scottfromiowa

I flew for the first time today with my newly installed Accu-Trak. Avionics Tech came up with me and I'm glad he did. In addition to installing the Accu-Trak I had them pull a TKM radio and install a used KX155 nav/com. I also had some breakers moved from the last open co-pilot panel hole so I can mount my EI fuel flow. The radio install required movement of center stack trays and subsequent removal of avionics to include the transponder and Garmin 300 XL. CID's primary runway is out of commision (9-27) while whole runway is re-done...to include intersection of 13/31...which will require using taxiway as runway for a period of time...should be "fun"...Important to have com's and transponders functioning... Well on take-off I have no com1 from Garmin and they can't pick up my transponder...sigh. The Brittain worked great starting with left and right turns and tracking by GPS... Tech said Com 1 was working perfect on the ground when I tested it. Anyway, anyone else get visited by Murphy? When one thing is fixed two others crop up?...or is it just me. I'm smiling as I am used to this with airplanes. I think X-Ray just likes the company and high ceiling in the maintenance hanger more than her home in the West T's! Glad I did the Accu-Trak install. There is a nice system (complete) on e-bay right now if anyone is thinking about it. I believe the system is un-used! They plan to get the squaks worked out tomorrow. Happy flying!

Absolutely! Thanks. Same conclusion the avionics tech came to after I had sweated through my shorts removing two outer-most inspection plates. Gotta love Iowa humidity...I'll continue search tomorrow.

Finishing up with my Accu-Trac installation in my '66 E. I would like to take a look at the wing servos. (to check condition) Which inspection panel gains access in the wing? I know it's NOT the two most outboard...I checked...I thought I would ask before pulling any more screws...Thanks for your reply, Scott

O.K. Got it... Ephiphany for me as I could never understand the 24 squared guys...and was doing the same thing at 25 squared based on Bob Kromer's MAPA article that made sense to me. Just "bad" harmonics or whatever at this RPM for Top Prop, but fine for 2600rpm or greater...I will check this out when I get my EI fuel flow installed... I guess we just get "set" in our ways when the engine and prop don't fail at a certain power level...Maybe I will become a 2600 RPM guy since engines are supposed to make TBO at max rated power. Do you notice much more noise at 2600? I have a Bose, but still notice a significant reduction in noise/harmonics when I reduce from 2700rpm (climb) to 2500 in cruise. On another note I recently felt very sheepish as I was going into lean find and pulling mixture to the point of rough run...and enriching 50 degrees...engine monitor (GEM) wouldn't find peak...then I learned that I was always lean of peak when a cylinder peaked (forgot to take off of lean find) when I enriched for decent...Big Homer Simpson DOH!...but I was seeing good ground speed so didn't worry about it...and good fuel flows at my LOP...by accident setting. I was always wondering why I had solid bar accross the top for exhaust gas...and was NOT finding peak EGT, SIGH...result is I am now burning a little more fuel and going faster with 50 degrees rich of peak instead of flying max LOP. Engine seems to perform well at both mixture settings.

That operational restriction on a "Top Prop" for the M20E would be a deal killer for me. I am a 25 squared ( or what I can get with ram air open at altitude) and lean guy in cruise. I run LOP almost always without Gami's. I have NEVER had cylinder temp issues with this setting. Why buy a Mooney to give up speed in cruise for a couple of gallens of fuel and then spend thousands on mods to make it go a couple knots faster...doesn't make sense to me...same as these prop limitations don't make sense.

Really, No worries in cars...I have a Mercedes Benz Don't retract well. I have a VW, Don't retract well, so I have NOT had your excellent experience with inertia reel belts...in automobiles for the added expense. I take NO OFFENSE to OLD school as simple is IS SIMPLE DOES... Enjoy your belts. To others, yes I too enjoy my Johnson bar and flaps...and belts too.

Am I to understand that you can't operate with this prop at 25 squared?

OEM Locks...2 for $65 Why does everyone want a self reeling (inertia) belt? A shoulder belt takes about 1 second to release if you need to lean around the cockpit...How much of that are people doing? The simplicity of a fixed belt...and reduced cost just seems like a no-brainer to me regarding an aircraft seat belt. The only time I release is when I switch tanks. I can reach to back seat and door lock with the belt on. Sell me on these re-reeling shoulder belts...

If the prop/spinner were installed properly then I am sure based on service hours and time since installation the spinner will be replaced at NO CHARGE. If there was installation that was NOT per the procedure then the installer has responsibility to replace spinner. It would seem that aviation should have the spinner figured out by now. (how to manufacture properly with correct materials) to prevent this type of catastrophic failure. I hope you get a good explanation of why this would/did occur in addition to a replacement so you can be confident in the products performance going forward. I hope it works out well for you.

