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Steve Dawson

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Everything posted by Steve Dawson

  1. Steve Dawson
    Does anyone have or can tell me where I can get the insulation for inside the cowl to protect it from the heat of the turbo? I know that Mooney probably has them but they've been very busy and I didn't want to wait. Thanks Steve sdawson630@gmail.com
  2. Steve Dawson
    I think it's a good start. Take along a CFI familiar with Mooneys for the first 25 hours or so and use some of that time towards your IFR. I'm guessing your insurance agent would like that idea too. It looks like a good plane to start. Good radios, good autopilot, should get a good engine analyzer, and the engine and prop look good time wise too. First question should be what is your mission. I wish I had have bought a K model rather than the J I bought even though it was a great plane.
  3. Steve Dawson
    Thanks PJ, The main goal presently is to only have one 275 with the G3X and from what the avionics shop suggested was to install the Garmin EIS with the G3X and save $4-6K over the price/installation of the JPI 900. I'm keeping the storm-scope so with the Bravo panel having the KFC controls kept in the panel, it still won't crowd any available surface and be much better then the legacy. I have vacuum speed brakes so I'll have to keep one of the two pumps. BTW very nice panel.
  4. Steve Dawson
    So you're saying that the G3X (10") will show the functions of the AI and the HSI but not the FD. If the GI 275 is installed will it be acceptable as a standby instrument and be able to show the FD? Where can I find the functions listed of the G3X if the original instruments are removed and the KFC autopilot is maintained? I should mention that I'll have a GTN 750xi with the remote audio panel installed and currently have a GTX 345. I don't mind using the legacy instruments to control the preselects and I would like to remove the two vacuums.
  5. Steve Dawson
    Thanks Moon dog, I should have added that our shop thinks that the G3X can't be used because the GI275 is the primary. So My question now is, does this curtail any functions of the G3X now that using the GI275 as primary? Any issues with being legal?
  6. Steve Dawson
    I have a Mooney Bravo. Has anyone installed a G3X with a GI275 that has a KFC 150 autopilot ? Our local avionics shop is telling me that it can't be done because the GI 275 would have to be the primary. The auto pilot is working great so I didn't want to change it out until it needs to be. Secondly I maybe installing the EIS with the G3X Thanks
  7. Steve Dawson
    Update: I had the prop dynamically balanced Monday and found it was off quite a bit. When the prop was overhauled they had installed too much weight on one side and the instrument would tell us to put weight on the opposing side, obviously to offset the difference. We couldn't see the existing weights until after removing the spinner so had to go back and redo it. Finished with it at .03 IPS. Thanks everyone
  8. Steve Dawson

    Hi Lance 

    I'm ordering a IFD 540 Monday for my Bravo. How do you like yours and why did you chose it rather then a garmin ?

    Steve 

    1. LANCECASPER

      LANCECASPER

      I love it. I later swapped it for an IFD550 and like the enhanced synthetic vision better.

      I like the intuitive part of it - it thinks like an IFR pilot. Hard to explain until you fly with it. I definitely recommend the Gary Reeves training on it (avidynetraining.com). Some of his videos are on youtube but buying the videos is well worth it, it really shortens the learning curve.

