Steve Dawson

Sleepingsquirrel, I no longer have a wife so having the second income isn't a possibilty. (she made a great income too!) Somehow I don't think she would consider marrying me again to support the Mooney. George (N6719N) Kitchener is great. The Octoberfest here is supposed to be the second largest in the world. Very friendly people and they have a few breweries to test.

George , Thanks for the information and your depth of wise reasoning. Those are very good points. My first concern is with safety actually and I have plans to order either a JPI 730 or an 830 this week to cover any unknown problems that may occur with the engine before they start and at the same time cover engine efficiency. I'll fly the plane 50:50 for work and pleasure. When it's IFR I'm used to the typical VOR/ADF systems but would feel better knowing that I'm closer to the track with a gps that is user friendly when in adverse conditions and is adaptable to ATC changes and future avionic options while still keeping the balance of my bank account marginaly untouched. (impossible I know) Secondly I like the idea of the synthetic vision in the Aspen. I have flown approaches in snow and down pours and would like the comfort of knowing that the airport really is there when I reach decision height. My game plan is to keep the plane 4-5 years at least so the interior is a nicety. BUt it sure is hard not to think of sitting back in that great looking interior.

Just finished the prepurchase and transfering of funds to finish off buying a 1978 M20J and will be able to get it into the air in a couple of weeks after the Cof A and registry is complete. Can't wait. Now comes all the choices between which avionics and which interior. What's the difference between a want and a need again?

What a great job. How long did you have to wait to be in the que? I just bought a 201 and want to do something similar as yours but I live in Ontario and would like to cut down on the travel costs.

Doesn't this plane have a damaged wing? Possibly cost $15,000 to fix it which may put it in the similar value as others the same time and wear

Double post

I've had the same experiance with Tiger Direct but have loved Dell. I had bought their Gold service thinking that it may be just a scam, however it's been the best option I've bought. It's onto the second year of their service and I'll continue. The biggest advantage is that I can get ahold of their tech support anytime. They speak English and they're in North America, so there's not any cultural differences. I've never had a problem with upgrades either. We use Autocad and Mastercam so video support is essential. We've updated the cards a couple of times and sans problems. I believe their gold service is ~$150/year This Tuesday we're ordering another PC from Dell for design work.

I see that Diamond Aircraft has recently installed an Astro AE500 (280 HP w/20,000 ceiling) in their DA 50 Magnum. Is there anyone still thinking of a diesel conversion? If a STC converstion were $60K and considering that fuel prices are not coming down this may become a viable option.

Just a thought but maybe with a router, turn it upside down, raise the router bit to the right hieght, then make a guide to guide the side of the window along. Give me a call if you need a hand. I have a router also

How have you found the performance and installation?

Just curious but is there many problems with the 430/530 units that would deter someone wanting to buy used or even purchase new?

Try an aftermarket race shop such as Summit or Jegs. They use these fittings in high pressure fluid applications and come in aluminum and steel. They're made by companies such as Russell, Aeromotive, Aeroquip, Earls. Very strong and in most cases easily adaptive. Saying that I'm unsure if you have to have an A&P install the new line. www.jegs.com and www.summitracing.com

There must be some analysis information available to be able to specify which metal came from where and why. If you had dark metal shavings, I'm guessing tappet or cam, chromium cam, ect, but what would it be if on oil analysis all the metals showed below average but the alluminum was at the top of the scale? - Cam or crank/rod bearings or pistons? Steve

Untill there is a viable electric motor that can run constant for a 6 hour term, have easily rechargable/replacable batteries at most airports, keep battery/motor weight at or below comparitable fuel burning engines I don't think we'll have anything in the near future. I'm thinking the viable alternative close at hand would be a turbine or diesel. Delta Hawk or Austro are already available in similar sizes and weights with TBO's currently at 2000 hours and with their fuel consumption at 70% of gasoline engines they would more than pay for the overhaul. Thats if the overhaul stays at 2000 hours. The way diesels wear they may last considerably longer. A turbine engine (say Walter/GE) would save weight and provide longer TBO's with less maintenace. I'm not sure what fuel consumption would be and I don't know what the retrofit costs are but they are available.

I have a Sumsung Galaxy Tab and just downloaded the Aviation ansd Rumway app so considering pilot error on the tab I'll see how it works. Steve

It was in the rumor mill form PC world. - There wasn't any news so I guess they started a rumor iPad 3, shipping in September, announced at the annual iPod event. Running iOS 5.1, same as the next-generation iPod Touch."

I'd be very interested in an android based mapping system and would pay extra just to keep using my samsung Galaxy tab. The screen size could be a bit larger but I feel the Ipad is a bit too large. I just read that apple is coming out with an IPad 3 version in the fall that will have larger ram as well as a front facing camera. Then they're keeping up with everyone else.

I see that LASER Electronics has a unit, but has anyone tried this and are there any other manufacturers?

Actually, recently I've read an article that there is a company who is STC'ing an electronic ignition. You run a mag on one side and the electronic on the other. It makes the engine run a lot more smoothly, better power and allows a carbureted engine to run LOP giving a big boost in the MPG figures. It is to be on the market some time this year Do you know where there's more information on this STC? Steve

Thank you for the welcome and it would true out at 182 knots (210mph) at the end of the takeoff roll of 1320' in 6.6 sec with the MP around 92 inches. It was fun!! I think owning a mooney is going to be Fun!!! too.

Congratulations,