joepilot

In the plane at work, these "stick on" shades work great. But anybody know if they can be used on the plastic Mooney windows? Can't get in touch with anyone there to ask. I know the Kraco type window tint says not to use on acrylic. Thanks, Joe

This question obviously falls under the "too much time on my hands" category, but why do Comanche's original registration numbers so often end in "P", and the Twin Comanche's often in "Y"? Some sort of Piper identity thing back in the 60's? -Joe

I have a '94 J & just went through elec issues. I replaced the alt (easy) with a Plane Power but did not totally fix the issue. Volt Reg was bad. I spoke with tech reps at both Zeph & Plane Power regarding their VR's. NEITHER has an STC for the newer J Mooneys! (I hate the FAA). My contacts said a field approval prob wouldn't happen. Had to get a new "Mooney" VR (I think made my Zeph?). Mooney price was, I forgot, $1600? And a 3 week back order. Luckily my shop had a new one on the shelf for somewhat cheaper. But not for the $350 price a VR should be! (I hate the FAA) -Joe

Ok thanks. Should be true about the software update at the dealer. But antenna not included? Lemme talk to my shop, then I'll hit you back with an offer.

1. When lowering the gear: (check down light and green "down" bar on floor) (MSE) 2. Landing flow: "gear, gear, flaps, prop"...(Handle down/down light, green down bar on floor, flaps full, prop fwd) 3. Short final: check gear/flaps Flows work!

Hi, Antenna included too? Any idea what the latest software update was? (I think they're on 3?) Just started shopping as my original King is nearly T.U. -joe

Have to zoom into the iPad on the 2nd pic, but this is traffic from my ADS-B (WingX). Even on a busy sectional, the moving targets are easy to see. Nothing in aviation is perfect, but I LOVE my ADS-B!

Thanks! They are "fairly certain" it's the VR. Getting 0.7 volts (24V system) to the Field, so alt won't come on line. 24 volts at the Field CB though. New Plane Power alt. Trying the new VR tomorrow. But, it's electrical. Simple system, but...

Posting info for anyone doing a topic search in the future: Turns out, my voltage regulator IS located sort of behind the center console. For a "newer" Mooney, there isn't a PMA replacement available, namely from Zephtronics nor Plane Power. Seems the only non-STC unit is from Mooney (which may be partly made by Zephtronics). I'm in a '94 201J. As mentioned in a prior post, the Mooney VR is $1600+. Luckily is seems my shop has one on hand for less.

Thanks Jim! Mooney keeps telling me it's in the center console. lol

From the Mx Manual:

Wow, $1600 sounds like a lot. I've turned it over to the shop on the field. They'll "try" to get to it in a couple weeks. A zoo over there. I've received a "no thanks" from 4 other mechanics. Must be nice to be able to turn down business! Dealing with these guys is as frustrating as troubleshooting my issue! The VR may be located on a tray attached & behind the CB panel. From Mx Manual:

Thanks! I'll look Friday.

1994 201J SN# 33xx. Does anyone know with some degree of certainty where the voltage regulator is located?? So far I've got: By right co-pilot foot (it's not), high by right co-pilot knee, outside firewall (it's not), high inside firewall, in center console (from Mooney)... I can't find it in the Parts Catalogue and don't have a Service Manual on hand. Thanks!! -Joe

Tagging onto this thread... 94 201J. Have a Kelly Aerospace 70A ALT, 24V system, which I think needs replacing. (Only 425hr since OH in '08) On ground, drops off line at 950 rpm with low load. If I turn a bunch of stuff on, it takes 1200 rpm to get it online (ALT light off) and positive charge on ammeter. At <1200 rpm, I keep turning stuff on & watch JPI voltage drop to 26.6V, then ALT kicks off. Have to increase >1200 rpm to get it back and get JPI volts to 28+V. Was inflight the other day, ALT dropped off line. Followed checklist, no avail. Reset Master switch & got back on line. Shot, right?? Part 2: Is quality back under control at Plane Power to replace?? THANKS!! -Joe

This works for me, too. 201J. If it only sat for a few hrs & still warm, it takes a fairly short shot of boost fuel/mix rich. Then idle cut off & crank. Think every motor's a little different.

I stuck a Dynon D1 in the ADF hole. Doesn't have the flush & professional look I like like, but got mine for $1100 & completely independent, it's got a lot of info to hopefully save the day. The D2 may be their new option though. