna. Dropped in there this summer and it was a very pleasant experience. Rental car was there waiting for me, no other fees, very reasonable fuel price and close to the interstate.

One more data point - Air Tex is based at Trenton (KTTN). I've used their upholstery kits in other planes with satisfaction. Have never had them perform the work but since they're on field it might be worth a call.

+1 for tweaking the K factor. Rather than making many adjustments over time, I've found that averaging over the course of 4-5 fill ups works very well. I'll fill up at the same location (important because of levelness of ramp and ability to fill tank), record fuel taken then compare to what totalizer says I should have used. After repeating several times I'll recalculate K factor and reprogram. Has worked like a charm with both JPI units I've owned. That said, I'm sure to set the K factor to a rate that is very slightly ahead of actual burn. I prefer the JPI to indicate a slight overconsumption than the opposite.

Successfully completed my ADSB upgrade in time to receive the rebate. Sadly, that means my 6 month old Stratus 2S needs a new home. Practically new (purchased August 2017) and still under warranty. At $800, save $99 from the factory controlled new price of $899. Stratus gives pilots easy situational awareness for an unbelievable price. It’s the simple-to-use, pocket-sized, portable wireless receiver that transforms your iPad into the ultimate flight tool. The newest model offers improved performance across the board, including better ADS-B reception, enhanced thermal capabilities, and a next generation power connector. Setup is located at KTTN. http://www.appareo.com/stratus-adsb-in/

+1 for exploring options at Caldwell, Lincoln Park or Linden in NJ; FRG out on Long Island. Instructors and schools at each. Once you're over the bridge or through the tunnel, the extra 10 minutes or so of drive time will be made up for with additional flying (not taxiing). TEB is just miserable for single pistons, even on VFR days. Expensive, congested...

To those using isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle, are you using it straight or diluting? If the latter, what ratio are you mixing to? Now that Signature has taken over my FBO, the days of a quick defrost in the heated communal hangar are gone. >$100 for 20 minutes seems a little rich... Need to find a safe, effective alternative.

+1 for Wendy Wenk. I moved from the AOPA Agency to Wenk back in 2013 and haven't looked back. Extraordinary service and advocacy.

+1 for waiting for the engine to break in. You'll be running at various power settings as well as waiting for rings to seat. I waited about 100 hours post overhaul and couldn't be happier.

Great thread! I've been buying from oil-store.com for more than a decade. Their product price is very competitive but shipping seems to consistently creep up. I just shopped Aeroshell 15W50 at both oil-store.com and PSC (see AlexLev post above). Oil-store had lower product price but after adding shipping, PSC had a lower cost be nearly $10/case. I think I've found a new oil vendor!

Red Bank is roughly 5 DME on the Colts Neck 090' radial. Both KBLM and Old Bridge (3N6) are easily accessed from there. KBLM might be 5 minutes closer (drive time) given the Parkway travels at far greater speeds than Texas Rd (county road used to get to Old Bridge). I'm based at Trenton and whenever I need to be in that area, I try to use Old Bridge. It's less congested, has relatively low cost fuel and fees are minimal if non-existent. It's a typical smaller GA field with an active community of pilots and a flight school. Be sure not to confuse the drag strip immediately adjacent as a runway (They've painted X's on it recently). KBLM is much busier and they love their fees. I was once cornered by a golf cart because I didn't pay a landing fee when eating at the on-field restaurant. As Mark mentioned above, the main runway is narrow by jet standards but more than adequate for a Mooney. When coming from New England, NY will hand you off to McGuire who will change to advisory. I've always found it exceedingly helpful to get to advisory sooner rather than later. The field is very easy to see and knowing who is up to what helps a lot, particularly on weekends. They have plenty of parking and the FBO is on the SW side of the field. Look for the jet shed, don't be confused by all of the buildings / businesses on the NE side.

I spoke to them (parts) twice yesterday with no issue. He did mention that his online link to the factory was acting up but we were able to order parts.

I vaguely recall an instructor once telling me it had something to do with which air traffic control center the airport near. This "rule" didn't apply to fields with strictly alphabetical identifiers. It seems to hold water in many cases (Eastern NY and PA, NJ fields often feature a N for New York; Maryland, Delaware, NC have a W for Washington; New England have B's for Boston) but there are also a lot of exceptions in those same areas. Perhaps airport owners may be able to exercise their preferences for identifiers and if they're not interested they revert to the "rule" Surely can't explain the Bay Bridge vs Washington state example.

+1 for Plane Plastics. Simple to procure and install.

All-in I was billed enough to cover an Acclaim and a early 80's vintage J. In the end, the insurance company ultimately contributed enough to cover an Acclaim. Unclear what the parts department charged...

The procedures are never pleasant and as mentioned above I was worried that a bad outcome could take flying off the table. I did a fair amount of diligence on the doc/practice and hospital. It certainly sucked having to get it done in a remote city but in the end, the positive outcome was worth it. Looking back with 13+ months post-op experience, I wish I had done it sooner. No pain or tingling for the first time in more than a decade. I feel like a new person! I even started CrossFit back in January.