FloridaMan

A friend of mine owns a flight school. He said he had a report that there was a loud BANG on a flight in a 172. They returned to the field, fired it up and things seemed fine. Upon exiting the plane, there was a puddle of oil on the ground; pulling the cowl revealed a separated head. He said the amazing thing was that they could not tell the issue in flight.

I close it per POH "impact ice" warnings.

I have seen tachs read low many times. There are a number of iPhone apps that supposedly work well that may help you get a better feel whether it's the tach or the prop. Also, parallax may make the needle appear offset from where it's actually reading.

Are you interesting in adopting?

I'm usually ready for the plane to weathervane in crosswinds. I stay low til Vy and then climb out. One thing I noticed from watching videos that I recorded of my takeoffs right after getting the plane is that the plane would drift left when I'd lift off due to inadequate compensation for P-factor.

I think people use Milar tape on it.

I apologize for being presumptuous as to the identity and history of the pilot. There was something that happened to me a couple weeks ago that I started to post, but instead I contacted some of my professional friends because I assumed that I might have gotten chewed out here from people who had not experienced this. I believe it may be related to what this pilot experienced. I have owned my M20F for three years and I've put nearly 600 hours on it east of the Rockies from MN to NY, FL, TX, NV and places all over in between. I'm instrument rated and I'd like to think that I have a mindset that focuses on safety and continued training, including upset, aerobatic and taildragger training. This weather we've had here in Florida is different than what I'm used to seeing here. The other night I was heading back from the east coast fighting 50-60kt headwinds. Things were smooth at altitude, though my ground speed was so bad that I was concerned that my airspeed indicator may have been incorrect. In my descent I experienced vertical turbulence that felt like I was in free-fall at times. Wind conditions on the ground were reported as 6kts and about 30 degrees off the runway. I had an uneventful touchdown and then on roll out it was as if somebody picked my airplane up and pointed me towards the edge of the runway. Fortunately the runway was 150ft wide and I recovered, but it scared the hell out of me and the wind was out of nowhere. I also had another recent experience where there was a shallow cloud from probably 8000-10000 ft a couple miles off my left wing. It seemed benign enough, but there was moderate turbulence and it felt as if it were sucking me in laterally as I passed it.

