jelswick

I think it might come down to what your replacing too. My J already had electric trim, so it wasn't a consideration in the AP replacement. The STec30 is definitely more capable than the basic Century 21 AP that was in my aircraft, so not a comparison to function of someone with something like a KFC 200. Penn Avionics and a few others I researched had a great article on the risks in repair of old autopilots. If something is old enough that it is failing in the system and you start down the line troubleshooting all of those items in an AP system, even if not yet failed, many of those parts may be found to be aged/worn out enough to require replacement during the troubleshooting process and that can possibly quickly get to the price of a new STec. For a KFC 200 or similar, that logic might not hold, but for an Century 21 or similar, I wouldn't have to replace too many parts before I'd wish I'd splurged for the new AP. There just wasn't that much capability to try to hold onto to start with. Where did they come up with these AP names anyway? Century 21 has me thinking real estate and KFC 200 is making fried chicken sound like good breakfast food today...

My Century 21 went on the blink and worked great if you wanted to turn right, e.g. turning 270 degrees meant the long way around. I replaced it with an STec 30 in January along with install of the Aspens and thrilled with it so far. I'd had an STec 20 before in my C and was very pleased with that and just liking that much more now having the altitude hold. I'd read that you can spend a fortune (cost of installing an STec) in troubleshooting and fixing parts as you go along through the diagnosis of the old A/P's issues, so I decided to forego that risking only finding out it was time to replace my '81 era autopilot. Pricey, but glad to have the new equipment with better capability onboard now.

I'm perfectly happy with my 430W's comm performance and use it most of the time as my primary navcom, but I do find the comm on my KX-165 is noticeably clearer. So, I wouldn't say Garmin Comm in the 430 navigators is bad by any stretch, a good radio, but King seems stronger in that regard the same way I like Garmin's GPS better than the King ones I've flown behind. That one is just personal preference though for Garmin.

My reseal was done by the prior owner in 2005. It was advertised as always hangared and since I've owned it (2007) it always has been hangared and fuel at least 1/2 full when put away, so I'm thinking that isn't the culprit in the developing leaks.

I would have suggested the Aspen too. I have it and love it, but looks like this discussions already been there and done that. Good luck!

Thank Jim and Scott!

Does anyone have any idea how long the Weep No More process should last before requiring reseal? That was one of the buying decisions for my J as it had just been done in November 2005 (bought it in 2007) and just under 6 years since that reseal my mechanic is telling me it's getting close to where it's going to require reseal again from what is showing up around some rivots and I'm seeing some fuel staining by one of the gascolators. Not sure I want to have that done again if it's an every 6 year process unless that is normal. I'm thinking possibly the bladders when I have to break down and do this. How much are the O&N bladders for the 64 gallon option? Sounds like they might last longer.

Wow! One of those was almost unrecognizable as an aircraft other than the fact that it had an N Number on it. Sad for those owners...

No votes for Ohio in here? C'mon! We have good IFR and low level ice practice many months of the year! NASA didn't put their ice research center here for no good reason! And if ever an engine out, the worst case in most places is a landing in a field instead of between trees or mountains.

I'll be there weather willing and my 11 year old son would shoot me if we didn't make it. This will be his 2nd year and he tells me every week how many days are left to AirVenture. I'd really love to be there opening day to see REO Speedwagon open the event, but we usually end up there Thurs-Sun. We're both also craving a Friar Tuck's meal! Can't wait!

Scott, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I had the Nu Lites installed in my '63C and loved them, so when I bought my J, out came the post lights except I believe one the installer left and in went Nu Lites again. I've had no issues with them ever and love the clean look they give the panel and lighting. Good luck on the install!

Hmmmm...Okay. I'm a parent and a pet owner; will have to get back to you on the lazy part, a little busy right now...

I agree Kerry, but I've also left my Mooney in some mighty fine locations (Sportys in Batavia, OH, KCRW in WV, etc.) to drive the last hour or two because I didn't beat the weather home and been very thankful in the car that I didn't risk trying to push my luck in what turned out really horrible weather. It stinks when what you described happens, but always better to err on the side that guarantees you'll get to fly another day.

Amen Jose. I'm right there with you on that one and appreciate my parents understanding when that was appropriate for my own good even though I know it was hard for them (well, maybe not so hard with a few of the reasons it came to that! ). Discipline when appropriate when young equals not much need for discipline later.

Agree with Parker. That's a beautiful paint job on Gary's J and like what they did with one of the trim lines which makes it unique. And it will soon have a great matching interior.

