Bolter

I do not think it is a Mooney exclusive or development. I flew a Turbo 210 with an interconnect as well. IIRC, I was told it was on the 210's without wing dihedral only. Not sure which years that was.

I got filled up at a shop at Torrance. It was something stupid cheap, like $20, to fill up my portable bottle. They will charge more if the bottle is on the plane, but should beat the 232/fill you got quoted. I think it was Solano Aviation. They were in the hangars near the west end of the airport, around taxiway C.

On the topic of K's and upgrading with Merlyns and intercoolers, maybe @kortopatescan summarize the engine types in the K's (LB, MB, etc.) As I understand it, some still have the old engine which was undesirable for some reason, but many upgraded the engine along with Merlyn's and intercoolers. -dan

Not really a fair comparison, as the road vehicle technology has been allowed to evolve. Especially if you have smaller automotive turbos on ball bearings. It was not that long ago that most turbo car owners expected a new turbo at 75k miles or sooner, and we all tried to stay away from them. And that was several decades after our aircraft turbos were designed. Many cars today have turbos, but they no longer emphasize "turbo" on the car because of the stigma of the 90's turbos.

The $20 amazon special specifies a distance up to 500 mm/20". Not sure how well it will work through windshield and then a longer distance. Maybe worth $20 gamble? I have installed a free audio analyzer app on my phone. Does an FFT of the sound into the microphone. This means it breaks up the total sound into its frequency components. If you know a bit how this works, you can quickly zoom in on the engine or prop sounds and get your real RPM. It is surprisingly accurate. One example: Spectrum Analyzer from Keuwl on the Google Play store.

With the one piece belly, it would make sense to just remove it and look. You may find something important, or just reassure yourself it was nothing critical. You are not looking a the 180 screw commitment that I would have. -dan

I have the Cruz tools spark plug socket. It is well made, thin walled, and worked great for Champion plugs on my IO-360. I have a Cruz Tools kit on my dirt bike that is well made and thought out. The owner of Cruz Tools flies a Mooney (was it an E?). Met and chatted a bit (after I had his tool kit). Unfortunately, when I got Tempest plugs, it was too shallow since Tempest has the hex lower down. I got the Tempest socket from Aircraft Spruce. -dan

Also needing reading glasses, I got these that are aviation specific: http://www.av-sun.com/ Note they are a gray gradient tint. Quality is good, had them for years for flying use only. Despite thin arms, I still prop them over the ear muffs for a good seal.

What does work best? The "identify all the images with cars" test? Anything feasible for us MS'ers?

How about 2 or 3 randomly selected Mooney or Aviation multiple choice trivia questions when submitting the new user form? For example: Q1) Which tail is better (and show image of Mooney tail and another tail) Q2) Which airplane has retractable gear (this one is text list of Cirrus and Mooney and Cub Crafter) Q3) LOP or ROP is better? (no, maybe not this one...) Enough to frustrate the lazier spammers, at least.

@mooneygirl flew with me for an OSH trip one year, and had brand new Tango's. Certainly a quality product, like the Zulus. That was 4 years ago, so she can testify to long term usage and durability.

Sounds like a clear trend, but I will add good experience with Advanced, as well. In particular, there was a problem, and I was very pleased with how Greg handled it. I think that backing up your work is valuable. I am also based at PAE, and if the timing is right, can help you get back and forth.

I am PAE based with a M20J, East Condo Hangars. I can match Bob's offer of a 201 tour, but no ride opportunities right now. PM me for my email and number. The Mooneyspace topics are Google searchable.

The one I think is the original is also sold on Amazon, but a higher price, and the only one I saw that says Made in USA. It may not even be the original. The patent was allowed to lapse (non-payment) and is now expired as a result. It could be that the costs were not justified, or defending against violators was not worth it. We can all make and sell it now. The images are probably copyrighted material, but again, may not be worth defending against.

For those that care, the Made in USA version is: https://formafunnel.com/ I assume it is the original. I now see lots of identical knockoffs like this one with funny brand names on Amazon now. Maybe a USA patent expired?

I use the sport cradle with yoke mount with an ipad mini. I run the arm under the yoke, and the ipad does not block the view or get in the way. It may look like the connection is in the way and hits your knees, but it does not. Just a result of the camera angle. The mount permits rotating from landscape to portrait at any time. Ridiculously expensive (I got it much cheaper 6 years ago). Maybe use it to inspire making your own. I would NOT use a full size ipad in this location.

[In non-aviation] I have seen bushing that are pressed into large blocks that are ribbed like that. The ribs flex and crush to make the fit more robust. The force required to put one in means a lot force (or heat) required to get it out. The second one with an unpopulated safety wire hole and a lock nut on the other suggests left over parts. I don't know how it could fall out. Check with your A&P, and in a very stern voice, ask if they swapped out anything that looks like that recently...

As I understand it, in that situation (fails compression but makes power) a good view of the valve face sealing surfaces with the borescope would indicate exhaust valve issues. Read that as a question, though it ended without a question mark.

Summarizing a few questions that were already posted because I think a good process for diagnosis is important when the JPI shows no running issues. And removing a cylinder tends to turn into replacing the cylinder, after all, you already have it off... Where was the air going during compression check? With no telltale of air, I would be rechecking the tools and the process before committing to removing the cylinder. Was a borescope inspection done before deciding to pull the cylinder? Not all things will be seen with the scope, but some major ones can be. With my day job, more costs are at stake (but it is not my money) and detailed inspection and diagnosis has been very useful.

I keep 2 ipads going in most cases. The one on my yoke is usually set for traffic awareness at a large range. FLyQ also highlights items that fall within a certain distance/altitude of me. When I need to verify something, I use the other ipad to recheck airspace, approaches, read airport details, etc. So my primary is always the same info at the same place (in the plane).

Watching flightaware, did it seem like he did a go-around and was doing another pattern? Perhaps flustered and too aggressive turning base to final at slow speed? I could not find SMX on liveatc to hear what was going on.

I relocated to Seattle and needed a new agent @Parker_Woodruff took care of me quickly, answered all questions, and I believe he must have given up commission to get me the rates he did. On that theme, I want to also endorse Joe Susfolk Insurance based at KVNY. Chris was always good to me, but not licensed for Washington.

Just a short note that I got the wingtip strobes, today. Exceptionally careful packing, delivered fast, and just as advertised. -dan

@khedrei PM and email sent. -dan

Good referrals. I had not seen or tried either of those. I have been using a Nespresso machine for years. Saw it in Europe, and fell in love, and bought one when I got home. Every day necessity for me, now. I think it is the best compromise on cost-quality-convenience of them all. I have pour over, french press, drip and moka pot, and the no-clean up instant shot of liquid joy from Nespresso always wins. I have been happy with Peet's capsules at Costco in the cheaper and as good or better category. Until then it was Nespresso branded or I would stock pile on store brand when I was in Europe and bring them home. They know coffee there, and even their store brands are awesome.