andrew

Walmart sells pulse oximeters for $35 in the pharmacy. I haven't gone through a scientific calibration like Ray has, but they have given very reasonable readings so far.

Any PIREPs on the JPI 930? I'm considering it, I really like all the features it would add but still a bit hesitant about going digital primary. Has anyone installed this unit? Is it worth going primary over just the advisory nature of the 830?

Does anyone have the height of the right avionics bay on an M20K handy? I'm currently separated by many miles from my aircraft and weighing some options for avionics work, but I'm not sure how much I can displace to the right avionics rack. Based on my pictures I've estimated about 9.3" of height available, but I was curious if anyone had a more accurate number.

Does AeroBalance offer anything that WNB Pro doesn't? Just wondering because it looks pretty similar on the surface aside from having a few datapoints pre-entered off the type certificate, but it's 4x the cost. I've been using WNB Pro and am quite happy with it so far.

I'm in Ontario. Lots of RNAV approaches around, haven't seen too many LPVs though.

I'm interested in what the resolution was on the '87 model was as well. I have looked at the mechanism in the IPC and it seems quite straight forward, but I will be fixing the trim indicator on an '86 K soon and was hoping to find a minimally invasive way of getting to the trim indicator.

Thanks for all the comments. Yes, I probably wouldn't put it on a short-term list of needs, but just wanted to be informed on options. I am pursuing an upgrade from an NA Mooney into a 252 and some of the planes I have looked at have had the dual alternator and others have not, I wanted to get an appreciation for the significance of the difference. As Jose mentioned, the battery is probably sufficiently adequate in most alternator failure situations as long as it is handled appropriately. Andrew

Does anyone know if it is still possible and what is involved in adding a second alternator to a 252 which isn't currently equipped with one?

Has anyone fit an aftermarket throttle control to an M20C or M20G which works with the gear warning horn microswitch? I have replaced the mixture control with one of the McFarlane vernier controls and was very impressed with how smooth it now operates. I would now like to update the throttle control. LASAR has the original throttle assemblies available, and that's an option, however I was hoping to move to one of the more modern style controls that McFarlane offers. I'm just not sure how that would work with the gear warning horn at the moment. Any thoughts, experience or suggestions on this?

I put an 830 on my carbed Mooney when I purchased it and don't regret the decision at all. I find it very easy to keep on top of the engine management using it, and the fuel management and carb temp are really great safety features. It alarms if parameters are out of range (engine temps, fuel levels, bus voltage, etc) making it hard to miss a developing situation. I try to routinely download the data it records to review my engine performance and fuel management. I'm sure I use less fuel and fly the engine better because of it.

I just recently brought home my Mooney and am looking to practice and learn the Garmin 430 a bit in preparation for IFR training. I am currently intending to run the plane off a Li-Ion battery pack which is designed to plug into the cigarette lighter of a car and recharge the car's battery. I was curious if anyone had tried this or a similar scheme, and what suggestions you might offer about growing proficient with the 430s. Are the Jepp courses worthwhile? Andrew

I'm a new Mooney owner ('68 M20G) and just going through the process of familiarizing myself with the plane and addressing any outstanding maintenance items before I get into the fun of flying it around! I received my private licence about a year ago and so my first order of business is to get an instrument rating. One thing I am working on addressing is the condition of the baffling. I've ordered new baffle seals from Guy Ginby at Gee Bee after reading a number of positive reviews and am looking forward to getting that installed. However, I've also noticed some wear in the forward right aluminum baffle piece. I've located a replacement and will be installing that shortly, but I'm curious about both: whether this wear is normal, and the purpose of the iron red material (probably RTV) between the baffle and the cooling fins on cylinder #1. I haven't noticed this in any documentation on the plane, and am currently assuming that it was applied to mitigate the rubbing that has now worn through the baffle. Is wear on this piece of baffling common? If so, is this RTV "bumper" a known and generally effective solution? Is there any chance the rubber will compromise the thermal characteristics of the cylinder cooling fins? When I install the new baffle piece, would you recommend removing the red adhesive material from the cooling fins? Is there a risk of damaging the heatsink while removing the adhesive? Thanks, Andrew