I was in Scottsdale about a month ago and even though I didn't have my Mooney there, I wanted to check out their GA airport in case I get an opportunity to come back out there in 45T. Scottsdale's is a fairly busy, beautiful GA airport, even has a great terminal that would make you think you were in a large commercial airport (less the inconveniences that go with those). I wish our airport at KDLZ was 1/2 as nice as that one! It is also very convenient and easily accessable if you need to be on that side of town. Have a good trip.

Ha! Too funny Jose and I thought the same thing when I first saw that on here. I'm guessing that just means someone failed to specify their gender in their profile. If not sure about what gender you are, then a whole lot of other things become a question too I would imagine.

I don't know how Air Mods in Houston compares to Air Mods in Batavia, OH (Sporty's airport), but the one in Batavia would run you about that $20K and while when I refinished my last two interiors I had to go to other shops because I couldn't justify a $20K interior, Air Mods is probably one of the best in the country. We sold a few planes done by them and I've yet to see nicer interiors. You open the door on an aircraft they've done and you know who did the interior; they're that good! And they don't just recover, they normally do new aluminum as well to mount the interior to. Take a look at the photos in the link and at the Mooneys and other models. Their cloth interiors are nicer than most leather interiors I've seen. They're unique and I'm sure that's why AOPA has used them to redo interiors. If I ever hit the numbers and money is no object for me, I'd have them do my Mooneys interior in a heartbeat, but for now, I go to shops that are in the $5-7K range and that's also what we expected when having airplanes refinished in prep to sell.

post by parker woodruff re-log in

Would love to see that one! Thanks for sharing it George!

I had this happen with two of the planes we had listed for customers. The worst was someone that had taken the exact wording and photos from the ad we had on Trade A Plane, or Controller or one of those, was smart enough to learn a little about the registration on the aircraft and then listed it on eBay. A few people had Googled the tail number, saw we had it listed and emailed me to ask me if the ad was legit. It was a very sharp C150 that was at about $25K and they were putting it on eBay for $8K with shipping anywhere in the US included in the price. They said the owner (had his name correct) had passed away and they inherited the plane and needed to sell it because they didn't fly. I contacted the advertising company as well as FBI and they said there were so many of these scams that they were not worth pursuing. It usually led to someone out of the country where they couldn't pursue it and their government wouldn't. They take peoples deposit or full payment and the scam ends with no airplane (or boat, car or whatever they're scamming) being produced for multiple buyers. Sickening people would do that to other people, but if your gut tells you it's a scam, it probably is and better to err on the side of caution.

Love these speedy Mooneys! My last longer flight was to the other side of PA and made it there in 1:39 with most of the trip at 190-200 kts ground speed in my J (216 kts in level flight at the top), BUT, the return flight was just under 3 hrs with the headwinds taking back much of what I was given on the way there. Either way, love seeing those speeds and lots of fun. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N1145T/history/20110213/1330Z/KDLZ/S37/tracklog

My M20J just had the Weldon one fail about a month and a half ago. It had seized (power, but no pumping) and my mechanic sent it to Weldon to be rebuilt. I don't know price yet because I've not seen the detail on my annual bill I just paid (not bad though), but he said it came back like new. I believe he'd indicated the overhaul was $400-500, but would need to confirm that.

I love the Aspens I've added Peter, but between the weather this year, a boost pump failure requiring overhaul and then going into annual, I've only been able to fly behind them a few times since taking delivery of the installation late January. I did purchase the weather unit and there is just a lot of data in the MFD. I probably need more flying time to get used to it, but are there any other good training recommendations you have to get comfortable with all of this information now available to me? It's great, but even after watching the Sporty's training DVD many times (which did make getting used to the PFD a non-event for me), I'm still fumbling my way to building my confidence that I can get to what I want as quickly as I want with the MFD and weather. That's likely the same with the G500, so not a comparison of the two, just looking for a way to speed up my learning curve. I do sit behind it just thoroughly pleased and impressed with the installation job Ron Collins did on it and my panel. Thank you!

I'll second Jose's post to the MAPA crew. Trey, we hope you are feeling better and we will look forward to seeing you back at Oshkosh in the future. We'll look forward to that lemonade again too! Just sad to see the economy have this affect on MAPA and many others, but agree it's understandable and probably a prudent call. We want you there when this economy straightens out and if this is what it takes for that, it's a small loss this year that is worth it in the long run for all of us. Thank you!