BigTex

Actually, Karl Marx comes to mind...

When they replaced mine, that's exactly what happened... and they're not cheap!

I'd like to provide an update as we close out this thread. From my perspective, we can now add AIS and another option to AQI for a place to have your gyros worked on for an outstanding price. I picked up the overhauled gyros and the price actually came in under the quoted price of $850 for both. I paid $835 including taxes. So including the A&P's time to remove, reinstall and test the total price was $1075. If anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me.

That's what I did... I ordered the prop cable from SWTA and it was drop shipped from Mooney. When I opened it up I was surprised to see McFarlane made the cable.

I'm surprised that this hasn't become an AD. Seems like when you cracks in the spar, you have a potential air worthiness issue.

Reviewing log books is like an archeological dig building a picture of the planes life events. My plane turned 50 last October and I just started book 5 for the airframe. I went back and created a spreadsheet that itemizes events of interest. That way I have a way to quickly see when work was done.

Out of curiosity, did your mission change or just didn't think through the purchase?

Yep... He's not responded since last Thursday and I suspect we'll not hear from him again so time to shut this thing down and move on to better things.

Thanks!, I'll send you a PM so we can work out the details.

Guys, I just heard back from the shop that's overhauling my Attitude Indicator that it's missing the original manufacture's label. And because of this, they'll not be able to issue a yellow tag after the overhaul. So I'm not in search for an Attitude Indicator. Before I look at picking one up on eBay or some other site, does anyone have one setting around looking for a good home?

Update... I decided to go with Non of above. As it turns out there's an instrument overhaul shop on my home field (KDTO) called Aerospace Instrument Support, Inc. (AIS). They quoted $375 for my AG and $475 for my DG. I don't have to deal with shipping and they're giving me 2-3 day turnaround so I went with them.

I once had a Physics professor that said that the only way to truly lean how to solve a problem is to agonize over it for an extended period of time. So I definitely see merits for going that route.

I really don't think Mooney's are especially difficult to land in a crosswind situation. On the contrary I think they handle crosswinds quite nicely. Even mine that doesn't have the full length rudder handle pretty gusty 15 kt crosswinds without too much effort. Any one that went to last years MAPA conference had to deal with some above average crosswinds. Everyone landed without much discussion other than "no big deal." You want to see a plane that you have to work at it when you're faced with a 15 kt crosswind is a Champ or Cub. Those will require good technique to land them.

I go back and forth on which path would be the best knowing that the end result is a capable Mooney Instrument rated pilot. Do you go the easier route and obtain your IFR rating in a 172, then transition to a complex aircraft like the Mooney. Or go through the additional struggles of of a complex plane and learning to fly under instruments. At the end of the day I wounder which route would be the fewest hours yielding the same result?

Just did a quick search of planes for sale and there's almost none listed. None on Controller, one one Barnstormers and two twins on Trade-a-Plane. I expected to see more than that.

Ever thought about selling the plane and maybe purchasing another one when you move and get settled? You might find that a different type of aircraft might make the most sense for island hopping.

That's one heck of a deal... I'd jump all over that.

Don does my annuals and he's fantastic... without exception, he's always invited me and my wife to grab lunch. Super nice guy.

Parker and Dan - Thanks for you're comments and appreciate your perspective. My hat's off to you guys and really appreciate your hard work you do for the aviation community. There's no way I could ever do that job. My main point is that CFI's like doctors and lawyers and other professionals have a responsibility to maintain trust with their patient, client or student that their condition, situation or ability stays between the two of you. My apologies if my comments came across as totally directed to what's in this thread. It just struck a nerve and was more directed at those CFI's out there that would rather be anywhere but up in a plane instructing. They don't like instructing and the only reason they're doing it is to build time. We've all seen those types of instructors. I had a bad experience with one when I started back into flying after a 20 year layoff. It was pretty clear that he had thinly disguised contempt (TDC) for me as a student and from my perspective had no business instructing. I do find it sad that the bulk of what you guys do is not to improve but to meet regulation commitments. In that sense, I can see how it can get pretty frustrating.

Well, it's been quite a day on MS. We're slamming a Mooney legend and CFI's complaining about how crappy their students fly. I sure hope that none of your students hang out on this message board because I suspect they'd take offense being laughed at, belittled and made fun of. These "knuckle heads" know that their skills are not where they need to be. Maybe that's the reason they're using your services in the first place? They all want to suck less. Being one of those sorry, 50 hours/year pilots that's taking lessons to improve my crappy airmanship would not want my instructor poking fun at my piloting skills behind my back or on some forum. What goes on in that cockpit between the student and instructor needs to stay between the two of you. If you as a CFI/CFII have that level of contempt and disrespect for your students please to all of us crappy pilots out there do us a big favor and not do anymore instructing. Us sub-par pilots need to be able to trust our CFII's that they're not going to be some bar joke because we can't fly to the PTS.

You said your peace... Now let's move on.

Got all my quotes back and AQI is still the lowest by 20% over Berkshire. Below are the quotes for all the companies responding to the RFQ: DG (6404) AG (5000B) Total AQI $ 475 $ 340 $ 815 Berkshire $ 650 $ 395 $ 1,045 TGH (Gyro House) $ 795 $ 545 $ 1,340 Air Dallas $ 675 $ 450 $ 1,125 DFW Instruments $ 695 $ 525 $ 1,220 Pacific SW Inst $ 895

True... Assuming they have one in stock. Exchanges come at a higher price. Not in that big of a hurry.

Like that 2 day turnaround... AQI quoted 7-10 days.

Berkshire's published prices seem pretty competitive. DG w/bug: $455, 5000B AG: $395. We'll see what they come back with for the exact models I have.