nels

Matt, could you check your fuel to see if it might be laced with alcohol?

Did you clarify with ppg that this is a NO alcohol fuel? I noticed, while wiping down the tank with alcohol, that the top sealer did soften. I also remember the POM allowing the use of only a certain specicific alcohol for winter use added to the fuel in a limited amount. The softening while wiping, did raise a question in my mind and I figured that was why they allowed a certain alcohol blend only. I'd look it up but im in a camper in the middle of Kansas.

Oh I think Jerry realized that. Although it's really no big deal, as you say, the engine would just windmill.

Anybody ever take a sound measurement at cruise and then cut the engine and take another? This would give a good indicator of sound contamination from exhaust or power strokes from the engine.

The last db check I did was at 3k ft and about a 160 cruise. It was 105 db's. This is with an ap on my cell phone. What measuring device are you using? I certainly don't trust mine but if I start making changes and want to verify results, I will need to use the same device for all measurement and would like it to be a good unit. Also, are there any directional units that might give us some insight as to where the loudest nose comes from?

Are the new Mooneys loud inside? They had to quite them down I would think?

I'm sure this topic has been beat to death but has anyone had any real noticeable sound reduction success with their Mooney. If so, what did you do. I checked my Mooney at 3k feet and about 145 knots and the decibel reading was about 7 to 10 decibels higher than a newer 172 at 3k ft but didn't get the airspeed. I took the readings within an hour of each other. I would love to trim 10 decibels out of the cockpit of my Mooney but I want it to make sense and don't want to reinvent the wheel. I don't mind adding a few pounds if i can really take a chunk out of the noise.

See other thread

That Cessna looks like a "low rider".

Don't feel too bad, last week I landed with the auto pilot still on. I really thought the wind was playing with me. I landed ok and then realized why I had so much difficulty. I'm glad it happened this time and all was ok...but I learned something and... it won't happen again.

Thanks for the info. I think I can live with that. Hmm, did I say that?

Thanks

Copied this from their paperwork: WARRANTY: The Inspector has a one year warranty on all of its parts. It is recommended that you calibrate the Inspector every six months. If you do not calibrate it then there is a good chance it will not provide an accurate measurement. If a calibration is never performed an EOL (End of Life) icon will display on the LCD after two years of use. A successful calibration postpones an EOL for 180 days. Does EOL mean it no longer functions?

I was looking at the Sensorcon site checking out their warning systems and I noticed they should be calibrated every six months and must be recalibrate every two years ( I think) or they guite working. It sounds like you need to send the unit back to them for calibration if you don't have a 50 parts per million base line leak to use as a calibration tool. Am I reading that correctly?

Good thought. I need to do that and will.

You probably misinterpreted. I respect you guys for sure but I do check your work. If I didn't feel comfortable changing my oil or spark plugs I'd have you guys doing it. But, to be honest, if I didn't feel comfortable checking plugs etc I wouldn't feel as comfortable flying so I wouldn't fly. I really do like participating in annuals etc just to learn something. Nobody is infallible ncluding me, you or anybody else.

After taking the canister off and taking a look at it, I can't imagine needing an A&P to do this kind of work. It could not be simpler. I had planned on having the mechanic look at it but to do so would almost be embarrassing. Probably the most important thing is making sure the correct o ring is used and the wire tie is correctly in place. Checking for leaks, cyciing the dump valve etc is part of the process. This is my third plane in five years and just doing little things like tracking down oil leaks, looking at my spark plugs etc makes me more comfortable when in the air. This plane had a small oil leak I had trouble finding until the other day. I noticed the return hose from the valve cover had a clamp out of position. When I tried to tighten/loosen it I discovered the clamp was actually stripped and I'm sure it was done when the hose was replaced. I assume the mechanic thought it wasn't worth the difficult job of replacing the hose clamp so just let it go. My old Mooney had the grounding lead nut loosely attached to he mag. The nut was ready to fall off which would have left me with a hot mag if I decided to hand rotate the prop. Quite often I feel more competent than your typical A&P, especially when my butt is on the line. If I feel at all inadequate or I am not allowed to perform a task I have no problems signing on professional help to do the job or work me through it.

You guys that have no problem hearing the horn are probably a lot younger than I or just have preserved your hearing well. I can hear the warnings with the NC headset but after putting the plugs in my ear plus the headset that horn starts to get pretty distant.

I just looked your system up at Aircraft Spruce. I didn't realize they were that reasonable. i may end up biting on that one.

If someone out there wants to get rid of theirs let me know, I'd be interested. I see these for sale from $400 for uncertified, certified $800 up to $2k plus for the kind Kortopates has in his plane. That $2k plus version is probably too pricey for me.

I didn't know there was a system that detected the distance to ground! What kind do you have and what was the price?

I guess I should have mentioned that I'm worried I may not hear the horn and the voice through the headset would be hard to miss.

I've been considereing one of these warning systems. Am I in the minority thinking it may save my plane or my life? Any suggestions as to a particular one to purchase, or is the feature possibly included in some other piece of gear I might end up buying in the future?

Where can I find the o ring kit for a Gerdes gascolator on my 78 J model or does anyone have the part number or o ring sizes? Mine has a piece missing out of the small o ring at the end of the stem and it dripping. Thought it best toe place all of them while it's out.

Is it absolutely necessary to remove the top layer of butyl rubber? It all looks good except where I used the enamel thinner. Also, is the 3M AC-236 A-2 base ok to use for the patch. Should it be followed up with a top sealant of some sort. I realize I need to get the proper sealant for the access panels. Maybe just a coat of butyl instead of the patch would be a better avenue?