GaryP1007

Mackinac is on my "to do"list. Nice flying.

I was waiting to launch yesterday afternoon at KOWD, delayed due to a string of t-storms coming through. As I am waiting this guy in a Saratoga goes out and launches into heavy rain, lightening (local ground strikes reported), tornado warnings. I didnt read about him this morning so I assume he made it wherever he was going, but the radar was heavy red with lightening all around. I was stunned....maybe its me.

Man I am getting old. My sciatica is screaming at the 2.5 hour mark. I can go till 3 but after that I would need to jump out of the plane.

Understood re: traffic.....however he is picking up ZERO traffic even when going into Boston Logan. I am a huge ForeFlight supporter, but the weather will have to be the same of better when compared to XM in order for people to stay excited.

This is an excerpt from a friend's letter to ForeFlight...... I've been using, (and learning about), Foreflight with a Stratus 1 receiver for a few months now. The flight planning and GPS features, including the positioning on IFR plates and taxi diagrams, are great. I remain, however, confused and disappointed with the weather and traffic features. I've already contacted you concerning the traffic feature. Although I didn't subscribe to Foreflight to get traffic, (most of my flights are IFR), it has recently been advertised that with the latest software and firmware downloads, some traffic would be displayed. Since the required downloads, I've flown on four flights in and out of a busy class B airport and have yet to see a single traffic blip! I did, however, subscribe to get the weather product. Two days ago I was in IMC with precip in the area for the first time since using Foreflight/Stratus. I was very disappointed at the pixelated (block-type) display, and totally shocked by not being able to animate the cells. Rereading the Stratus description on Shorty's web site and the comparison between ADS-B and XM weather on yours, I was aware that there would be a slight difference in resolution (the difference is huge!) but can't find the lack of animation while in the air documented anywhere. This, to me, is a major over site AND a potential safety issue. Consider this please: I sat in my home during a rainy evening, getting used to my new software, and was totally impressed with the quality of the weather that was being displayed on my mini ipad AND the smooth animation ability. I was connected, of course to my home's Wi-Fi. I had no clue that while in the air I would get a completely different depiction of the weather and NOT be able to animate it. My real world situation the other day had a red square a few miles from my home airport that not only didn't move for a twenty minutes; I was UNABLE to to find the "play" button to animate it. In an effort to understand this new technology better, is this a weakness in the Foreflight software or the Stratus hardware? If my lack of traffic and disappointing weather displays are not typical, could I be having trouble with my Stratus unit? Lastly, if this level of weather service is all that is being offered to date, what is the time frame for introducing improvements to raise your product to the level XM weather? (I cancelled my XM subscription based on the advertised descriptions of both Foreflight and Stratus but will have to subscribe again if this is all I can expect from Foreflight/Stratus)

Bob, thanks for the Boston Strong profile pic. It's very sad up here.

Looking to sell a 496 with all the cables, yoke mount, gxm 30 antenna......packed in bubble wrap between uses....no scratches. Please DM if interested.

Im excited to get it! Synthetic vision makes a lot of sense as the next upgrade.

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I just ordered the Stratus 2 from Sportys. Will let you know my thoughts once I test it out.

there is definitely a 4-7 kt loss without them. The old ones have been taken off and now I am at about 129-130 kts vs 135-137.

Having trouble finding anyone carrying wheel pants for a 1985 Piper Dakota. Seems production has halted. Any suggestions for a "go to" place that just might have access to a set?

Thanks everyone.

Has anyone ever looked into the Airshares Elite program? Essentially a lease/ownership option on a Cirrus. I can imagine this question will strike a nerve with many. LOL

I spoke to my avionics guy about the Aspen. He likes it but suggested a few other options.....If I were to trade the 430W for a GTN750 it would be $11K (due to trade value) installed. If I did the Aspen and kept the 430W it would be $13.5. Not a big money difference but interesting enough. He also said he might think about a gdl 39 and a new transponder to add traffic and free weather to my yoke mounted Garmin Aera as well as iPad. Just passing on another point of view. Thanks for the replies.

Thanks for the opinions. Very helpful.

Thanks, yes the 430 is WAAS. The AP is a King KAP150. Currently no HSI only a DG.

I am interested in upgrading/adding on to my panel to enhance IFR capabilities. Currently have a 430 as my GPS and was thinking of adding an Aspen.....but not sure what others would do. Not looking for a tear down and rebuild...instead looking to enhance. Thoughts?