kortopates

You got the first sentence right Henry. But you should have stopped there!

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think the Aspen EA100 adds any AP functionality that the AP doesn't already have unless you count GPSS. It doesn't even add Flight Director functionality to AP that don't already have it. You'll still have altitude hold and attitude hold, but not Alt Pre-select which is an altitude to climb or descent too. The Garmin GAD-43E is as close as you can get to transforming your AP to the functionality of their GFC-700 AP. Edit: Ah, I stand corrected. Aspen offers a separate add on for Altitude Preselect but only for the KFC200 AP and for another $1500 on top of the EA100 ($2800).

I think you search MS you'll see a few post from others that this gets very expensive too add. I know I considered it 15 years ago and decided it was too expensive then. These days you are much better off just updating to the G500 with GAD-43E since it will provide the same functionality enhancements and do a much better job getting you much more value for the $.

That's because 230 lbs of that UL came from the Encore conversion. Its a big increase.

How many of you made it in today?

Someone that has installed one may know. But personally, a seat belt wrapped around the yoke with the seat forward does just the job very well. Just never found the need for something better; especially when it needs to be permanently attached to the airplane.

FWIW, I really like the last option the best because it gets you into more capability with the VFR Aspen sooner, and you'll only have to make a s/w update to get it to the Pro level. But in practical terms I see some needed re-work from that approach. I assume going with the VFR Aspen, you will still need both CDI's, yet when you upgrade to the IFR Aspen you will need some re-wiring on the Aspen to include the CDI/GS inputs and then you will then have a redundant CDI. Perhaps they can pre-wire the Aspen to make that transition mostly only s/w? But yes, it seems you will need the EA adapter, but in so doing you get the immediate relief from no longer having to maintain your old Century AI too. Although its unpredictable when it may fail next, it could put you ahead by not being forced to spend maintenance dollars maintaining it if the unexpected was to happen.

Ah, that's much better than I thought. I'd still prefer to see the G1 up higher with the key and master switch below. You are going to spend a quite a bit of money on the panel work. I understand your budget needs but I would think that delta in cost for getting a new panel cut would only be in the neighborhood of 3-4 hundred - but that is something you would have to verify with your shop. But my biggest concern is substituting your old AI for the TC. If you were a seasoned instrument pilot, I would not be so concerned about replacing your TC with an attitude indicator but as a beginner you will have a lot of added difficulty doing standard rate turns. As a CFI I can tell you the hard part of instrument flying is partial panel, and the biggest problem new instrument pilots have is over backing in turns even when they have the obvious markings on the TC. Although having the backup attitude being in view of your scan is a big plus for partial panel. But IMO you will have the same over banking tendencies even with all your available instruments since you won't have the very obvious TC marking to help you prevent it. Even if you understand how to use your airspeed to calculate your bank rate now and then roll left or right to the number of degrees necessary on your AI to maintain your standard rate, without the TC to back you up I expect your performance is going to suffer from the added workload for quite some time. Further its going to make times turns that much less precise adding to you workload with bigger corrections. With new TC's starting at under $800, getting a used one is not going to break the bank and help you get through your instrument training. I personally think it takes a few hundred hours of instrument time to be good enough to ditch the TC. You'll find your mind is so task saturated doing the basic things that having to substitute mentally from the get go is really adding to your work load. Anyway, I should add that the substitution of a AI for a TC is a bit contentious in the pilot community to begin with. There are those that think its a never a good idea to ditch the TC. I am not in that camp, but given my experience as a CFI I am of the opinion it take a lot of experience to be able get by without it when the work load is extra high. Just look at all the accident reports from being partial panel and the pilot is doomed when they either can't keep the wings level or they can't turn without over banking. In your defense, your more reliable G5 should significantly help reduce your exposure to a partial panel emergency, but I would not want to bet my life on it. I would also encourage your training to include both partial scenarios you are susceptible too: partial without the G5 and partial without the DG & backup AI (which I assume is vacuum based). I mention that because your panel is kind of interesting from a failure mode standpoint with the uniqueness of the G5 which is only primary for attitude. Certainly not a problem but important to be aware and train for the different failures you will see. The GNC300XL is not my favorite GPS either, the interface is pretty difficult, but I think you totally have the right idea of using it to get into the ground floor of IFR GPS. Its not WAAS with vertical guidance but a huge improvement over no GPS at all. Plus it will put you miles ahead in your training for getting your ticket compared to the pilot that gets his ticket on VORs alone and then needs to make the transition to GPS. GPS seems like it should be so easy given the moving map and magenta line. But initially GPS adds a lot of complexity just in mastering the programming of the box quickly let alone how to use it in the IFR environment with a lot of things to learn (e.g., loading the full approach vs VTF, usage of OBS for intercepting a radial like VORs versus suspending and unsuspending, and the world of GPS approach procedures, Q routes, etc...). Their awesome tools but they take some time to learn as well. Regardless of how you do your panel, the above was just my experienced opinion, so take it for what it is, but have a great time flying and enjoy your training. You should find it great fun.

