flyboy0681

TIS is definitely on its way out and several cities have already dropped offline. There is a publication out there with the schedule but you'll have to search for it. My GTN750 should be ready next week - sans remote audio and transponder. The thinking here is that should the GTN freeze up or fail (or go back to Garmin for whatever reason), that means all of the other systems are rendered inoperable. We are taking a wait and see approach to see just how reliable the new equipment is.

Gary, I'd be curious to see what your interior currently looks like. Can you post a picture or two?

Then I guess you have a bigger over-byte than me.

Cartoons like these make me thankful that I'm a software developer.

Gary - we are under attack.

Quote: fantom You should see what some dim-wit, who wasn't smart enough to get into medical school, and is in his dental office about 20 hours a week, charges for a little drilling in my mouth. While far from brain surgery, you could do a nice recovering job with the same money.

I think these Nigerian's are smart enough now to know when they are being stringed along. But it's fun to watch anyway.

All I know about Texas is Kerrville and that GW Bush hails from there.

Quote: Parker_Woodruff Bring on the stagflation, Bernanke.

I found eldeano's response very interesting. IMO he speaks the truth on the greater issue, which is that the current run up on prices is due to speculators. This has historically been the case of the past decade and a half, so we are in full agreement on that. I do take exception to his quote "Also the general consensus is that in the next 15 years we will solve our energy storage issues(batteries), and petroleum will start to take a significant hit, as electric energy can be produced locally in any number of ways" In 1974 president Nixon spoke of the nation being energy independent by the end of the decade. As we all know, this was a pipe dream (no pun intended) and every candidate and president to hold office ever since has declared war on buying oil from "people that don't like us very much". My point here is that even when this country had the means to become less reliant on foreign crude, not only didn't we move forward to realize that dream, we actually became more dependent on it. What can possibly make anyone believe that in a period as short as 15 years we will solve the problem? As I enter my 50's, I hold out little to no hope that in my lifetime we will ever overcome our dependence on foreign oil. I do, however, believe that Canada's extensive oil sands reserve (said to be as large as Saudi Arabia's) will relieve the pressure somewhat. Last word on the subject. I was listening to a radio program a couple of weeks ago and the host had on 3 oil industry experts. A caller into the show asked why the price at the pumps rise daily when the gas that's already in the tanks had been delivered and paid for a week prior. Two of the guests wouldn't touch the question and the third answered. He said that over the past 15 years, the gasoline distributors have found a way to manipulate the price on a daily basis based solely on what the spot market was doing that day. For those of you who grew up in the 40's - 60's, the price at the pump rarely moved for years at a time (most out there can probably recall "Ethyl" at about 22 cents), even though demand was constantly increasing as the great boom of the post WWII expansion period marched on.

You have a deal. But just be forewarned, I may have to use the knobs.

My 750 should be ready towards the end of next week. Not sure what the serial number is yet.

I just purchased a 300+ today directly from Jose Monroy. Since I live about a mile from him he was gracious enough to invite me over and show me his "lab", which contains electronic test equipment from floor to ceiling. Last week I had been out to his hangar to see the ATD installation in his 1982 "J". While on the ground it was pointing to (valid) targets all over the place, including the ones taking off and landing. It was impressive to watch. Jose is a very interesting fellow and participated in development of the TCAS system all those years ago. While flying on his own he thought of the idea of a traffic system for the "other guys" and sat down and applied his knowledge of transponders to create his own solution. I purchased the antenna and will have it mounted this week while my "J" is in the shop undergoing it's GTN750 installation. Although the 300+ does have the ARINC 429 chip, Jose reports that the feature is not quite ready. Stay tuned.

I personally think the 500 hour requirement is kind of rash. Anybody who has a good amount of retract time should do just fine. When i bought into my partnership last year I had about 125 hours in an Arrow but total time of only about 325 hours. The insurance company found that sufficient enough to require me only 5 hours dual with a qualified Mooney instructor. To play it safe I flew with my instructor long enough (11 hours) until I feel comfortable to go it alone. One thing that is vitally important is your choice of partners. I lucked out with mine but I've heard horror stories. Get the rules straight before signing anything, that includes maintenance reserves, whether fuel will be included in the hourly rate, if you will use an online schedule as well as subscription costs and their feeling about spending thousands to do upgrades.

My '83 J is now in the shop having its GTN750 installed. I'll be uploading pictures of the progress starting later this week, and then the official unveil once I get it back. The ink on the check isn't even dry yet and I'm thinking of my next project. I want to get rid of the black, simulated cowhide panel and replace it with either a tan or white metal one. My question is, do I need to have new panel covers custom made or can the existing ones be removed, stripped of the texture and painted? Also, can anyone offer up how much I would expect to pay for such a project?

I agree, incredible picures.

The GPS Steering system that I'm having installed contains a gear warning based on altitude, not whether the gear is actually down. I think that will be enough to keep me on my toes. http://www.icarusinstruments.com/samgps/SAM.html

Quote: kortopates Cool - thanks!

Looking at the GTN750 manual, you can set the map page to display any four fields with the following values: BRG-Bearing GSL-GPS Altitude DIS-Distance to Current Waypoint MSA-Minimum Safe Altitude DIS to DEST-Distance to Destination OAT (static)-Static Outside Air Temperature DTK-Desired Track OAT (total)-Total Air Temperature ESA-Estimated Safe Altitude Time-Current Time ETA-Estimated Time of Arrival TKE-Track Angle Error ETE-Estimated Time Enroute Trip Timers Fuel Flow-Total Fuel Flow TRK-Track Generic Timer VSR-Verticle Speed Required GS-Ground Speed Wind-Wind speed and direction XTK-Cross Track Error

The replacement of our six-pack is not a sure thing, so waiting potentially years was not an option. Not sure we are 100% sold on Aspen either, by the time we get around to it Garmin may be the top contender.

I started it and I can stop it. I now hereby declare the subject closed.

Settle down you two. Both points are well taken and appreciated. We won't be installing a GDC31 but rather the SAMGPS. The cost, including installation is < $1,900k. According to our shop, the GDC31 still doesn't have an STC for the KAP-150. The SAMGPS actually looks like it has more features than the GDC31. http://www.icarusinstruments.com/samgps/Home.html

A review of the GTN I read today said that Garmin elegantly tackled the issue of airways. Simply punch in the identifier and it will take you there.

That's actually next on the list. Also waiting to see what Garmin will have available when the time comes.

I think the only rationalization is (if it could even be called that) that we planned to install an MFD along with a 430W. The difference in price when one factors in both units came close enough to take the leap to the GTN. I was very disappointed to hear that it didn't have integrated GPSS, so that's also being installed at the same time at a much added cost. In our case, the GTN is replacing a vintage 1997 155XL, so this is a giant leap forward. Needless to say, not having pin compatibility was not even on the radar. Our shop just got the unit and the plane goes in later this week. I'll post before and after photos.