ProprAire

I've experienced the same with my M20J. My mechanic attributed it to leaky engine carry-through bolts. He addressed the issue at annual and the problem went away for awhile but has since returned in far smaller quantities after flights of 2+ hours. Could it be the breather? I usually fill the oil to no more than 6.5 to 7 qts to prevent excess amounts from going overboard.

i'm all about diversification in my Mooney's instrument suite; just like a financial portfolio, better to not have all the eggs in one basket!

Jim, Great shot of the new panel in flight. Congrats on being a very satisfied customer. Couldn't help notice your stock CHT guage was reading a bit low. Mine does the same from time to time. I don't worry about it because the EDM 700 is much more accurate. Dan

RogerL, I just updated my Aspen Customer Portal log with a note that anyone interested in learning more about the Mooney Aspen upgrade experience should check out this string on MooneySpace. I understand Aspen reviews these posts before the actually make it to their website. Hopefully, we'll all soon learn their thoughts on what you've experienced. BTW: I recall the first time I ever saw an Aspen installed in an aircraft (a Centurion). It was in a perpetual reboot mode as a result of a low battery according to the DKK Avionics tech. He said the issue would clear up after a good recharge. Good luck! Dan

George, I'm joining the conversation a bit late but concur 100% with your assessment of why mooney ownership is so much value-added to my life. I too am retired military. Although much of my 28 years were in the space and missile arena, I had the privilege of flying several different types of fast-movers like the T-38, F-16, etc. It was fun but not as relaxing as hopping into my own M-20J with my wife and heading out for a weekend of fun with family & friends.

My '77 J (400 hrs SFOH) had leaky engine carry through bolts that my mechanic addressed with a quick fix during the annual. Prior to that, I was also wiping oil off the the gear doors and dealing with a greasy belly pan. Since the annual, oil consumption is about 1 qt for every 3-4 hours flown. I cruise at 2500 RPM and never fill above 6.5 qts. Anything more and I'm seeing oil dripping out of the breather tube. Dan N201NX

Quote: eaglebkh Some annoying tid-bits... The tapes don't always match the round gauges, which is most annoying with altitude (20-60ft diff). The auto-brightness is too bright at night and always has to be turned down manually. The glideslope indicator is up top in the AI instead of down low in the HSI, but that's just a matter of preference for me, as I'm used to it being down low.

Lew, Sorry to hear about the HSI squawk. As with any potentially expensive repair you're doing the right thing to ask around. I'd get 2-3 quotes and then balance the cost of repairing the status quo with the upgrade to glass. Again, prices seem to be coming down as Aspen and the avionics shops try for more business in the down economy. Update: since the return of my Century IIB A/P to service on 25 May, I've flown 5 cross countries. The Aspen in GPS steering mode drives the aircraft on the straightest tracks I've ever flown. I did some before/after comparisons using flightaware.com to confirm the difference between my hand flying and Aspen GPSS. I also experimented with the Cent IIB in Omni & Nav modes (GPSS off) and found they didn't feel as precise as Hdng Mode with the GPSS active. I also found the system did a great job piloting ILS & GPS approaches.

Quote: rogerl Paid quite a lot for it - $15k out the door (including $1.3k local tax and relocating the ki256 and interfacing with KFC200). Supposed to get $1k rebate from Aspen in a promo, so am expecting $14k. It is only interfaced with my KNS80; supposedly you'd need a second analog converter to also interface to my 170B. I guess for another measly $13k I could have gone G500, but the subscription fees (not to mention the $13k) scared me out of that. Got it done by Santa Fe Aero (http://www.psavionics.com/). Check ebay for some very basic pricing on an install - there's a guy who is doing it for $11k, but I have no experience with him. Santa Fe Aero is a little expensive, but they have done over 20 of them, including one for one of the Aspen company founders' mooney's (don't quote me on the quoting) (which was in the shop when I came in). So far so good; several of the principals used to work in Cutter's aviation dept. in Abq before it was downsized.

Quote: Parker_Woodruff Nice Groundspeed

Quote: Magnum I had to wait 3 months. After 2 weeks the installation was completed, but the STC was not ready. My shop sent me a picture of the installation, so instead of flying I looked at it for 10 weeks :-(. But it is worth to wait, it is a great unit. BTW: My shop told me that they had a couple of complete failures of the Aspen, did someone else have this experience?

Quote: carusoam propr, Very nice installation photograph... Aside from the Aspen portion, I especially like the 19.7 mpg indication while cruising 150+kts level at 9,000. You have really captured the essence of Mooney in one photo. Best regards, -a-

Quote: flyguy241 Dan, I was looking at the picture you posted and I think I noticed you still have the legacy autopilot. What autopilot is it and how well does it work with the Aspen GPSS?

I just took delivery of my '77 M20J from it's annual and had an Aspen Pro EFD installed at KDKK. The work was delayed a couple of weeks due to the shop reducing manpower and they had to go back to Aspen for a replacement remote sensor module. However, the results seem to have been worth the wait. I have about 14 hours behind the unit and am quite pleased with how it performs. I'm interested to know of any nuances, convenience features, etc., anyone may have stumbled on that aren't discussed in the owner's manual.

I agree with Allsmiles. I had my seats refurbed in my 1977 M20J for $1650 back in '06. A Minot, ND upholstery shop replaced the gaudy red leather seats with up-to-date top grain parchment colored leather over fresh foam. It's holding up exceedingly well after four years. I think you should shop around for a better deal on the glass.