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Everything posted by donkaye
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A G5 or GI 275 and a GFC 500 and you're all set with your dream autopilot from a company that won't let you down. You only have to set in a second altitude for the Aspen if you want. There are several people who have done that, and for the Eagle you couldn't do better.
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GFC500 certification is complete for E model
donkaye replied to Wes's topic in Vintage Mooneys (pre-J models)
I don't know where that posting is, but one way to pay for a Mooney is through flight instructing. I've earned a lot more than the cost of my airplane doing that, helping other people, and having a lot of fun doing it. -
So Long, Farewell, Auf Weidersehen, Goodbye
donkaye replied to Bob - S50's topic in General Mooney Talk
Ditto that for me, too. -
GFC500 certification is complete for E model
donkaye replied to Wes's topic in Vintage Mooneys (pre-J models)
In your first post, if you're referring to ESP when the AP is off: banks between 45° and 60° turn the roll servo on with increasing torque with increasing bank to "nudge" you back to less than 30° of bank; pitching up +20° or down -15° does the same thing with pitch, "nudging" you back with increasing torque with increasing pitch in the positive or negative direction; and finally when airspeed is above 196 knots or less than 75 knots the pitch servos will "nudge" you back to within the airspeed limitations. If you exceed any of the above limitations for more than 10 seconds, the AP turns on in LVL mode to bring you back to straight and level flight with 0° of roll and 0 fpm vertical speed. It's pretty slick. It CAN be disabled from the G5 (and 2 other ways) for practicing maneuvers such as the Commercial Maneuvers. I was initially confused by the ESP because there is another feature that operates when the AP is on. ESP works with the AP off. Overspeed speed and Underspeed Protection works with the AP on. LVL works all the time. -
GFC500 certification is complete for E model
donkaye replied to Wes's topic in Vintage Mooneys (pre-J models)
Unlike Beechtalk where quotes can be layered to 3 deep, Mooneyspace only goes one level. I tried to only get the relevant quote, not concerned with who said it. It would be nice if Mooneyspace could go down another level or two. -
GFC500 certification is complete for E model
donkaye replied to Wes's topic in Vintage Mooneys (pre-J models)
You're joking, of course? -
Garmin G3X Touch, G5, GFC 500 autopilot, Avidyne IFD 540
donkaye replied to Shawn26's topic in Avionics/Panel Discussion
The 750 Xi will get you VNAV with the GFC 500. You'll also grow to love it, too. -
TruTrak Autopilot Pre Order's / Status Update
donkaye replied to Jeev's topic in Avionics/Panel Discussion
Well, that's embarrassing. My apologies to those waiting for certification of the GFC 500. My comments were referring the AeroCruze which always seemed to be dragged out with promises. -
TruTrak Autopilot Pre Order's / Status Update
donkaye replied to Jeev's topic in Avionics/Panel Discussion
Many years ago I remember an organization promising to fund a real estate project I was working on. I felt it was worth the risk of the $5,000 upfront fee. Their interest rate was considerably lower than that of a known entity. I wishfully waited and waited, all the while the slick broker kept promising it was coming. I finally had the courage to give up on them and went with the known entity and completed a successful project. Do you guys get the message? For the past year and a half (after I got the initial bug worked out) I have enjoyed a remarkable first class next generation autopilot by a Company who puts out and supports great products. Can you "waiters" say the same thing? Life is passing you by. -
Does wealth inhibit ones ability to instruct?
donkaye replied to NJMac's topic in Miscellaneous Aviation Talk
So, success in life does inhibit flight instructing to some extent. I will not teach the Private because I am not in the plane at all times. Up until a year ago, I always was named an additional insured with waiver of subrogation. With tightening by the insurance companies, in spite of my experience, yearly Basic and Advanced Wings Program participation, being a Gold Seal CFI, a 10 time Master with both NAFI and SAFE (20 Years), due to age I have not been able to get the additional insured and waiver in most cases. I do have CFI Insurance with SAFE at a reasonable rate (a Group Policy) but there is a hull limit. I have had to turn down several transition trainings in the more expensive airplanes, in particular Mark Brandemuehl, which still makes me angry and sad at the insurance company. I just couldn't convince them to put me on his policy even with a prophetic email to them. I'm told he received very good instruction, so maybe training with me would not have made a difference in his outcome, but... I do love instructing. I've devoted the last 26 years of my life and over 6,300 hours to it, so I will continue to teach (and keep detailed records of what is done on each flight of any training) as long as I am in the airplane and it's cost would be mostly covered by my CFI policy. -
Steve, you probably are already aware that the latest system update for the G500 TXi has a box for GPS Altitude above Terrain for Altitudes below 2,500 feet.
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Do you really want an announcement above 70 feet? I could have had either, but chose the 70 foot one due to possible annoyance. ( Edit: After reading some of the comments, I changed to the 100' unit).
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I thought I had it all. Then this. I just ordered one.