Here are the TAFs and METARs. I have years of this data archived as a side project. "KORF 020100Z 0201/0224 14004KT P6SM BKN004 OVC020 TEMPO 0201/0203 3SM -DZ BR OVC010 FM020300 23008KT 3SM BR OVC004 FM020800 23008KT 6SM BR SCT006 OVC012 FM021500 35010KT P6SM SCT015 OVC030 FM021800 01" "KORF 020520Z 0206/0306 24008KT 5SM BR OVC007 FM021300 23007KT P6SM SCT008 OVC015 FM021500 33010KT P6SM SCT015 OVC030 FM021800 01012G20KT P6SM BKN050 FM022000 02007KT P6SM SCT250" "KORF 020559Z 0206/0306 24008KT P6SM OVC007 FM021300 23007KT P6SM SCT008 OVC015 FM021500 33010KT P6SM SCT015 OVC030 FM021800 01012G20KT P6SM BKN050 FM022000 02007KT P6SM SCT250" "KORF 020810Z 0208/0306 22010KT P6SM OVC006 TEMPO 0208/0210 SCT006 FM021300 23007KT P6SM SCT008 OVC015 FM021500 33010KT P6SM SCT015 OVC030 FM021800 01012G20KT P6SM BKN050 FM022000 02007KT P6SM SCT250" "KORF 020940Z 0210/0306 23007KT 1SM BR OVC002 FM021000 23007KT 3/4SM BR OVC002 TEMPO 0210/0212 1/2SM FG FM021300 23007KT P6SM SCT008 OVC015 FM021500 33010KT P6SM SCT015 OVC030 FM021800 01012G20KT P6SM " "KORF 021105Z 0211/0306 23008KT 1 1/2SM BR OVC002 FM021400 23007KT P6SM SCT008 OVC015 FM021500 33010KT P6SM SCT015 OVC030 FM021800 01012G20KT P6SM BKN050 FM022000 02007KT P6SM SCT250" "KORF 021120Z 0212/0312 23008KT 1 1/2SM BR OVC002 FM021400 25007KT 4SM BR SCT008 OVC015 FM021500 32010KT P6SM SCT015 OVC030 FM021800 01012G20KT P6SM BKN050 FM022000 02007KT P6SM SCT250" "KORF 021149Z 0212/0312 24008KT 3SM BR OVC002 FM021400 25007KT 5SM BR SCT008 OVC015 FM021500 32010KT P6SM SCT015 OVC030 FM021800 01012G20KT P6SM BKN050 FM022000 02007KT P6SM SCT250" "KORF 021328Z 0213/0312 24008KT 5SM -RA BR SCT005 BKN060 OVC090 FM021500 32010KT P6SM SCT015 BKN040 FM021800 01012G20KT P6SM BKN050 FM022000 02007KT P6SM SCT250" "KORF 021510Z 0215/0312 34012G18KT P6SM BKN007 BKN060 OVC090 FM021600 36012KT P6SM SCT015 BKN040 FM021800 01012G20KT P6SM BKN050 FM022000 02007KT P6SM SCT250" "KORF 021728Z 0218/0318 01013G20KT P6SM SCT050 BKN150 FM022300 03010KT P6SM SCT250 FM030800 05006KT P6SM BKN120 BKN200 FM031700 10006KT P6SM BKN050 OVC120" "KORF 022156Z 0222/0318 03009KT P6SM SCT250 FM030800 05006KT P6SM SCT120 BKN200 FM031700 10006KT P6SM BKN050 OVC120" "KORF 022339Z 0300/0324 05007KT P6SM SCT250 FM031400 06005KT P6SM BKN100 OVC200 FM031700 10006KT P6SM BKN050 OVC120 FM032200 18008KT 4SM -RA BR OVC040" "KORF 030535Z 0306/0406 01007KT P6SM SCT250 FM031400 06005KT P6SM BKN100 OVC200 FM031700 10006KT P6SM BKN050 OVC120 FM040000 18008KT 4SM -RA BR OVC040 FM040300 20012KT 4SM -RA BR SCT009 OVC020" "KORF 031140Z 0312/0412 05007KT P6SM SCT060 BKN250 FM031700 12006KT P6SM OVC050 FM032200 18008KT 4SM -RA SCT012 OVC040 FM040300 22012KT 4SM BR OVC005" "KORF 031736Z 0318/0418 07008KT P6SM OVC045 FM032300 20012KT 5SM -SHRA BKN012 OVC030 FM040300 22012KT 4SM -SHRA BR OVC005 FM041500 24016G25KT P6SM VCSH BKN012 BKN025" "KORF 032107Z 0321/0418 17005KT P6SM SCT030 OVC045 TEMPO 0321/0323 OVC030 