David Mazer

Try Dolphin. I've been there many times and they have never charged me anything.

Considering that I am now actively engaged in just a political discussion on this site, it is worth noting that the original subject was political in nature, I try hard to keep my arguments civil as if I have to face the people with whom I address tomorrow (my apologies in general, in advance, and in hindsight where I have and will fail at this), and, no, I'm sure I've never changed anyone's opinion about anything.

If I want a $100 hamburger, I have to taxi to the other side of the airport. If I actually takeoff, the price goes up substantially. Looks like it was a fun flight.

I find I have to pump mine up again after I climb. There must be a leak but I haven't been able to find it. One clarification to Byron's comment, mine requires that it be deflated prior to opening the door.

I have a Galaxy S II. It has a nice size screen but I wouldn't consider using it for my maps. I tried the iPad and I must be the only person in the world that didn't like it. The screen isn't bright enough and the applications aren't what I wanted. I use Seattle Avionics Voyager EFB on a Motion LS800 and it works great (I have weather on my Aspen). The hardware is only about $300 now, cheaper than a smart phone, and the software and updates are competitive. I use a yoke mount with a fan since the super bright screen heats up, I plug it into ships 12V, and carry 3 batteries (although I've never needed more than one and then only because I had a 12V problem).

Gayle had been using a corner of Sarasota Avionics' hangar at VNC. She may have moved though and I think you need to get the info from her directly. Extra padding? I don't think I would like the diameter of the yoke to be any greater than it is now.

About the same cost as Aero Comfort. I'm surprised but at least there is no dissassembly and reassembly of a complicated yoke. I can tell you the quality is excellent.

Welcome to the club. I have a 1986 Rocket based at KSFB. What little knowledge I have is yours for the asking.

Aaron, I think you are likely screwed on the avionics other than the equipment costs at this point, if your lucky. Another post suggested returning the old avionics to the plane but I advise against it unless you get it from a lawyer in writing that would be okay. Your healthy. I'm not sure how healthy you would stay in jail.

Did I miss the prime aviation ingredient in everyone else's flightbag, money? I always carry a checkbook. On the ground, almost any other requirement can be obtained with that one.

Quote: Shadrach Aaron, I'm going to disagree with Mazer here.

VNC is Venice airport. It is very close to Lakeland (LAL) airport and very convenient to Parker. Even if it wasn't, I would still recommend Gayle (that is the person who actually does the work) as the yokes don't need to come off, avoiding all the potential installation issues, and I believe it is less expensive then Aero Comfort.

I'm so sorry Aaron. That looks like a significant amount of damage. I hope the repairs come in well below the expectation but I'm not sure that is what you want. Even if the repairs are $65k, you need to remember the decreased value in the plane as it now has damage. I'm not sure what percentage decrease that would be but it is some. Also, the damage internally is more disconcerting to me than the external damage and if it is really that significant, I might wonder if it can really be fixed safely. As to the avionics you just installed, that really hurts. I'm sure the insurance company will plan on salvaging the plane and those avionics will recover a lot of their costs if they do total it out. They will be pretty miffed (read this as felony theft) if you remove them without their permission. They may allow you to buy them back at some discount though. All in all, what initially is an instant's mistake turns into a huge event. Again. It may be harder and harder to remember but the important part is that no one was hurt. Good luck.

Parker, you could get yours done at VNC without removing the yokes and it looks and feels great. Probably costs half too. If you are ever at SFB, you could check out mine.

You can't get FIKI on a Missle or a Rocket because the TKS STC won't cover them. Inadvertent is available but not FIKI. I agree that a 252 sounds like the best option. A J would be close but the 252 is a better fit. If there is ONLY the 2 of you and never more, you might consider an RV 7. Very economical and a great airplane even if it is a bit sensitive and requires a gentile touch.

I would like to remind people about the Rocket crash in Augusta, GA in 2011 that looks like a gear up landing followed by an improper prop installation for a ferry to repair several months later that killed the pilot. All this talk about ferrying a broken plane makes me very nervous.

I would like to remind people about the Rocket crash in Augusta, GA in 2011 that looks like a gear up landing followed by an improper prop installation for a ferry to repair several months later that killed the pilot. All this talk about ferrying a broken plane makes me very nervous.

Where was the squat switch in all this (I presume the J has one like my K does)? If Aaron was really down on his mains when he accidently retracted the gear, why didn't the switch prevent the retraction?

allsmiles, with all due respect, there is no way to find any Mooney at Mooney Mart one should buy. I know of one airplane that has been paid for by the customer but undeliverable for the last 3 years because Coy stiffed the subcontractor and they won't release the plane. I know of another where an engine rebuild was paid to Coy but he didn't pay the rebuilder and the owner had to pay a second time. Under no circumstances should anyone ever trust Coy Jacobs with their money or their life. There are few certainties in life but one of them is that you will have a more satisfied life if you never deal with Coy Jacobs!

Unfortunately, from very personal experience. Experience one never really needs, or wants, to have again.

See my other post about Coy Jacobs. Avoid him like the plague he is.

Don't ever even think of going to Coy Jacobs for anything. NEVER, EVER, EVER. Coy doesn't deliver on his promises and doesn't live up to his estimates. He also doesn't stick to his time tables. I would never buy a plane from him. I wouldn't buy a stick of gum from him.

Quote: kortopates The real cats meow solution is to get a flasher for your recognition lights, available from LASAR. The small flasher unit is wired in to the the rocker switch behind the panel (taking minutes) and is enabled when you turn them on and then off for one second. You retain always "on" mode by just leaving the switch in "On" mode - although I only use flash mode. Flash mode solves the heat issue, substanially improves visibility (IMO) and saves bulb life. My recognition lights are always on in flash mode, day or night, and last for about 1000 hrs on average.

To all those that claim that privatization is tantamount to a fleecing of the public, I submit that there is nothing the government does that doesn't really cost more than what a private organization will charge. It is just hidden from view and shows up somewhere else. Further, in my experience in the creation of content, I use to run a company that created content for educational publishers, the creation of electronic content in a usable form costs very nearly the same as content in hard copy form. The storage and delivery costs are more significant than people understand with all the computer and storage costs considered. I'm not saying I'm happy about the prospect of additional costs for my charts but I do believe the costs are real and our government appears to be spending a lot more than it is taking in (not that I agree with the priorities, mind you).

My LED recognition lights are doing well so far. No significant heat and good visibility.