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One A&P had a theory that the 12" lead for the connector from the battery to the battery minder plug was the source of the drain while flying. This doesn't make any sense to me. Has anyone had any similar issue? Why doesn't it make sense? I'm not a EE, and I leave it to those on the forum to correct me, but: Unless the BM has a rectifying diode, current can flow from ship's power to the BM when it's not plugged in to an AC source. I have a BM hard-wired in, and (almost) always disconnect the quick connector before flight. The one time in several years that I forgot, and then parked without AC power, the battery was dead within 3 days.

Quote Shadrach: I tend to agree about the risks, but I would not judge someone who felt that they had adequately contemplated and prepared for those risks, unless it was revealed that they'd been negligent. First, I judged no one. I merely pointed out some hazards of high-altitude flight that I believe pertinent. I do, however, strongly believe in Saturday-night quarterbacking--as well as the Monday-morning sort. Second, I don't give a hoot if folks make informed choices that result in them making unintended purchases of farm land. I hate it, though, when they take innocents with them. Third, how fast a M20 will dive is conjectural, and I wouldn't, without an ejection seat, care to test its limits. And how much forward pressure is required when the modest nose-down trim runs out? And that's if the individual is still coherent.

I hate to sound curmudgeonly, but I think flying a Mooney into the Flight Levels is, for most people, playing with fire. Our O2 equipment is primitive (laughable by military/airline standards); and, I suspect most pilots haven't had altitude training (not to mention recurrent chamber rides). And how quickly could you get down with, say, an inflight fire? There's also the temptation to top wx you shouldn't be overflying--with no escape route. The USAF--with full masks and diluter-demand/100% O2 equipment maintained by pros and tested before each flight--restricts unpressurized flight to FL250, as do Part 121 regs for air carriers. And this is for equipment that can generate descent rates greater than 4000 FPM. I've never been accused of excessive caution in aviation matters, but I believe this is an area that warrants considerable trepidation. Scott(fromiowa) put it best with his laconic post: No thank you. Happy New Year.

Last spring, on a flight from MD to the Florida panhandle, headwinds were strong above 2000 ft AGL. I flew the first 300 NM at 1000 ft AGL (+|-) with a tailwind, skimming ridges in VA and NC. No FAR's broken, time and fuel saved. And nice scenery. Buzzards, hawks and geese are the biggest threat, so it's not the time to have your head in the cockpit. YMMV

Holocaust Museum deserves a spot (well) ahead of the Native American or Women's Museums. Vietnam Memorial. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. http://moneyfactory.gov/wdctourtickets.html

Sorry, Jose, I still disagree--at least in practice. Theoretically, massive static leak in the cabin, i.e., a disconnected line, just might give a slightly high indication if the cabin were underpressurized, which, in a Mooney, I can't see happening. Most likely, the cabin pressure would be slightly greater than at the flush static port, hence a lower A/S indication. Theory vice practice.

Quote: Piloto Before replacing the ASI verify its connection to the static line. A leak on the static line can cause an erroneus air speed indication. Jose

Why does a stopped prop create less drag than a windmilling one? ------------- The prop blades are airfoils. When windmilling and not rotating fast enough they are aerodynamically stalled. A stalled airfoil makes less lift than one that is not. A windmilling prop's "lift" is drag to the airframe. Clear as mud?

Quote: mooney2201 has anyone had a gpss steering assist put one their kfc200,autopilot,which brand,and how well does it work

Take a look at www.aerosheep.com

Deleted. RMS

Quote: Shadrach

GUMPS? For me it's Gear, Gear, Gear. The rest are optional details. http://airplanepilot.blogspot.com/2005/03/cute-but-useless-mnemonics.html Flame away.

Looks like four Twin Cams.

Quote: jetdriven How many people here have $50,000 Tahoe's and Sea Ray boats. I'm just saying, I got my wife a 201 instead of a new BMW 335i.

Quote: allsmiles Before you know it you're going to be old and gray. I know when I get there I will never regret the things I did. Only what I didn't do!

Why would you say that?

I know interest rates are low, but, IMO, unless the plane is used for business, if you can't pay cash for it, and you don't absolutely need (as opposed to want) it, you shouldn't get it.

Sounds like my wife. She's got the most power, the controls are smooth and worked in and she flies the smoothest. She's also very well maintained.

With turbulence, heavy rain, and virga nearby, these fools are just lucky they didn't encounter a severe downdraft or microburst--unrecoverable in a recip, save probably an Extra or P-51.

José is certainly correct. FWIW, FF increases 11% for a 2.2% increase in speed. You pays your money and takes your choice.

Quote: Piloto Doing the math the most you will get of this mod is an extra 7kts and 200 fpm. José

I must respectfully disagree with George Perry’s assertions that: “… I don't think military leadership is touchy feely at all. We hold one another to a standard. Depart from that standard and the punishment is swift and irrevocable.” First, the military is highly politically correct. It follows orders (operational and philosophical), which come from the civilian leadership. The failure, in 1991, of the flag officers of all the services to “fall on their swords” over the travesty of Tailhook was an example of PC at the highest levels. (It could be argued, though, that Adm Mullen and the JCS’s recent kitten-like capitulation over DADT now holds the prize.) The most tragic case of military PC is how the Army handled Maj Nidal Hasan. As GenJack Keane testified, the military "failed to deal with radicalization" as Hasan's "open displays of violent Islamist extremism was a violation of military rules," and (he) should have been discharged. Second, that “my service has fired 23 Senior leaders for various lapses in judgment” can indicate a process of promotion and selection for command that has been vitiated by PC. Would Capt Holly Graf or Cmdr Etta Jones been selected for command, were it not for PC? Third, punishment is not always swift. Capt Graf had a long history of erratic, bizarre, and sub-standard performance but retired as an O-6 last year (six years after being relieved of command), despite a panel of three admirals having recommended she be cashiered. (Of course, it helps to have an admiral for an older sister.) Fourth, I am certainly no apologist for drunken driving, but relieving a highly experienced officer with combat experience for a DWI sacrifices the mission and personnel safety on the altar of PC. Fifth, Babbit, though he “was resigned,” not fired, isn’t, to my knowledge, being paid. Pardon the rant. It’s rainy and cold in the NE.

Certainly interested, but it all depends on when and where.