FM032300 20012KT 5SM -RA BKN015 OVC030 FM040300 22012KT 4SM -SHRA BR OVC005 FM041500 24016G25KT P6SM VCSH BKN012 BKN025" "KORF 032241Z 0323/0418 21008KT P6SM -RA OVC025 TEMPO 0401/0403 OVC015 FM040300 22009KT 5SM -RA OVC015 FM040500 22012KT 4SM -SHRA BR OVC008 FM041500 24016G25KT P6SM VCSH BKN012 BKN025" "KORF 032340Z 0400/0424 21008KT P6SM -RA OVC025 FM040200 22009KT 5SM -RA OVC015 FM040400 22012KT 4SM -RA BR OVC008 FM040800 22014KT 4SM -DZ BR OVC004 FM041500 24014G23KT P6SM OVC008 FM041900 22013G22KT" "KORF 040100Z 0401/0424 21008KT P6SM OVC015 TEMPO 0403/0405 -RA OVC008 FM040500 22012KT 4SM -RA BR OVC008 FM040800 22014KT 4SM -DZ BR OVC004 FM041500 24014G23KT P6SM OVC008 FM041900 22013G22KT 4SM BR O" "KORF 040535Z 0406/0506 22014KT 4SM -DZ BR OVC004 FM041500 23014G22KT P6SM OVC008 FM041900 22013G22KT 4SM BR OVC020 FM050400 36012KT 4SM -RA OVC007" "KORF 041138Z 0412/0512 23016G24KT 5SM BR OVC004 FM041600 23015G23KT P6SM BKN008 FM041900 22013G22KT 4SM BR OVC020 FM050400 35014G22KT 4SM -RA OVC007" "KORF 041306Z 0413/0512 23016G24KT 2SM BR OVC004 TEMPO 0413/0415 1SM BR OVC002 FM041600 23015G23KT P6SM BKN008 FM041900 22013G22KT 4SM BR OVC020 FM050400 35014G22KT 4SM -RA OVC007" "KORF 041516Z 0415/0512 23013G23KT 5SM BR OVC005 FM041600 23013G23KT P6SM OVC007 FM041800 23013G23KT P6SM OVC015 FM050000 20010KT 5SM BR OVC007 FM050600 35015G25KT 4SM -RA BR OVC007" "KORF 041733Z 0418/0518 23010G18KT P6SM OVC015 FM042100 20012KT P6SM BKN025 FM050000 21012KT P6SM OVC025 FM050600 01015G25KT 4SM -RA BR OVC007" "KORF 020051Z 11003KT 10SM BKN004 OVC023 00/M01 A3034 RMK AO2 UPE2357 SLP273 P0000 I1001 T00001011 $" "KORF 020058Z 13004KT 9SM FEW004 OVC021 00/M01 A3033 RMK AO2 PRESFR T00001011 $" "KORF 020151Z 00000KT 10SM OVC016 00/M01 A3032 RMK AO2 SLP265 I1000 T00001006 $" "KORF 020232Z 17004KT 8SM BKN010 BKN015 OVC080 00/M01 A3029 RMK AO2 PRESFR I1000 T00001011 $" "KORF 020246Z 17005KT 6SM BR BKN009 OVC065 00/M01 A3027 RMK AO2 I1000 $" "KORF 020251Z 19004KT 5SM BR SCT009 OVC065 00/M01 A3027 RMK AO2 SLP250 60000 I1000 I3001 T00001011 56023 $" "KORF 020351Z VRB03KT 5SM BR SCT060 OVC120 01/M01 A3024 RMK AO2 SLP241 T00061011 $" "KORF 020358Z 27003KT 4SM BR SCT006 SCT060 OVC120 01/M01 A3026 RMK AO2 PRESRR T00061011 $" "KORF 020408Z 24004KT 4SM BR BKN006 OVC120 01/M01 A3025 RMK AO2 T00061011 $" "KORF 020451Z 24008KT 5SM BR OVC007 01/M01 A3026 RMK AO2 SLP247 T00061011 400111022 $" "KORF 020551Z AUTO 23007KT 9SM OVC008 01/M01 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP234 60000 I6001 T00111006 10011 21006 58016 TSNO $" "KORF 020640Z AUTO 23010KT 9SM SCT006 01/00 A3020 RMK AO2 T00110000 TSNO $" "KORF 020651Z AUTO 23009KT 9SM FEW006 01/00 A3019 RMK AO2 SLP221 T00110000 TSNO $" "KORF 020751Z AUTO 21011KT 10SM CLR 01/00 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP204 T00110000 TSNO $" "KORF 020827Z AUTO 24008KT 10SM SCT006 02/00 A3014 RMK AO2 T00170000 TSNO $" "KORF 020836Z AUTO 25006KT 9SM BKN005 