sbethune

5 years ago my mission was similar. I purchased a 252 to help with terrain and weather avoidance, and have been really happy. Since then, trips to Vegas, Reno, Phoenix, Boise, Seattle, Omaha, San Diego, etc. etc. Needless to say I think there is value in turbocharging. The threat of added expense is overblown provided you operate and maintain wisely. With much help from Mark and Tom at TopGun, my first aircraft ownership experience has been spectacular. Jump in, the water is warm.

Ben - I'm sorry you had trouble connecting. It shouldn't be a problem to arrange an inspection. I'll forward your request. Meanwhile, the data and images online are quite accurate. Best of luck, SB

Hi Ben. If you haven't, you might contact Wolfe Aviation in Stockton. They have two sleds, one is mine. Verlyn is the broker, and easy to talk to. Best of luck. My ownership experience has been fantastic. Looking to upgrade within the Mooney family. SB

Aeromedix' Dr. Brent Blue - Since the 1960s, all oxygen sources have been from liquid oxygen. There is no difference between aviator’s and medical oxygen. When oxygen was first used in hospitals, the gas was humidified in the tank which is a problem for aviation because water will freeze in oxygen plumbing in cold, high altitude aircraft environments. Since medical oxygen is humidified after it leaves the tanks, this is no longer an issue. However, getting something taken off the FAA regulation books requires undue time and energy so everyone uses whatever oxygen they can find and no one apparently cares. If you truly get “aviation” oxygen, you will find the only difference is that it is tested for water and is more expensive. http://www.aeromedix.com/blog/2008/11/oxygen-for-general-aviation/ Your motor may run well lean of peak, but your brain doesn't.

+1

Our first family flight was to Disneyland. I never had difficulty convincing the family that an airplane is a good thing after that.

Get yourself a mentor if, and continue to ask questions. A reasonable objective should be to develop creativity with options for any scenario you might encounter, so that you never get backed into a corner. Regarding NEXRAD - while it's pretty obvious you should avoid yellow and red echoes, what might not be obvious is the tendency for unstable systems to spontaneously deteriorate, therefore you would be wise to beware any system you see with yellow or red echoes anywhere as it is demonstrating that conditions are ripe. Nexrad is not real time, it's not 100% accurate, and it doesn't cover the entire contininent. Flying in an unstable environment is like rolling the dice, an unwise way to start your IFR career. Get old, before you get bold.

It depends on how much it costs to refill your tank. Pulse demand is designed to reduce waste, but adds complexity and cost. If you fill your own tank there is an equipment cost as well, but the cost of the gas is low enough that I don't worry about waste. Don't look to conserve oxygen like you do fuel.

I second the oximeter suggestion. They can be had cheap, and it's very clear that percent O2 saturation is a vital statistic worth monitoring. Low saturation results in poor problem solving skills, analagous to driving drunk - it can be done, but it's too unpredictable. I live at sea level, happily use the NP's over 8K, and a simple plastic mask from 15 to 23K, arriving with no headaches. The cost of O2 is reduced dramatically by filling your own tank.