David Mazer

Total cost for conversion to the Aspen was in the $5,000 range. There is a software update for the Aspen units. Maybe I can ask them to check the A/P software at the same time. Thanks Marauder.

Yes, my replacement was in the $600 range but it is far less capable and wouldn't drive the A/P. I don't need the additional capabilities since I upgraded the Aspen so we aren't comparing apples to apples. The shop was Sarasota Avionics. They haven't been the cheapest shop and every installation seems to need some additional work in follow up but they have, IMO, been honest and straightforward with me and stood behind their problems. I did check on the AI's cost of repair and durability and was dismayed to find it was about right for the market and the number of choices for repair was extremely limited. Hence, my decision to go a different direction even at a higher initial cost.

I agree with fantom. Nothing makes a tough airplane job easier than cash unless it's a checkbook or credit card.

I don't care where Coy operates as long as everyone we can warn knows to stay away from him. I can't imagine his advice on how to buy an airplane would be of any value. Advice from someone without ethics is advice not to be trusted.

It was a KSC 55A. I was told the life expectancy was highly variable and it can last months to decades with no ability to predict which. That is when I decided to add the EA-100.

My AI needed to be repaired twice in a relatively short period of time. Each repair was $2,500. On the second go around, I elected to go with the Aspen unit (it wasn't available when the AI tumbled the first time) for $5,000 ($2,500 more than the AI repair would have been but hopefully only once). I'm hoping the Aspen unit is more reliable but it certainly isn't as smooth. Each turn sees about a 100 ft climb and some hunting for heading and pitch. When I brought this to the avionics shop's attention, their answer was the wholley unsatisfying - its within specs. I hope you have better luck than I.

Or one of these.

This is the same type and location that I have in my K.

I had some problems with stability when I had the XM weather on Voyager but when I moved that to the Aspen units, the tablet became very stable once it is running properly. I have had to restart the computer a few times prior to departure for some unknown glitch but after that it usually runs well.

I tried all the salvage yards I could find. I even went from one to the next at SNF one year without any success. I'll check out bigwood electric to see what they can do. Thanks.

My cowl flap motor went a couple years ago. I can't really tell you why but the A&P felt that the most likely problems was stripped gears. For quite some time I tried to find a cowl flap motor. Mooney said $1,000 but none are available. We went another route and tried to put in a manual cable system similar to the 231 version but the cowl flaps aren't the same and the original cable and two subsequent attempts have failed. I don't think the first cable was strong enough to pull the flaps closed even at slow speeds so we tried a button lock cable and then a friction lock cable similar to a throttle cable. The forces pulling the flaps open over comes all the locking mechanism at cruise over 150 kts or so. At least with this last, much stronger cable. The second cable wouldn't even hold it closed at 80 kts. Improvement but unacceptable. My current A&P thinks we may be better off going back to the motor but I'm worried that we won't be able to find a motor, that it will cost a fortune (this motor is the size of 2 D cell batteries!), and the forces are too much for it and the real reason it went in the first place. Also, my 252 has a Rocket conversion but I don't think that effected the lower cowl and there seems to be a significant difference between the 231 and the 252 cowl flap beyond just manual vs electrical Any suggestions?

I have no idea about Surface or Windows 8 but I have been using Seattle Avionics Voyager EFB and like it a lot. It runs on a Windows platform.

Erik, I bought an un-powered version from Aircraft Spruce and the volume just went away when I put it inline (even when I wasn't on the phone I couldn't hear the radios). They claimed the powered version was better but it was about the same price as the Blulink.

As I mentioned, I had a couple problem units from Blulink. The people I spoke with were very helpful and sent me a new unit immediately. This unit appears to be working very well. No problem hearing the other person on the phone and they state they hear me perfectly. I've tried units similar to the ones above with poor results but those may be better.

The turbo Mooneys can't have the power dropped like the non-turbo models. Even at MP's less than 25" I'm gentle on the throttle. I'd be uncomfortable using the power drop as my main method of slowing down. The reduced descent, brakes, gear, and, eventually, flaps (Vfe on the k is 112 kts while Vlo is 140 and there is no limit on brake deployment) yes but power not so much. I must not be doing something right because I usually find it something of a challenge to get down to 140 kts when ATC brings me in high, as they always seem to do, to get everything configured quickly and stay on track for the pattern even when I've reduced power as much as possible in the descent (I'm limited to no less than 25" MP).

I too felt the agreement to only drop the charges if he agreed not to sue them was very bothersome. On what basis did they intend to charge him? I don't believe it even happened in their jurisdiction? I very well may have been tempted to become Don Quixote and make it my mission to demonstrate the limitations of government and the stupidity of people taking authority they do not have. Or, in other words, I'm glad it didn't happen to me but it could. As Martin Niemöller said: First they came for the socialists , and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists , and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews , and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me. So, I wonder, is there a way to band together and sue the crap out of these guys so no other police force does the same thing?

I'm surprised you got the Clarity Aloft rather than the Halos. You are only the second person I know that chose the Clarity Aloft over the Halo. I'm glad your happy with your choice, whichever it is. These decisions are very personal.

Now I remember why I moved to Florida. Cool today in the mid-70s and I could swear I saw a cloud at one point today.

My KFC 150 would also porpoise but it didn't stop. It turned out the autopilot has had a number of software updates and I needed them. You may find your problem isn't really solved.

I have a friend with a Trinidad. He really likes it but it better not break anymore. He had to wait 100 days (literally) for the parts order to be placed, not filled, and the plane was down for about 5 months. Worse than Mooney? Worse than Mooney will be?

Also, I have tried a couple of hardwired cellphone/MP3 player connections with terrible results. The only one that has ever worked worth anything was the first BluLink. Hopefully, it won't be the last BluLink to work. Inserting the silicone plugs required pointing the bend at the end of the tube up so it didn't hit my ear as I pushed it in. Maybe that is why most of us don't put them in far enough at first.

Erik, The trick with the silicone was to be sure I had them in far enough. Once I learned that, they work well. I actually push them in until they hurt slightly and then back them out a smidgen. If you put them in while the engine is running you'll hear the change when you get them in the right depth.

Lori, I wish you the best of luck. You've chosen a difficult way to start a business in a difficult economic environment. Coy is a blight on the aviation service industry and his impact on your reputation will be difficult to overcome. I look forward to hearing from your customers on this sight how you have done a great job on the work you have performed and the services you have provided. Will you be at SNF?

Interesting question about BluLink. I had a unit that worked great with my Halo headset but it got wet and was lost at the bottom of an alligator infested lake (another, long, sad story). I purchased another unit and when I use it without turning on the power it was fine for listening to the radios but, of course, didn't Bluetooth to anything. Pacific Coast Avionics was good enough to take it back and sent me a different unit. This unit does the same thing! I decided I was doing something wrong so I tried to replace the batteries. No help. Different headsets (DCs). No help. Different radios. No help. So I called the manufacturer today (pretty current topic, eh) and Abram, a very pleasant and helpful person, said it had to be the unit if it happens when the power goes on and he is sending me a 4th unit, no charge, even before I send back the unit I have. Very nice of him. Anyway, I wouldn't be going through all this trouble if I hadn't already had one that worked great. The cell phone reception was clearer than from the phone itself and people receiving the calls said the sound quality was excellent. So, if and when I get another operating unit, I'm keeping it!

Erik, You might try using the silicone ends during the winter. Slightly less noise attenuation but a lot easier to work with in the cold. On the other hand, when the foam is cold, it holds the compression a little longer and gives a little more time for insertion if you need it.