FlyWalt

It's big. About 5000 people. The whole issue is that the Navy is nervous about an airport and a runway pointed straight at their nuclear submarines only 1/2 a mile from their prohibited area. They are the ones who want it closed.

I would feel differently if there was a plan to produce something with the land. It is going to be a 280 patch of empty land surrounded by blighted neighborhoods in a town that has more for lease signs than successful businesses.

There are 20 aircraft here. My Mooney is operated as a corporate machine and moves at least every two weeks for a business purpose. There are 6 other aircraft used for the owners business or sole source of income. The local city has a surplus of land that they have possession of that is non productive and not on the tax roles as well, This airport will add 280 acres to bring the tally to about 1000 acres. They do not have a clue as to what to do with it.

As much as I like visiting neighboring airports, I hate the thought of hangar shopping: http://goldenisles.news/news/local_news/closure-date-set-for-st-marys-airport/article_3b5af781-b602-5917-9e4e-70d795c46d2f.html They have been babbling over this political football for 16 years. They have driven away and all business that they could. It is sickening to have watched this from a front row seat. The local city council has NO CLUE about this economic asset. Especially when they need the jobs that this airport could create. Do any of you have experience in fighting this kind of action? Fly Safe, W

I just use a Schumacher electronic trickle charger when she is down. Very infrequently. I have never tried to desulfate it. And the cabin door light was off.

We installed our first Concorde when I first purchased our 231 in April 2012. I have been very happy. This battery has been a solid trooper. Always a strong starter for us. When I have left the aircraft on the ground for more than a few weeks I have always topped her off using an electronic trickle charger. Today, for the first time, I showed up to go somewhere and she was deader than a doornail. Very frustrating. We did a trip less than two weeks ago and the voltage was 12.2 when I put her back in the hangar. All of the switches were off. What would the expected life be on one of these units. My SOP is that when something fails me, I replace it with new without question. Safety and peace of mind are everything to us.

Guys, I am soooo frustrated right now. I had every intention of showing up today, for the first time, and found a dead battery when I got to my hangar this morning. Y'all are just now getting together as I type this. Please raise a coffee cup for me. Cheers, Walt

When I purchased 231LR in April 2012, it was like stepping back 25 years in more ways than one. I hadn't been exposed to GA aircraft since I left college to go to the airlines. And the avionics were the same stuff I remembered. Old Collins and King equipment. The KNS-80 was high tech when I flew as a CFI in 1985. As long as it works, and is accurate enough to be safe, use it. I used to get a kick out of mentally computing my waypoints and setting them up on the KNS-80. But when the digits started failing, I went to Barnstormers and found a WAAS capable GNS-480 and GI-106 for 4000 bucks. That plus installation turned it into a 5500 dollar modern machine upgrade. During my recent annual, the Edo AIre Mitchell DG had been declared DOA. Overhaul prices are through the roof on them. Not worth the money to do so to the tune of 1200 bucks. What do I do? 11000 bucks for a Fancy Aspen VGA box??? Well it would be nice, but I just overhauled the engine two years ago. And I need an interior soon. So I found an exact serviceable replacement on Ebay for 315.00 A "little effort" saves a lot of money and I still enjoy the heck out of flying.

As to the "Dicks" and their opinion, ignore them. Your Mooney is YOUR HOTROD and you are welcome to sink any amount of money into your panel, your engine, your paint etc etc etc. It doesnt matter if you are doing this to a Mooney, a yacht, or the 250,000 vintage Ferrari. its YOUR TOY!!!! I, however, do share the irritation that some people have for the 5 digit prices for a VGA black box and the fact that people are willing to support the OVERPRICED LUNACY of this industry. One of my less than intelligent friends was all happy that he spent 9000 bucks on his L3 ADSB compliant black box. 5 years ahead of when the compliance deadline hits. A year later, the FAA started doing the 500 dollar grants to encourage this process. I casually told him on the phone that I will bring my Mooney to the avionics shop on 12/31/2019 and not a moment sooner. Why? Because I am going to EXTRACT EVERY OUNCE OF USE out of my Garmin 327. That is how you keep this sport/hobby/interest affordable.

One additional note: There is no way I would ever buy an aircraft that has been kept outside. Why? Because I am thinking of all the comprimised electrical connections, corrosion in places that are not easily seen and other gotchas that moisture has created for me and my checkbook to deal with. Been there with boats and know the pain well.

I have a friend who keeps his 231 outside, much to my chagrin. Over the 4 years he has spent UNGODLY AMOUNTS OF MONEY on maintenance because of it. And on top of it, his paint is ruined. Cars, boats, airplanes ALL DETERIORATE in the weather. If you think you are saving by not hangaring, think again. Please hangar it.

Hi guys, I was wondering if anyone has a shindig somewhere in Florida or Georgia that we can fly in to. Mooney related or not. Funny how all of the events on Social flight seem to wind up on Saturday. Cheers, W

I found an exact replacement. Thanks to all who contributed to this thread.

Yes it needs to have a heading bug for the Century 4

Hi guys, Our family bird is at Avon Park for its annual shake down. I had reported to Phil that the factory original DG was going south quickly and he agreed with me. I wonder if anyone has a serviceable on your shelf that you would like to part with. i realize that everyone is going to tell me to install an Aspen. However, due other priorities for our cash this year I have decided to form the UCB Club :-)

What I am curious about is why some of the different brands of cylinders are so damned expensive. A friend of mine with another 231 paid 10K for his aftermarket brand. 2 years ago I paid 3K for a set of TCM cylinders.

Two years and 150 hours later I have to say tha JB Aircraft Engines in Sebring, FL has not only produced an excellent rebuilt engine but also provided excellent support after the sale. I'd give Jimmy and his a second engine to rebuild in a heartbeat.

I may consider an Aspen upgrade. The real problem is cash flow. Or lack there of.

Does the Aspen unit come with a virtual ball as on the turn and bank indicator?

I have had good experiences with Daytona Aircraft in Daytona Beach. In addition, I have a friend who has just utilized them for extensive work and avionics upgrades. He is happy with their work. Jake Clemens is their Dir of MX and is on this board. Give him a chance to earn your business.

Well the upside here is that i ALREADY have a back up electric AI.

Well in my case I have a Century 4 AP and a Garmin GNS-480 to interface with. If I do an upgrade, it will probably be an Aspen since it provides GPSS as well.

Funny, Didn't you want me to pay 5k just for the seats a few weeks ago???

I drive an 1983 Mercedes daily. So old technology does not bother me so long as it is reliable. Plus, I LOVE the steam gauge look. My biggest concern is the valid advice I got from several people when considering overhauling my FF/MAP gauge in 2014. Several sources, including Don Maxwell, said that they were not impressed with the reliablilty of overhauled instruments.

Don, as cool as an aviator as you are, HOW could YOU ever have a sweaty hand? :-)