02/01 A3014 RMK AO2 T00170006 TSNO $" "KORF 020851Z AUTO 24008KT 7SM OVC004 02/00 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP204 T00170000 55030 TSNO $" "KORF 020915Z AUTO 23007KT 2 1/2SM BR OVC002 02/00 A3012 RMK AO2 T00170000 TSNO $" "KORF 020931Z AUTO 23007KT 1 1/4SM R05/6000VP6000FT BR OVC002 02/01 A3012 RMK AO2 T00170006 TSNO $" "KORF 020947Z AUTO 24009KT 3/4SM R05/4000V4500FT BR VV002 02/01 A3012 RMK AO2 TSNO $" "KORF 020951Z AUTO 23008KT 3/4SM R05/4000V4500FT BR VV002 02/01 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP198 T00170006 TSNO $" "KORF 021006Z AUTO 23008KT 1SM R05/4000FT BR VV002 02/01 A3012 RMK AO2 T00170006 TSNO $" "KORF 021051Z AUTO 23009KT 1 1/2SM BR OVC002 02/01 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP202 T00170006 TSNO $" "KORF 021118Z AUTO 25005KT 2 1/2SM BR OVC002 02/01 A3014 RMK AO2 T00170006 TSNO $" "KORF 021134Z AUTO 24008KT 3SM BR OVC002 02/01 A3014 RMK AO2 T00170006 TSNO $" "KORF 021151Z AUTO 23010KT 4SM BR OVC002 02/01 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP200 70006 T00170006 10017 20011 50002 TSNO $" "KORF 021158Z AUTO 22011KT 4SM BR OVC003 02/01 A3012 RMK AO2 T00170006 TSNO $" "KORF 021251Z AUTO 23010KT 5SM BR BKN004 OVC090 02/01 A3013 RMK AO2 UPB22E51RAB38E49 SLP203 P0000 T00220011 TSNO $" "KORF 021308Z AUTO 23008KT 4SM -RA BR SCT005 BKN060 OVC090 02/01 A3014 RMK AO2 RAB05 P0000 T00220011 TSNO $" "KORF 021351Z AUTO 24008KT 5SM BR SCT049 BKN060 OVC090 03/02 A3016 RMK AO2 RAB05E38UPB38E40 SLP213 P0001 T00280017 TSNO $" "KORF 021403Z AUTO 25005KT 5SM BR FEW005 SCT050 OVC060 03/03 A3017 RMK AO2 T00330028 TSNO $" "KORF 021419Z AUTO 27005KT 5SM BR BKN005 OVC060 03/03 A3018 RMK AO2 T00330033 TSNO $" "KORF 021451Z AUTO 34010G15KT 9SM BKN007 OVC060 03/02 A3022 RMK AO2 PRESRR SLP234 60001 T00330017 53034 TSNO $" "KORF 021551Z AUTO 33005KT 3SM BR OVC003 02/01 A3026 RMK AO2 SLP245 T00220011 TSNO" "KORF 021620Z AUTO VRB04KT 7SM SCT003 OVC120 04/03 A3026 RMK AO2 T00390028 TSNO" "KORF 021651Z AUTO 36008KT 10SM SCT055 BKN120 06/01 A3026 RMK AO2 SLP246 T00560011 TSNO" "KORF 021751Z AUTO 02010KT 10SM CLR 05/01 A3026 RMK AO2 SLP247 60001 T00500011 10056 20017 51013 TSNO" "KORF 021851Z AUTO 02010KT 10SM CLR 04/00 A3026 RMK AO2 SLP245 T00440000 TSNO" "KORF 021951Z AUTO 02010KT 10SM CLR 05/M01 A3027 RMK AO2 SLP249 T00501006 TSNO" "KORF 022051Z AUTO 03013KT 10SM CLR 04/M02 A3028 RMK AO2 SLP253 T00441022 53006 TSNO" "KORF 022151Z AUTO 03010KT 10SM CLR 04/M03 A3029 RMK AO2 SLP256 T00441033 TSNO" "KORF 022251Z AUTO 04007KT 10SM CLR 03/M04 A3032 RMK AO2 SLP265 T00281039 TSNO" "KORF 022351Z AUTO 03006KT 10SM CLR 03/M04 A3035 RMK AO2 SLP275 T00281044 10056 20022 53022 TSNO" "KORF 030051Z AUTO 02007KT 10SM CLR 03/M05 A3036 RMK AO2 SLP280 T00281050 TSNO" "KORF 030151Z AUTO 03008KT 10SM CLR 02/M05 A3037 RMK AO2 SLP283 T00221050 TSNO" "KORF 030251Z AUTO 02007KT 10SM CLR 02/M06 A3039 RMK AO2 SLP289 T00221056 53014 TSNO" "KORF 