I thought there used to be a Mooney service instruction and parts list you can order to install on earlier Mooney's without it. No idea, but I wouldn't expect it to be expensive, just some basic hardware with the lever.

Could you clarify the 6K limitation on the VSI? I have never heard of that and my first thought was the range was limited to +/- 3K FPM, which I was thinking is fine. But I gather you are indicating its only good too 6K of altitude or am I miss understanding (I hope so!)? I assume you will have your new panel with instruments lined up in the standard 6 config. So what will go on the far lower left that can still be blocked by the ignition keys. FWIW, I sure would want to interchange the positions of the master and ignition switch to get those keys out of the way, or even better move the keys down. I do note you didn't mention upgrading to a full size TC and I hope that didn't imply keeping the small one and moving it under the key? That won't be standard either unless its where the altimeter is now - which is what I would like if it was me. But since you are going from 8 to 9 holes and if keeping Century AI on the pilot side, that's going to screw up your 6 pack arrangement. If it was me, I would try very hard to move the old Century AI to the co-pilot side out of the way. And only if that was a real problem, I'd ditch the VSI if it was legal with the G5 but I don't think it is. So I'd really get the old AI moved out of the way and for this all out and move the small left hole up for clock/Chronometer/CO meter etc: IAS G5 Alt CDI/GS-1 TC DG VSI CDI-2 Just my opinion of course, but with 27 years of flying IFR experience. BTW, the majority the cost of these is usually the labor in R&R the instruments and making enhancements/changes in lighting etc. The cost of cutting the panel these days is usually very cheap. And if you're instruments are currently unlighted I highly suggest you include at least adding post lights to each unlighted instrument in the panel or practically speaking you will still have a day only IFR panel.

They are always both on and I fail #2 during the runup to verify #1 takes the full load, but with both on line #2 is taking 2/3's if not more of the load. As such, over the years my #1 has done very well. Bearings are getting the same wear, but the lesser load has appeared to allow the brushes to wear at a bit lower rate compared to the servicing I have done to my #2. Buts that's a unscientific observation (I didn't do any measuring).

Yes, if yours are OEM as I assume they are. Since Mooney is the registered owner of the keys, I'd suggest you contact your nearest Medeco dealer locksmith and verify what you will need to provide from Mooney. They may require you to transfer ownership first and who knows and if they do, you're better off just ordering the new keys from Mooney since transferring ownership is ~$50 through a Medeco dealer.

True, but if the weather isn't low and still daylight, and I am coming in from the opposite direction to the landing traffic, I'll routinely ask for an approach to the opposite runway closer to me and then just circle to the landing runway for landing along with everyone else. That way I'll avoid flying past my destination to join the approach 5-10 miles out. If its not busy I may not get that, but I often do and it saves a few minutes. I haven't seen how the IDF boxes sequence to the missed yet, but you have me curious.

What if you're circling? Can the IFD recognize the difference and not resume sequencing? Honestly I thought these kind of protocols where from the FAA, at least that's what Garmin has indicated over similar things they have changed over the years.

I guess that's positive proof they really work as designed. When I went into the Medeco dealer to get more keys, they didn't use my original other than to look my registration up and then cut more keys using the codes and that way their same as original.

Have you unsuspended the GTN-750 by activating the Missed Approach (at any time before, at or after the MAP)? Have you switched the KFC-200 from APPR mode back to HDG mode with the GPSS in GPS mode to enable the GTN outputs to direct the AP on the missed?

No, but security comes with a cost of some kind! If I only flew in the US I am not sure I would bother with the Medeco locks but they help protect the huge amount of glass I have in my panel too - so maybe. They are a huge step up from the OEM Chicago cabinet locks! Now, aren't you the one that showed us your impressive security device of metal plates covering your entire glass panel???

I really don't think they'll fit any better in the 182 - not on the back seat anyway.

