BigTex

I went out to go fly today and when I flipped on the master, I notice that the right fuel gauge was pegged with a full right (well past full) deflection. Turning on and off the master didn't seem to make any difference in how the gauge was reading. This was the first flight after having some avionics work done behind the panel in the area of the engine cluster. Any chance this issue might be related to this work?

Ouch!

Fuel On Board setting.

If anyone is thinking of taking the latest update (5.10) for their GTN430W/530W and use the FOB feature I'd hold off taking it. It appears that you are no longer able to set FOB. As soon as you enter it, it clears it out. Unfortunately I had mine updated before finding this out! Over on Beechtalk there's a long thread where Garmin came on the forum and acknowledged the bug and said it would be fixed with the next release scheduled for late this year... Ugh.

What, no kitchen pass today?

Anyone that has built an aircraft knows that the cost of the plane is not the airframe. It's firewall forward, avionics, interior and paint. For aircraft manufactures the other major cost of labor and other overhead expenses. So if you look under the covers of where the costs go, it's those items, not the airframe. For those that say why not restore an old 201's. I would bet that there would be more labor costs associated with the restoration of an existing aircraft than building one from raw materials. So basically it would be very hard to make a business case for Mooney to buy up older airframes and restore them.

Everyone on MS has a long list of horror stories but the main takeaway is ALL shops will have MIF's. There's not a single shop out there that hasn't screwed up, so we should expect it. Anyone that doesn't is a fool and possibly a dead one.

Years ago they used to use large crimping tools to trim the aircraft. The elevators looked like someone really got carried away with it. Mine has some of that but not to that level. As for the wing... I recently had my outer panel re-skinned at Don Maxwell's place. It's true the skin isn't that much (~$800 from Mooney) the real cost is in the labor and paint. For me the total was $2700 for the re-skin and $1500 for paint. So expect to pay something north of $4,000 for the wing repair.

Guys, You see this new SAIB that came out today regarding the Lycoming cylinder mounting studs and recommendations on inspection? Here's the link to it: http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSAIB.nsf/0/8C01A9AAE28B401F86257CA50066C517?OpenDocument&Highlight=ne-14-13

Like any kind of flying. You have to define your mission to determine what best fits. Helicopters are great for certain types of missions like working large ranches but for the type of flying we as Mooney pilots do, not so much.

I believe they'll just recover it completely with Ultra leather. The price list I have (dated 1/1/13) has the recovering listed for $375. I'd give Hector a call and discuss it. He's really great to work with.

Here you go... http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/image/34625-/

Yep, pop it off and send it to Hector with Aero Comfort. He did mine and it will come back looking better than new!

Scott, you coming to the MAPA homecoming? If so, maybe you can talk face to face with Stacey and team.

If you only want to spend $35-$40K, your best bet is to look at a C. E's and F's in that price range are generally close to TBO so you better have an additional $35K set aside for an engine overall.

So why can't he have the plane inspected by his IA and have him sign off on the aircraft and move on? Or does he have now have the FAA inspect all repairs?

I use Mothers aluminum polish. It does a great job as well.

Love your panel! One question... Did you have any pushback on installing your primary engine instruments so far to the right? I talked to my avionics shop about replacing my cluster there and he said it was too far away. I believe he said it could not be within 21" of the pilot.

+1 on happy endings!

Yep... Welcome to the club!

Reason 238 why one should keep your plane locked up behind hangar doors.

Out of curiosity what would they do from an enforcement perspective if they found that you've been flying for example with an expired ELT battery? Is that a fine or can it impact your flying certificate?

... And you gotta love that Johnson Bar!

Every airport has a few planes that are on the ramp without engines, flat tires, etc. In short non-airworthy condition. You don't see the FAA giving them a call demanding you bring their logs. So there has to be more to this story.

N222VS, As I stated above do yourself a favor and watch the webinar by Mike Busch who know's of what he speaks around changing out perfectly good cylinders. Here's the link to the webinar. http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=1204537102001 Watch this first, then if you still wish to move forward changing out all your cylinders at least you're going into it with your eyes open. Report back after watching it.