BigTex

Basically plan on replacing the engine... It's at TBO. No GPS/WAAS or auto pilot. So expect to add an additional $60K to add to that price plus what's found the first year to bring it up to what most of something you'd want to fly. So if you don't have a $100K budget, I'd pass.

There's no better feeling than tucking your plane away in your hangar for the first time... enjoy and fly often!

I would consider Tacoma Narrows (KTIW). It's out far enough you don't have to deal with SEATAC traffic but close enough the drive to be in Downtown Seattle is bad at all. Fuel is also reasonably priced ($5.79 as of yesterday).

Seriously. Where that planes located, you might want to use Dugush for the pre-buy. it's only about 40-50 miles away. You might want to also give them a call and ask about that plane. If it's as well maintained as it looks to be, based on where it's based, I would bet that Dugush would of worked on it.

The real question, do you follow the tire manufacture or the Aircraft POH. If you follow the POH, You'll need to alos follow the tire specs as well (i.e., tire ply). If you review the Goodyear data book, tire pressure ratings are really dependent on the size and number of plys among other factors. If you use 4 ply tires on the mains and the nose wheel, 30 psi is correct (29 mains, 31 nose wheel). Back in 1966, that's likely what rolled off the line. However, if you upgrade to 6 ply all the way around, Goodyear recommends you inflate to 42 on the mains and 50 on the nose wheel. http://www.goodyearaviation.com/resources/pdf/db_airdatabook.pdf

Any airport that allows you to land with 200' minimums is long enough that flaps should not be an issue.

Very nice looking C.. WIth all those upgrades and mods would expect to see an engine monitor and a GTX330ES in it.

Still can't get used to how empty the instrument panel looks after replacing all of the steam gauges.

I used AIC... Those folks are great. Wonderful experience. Also loved their website that allowed you to track progress as you gather documents. I'd definite use them again.

Go fly with him...

bonal, It depends on what low performance aircraft you'r referring to. If you want to truely wnat to learn how to fly, pick up your tailweel endorsment in a Champ. I personnally feel there's not a better training out there (including a cub) that will teach you how to fly. Until you fly a champ, you'll never know what adverse yaw is all about.

Strickly my 2 cents but it sounds like everyone needs to set down and talk through all of this angst. Discussing it on the message board isn't the place to work through issues with other partners... Again, my two cents.

Don's... He'll loan um out for the right price.

These shock discs are a tricky thing. You have them replaced and you can't believe how much better the plane rides. Then over time (years) they start getting harder and because it's over an extended period of time, you get accustomed to the ride. So you’ll never really notice a difference. When I purchased my plane, the prior owner was bragging on the condition of the discs. But when Don Maxwell took the plane out for its pre-buy flight, he came back saying it road like a tank. He said he was completely worn out by the time he got to the end of the runway. The prior owner was shocked… His only comment was, “they seemed to ride good to me.” In reality unless you’re in multiple Mooney’s you don’t have any comparison to what it “should” feel like. So because of this reason, timed replacements might be a better approach. Or at least have the discs removed at predetermined intervals to inspect the hardware holding the discs. When mine were replaced, the center post was completely rusted up and had to be replaced.

Wow... Very cool!

Do you guys think there's a market for an electronic checklist that calls out items from your checklist? If there's a large enough interst, we can create an app that does this. I just thought most folks perfer to use paper.

Thanks Bob... Anyone else interested, just PM me your gmail email and I'll get you set for access and the link in Google Play.

Some don't. Samsung devices do but Nexus do not. If they don't, it defaults to using the GPS. Not as good but for gear/GUMP check alerts, close enough.

Not to steal your thread but I'm actually developing an app that does audible alerts for gear, GUMP checks and v speeds that is wired end up similar to what your doing with Siri. It's currently only available for Android devices mainly because it uses the Barometer sensors that's not available on iOS. We'll be porting it to iOS if there's any interest. It still needs some work but if anyone has any interest in helping to alpha test it, PM me.

No wiser words were ever spoken!

Tony, time to let it go and move on...

Back in the day, I built a cowling for my WAR P47D experimental so it's not that difficult. Mine was done by blocking foam around the engine and carving it to shape. Then laying fiberglass over the plug and let it cure. Then it's a matter of cutting it off, finishing it out and then fitting it back to the engine. But the real work is convincing the FAA to allow you to use it on your type certificated aircraft. The late great Tony Bingelis has two of the best books out there called "Sportplane Construction Techniques" and "Firewall Forward." Anyone wishing to tackle this type of work these two books are must have's. They go into detail on creating the cowling as well as baffle theory and construction. Actually, everyone on Mooneyspace should have these two books in their library.

Maybe it's just my plane but I get almost no air out of the overhead vents. So it seems like you'd have to solve that issue before you'd want to restrict it down even more with eyeball vents.

My '65 C has the O&N Bladders and I actually picked up a couple of gallons (from 52 to 54). The wonderful thing about these two options is that there's not a wrong answer, just personal preference. When purchasing your plane. Find one that either has the O&N Bladders or has a recently resealed tank by one of the experts mentioned above. As for your model choice. Your first decision is to decide how often will you carry backseat passengers. If the answer is anything other than rarely, I'd look at the F. But on the other hand, if you almost never carry more than one passenger, then it's hard to beat the C or E. The C has a rock solid O-360 which is one of the best engines ever built (I'm biased, I know ). If you're a fuel injected man and want 20 extra horsepower, then the E's your plane. Good luck with your search.

Hey Don... Could you send me the write-up as well? I have a half built one that needs a couple of tweaks.