030351Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 02/M07 A3041 RMK AO2 SLP297 T00171072 TSNO" "KORF 030451Z AUTO 01007KT 10SM CLR 01/M05 A3040 RMK AO2 SLP294 T00111050 400560006 TSNO" "KORF 030551Z AUTO 01009KT 10SM CLR 01/M06 A3041 RMK AO2 SLP296 T00111056 10028 20011 51007 TSNO" "KORF 030651Z AUTO 02011KT 10SM CLR 01/M06 A3040 RMK AO2 SLP293 T00111056 TSNO" "KORF 030751Z AUTO 02011KT 10SM CLR 01/M06 A3038 RMK AO2 SLP288 T00061056 TSNO" "KORF 030851Z AUTO 04010KT 10SM CLR 01/M07 A3039 RMK AO2 SLP291 T00061067 55005 TSNO" "KORF 030951Z AUTO 04005KT 10SM CLR M01/M07 A3042 RMK AO2 SLP299 T10061072 TSNO" "KORF 031051Z AUTO 05007KT 10SM CLR M01/M06 A3040 RMK AO2 SLP294 T10061061 TSNO" "KORF 031151Z AUTO 05006KT 10SM CLR 00/M06 A3041 RMK AO2 SLP296 70001 T00001061 10011 21011 51005 TSNO" "KORF 031251Z AUTO 03008KT 10SM FEW065 00/M05 A3044 RMK AO2 PRESRR SLP308 T00001050 TSNO" "KORF 031351Z AUTO 06008KT 10SM SCT060 01/M04 A3044 RMK AO2 SLP308 T00061044 TSNO" "KORF 031451Z AUTO 05007KT 10SM OVC055 01/M04 A3045 RMK AO2 SLP311 T00111044 51015 TSNO" "KORF 031551Z AUTO 03006KT 10SM OVC055 02/M03 A3042 RMK AO2 SLP300 T00221033 TSNO" "KORF 031651Z AUTO 07006KT 9SM OVC055 02/M03 A3038 RMK AO2 SLP287 T00171033 TSNO" "KORF 031751Z AUTO 03007KT 9SM OVC049 02/M03 A3034 RMK AO2 SLP274 T00221028 10022 20000 58037 TSNO" "KORF 031851Z AUTO 07005KT 10SM OVC044 03/M02 A3028 RMK AO2 SLP253 T00331022 TSNO" "KORF 031951Z AUTO 02003KT 9SM OVC040 03/M02 A3025 RMK AO2 SLP244 T00281017 TSNO" "KORF 032051Z AUTO 17005KT 10SM SCT030 OVC049 05/M01 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP229 T00501006 56045 TSNO" "KORF 032151Z 17005KT 10SM FEW030 OVC050 06/M01 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP214 BINOVC T00561006" "KORF 032158Z 19005KT 10SM OVC027 06/M01 A3016 RMK AO2 T00561006" "KORF 032232Z 24006KT 10SM OVC031 06/00 A3017 RMK AO2 T00560000" "KORF 032241Z 24004KT 7SM -RA OVC029 06/00 A3017 RMK AO2 RAB39 P0000 T00560000" "KORF 032251Z 20008KT 9SM OVC029 06/00 A3017 RMK AO2 RAB39E48 SLP216 P0000 T00560000" "KORF 032351Z 22006KT 10SM OVC024 06/01 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP208 60000 T00560006 10061 20017 56022" "KORF 040030Z 22009KT 10SM FEW023 BKN033 OVC042 06/01 A3012 RMK AO2 T00560011" "KORF 040051Z 22009KT 10SM BKN014 BKN020 OVC041 06/01 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP195 T00560011" "KORF 040151Z 21012KT 10SM OVC010 06/02 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP187 T00610022" "KORF 040220Z 21013KT 10SM OVC009 06/03 A3008 RMK AO2 T00610028" "KORF 040251Z 21011KT 9SM OVC008 07/03 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP181 T00670033 56026" "KORF 040351Z 21013KT 6SM BR OVC007 07/04 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP167 T00670044" "KORF 040451Z 21014KT 4SM BR OVC004 07/05 A3001 RMK AO2 RAB17E26 SLP161 P0001 T00670050 400671011" "KORF 040551Z 22016KT 5SM -RA BR OVC003 07/05 A2999 RMK AO2 