flyboy0681

I reported this problem about a week ago as well. When I first discovered it I had logged off and then a few days later it started happening again.

I'll offer another congratulations. You may ask yourself, "didn't flyboy0681 already pen one"? Nope. Not sure what's happening on this board, but someone else posted the well wishes above and somehow were placed under my moniker. The same thing happened to me last week, but reverse. I posted a message and it was placed on the board under another users name.

Congratulations!

The subject of a 696 just came up today with my partners. The foreseeable problem is mounting it. Placing it on the right panel will mean moving a lot of things around and that won't come cheap.

Very interesting comments fellas. From what I have heard here, I think the way to go at this point is to save on funds and obtain a used MX-20. No, it won't have the latest and greatest features nor all the bells and whistles, but until the time that I invest in a much broader panel upgrade (read G500), this should add some nice functionality at a reasonable cost. Hey, I could have bought an MX-20 three years ago for $8k plus installation. I'm sure those that did are still enjoying it and praising their decision.

Another interesting perspective. I was under the impression that the MX20 presented much more detailed information than the 530. The MX20 has a bright VGA screen while the 530 a low resolution, 6 color screen. I also like the idea of having the 430 displaying only navigational information and the MX20 the map.

Quote: M016576 The MX20 gives you a MFD with a MUCH bigger screen. If you're happy with your current 6 pack, I'd get the MX20-> it's WAAAAAAYYYYYYY cheaper and has a ton of capability (if you get the chartview function). If you want an all glass solution, you have a couple options for the price: the G500 and the Aspen. If you are looking to maximize bang for the buck the MX20 doesn't seem like a bad option. Just my opinion... JoB

The objective is simple. The plane is getting a new 430W and I thought it would be nice to complement it with a large MFD. Weather will continue to be displayed on the portable 496 mounted in the panel using an Airgizmo cradle. Since there is a glut on the market of used MX-20's, I thought it would be an inexpensive upgrade that will really wow me. I just have a feeling that if I start getting into Aspen panels that the costs will rise exponentially. And I haven't seen an EFD500 mounted solo, the configurations I see have it side-by-side with an Aspen PFD.

You can send me a message as well at flyboy0681@gmail.com

Let me clarify my position. I have the opportunity to obtain a used MX-20 at a good price and installation has already been scoped out at about $800 by a reputable avionics shop. I think for the bucks this is going to be a dynamite upgrade. Although the MX-20 is not new, it will have the latest (and last) software release, so it will be current in that respect. I'm thinking that the purchase price and install of a 500 is going to be much more involved than the MX-20. On the subject of functionality, what does one have over the other?

I posted this question in another area but got nary a response. Hopefully I will get more by posting it here. Does anybody have any real-time experience or opinions of installing an Aspen EFD500 over a Garmin MX-20?

I'm one of 3 active pilots in my partnership and don't have an IR yet, so I fit into the same category. However, scheduling has not been an issue at all so I guess it's just the luck of the draw. The weather where you live also plays a huge factor.

Anybody have any real-time experience or opinions of installing an Aspen EFD500 versus a Garmin MX-20 or MX-200.

From my experience, it all comes out in the wash. If you fill up but don't fly enough that month to recoup the amount you laid out for the fuel, a credit will be carried over to your next months invoice.

Pilot716, if you are looking at a plane in South Florida and need an A&P for a pre-buy, let me know.

Our agreement is the same as Peter's. As I stated earlier, we all pay a fixed hourly rate based on tach time. Although as owners we would like to think we just have to pay the fixed expenses each month and be off the hook except for direct costs like gas, the reality is that reserves must be built up or the unexpected as well as expected.

Don't get me started, the American landscape is littered with judgments against 100% innocent people.

Peter hit the nail on the head when he said: The smart plaintiff's lawyer will attribute the accident to negligence on the part of the aircraft operator *and* the pilot who was flying at the time of an accident. Once that happens, all bets are off and anything can happen.

No offense taken. All partners of our Mooney are members of the LLC and as such are personally protected with the possible exception of the funds used to purchase the actual membership. A simple Google search will render many articles but here's one from the AOPA. http://www.aopa.org/members/pic/answers/2010/1005answers.html

I bought into an existing partnership three months ago with some great guys and can probably answer all of your questions. First, it's important that the plane be incorporated. There are several ways to do this but we have an LLC. Don't skimp on this as it serves to protect you from the unthinkable. If a plane is owned by a corporation, you can't be held personally liable for damages if someone else has a mishap - or worse. This is because shareholders of a corporation can't be sued, only the person operating the plane at the time. We have a bank account setup for the corporation and all expenses are paid for through it. The account is built up using reserve funds each month. We charge ourselves a fix hourly rate including fuel and anything left over is put into the account as a maintenance reserve. I would also add that you go for the bucks and sit down with an aviation lawyer. When I bought in I scheduled two hours with a local guy (the AOPA paid for the first hour as part of membership) and he really opened my eyes on a lot of issues that I didn't think of. Fixed monthly costs are equally divided among all partners and are invoiced monthly along with our tach time. It's important to buy a logbook for the plane and to fill it in with each flight otherwise you and your partner will be bickering over how many hours each flew that month. Finding a good partner is critical. In addition to fixed, variable and "surprise" costs, you'll need to agree on how maintenance and upgrades will be dealt with. Scheduling also needs to be discussed as well as finding an online scheduling site. There are a whole lot more issues to deal with so this is only a primer. Feel free to ask more questions.