Ned Gravel

I remember coming into Wichita from St. Louis (travelling west) in 2015 at 8000' and when I looked out the pilot side window, I saw four (if not five) airfields with N/S runways facing me. Fortunately I was IFR and the instruments were pointing to the correct set of runways. Ok - no real problem, but I could imaging where it might actually happen. Then, last year, on my way to Oshkosh, Detroit Approach had me come around from the east to line up on 03R following a 737, which I had in sight. The controller had me confirm (twice) that I was looking at 03R. Remember that I was on a "visual approach" so they may not have expected me to confirm direction using cockpit needles. I am not certain if he knew I had the ILS for 03R dialled in on NAV1 and DXO (for the missed approach) on NAV2. They were worried about both my seeing which of these four runways was mine and when they could see me on the ground and out of their hair. I landed waaaay long to stay out of the "flare turbulence" of the 737.

OK. Sounds good. I don't have any pockets in my E model, although I suspect a Jaeger spacious re-do of the interior is in my five year plan and there will be a pocket then. In the meantime, my document bag in the baggage compartment has a pocket for things like this. That is where it will go. ANNOUNCEMENT!!! PTT is withdrawn from this ad. Howzat?

Now that I have integral PTT to the co-pilot yoke, I have these two for shipping to a good home. The PTT is a TELEX with a velcro strap to tie it to the yoke. The splitter was new this year to allow for an audio connection and record audio while using the iPhone that records our flights. I am not looking for cash or a sale, just shipping costs. First come, first served.

Here are the promised pics. Installation of these K model yokes required the very slight modification of the old shafts at the area where they meet. Also, the tapered pin used on the old connection between the old yokes and the old shafts was replaced by a nut/bolt combo oriented perpendicular to the old tapered pin holes. I had already felt some slight play in the old combo, but there is none now. The old setup had replaced the PC switch with a PTT, the autopilot diseng, and the A/P alt eng/diseng buttons. The PTT remained on the left side, but the other two were moved to the right of the pilot yoke. A PTT was added to the right of the co-pilot yoke. In flight, I have found that I have to be careful using the controls on the G5 or I may disengage the A/P. I may actually move those two buttons back to the left side of the pilot yoke. Pics are arranged in order of modification to the panel. As purchased. Modified to put the STEC into the panel, instead of into my knee. And added a JPI Added BK AV8OR and timer for situational awareness iPad on the yoke and Trimble TNL 1000 replaced with TNL 2000 Approach (not a real IFR setup). Sirs compass replacing the vibrating Whiskey compass. PS 8000 to replace the Sigtroics Intercom and the Narco Audio Panel. Replaced the Bendix T12C with a KR 87. New smaller vacuum gauge and the ELT replaced with a 406 MHz model. First the G5 and the 480, with the loss of the Narco 810, the Trimble TNL 2000 A, and the DG. Then the new yokes. EI tach on the right (replacing a wildly vibrating mechanical tach) followed by the Sensorcon CO detector and finally, the new yokes. S'all for now.

@aeromancfi New yokes were in great shape. Clarence played with the shafts (my old ones) to get them to fit the newer yokes. Could not use the new shafts. These yokes are not held on by a taper pin, but by a screw. Before we installed the new yokes there was a very small amount of play between the old shafts and yokes. Not anymore. I know I promised pics but it will have to wait till Monday. I promise.

I have been having such good luck doing this for future trips, I thought I would try it for something nearer in time. I have to be in Washington for the 4th and 5th of September to deliver conformity assessment training. If I can avoid the aluminum tube (ie: WX cooperates) I will probably land in Gaithersburg and take the metro to downtown DC on the 3rd. On the 6th, I am wheels up (WX permitting) to go to Manchester, NH for the Mooney PPP, from the 6th to the 9th. Then it is off to Frederick, MD to deliver more conformity assessment training (10-11 Sep) and then back to Gaithersburg late in the afternoon of the 11th to then rent a car and deliver more training in Silver Spring, MD for the 12th and 13th. Wheels up out of Gaithersburg at around 10:00 on the 14th and back to Ute. C-FSWR will in these places on the following dates: 3-6 Sep - KGAI 6-9 Sep - KMHT 9-11 Sep - KFDK 11-14 Sep - KGAI For those going to the Mooney PPP, we will obviously have a bit of time to socialise. My time in Gaithersburg is fairly restricted because I am not staying anywhere near the airport, but my time in Frederick should allow some time for something other than work. Suggestions, given these parameters?

PM'd you with the details.

On the panel for me, using velcro.

@Gary Bymers Clarence's ladies let me know that the cost for shipping is $76.07 Canadian (about $58.00 USD). If you agree, I will tell them to ship ASAP.

Gary: I am sending your details off to Clarence's girls that ship stuff for him. The parts are in his shop. I will tell them air, not ground shipping. Ground shipping involves customs brokerage fees crossing the border in the US (whether or not tarifs are in vogue ) The girls will tell me what Fedex will charge them and I will tell you. If you agree, we can have the box shipped the next day. This OK?

Kewl!! Now that my new yokes are in, I should look at the leather wraps too.

Gary: in order to determine the shipping costs, I am going to need an address, etc. As well, easiest method is for me to pay for the shipping once we have agreed, and you drop that amount into my Paypal acct. This Ok?

Congratulations. Good news and good work. Now for that still small voice of reason that whispers to you the term “IFR.” The instrument endorsement will do two things to help you meet your stated goals of “fly as much as possible.” it will significantly enhance your dispatch rate. And it will keep you out of the “178 seconds to live” crowd when you encounter IMC. Not “if,” but “when.” See https://blog.aopa.org/aopa/2010/10/20/178-seconds-to-live/. Ours is an aircraft type that has serious legs. They are travellin’ machines, unlike a C-150 where 1500 feet in marginal conditions gives somewhat more time to react than in your F model. My story about getting an instrument ticket mirrors your PPL storey, but not as long. I got it in my Mooney and 800 hours (and nine years) later, it has allowed me to make better decisions and better protect my best friend sitting in the right seat. You appear to have made smart choices and good decisions so far. I encourage you to consider this one too. we are a relative few so lucky in our choices of partners, it would be good to meet some day. Perhaps the Caravan or else when/else where.

Bought new yokes for my E model. You get the old yokes and the shafts from the new(er) ones for the cost of shipping.

So the new yokes were installed yesterday on the old shafts. Reasons that the new shafts do not work on my airframe have already been explained by Paul. Pictures to follow. Not out of annual yet. Number 4 vertical exhaust pipe not back from the welder yet.

We are indeed fortunate!!!!

Not sure. Saw the yokes with shafts, but I have not seen the installation yet.

She is the videographer for the Caravan flight. Wingmen are way too busy. They have all promised to not hit their element lead.

Dang spell control!!

Clarence found a set of 231 yokes for me and is installing them as I write this.

Which some of us do...... Just sayin'.....

Well done, Bob and Nancy!!!!!!!!!

I think so too. But I am biased....

Sirs compass? In front of the iPhone lens and between the iPhone and people.......

Bumps will put her to sleep within 5 minutes of takeoff. Aahhhhhh.........