Awful_Charlie

I've just been given 1500EUR for an IRAN on the standard M prop - if they find something horrendous in there, I will probably go 4blade MT, but waiting to hear back from Erik how his is working out :-)

Comparing an Aspen with a KI300 is a bit like comparing a Mooney with a C152 ;-) Yep, there are some features that are similar, but it's not really a like for like comparison. I'm actually looking at putting one it to go *with* my Aspen - that way I get a second horizon (fulfils the Aspen requirement), can junk the vacuum system (25lbs useful back - yay!), and it works out at a similar cost to getting the Aspen EA100 adapter

I had the same concern some time ago, and not being happy with the spirit level method, got a length of clear pipe from the hardware shop, filled it with water and tapep it to the wing tips. a bit of juggling in the hangar (which has a slight ramp at one end) got the water levels the same at both wing tips, and prove dthat my Aspen was correct and the balance ball was about a1/3rd out. Sometime I'll get round to enlarging/slotting the mounting holes for the backup horizon, but in the meantime I just know where it should sit.

Thanks Todd. I was hoping to find someone who had actually installed one rather than just taking the company's word for it, as according to the salesman it will make me tea too! I was considering keeping the KI256 and vacuum system and having a switching unit put in for a length of time so as to be above to 'prove' the EA100 as well as have a backup, but it seems this will add an AMU or so to the install, which I feel is a rather a lot for something I want to rip out anyway

Has anyone got any direct experience of the EA100, preferably on a longbody with a KFC/KAP150. I'm considering pulling the trigger on one myself so I can junk the two vacuum pumps and associated plumbing, as well as the KI256. I've heard some people had a few pitch problems with the units, and like the PFD, the early units seem to have been somewhat unreliable, but there seems to be little recent experience. Now I've got to go to the $$$$$ gadget shop to get my radios sorted out, this would be an opportunity to get it all done in one visit

Welcome Cyril I'm a long way south and east I'm afraid, and on-call this weekend, so can't help you here, but for sure the north coast has some great spots. If you can get up the coast a bit towards Caen there are all the D-day beaches, museums and memorials - each with their own features for a pause for thought. Have a great trip

Uber is under all sorts of pressure in Europe, France has just arrested a couple of Execs and banned the Uberpop service. I have a couple of friends here in Zurich who use it and like it, but having managed to get used to avoiding taxis (as they're so damn expensive!) I haven't bothered signing up yet. I do wonder about the legaity of the Skyuber service though - wondered about getting some gas vouchers back!

Rather than clutter up CAV's thread, I'll send you a PM

Even Lawyers need to earn enough to fly too!

After a freezing rain encounter

Congrats on the purchase - you've got yourself a great toy Assuming you have the KFC150 autopilot, spend a couple of evenings with the manual. It is just about all in there, and there were a few things that were odd to me coming from as a Century/S-Tec user.Some things: *MUST* self test before flight (if you try it in flight, be prepared for some uncomfortable pitch changes) CWS has different actions depending on if the autopilot, FD or neither is engaged Electric Trim control is another autopilot disengage The Autopilot disengage button is a source of many problems (you won't find that in the manual!) Entering Approach mode a little late can make the aircraft climb to a glideslope (or that one!) KAS297 pre-select has a rather 'odd' way of remembering VS settings

http://www.redbull.com/us/en/motorsports/stories/1331729837907/red-bull-barnstorming-action-clip-video Think I might have to tidy up my hangar a bit before attempting anything like that!

that sucks Bob - I do hope you get some recompense from the shop or their insurance, but at least as you have realised, you're here telling us about it which is far more important.

I think Peter may be onto something with that unit. Just looked it up, and there is a 24V version too :-) I was wondering if a long evaporator in the overhead vent supply tube would be able to absorb enough heat, and then a small network of pipes in the tail cone could radiate the heat through the skin. If the numbers worked, then those compressors are about 2lbs each, say 20 feet of 1/4" aluminium tube would be a similar, and a few controls and power cable would hopefully keep it within about 6lbs - which happens to be the weight of a charlie weight! Weight down the back, but doing something useful rather thank just carting it about

I've got a Garmin 480, which I have to retire due to EU 8.33kHz requirements. On the basis that Garmin are doing nothing for me in terms of upgrade (rip it out and get a 750 as their response) I thought I'd go with something that doesn't lock me in to proprietary interfaces and will be less likely to break my other equipment (eg Aspen) when the unit software gets updated (look at the voiceflight fiasco). With the world (well, France certainly) gradually moving towards GNSS approaches and away from the ILS it wouldn't make sense to install a non-LPV type device, and the impending PBN requirements for SIDs and STARs really mean an SBAS receiver is the minimum spec

Good stuff Frank - there are a few of us on this side of the pond - check the mooney map out (if you haven't already). I'm impressed you operate out of 600m of grass on a regular basis - a Bravo isn't blessed with the shortest of take of runs, and that would always required departing on partial fuel I think. I'm based at LFGB, and if you fancy it the coming weekend, we have our annual 'Charcroute' on the Friday/Saturday/Sunday - if you like the food and wine of Alsace come on down - no lights, IAP or customs, but we do have 1000m of tarmac and a warm welcome! July after the 10th is good for me weekdays or weekends, otherwise week days are consumed by the job. Weekends can be a bit hit and miss as they get booked up in advance!

Woo hoo! Great news. Looking forward to a shiny new 540 and 440 soon then!

Certainly up for that if the dates fit

I currently have a KFC150 running via an Aspen with a KAS297, and together they do most of the 'normal' stuff quite well (apart from a moderate wing rock that I need to get looked at..). However, one of my biggest worries is hypoxia (particularly when up over FL200), and my standard SOP on levelling is to set a lower pre-select altitude with a highish RoD (about 700fpm) such that if I realise I have a problem, I just have to press the two buttons to get out of it (I reckon I've got a better chance of doing that than finding/donning/operating a backup O2 set). I've often been thinking of something to automate the hitting of the buttons if it doesn't get a manual response periodically, but as all this information would be available to a DFC, is there any chance that this sort of functionality could be built in? To me that would be more valuable than envelope protection (already on the pre-order list for a 540/440 combo!)

Thanks Erik - I'll look forward to the full report when the spinner is changed (and you've finished celebrating your anniversary - congrats on that too)

Ooooh - likey likey! Looking forward to the pirep when you're ready Erik - I could do with the CofG movement (and the lbs!) but I'm not prepared to give up much to get it! (ok, I know I'm gonna be giving up Avgas vouchers)

I got over 10 years out of the last pair of G243's - They were getting a bit weak, so have replaced with another G243 and a CRG. The first is just coming up for a year old now, so way too early to be in a position for a comparison, but if you search the forums here you'll find lots of posts with varying experience. Either care of them, quality control, or something else has to be involved with the hugely varying way they perform and last.

Yes, SMGCS sees transponders in Ground mode, I don't know ASDE-X, but I expect it also sees them

If you have a "Ground" mode, then that is good enough for SMGCS. If it has been wired up correctly, it will start in "Ground" mode, change itself to "airborne" at take off, and then switch back to ground after a delay. The switching can be done by GPS ground speed, a 'Weight on Wheels" (WOW) switch, or by an airspeed switch.