tony

Brad, all I can say is I'm sorry. I wish you could find a partner to share the expenses and labor with you. From the pictures you posted, there looks like a lot of potential there. After the tank seal, the engine, you'll still need to deal with the 2020 mandates.

I agree with Paul. Throw a ferry tank in and get it out of there. Bring it to someone who actually knows what they are doing and wants to help you. If this was ten years ago, I'd be all over this. Dan I hate to be harsh but you really need to budget at least 5K-10K of maintenance costs every year if your'e not going to do some of the work yourself. Some years more, some less. No matter how much you researched this plane you need to remember its still 50 years old. Things break all the time. Rubber things rot, bearing surfaces rust, paint flakes off, plastic parts get brittle. Things just break. That's why its called a "mooney pit". A hanger is almost a necessity and if the airplane sits outside things happen faster. You had to know when you bought this airplane that an engine change is imminent. You might get another two perhaps three years but that's why you got the airplane for the price you did. That will cost you another 30K. If you had a partner or two to share the costs, I think you'd be making different choices. I'm sorry your decision is to sell, but you have to do whats right for you. The next airplane you own will have different but similar issues.

That plane looks really nice from the pictures. I'm sure its a very messy and time consuming job but I just don't see it taking a great deal of skill. God I hope we can keep it away from the grim reaper

why don't you attempt to strip and seal it yourself?

If you take off the pilots inspection/ avionics panel in front of the glare shield, you will see the two fittings on the side wall. That's where the red and green tubing start. It runs behind the pilots side panels to behind the pilots side panel in the luggage compartment. behind that panel you will find Tee Fittings. This we where it splits off and goes to the wings. Hope that helps.

If you spend the 10K to get a set of googles, I'd be willing to bet that your cockpit is not NVIS compliant. Any normal light in the cockpit will cause the NVGs to bloom and you wouldn't be able to see a thing.

I think this is what you need. 21.9(a)(5) Sec. 21.9[Replacement and modification articles.][(a) If a person knows, or should know, that a replacement or modification article is reasonably likely to be installed on a type-certificated product, the person may not produce that article unless it is--(1) Produced under a type certificate;(2) Produced under an FAA production approval;(3) A standard part (such as a nut or bolt) manufactured in compliance with a government or established industry specification;(4) A commercial part as defined in Sec. 21.1 of this part;(5) Produced by an owner or operator for maintaining or altering that owner or operator's product; or(6) Fabricated by an appropriately rated certificate holder with a quality system, and consumed in the repair or alteration of a product or article in accordance with part 43 of this chapter.(b) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, a person who produces a replacement or modification article for sale may not represent that part as suitable for installation on a type-certificated product.(c) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, a person may not sell or represent an article as suitable for installation on an aircraft type-certificated under Sec. Sec. 21.25(a)(2) or 21.27 unless that article--(1) Was declared surplus by the U.S. Armed Forces, and(2) Was intended for use on that aircraft model by the U.S. Armed Forces.]

Well isn't that an "up yours" from the FAA. Any physician who reads the form isn't going to sign that. It's requiring the physician to make a judgement about something they probably know nothing about. Guess I'll be seeing my AME for a long time.

I believe the plan is they will both be released simultaneously. Simpson??

All I know is when I asked my personal physician to write a letter stating my BP was stable, they freaked out when they heard pilot, flying and AME. They refuse to author the letter. That was 2 years ago. So I get it, they were ignorant, but it is what it is. I can just imagine whats going to happen when I ask them to sign a form. I can hear the questions now. why do I have to sign the form? Whats it for? who are you sending it to? Where is it going? etc ...... The medical profession practices defensive medicine. They are so afraid of litigation. Cruser is right, we just need to wait and see.

yea, that was Bob's friend.

I think the two AME's are spot on. Time will tell.

If its free, you could always install it and when you have the money, slide out the 530 and slide in a 540.

Congratulations and best of luck with the new Job, George. Are you staying in the DC area?

the same extra wire will give you the standby audio and the special alerts. It would be money well spent Paul and I think you will be tickled with the results.

Paul, if you are going to have some avionics work done, have them add the extra wire for the special alerts and tones from the 540 to the 450. You'll be glad you did. The best one I like is the tones that are played for the Top of descent. And the 500 foot callout is cool too.

Just think of the educational experience. You wont over tighten it again...... We've all been there done that Oscar. That's happened to me once or twice.

Maybe he's going to work for Donald Trump.

I wish Paul a speedy recover and I wish Paul and Sherry a relaxing stress free retirement. I do hope someone with the passion takes advantage of this opportunity. I have always tried to steer business their way. LASAR is a resource that the older Mooney community can't afford to loose.

I think I would like them. Is an EZ tow the same as a power tow? I picked up a power tow 35 that I'm fixing up and I think I need these. You wouldn't happen to have a part number would you?

I kind feel orphan by the factory, doesn't matter if they are there or not. The only real support I ever got was from LASAR.

rolling my eyes, makes you wonder doesn't it? I tried calling the factory twice in my 8 years of ownership. Both instances were a complete waste of time.

Oh, I've seen that post so many times, I thought it was spam.

you are correct! I learn something new everyday. So you can remove the pump. from the 2A3: NOTE 24: Aircraft models that originally were certified with vacuum powered attitude systems that have those systems replaced with a non-vacuum powered attitude system: If the Primary Attitude system has been replaced with an FAA Approved STC’d installation that meets the requirements of 14 CFR 23.1303(f)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi), 23.1311(a)(1)(2)(5)(6)(b)(c), 23.1321(a)((c)(d)(1), 23.1331(a)(b)(1)(2)(c), thereby leaving no operational systems dependent on a Primary or Standby (if equipped) Vacuum system, then the Primary and Standby (if equipped) Vacuum pumps and associated lines, manifolds, etc may be removed from the aircraft. Refer to engine manufacturer’s instructions of removal and capping off of engine driven vacuum pumps.

I bought the same one. I love it.