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Yes. When I had the ESI 500, which was a great backup, I chose not to have the MAG500, but got heading from the G500 GMU 11. I didn't want to always have the 2 headings not align by a few degrees. In the unlikely event that the basic PFD fails, the reversion to TRK works just fine for the short amount of time necessary to get on the ground and have the main unit repaired.
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That's actually a good thing. Switch off the G500/G500Txi and you still have your autopilot without Heading (unless you installed an extra GMU 11 with the G5). I've tested it and it works perfectly.
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Learning what G275 message from GFC500 means
donkaye replied to flysamo's topic in Avionics/Panel Discussion
The display is not the important thing here. That message is relative to the GFC 500. So the AFMS for the GFC 500 is the place to look. -
Learning what G275 message from GFC500 means
donkaye replied to flysamo's topic in Avionics/Panel Discussion
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You're not going to fly automatic holding patterns without GPSS. It's so beneficial that I would immediately run down to your friendly avionics shop and have the DAC 31 installed. They're reasonably inexpensive, and after you use it for awhile, you'll wonder why you didn't get it sooner.
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Garmin GFC 500 AP for C, D, E Mooneys
donkaye replied to Greg Ellis's topic in Vintage Mooneys (pre-J models)
When it comes to airplanes, it's foolish to think in terms of resale value in my opinion. Figure the plane itself is worthless after you buy it. Then do whatever your pocketbook will allow to make the flying experience the best it can be. Having an autopilot like the GFC 500 is one of those luxuries. And if you did sell a plane where the GFC 500 comprised a good portion of the resale value, you don't think the plane would get back a good part of the cost, not even considering how much faster it would sell? I'm finding a lot better perspective on life comes with increasing age where time and doing the things that make you happy is much more valuable than money. -
Yes, The AFMS details emergency procedures, the main one of which is to push the AP Disconnect Switch.
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At this point in my flying career I go for efficiency, with that dependent on weather. Really knowing the VFR and IFR rules makes the decision fairly simple. If I'm going to San Diego, for example, from San Jose and the weather is good, to save time from filing a route to go around Lemoore NAS I'll pre-file IFR from LHS, a VOR just before LA Airspace, and go VFR to there where I pick up the IFR. I won't fly VFR in LA Airspace unless I'm working with a Student. Coming back I file IFR, then near LA ask for a direct route instead of the delay going V459. That is usually denied. I then ask for VFR on Top and often get it. If that is denied, I just cancel IFR, get Flight Following, and go the way I want to, assuming the weather is VFR. A couple of weeks ago I needed to go over to Reid Hillview to get the plane washed. The smoke was so thick that it was IFR and 2½ miles at San Jose. I asked for a special VFR over to KRHV. Usually that works well, since KRHV is only 5 miles from KSJC. After waiting 20 minutes, I gave up and got an IFR over there. That was one time I should have just filed in the first place. Bottom line, use both VFR and IFR and Special VFR in the most efficient manner to get you what you want in a safe manner. Note that when you change to VFR on Top on an IFR Clearance you give up something, the separation provided on a Hard Altitude IFR Clearance.
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The M20C airspeed numbers in MPH can be used for the E, however, the MP numbers need to change to establish those speeds. For more detailed information go to my website and download the AirVenture 2019 Handout. (www.donkaye.com)
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Well PilotFun101, you did a good job with your video, not so much with your demonstration of landing technique. This critique is from a flight instructor's point of view. You flew by the "seat of your pants", not in any way, shape or form with the precision or technique I like to teach. Basically you flew with no discipline. You worked too hard. This comes from flying an undisciplined pattern. In short your power settings were all over the chart, your gear timing and flap settings were inappropriate, your slope varied, your aim point was too long, and your transition speed was too fast so you touched down long. I've attached the way a disciplined pattern should be flown in the C Model. When you get the time, I'd like to see another video flown per the below description. Good luck. Very nice panel!
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TruTrak Autopilot Pre Order's / Status Update
donkaye replied to Jeev's topic in Avionics/Panel Discussion
How often do you really think this would be a problem? How about rarely, if ever. I've had my GFC 500 for over a year now and never once had an issue with an ILS. This is like always flying a high final requiring a high descent rate because you're afraid of losing your engine, then more often screwing up the flare because of the unstable approach. It defies common sense. You missed out on a free install and a great autopilot. Did I know of the issue when I had mine installed? Yes, and I couldn't wait to have it installed. I haven't been sorry in the least. -
Scan is so much easier than with the legacy instruments. It's all done in a single glance. Steep turns, sometimes difficult for some, can be flown to the foot with the flight path marker. Regarding first and second derivative of the position angle, the G500 TXi has a somewhat analog version with a needle that makes climbs and descents to a given altitude absolutely as simple as a standard VSI, which is key to smooth roundouts to an altitude. No other needles are really necessary to good IFR flying in my opinion. Now working on some Commercial Maneuvers are easier with analog instruments because you are looking at rate of movements of the needles to make maneuvers like the Chandelle and Lazy 8 work out perfectly. Rate of movement of number changes is more difficult. Check out the VSI below.