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

I had the LS starter and it had trouble getting the engine past the first compression stroke. Once past that stroke it would spin the engine okay. When I had my engine overhauled I went with the NL 149 starter and with its higher torque the first compression stroke difficulty is a thing of the past. I was able to get a trade-in on my LS starter to upgrade to the NL. I highly recommend the NL starter.

I am a couple of hours from finishing my 25 hour break-in on my newly overhauled IO-360A1A. I have always used AeroShell 15W50 in the engine prior to overhaul and I was planning on continuing with AeroShell and adding CamGuard. Carlus Gann is my overhauler and he says it really doesn't make that big a difference what oil I use. I have heard others like Phillips X-C multi-grade oil with CamGuard. Is this just a personal preference or is there some data that shows Phillips (or any other oil) is a better choice? Is multi-grade or single grade oil better in warmer climates? Jim 1968 M20F

I would put radios and avionics and autopilot high up on the list. You will probably pay a little more for an airplane that has newer avionics and autopilot, but it will be significantly cheaper than if you have new equipment installed on your nickel. If you plan to fly a fair amount of IFR then I would insist on having a good autopilot. Also if the plane you are looking at doesn't have a good IFR GPS or digital radios then I would discount the price of the plane to account for having to put these in. I guarantee you that if you buy a plane with outdated/older avionics the bug will bite and you will have to have the newer stuff and it can cost as much as the plane itself. Trust me I know. I just had installed a Garmin 430W, Aspen PFD and a S-TEC 30A. The plane is a dream to fly IFR and it flys approaches hands off except for the descent. Plus the value just went up on my M20F, but not as much as it cost me to have this stuff installed....get the hint. I would also want a 6 pack instrument panel instead of the old style one that came in our vintage Mooneys. Your instrument scan is a lot better with a 6 pack style panel. If you don't already have an instrument rating then get one asap. You'll get the best utility our of your Mooney with one. Good luck in your search. Yellowjacket

I think it really depends on if you plan to fly with more than two people in the plan. I have a 68 M20F which is virtually the same airframe as the 201. I can easily carry 4 people and my totally stock F model gets 142 Kts consistantly on around 9 gal/hr lean of peak. You can probably go faster in a E model but I donn't think you can carry more than 2 people comfortable. I am sure there are other considerations that are equally important to other owners. Really depends on your expected use of any of these great airplanes. Yellowjacket

Jerry, I called Ron but no answer. I left a message to call me if interested. Gann is rebuilding my engine right now. He used to own my Mooney and he overhauled the engine while he had it. I am looking forward to getting it back and flying it again. Take care, Jim

Jerry, I will try to call Ron on Sunday as my cell is dead right now. I fly for a fractional company and I am in Portsmouth, NH at the moment. I am scheduled to fly from Portsmouth and end up in the Bahamas tomorrow. I'll try calling later in the day. I keep my M20F at Cedartown and it is currently at Gann Aviation getting some work done. If Ron doesn't have an avionics person to install a GPS I would highly recommend Tim Mathison at Gann Aviation. He is the one who took out my 250XL and installed the 430 and Aspen PFD. He does great work at the best prices I have seen anywhere. Take care, Jim

I have a 250XL for sale that was removed from my Mooney for a 430 WAAS. It is in great shape and worked perfectly when removed. It comes with the mounting tray, antenna, connectors and manuals. I will gaurantee it is in working condition or you can return it for a full refund. Sale price $2000 includes shipping. If interested or if you know someone who is looking for a 250XL call me. Jim Stevens 404-277-4123