  9. Steve Dawson
    Thank you for all the replies. This information s good to know. As I was saying before, the plane had a prop strike 100 hours ago and the prop was sent out and overhauled and the engine sent to G&N for the teardown and inspection. At that time they installed new cylinders and reassembled the engine per Lycoming. It's going into my mechanic this week and I have a call into our local company who has balanced a couple of my engines before and they were pretty smooth after.
  10. Steve Dawson
    Just bought a bravo that had the engine and a prop overhauled 100 hours ago. At 2400 RPM it runs ok but lower RPM it vibrates, a lot. Has anyone dynamically balanced their engine/prop and had it smooth through 22-2400 RPM? Are there any tricks? Thanks
  11. Steve Dawson
    I had a J and could fit two sets in the storage area by taking out the woods and drivers and standing the bags up then laying the woods and drivers length wise with the heads in the hat rack and the handles pointing forward. I would wrap them together with a couple bungie cords. Good luck with three bags and three people.
  12. Steve Dawson
    Not sure if it's for sale
  13. Steve Dawson
    From what I've heard of the proposed price of the WAAS upgrade you could be on your way to replace that panel with something more modern and utilitarian such as a GTN75xi, and G3X or G500xi then tie them into your autopilot
  14. Steve Dawson
    Do you have a smaller LED light that would fit if a similar bracket was made to fit inside the Mooney lens?
  15. Steve Dawson
    Oh man, Found it or at least a good facsimile on Jame's site. It looks like it's on his V35 but it would work on Mooney's. https://www.gallagheraviationllc.com/whelen-aircraft-lighting.html
  16. Steve Dawson
    Thank you Art, That was one of the articles I was thinking about. The other, (that I still can't find) had it a new custom made aluminum bracket holding a different light and the LED strobe/nav lights under the plastic cover. It's hard in Canada to get this stuff approved and get my avionics shop on my side.
  17. Steve Dawson
    Yes I was. I noticed someone install a custom mounting with LED lights in place of the original on their M20M but as of yet haven't been able to find the reference picture to it here. Thanks
  18. Steve Dawson
    Hi James, Do you have anything LED to replace the white position lights that sit next to the strobe/nav lights within the plastic enclosure? Steve
  19. Steve Dawson
    Wow, Great design and craftsmanship and well everything
  20. Steve Dawson
    Which one was it? Were you able to call Bill Gates on the microchip?
  21. Steve Dawson
    Hi Seth, I have a few hours in a few Aerostar's and was looking at buying one a few years ago too. If you're still interested talk to people that have owned one for awhile and maybe join one of the two online forums. I believe John G. found that the Aerostar didn't fit his needs properly but ask him directly on Beechtalk. I think the best person to talk to would be Forrest Ward (who's on both forums and Beechtalk). He's owned and flown Areostars a lot. Secondly Jim Christy is the big guru on Aerostars and I don't think they have any issues with parts supplies. Pus they have lots of STC's improving them. You can phone him directly and get real advice
  22. Steve Dawson
    There's no entrapment here at all. The ad is limited to size but it clearly shows the log books are available to download with out talking to the gentleman. Not to mention you're doing your own due diligence and/or getting someone good to do a pre-buy if you feel comfortable.
  23. Steve Dawson
    In fairness to the owner, that was 25 years ago and it's flown 1200 hours since. I flew the plane last week and it was stable and tight. All the avionics including the autopilot worked fine. My largest concern without doing a pre-buy is the cost of an engine overhaul and possibly a prop overhaul. I'll add that I know the mechanic and he's good and thorough and the owner was honest and answered all my questions. Plus the log books are complete with all the information. It's best to do a pre-buy no matter what you buy.
  24. Steve Dawson

    Hi Matt

    I had a look and flew the plane last week so I can give you my unsolicited opinion if you'd like. 

    Steve 

    1. MATTS875

      MATTS875

      yes please do. i would really appreciate that.

    2. Steve Dawson

      Steve Dawson

      I know the mechanic that looks after it in Collingwood and trust him. He said it's OK but only basically. He did do catchup work and I believe his compression readings.  It flew fairly solid with all the radios, AP, aspen working fine (I didn't fly an approach) The engine is at TBO even though the cylinders were changed to wet heads 1100 hours ago but the bottom end is till past it's TBO. (Cam, lifters, bearings case etc.) The prop had been resealed three years ago but would probably need to be rebuilt within the next few hours/years. The avionics are old compared to todays GPS system but they work fine. 

      My plan was that the engine would last a year then I'd rebuild to overhaul condition then. Estimated cost today would be $65 plus $5-7 in labour. The paint isn't great. The plane had a runway excursion I believe(1995) and components of the wing were repaired and replaced (everything is in the log books and on file through the FAA). It flies well so I think they did an good job but the repaint was marginal and it shows. You'd probably have to do some sanding and touch up but it is 25 years old. Lastly a good pre-buy to find out how well the airfare damage was repaired but mostly to see what the actual condition of the engine and to guesstimate what time is left in the engine. The owner was honest with me and told me everything I wanted to know. If you wanted a pre-buy there's a couple very good mechanics who have considerable Mooney experience within 50 miles as well as using Adam who did the last annual. (use extreme caution if using the local MSC, ask all the local Mooney owners to clarify) 

      Steve 

  25. Steve Dawson
    Thanks Paul for your information. I'm starting to look for either a 252 or Bravo and this is the exact information I need. Nice looking panel too.
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