RAB0453 SLP155 P0002 60003 T00670050 10067 20056 56026" "KORF 040621Z AUTO 22013KT 3SM RA BR BKN005 OVC008 07/06 A2998 RMK AO2 P0008 T00720056 TSNO" "KORF 040651Z AUTO 23012KT 4SM -RA BR OVC005 07/06 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP149 P0015 T00720061 TSNO" "KORF 040714Z AUTO 22013KT 10SM OVC004 08/06 A2996 RMK AO2 RAE05 P0001 T00780061 TSNO" "KORF 040751Z AUTO 22015G23KT 6SM BR OVC004 07/06 A2994 RMK AO2 RAE05 SLP138 P0002 T00720056 TSNO" "KORF 040851Z AUTO 22015KT 3SM BR OVC003 08/06 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP133 60017 T00780061 56022 TSNO" "KORF 040858Z AUTO 22019G23KT 2 1/2SM BR OVC003 08/07 A2992 RMK AO2 T00780067 TSNO" "KORF 040904Z AUTO 23018G24KT 3SM BR OVC002 08/07 A2993 RMK AO2 T00830072 TSNO" "KORF 040920Z AUTO 22020G27KT 2 1/2SM BR OVC002 08/07 A2992 RMK AO2 PK WND 22027/0920 T00830072 TSNO" "KORF 040930Z AUTO 22018KT 3SM BR OVC002 08/07 A2992 RMK AO2 PK WND 22027/0920 T00830072 TSNO" "KORF 040951Z AUTO 22017G27KT 2 1/2SM BR OVC002 09/08 A2992 RMK AO2 PK WND 22028/0941 SLP132 T00890078 TSNO" "KORF 041011Z AUTO 22018G25KT 1 3/4SM BR OVC002 08/07 A2994 RMK AO2 T00830072 TSNO" "KORF 041018Z AUTO 23017G25KT 2 1/2SM BR OVC002 09/08 A2993 RMK AO2 T00890078 TSNO" "KORF 041038Z AUTO 23018KT 4SM BR OVC002 09/08 A2993 RMK AO2 PK WND 23028/1024 T00940083 TSNO" "KORF 041047Z AUTO 22016G29KT 5SM BR OVC003 09/08 A2993 RMK AO2 PK WND 23029/1041 TSNO" "KORF 041051Z AUTO 22019G26KT 5SM BR OVC003 09/08 A2993 RMK AO2 PK WND 23029/1041 SLP134 T00940083 TSNO" "KORF 041151Z AUTO 22016G24KT 7SM OVC004 11/09 A2993 RMK AO2 PK WND 23028/1055 SLP136 60017 70020 T01060094 10106 20067 52004 TSNO" "KORF 041233Z 23015G28KT 1 1/2SM BR OVC004 12/11 A2994 RMK AO2 PK WND 24028/1227 T01170106" "KORF 041251Z 23017KT 1 1/2SM BR OVC004 11/10 A2994 RMK AO2 PK WND 24028/1227 SLP139 T01110100" "KORF 041351Z 24012G19KT 1 1/2SM BR OVC004 12/11 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP146 T01170106" "KORF 041358Z 24013G19KT 5SM BR OVC004 12/11 A2996 RMK AO2 T01170106" "KORF 041407Z 25013G21KT 1 1/2SM BR OVC004 12/11 A2996 RMK AO2 T01170106" "KORF 041428Z 24010KT 7SM OVC004 12/11 A2997 RMK AO2 T01220111" "KORF 041442Z 24008G16KT 8SM OVC005 12/11 A2997 RMK AO2 T01220111" "KORF 041451Z 24010KT 8SM OVC005 12/11 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP149 T01220111 52013" "KORF 041551Z 25006G15KT 10SM OVC007 14/12 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP149 T01390117" "KORF 041651Z 24007KT 10SM OVC009 14/12 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP147 T01440117" "KORF 041708Z 23009KT 10SM OVC011 15/12 A2996 RMK AO2 T01500122" "KORF 041751Z 23009KT 10SM OVC012 16/13 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP136 T01610128 10161 20106 58013" "KORF 041841Z 23010KT 10SM OVC015 17/13 A2992 RMK AO2 T01670128" "KORF 041851Z 24011KT 10SM OVC015 17/13 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP131 T01670128"

