yellowjacket

I second the recommendation of Gann Aviation. Carlos rebuilt my IO-360A1A a year ago and he does a super job. He doesn't advertise because he is covered up with work via word of mouth. He is located at LaFayette, GA (9A5). His number is 706-638-3034. Good luck with your overhaul, Jim

Here is a picture of the left side panel of my SWTA 201 style instrument panel. This is in my 68 M20F. It has a Garmin 430WAAS, Aspen PFD, STec 30A, JPI 700 with fuel flow, a KX-155, Garmin 340 audio panel and a yoke mounted Garmin 496 for weather. All the round gage instruments have Nu Lites. It is a very good layout and a real good IFR platform. I installed the instrument panel in 1999 with the help of my A&P/IA and Tim Mathison of Gann Aviation installed the Aspen, 430 WAAS, audio panel and STEC autopilot in 2009. Jim

I took a look at FP and I wonder why anyone would want to pay $149 per year when fltplan.com is such a super flight planning resource and it is free. I am wondering what you get for the yearly subscription that you don't get with fltplan.com? Jim

I finally got out to the airport and attached are some pics of my 496 mount. I have a South West Texas Aviation instrument panel with a STec 30A, Aspen PFD 1000 and a Garmin 430 WAAS. The 496 is a very good add on for weather and it get's routes directly from the 430. Jim

Sorry I don't have any pictures of the yoke mount. Next time I am at the airport I will take a few pics and post them. Jim

I have a 496 mounted on the yoke where the clock used to be in my 68 M20F. It fits perfectly and doesn't obstruct any instruments and is very solid. All I did was take the clock out (I have a Davtron timer on my instrument panel) and used the bracket the clock attached to as a template to cut out a piece of aluminum and drill holes for the screws. It fits excatly in the old bracket's place and I used the bracket provided with the 496 and tapped holes in the plate and screwed the GPS bracket on the plate. I painted the plate the same color as my yoke and it looks like it was standard equipment. Jim

Quote: Jeff_S I heard through the grapevine that Tim Matheson is no longer in the business...retired or somesuch. No independent confirmation of this but if so it would be a crying shame.

I solo'd at hour number 8 in a C-150. I couldn't believe how well it climbed and how much it bounced around by the unstable air. I loved it and remember it like it was yesterday. BTW, the plane and instructor cost $14/hour. My PPL cost $450. Jim

Has anyone installed an LED landing light? I understand they are a direct replacement for our regular landing light and cost over $300 each. I like the time between failure of over 10000 hours, but the cost is steep. Has anyone seen how much light they put out? I instruct for a flying club part time and their C-172's are constantly blowing landing lights and $300 for one that has a life of several thousand hours would save the club a lot of money. Thanks, Jim

Ken, You're gonna love the Aspen PFD and the 430W. I have the same items along with the S-Tec 30A. The GPSS on the Aspen works great and with these systems the plane flies approaches hands off except for glide slope capture on my M20F. I also use a Garmin 496 primarily for Nexrad weather. All this really drops the work load flying IFR. Jim 68 M20F

Ned, I have the same concern about drilling more holes in the steel cage. Where did you get your holder? Jim

I have a whiskey compass holder that is plastic and and is falling apart. It attaches to the center post by 4 screws that attaches in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. Does anyone know where I could a holder like this? The ones I have found attaches with screws in the fore and aft positions which if used would require more holes be drilled in the center post. Thanks, Jim

I just finished the first 25 hours on my newly overhauled IO360A1A engine that was done by Carlus Gann of Gann Aviation. He does a great job on engines. I burned 2 quarts of oil in those 25 hours and the engine is running strong. It feels like it has more power since the overhaul. I have a 1968 M20F with no speed mods. I did a 4 cardnial heading speed run today using the autopilot to hold headings and altitude with the following results: First Run-6500MSL, 24"MP, 2500RPM, Unfiltered air on, 100 degrees ROP, 12.5GPH, AVG Speed 173.75MPH--152Kts Second run--same parameters as above except 30 degrees LOP, 10.5GPH, AVG Speed 162MPH--141Kts Third Run--Same as above except 2400RPM and 25LOP, 9.5GPH, AVG Speed 150.75MPH--131Kts. It looks to me like the second run is a good power setting taking into consideration speed and fuel burn. Jim

Thanks for the website. The cheapest cost for a case of XC with shipping I have found yet. Ordered a case for $57.22 which includes shipping to Georgia. I am switching to Phillips XC and using CamGuard. Now I have a case of AS 15W50 to sell or return to the distributor if they will take it back. Jim

Thanks for the inputs. I fly for a fractional and work a 7 days on and 7 days off schedule so I don't fly my plane all that much. That is why I want as much corrosion protection as I can get. I think I can get that by using the Phillips and camguard combination. I also like the idea of Phillips XC being about two thirds the cost of AS 15W50. Where do you guys get your Phillips XC? I would like to get some from a local distributor vice buying from an online store. I suspect the price would be close to the same taking into consideration shipping costs and tax. I haven't found a distributor in the Atlanta area yet. Any ideas where to look? Thanks, Jim