I read that too. But if this was his difficulty in his final startup, I also read he had previously taxied to the runway to take off with a VFR on top clearance and then decided for whatever reasons he should file IFR to his destination - maybe he got a tops report he didn't like. regardless he then taxied back to the ramp. So I thought the hard starting later after he delayed to refile etc could have just been from the pilot havng a hot start challenge or even flooded the engine. I just wouldn't take hard starting alone to be indicative of a real engine issue. But not to say its not indicative of a real problem either. I don't know what to think about the low tail. But my first thought is that if the tail was practically hanging on the ground wouldn't the pilot be unable to taxi with the nose wheel practically off the pavement. i.e. you think it would be obvious to the pilot. Other reports are in conflict with the heavy rain on departure at that time. I recall only light rain. Anyway suspicions are neither engine was making power on impact. The propeller on the roof appears to be fully feathered and not bent in fashion consistent with making power from the better pictures we see in the news. So one of the good theories IMO is this could be a miss-fueling with JetA. And after suggesting above the hard starting could mean nothing more than something like a hot start, it could also help give credence to a miss fueling event (but I haven't had that experience with that and hope I never do!). If the registered owner was flying, its hard to believe an ATP rated and CFI endorsed pilot would take off with such an an out of CG condition that would lead to a stall that some others have speculated. I hope he didn't not bother to sump his tanks because of the weather or but if it was JetA he apparently didn't notice it was clear rather than blue. Here is an article on the JetA theory based in part on witness accounts of black smoke in trail as the plane went down, or possibly a ruptured fuel line: http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20170302/engine-problems-smoke-hint-at-riverside-plane-crash-cause But of course we still don't even have the preliminary yet.

If it works on the ground but just not in the air and you don't feel any resistance in lifting the vane that would hang it up, I'd start with adjusting it per the service manual. it probably moved. But its no longer airworthy or doing you any good if it doesn't go off at least the number of kts specified in the manual before the wing stalls.

When I had my engine off to address an engine mount issue, I replaced the brushes and bearings in my #1 alternator and cleaned it up inside. My #1 which is gear driven and really hard to get access too when installed on the engine. It was all my own labor anyway and the parts aren't expensive. It has given me many years of trouble free service before and i expect it will again for many more years. But I would never replace a good working alternator with O/H exchange. Its too easy to just replace the wear parts and clean them up. In addition to the unwarranted high expense that seems like unnecessary risk as well. My #2 which is belt driven, and is easily accessible in about 10 min so in that case since its my second one, it can wait till I see a problem. I can still dispatch with one.

Neal Aviation at KSEE in San Diego also CNC's custom panels, then power coats and silk screens them when they do major panel upgrades. I am sure they could do exactly what you want as well.

Are you asking in lieu of the removed Bendix ignition switch? Toggle switches are all that is used on twins - they also don't have rotary ignition switches. Security is limited to the door locks. When security is a concern though we have prop locks and throttle locks. Both of which I use travelling south of the border when the plane is left on a unsecured strip. They just help ensure the less secured plane adjacent to me will get stolen before mine. But generally airplane thieves are not the slightest bit interested in Mooney's anyway.

Actually its not a problem at all for any of us that wants to upgrade. You just need the authorization number or key code which of course you'll have if you installed them. Purchase a Mooney though that has them and if unfamiliar with them its going to be a learning process to figure it out at the least. I'd expect Mooney would give you the key code if asked to make this process easier to get them on your own and ownership is transferable but I have not heard from anyone that has asked the factory.

I've had and flown with 2 good sized labs over the years. Just never together. Labs are very mellow breeds and their disposition makes them great passengers. I wouldn't have dreamed about crating either one, but they have always been secured with a harness (not their neck) tied to a shoulder belt which kept them in the back seat and away from the front seat if we had an emergency landing. But a single lab takes up the entire back seat or it can't lay down which it really needs to do. I just don't think either the baby or a lab sized dog will be happy sharing the back seat together which means neither you and your wife will be either. However I have done my lab with an adult pax in the rear many times, but that takes a willing pax that doesn't mind the dog's head in the pax lap which is really the only way a 70+lb lab can lie down. Before I was a Mooney owner I rented aircraft and had no problem with the dog. Just like with rental cars, we got a cover that would entirely cover the back seat to help control the dog hair. We'd still need something like sticky tape for the carpet. But planes weren't as bad as cars. Cars almost always had fabric seats that attract the hair while vinyl and leather is much more common on older aircraft rentals. So it was really more of a car rental issue. The C177RG does have a lot more room in the back but I don't know if I would want to carry a family lab in the cargo area either. I have a friend with a C177RG that used to carry around 2 huge Great Danes. She had the rear seats removed and it was no problem that way, but not manageable with the seats. But as you must be aware, the C177RG using the same engine as the Mooney J model is going about 40kts less than the Mooney, maybe a bit faster than the Arrow (I don't recall Arrow speeds that well).