Did he survive?

"Are you getting pushed around by the wind; I'm showing you up and down and left and right..." "6BB What's your fuel state" "I've got about an hour" "6BB I'm showing you way left of course..." "Cancel approach clearance [to another pilot]" "6BB you're way off the localizer" "6BB you want to attempt this approach again?" "We'll take another swing at it"

Post removed; the reported pilot's name is not the owner. My apologies.

Reports say there were three on board. Odd place to come down being that they were on the approach to 23.

I should also add that the driving factors in my purchase included the following: * Getting the oil and fuel line out of my firewall * If one of the more critical factory gauges failed, it could ground me while I sourced one or got it fixed. With the JPI, I would expect to be able to get a new sensor/indicator overnight * I had a clogged injector that gave symptoms intermittently until the engine tried to stumble on me on take-off, the EDM-900 EGT would have indicated that to me immediately. * I think it's kindof cool that the JPI has a remote light that goes right in front of you that will illuminate if something's wrong so if you neglect the instrument in your scan, you can get immediate notification. From what others have told me of their experiences, you may get a couple minutes before engine failure if you lose oil pressure. Knowing immediately could help you land safely.

I ordered an EDM900; it goes in next week. It replaced ALL of your primary instruments and cost me $3100 with an instant rebate. I'd keep my eyes open for Sun N Fun specials as well.

Not all CFI's are created equal. I have flown with guys who only have experience in 172's and I find that they frequently get behind the Mooney very quickly. Likewise, I brief my passengers on things that they can help me with, even if they have no experience (looking for traffic, ask and verify that I put my landing gear down, explain approach speeds, bank angle, et cetera).

Last time I flew into Wichita from Florida I noticed huge fields of red lights at night. The lights were flashing synchronously; I didn't notice anything really conspicuous during the day. Were they windmill fields? Oil fields?

I've found if I turn off the monitoring of one radio in the audio panel that I just don't hear the interference. I typically had COM1 "armed" all the time with "Auto" set as well. When switching to COM2, since COM1 was still armed, I'd hear it. The solution was to disarm COM1.

I have one on mine. It works fantastic. The only time it doesn't start right away is if I don't prime it enough.

Be careful. After such an investment I think it would be worth the short hop over to KAVO to have Phil, who really knows Mooneys, inspect the reseal. From my understanding, there are two things that have killed a lot of pilots in the old short body Mooneys: water collecting behind the ribs and sealant blocking the base of the tank sump points. Both will give an indication of clean fuel and on takeoff the water will clear the ribs and get into the fuel system, causing an engine failure at the worst possible time. I think it would be worth the expense of a little labor to have it inspected and if anything is wrong, have the reseal shop correct it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fingernail check.

I find that traveling away from the sun about an hour before sunrise or an hour after sunset puts you in absolutely pure IMC. Light pollution from behind causes your eyes to adjust just enough to not be able to see in the darkness in front of you at all and you find yourself looking into absolute nothingness.

My understanding of what gives the LoPresti cowlings their advantages are that the three holes (two for cooling and one for ram air) are close to the prop and utilize prop pressure. I see 1-2" of MP increase with the ram air open on mine. I would reckon that if the same effect works for cooling then they were able to decrease the surface area of the front of the cowling altogether and still get effective cooling. Given LoPresti's prices, I'd say there's a nice spot in the market for competition

I've had this happen with my Xaon unit a time or two. Try moving the receiver. Also, I noticed it was happening in the vicinity of clouds; I think I was picking up my own echo at times.