I found fixed shoulder belts a LOT less expensive...same with locks, that keep honest people honest...a pair of OEM locks and keys was about $60.00. Medco are tougher to duplicate, but if someone wants to break into your plane it would take about 30 seconds... I found the shoulder belts and hardware in MOA magazine...issues available online to find them.

Thanks.

Can a rudder be used as an elevator? Can a left or right elevator be flipped and interchanged? Dimensions? Thanks, Scott

That is a lot of plane (avionics are NICE!) for the money. I would proceed! Good Luck!

I agree with other posts that the wing leveler is NOT the problem as you cannot have a failure to shut off if you are pushing the disconnect button/dumping vaccum pressure and by-passing the system...and you still have requirement of unusual control pressure required for level flight. Good luck with resolution...your '66 should track well when trimmed.

The GPS has left and right analog ouputs. The outputs go from gps (track) to Brittain main control (in cockpit has two devices capable, but only can be precision set to one...so GPS and hope VOR also works decently) then electric ouput from Accu-Trak goes to servo where vacuum is adjusted rudder/aileron's and communicates with PC wing leveler...

Actually Rocket Engineering made the "Rocket" that is turbo-charged and Missile Normally Aspirated engine.

That looks like a major instrument blocker...Can you still do a scan from normal viewing position?

Roger, I too hope Droid gets a PC based tablet out there. I "get' what you are saying and having three+ cups of coffee in me I wish someone would tell me to 'relax' too ;<)

I'm NOT getting the whole I-Pad ra ra. I'll just keep getting my weather via my panel mounted 496 with terrain and nav/com info...and music for $50/month. That's 2.5+ years subscription for buy in on an I-pad. I'm a PC NOT a Mac. Those that really like to pay as you go with books, music etc...go crazy with your I-pads. I have an I-pod in my car that I can control through the radio...nice, but having a big i-pad in a cockpit doesn't strike me as user friendly...but I'm VFR and NOT bringing up plates. I look forward to the competition in avionics (Garmin current domination) and portable tablets/laptops (MAC vs. MicroSoft)...Competition is good and as one that doesn't like subscriptions and being nickel and dimed I hope that Garmin gets some REAL competition on weather/XM. Maybe i just need some readers to make my 496 seem I-padriffic? Don't get to upset with me...I'm a technology watcher and second/third gen jumper. Enjoy your I-pads... Scott

Well, I am finally having the Accu-Trak installed this week. The main cockpit control had to go under the panel (just to the left of the cowl flaps) as would NOT fit in center stack...sigh. I had the older (black box round knob) magnetic tracking system in plane, but was inop and I had removed shortly after purchasing. The tech found a small pneumatic bit from this unit (three male air lines, two wires and a 1.5x3" black rectangle shape and mounting bracket. I figure this was from the old unit and did basically the same thing as what I installed with Accu-Trak i.e. provided electric ouput from Accu-Track back to the PC system. I will let those interested in how it goes. I have seen posts for and against Accu-Trak, but here is what I have invested: $700 for Accu-Trak less $150 for selling TC-100 from system or $550 $200 for Brittain to yellow tag Accu-Trak $400 for installation and integration into existing PC Total: $1150 for a GPS controlled heading Tracker Not to bad...If it works.

JAX88. I gladly pay the $50/month, although I wish it were less for Garmin basic weather and music. It has made flying my regular two hour trips with family to cottages and back MUCH safer and relaxing. I still get a briefing, but my last trip I was between two fronts with active weather (backside) about 50 miles east of my home base and another active coming my way. I had a nice little corridor showing on GPS...piece of mind is worth a lot. I am a conservative pilot and the 496 helps in summer when convective stuff "pops". I/we once launched with weather just south of mid-point (LaCrosse, WI) You could see the weather, but the 496 showed LaCrosse clear while enroute...piece of mind. I believe if you got it for a month and tried it (also shows cloud cover depicted) you would NOT go back. Another tool in the toolbox, and if you already own the 496 NOT a big deal to enable it. Thanks everybody for your feedback so far. Sorry for the "not the best" wording on the pole. I have already learned some GOOD stuff on ADS-B that I did not know prior. Scott

1966 M20E: VFR Pilot-472 Hours Total Time, 369 in type. $65,000 Hull Value $1M/100 Liability $250 deductible in Motion-$50 NOT in Motion Annual Premium: $1,294.00 Carrier: Global Aerospace Agent:

Check the MOA website. In the "back issues" there is an extensive article on gear warning. This is the radar "ground proximity" type that gives a voice through the headset...

Hey Scott... made me laugh on that one...

As a general aviation pilot flying out of a rarely busy Class C airspace (Cedar Rapids, IA) I am NOT happy about FAA's upcoming requirements for ADS-B. The cost to benefits for general aviation seem VERY SMALL. I get it in Class B and higher airspace, based on congestion and use by heavies but these costs are going to drive more OUT of General Aviation...for what benefit to me?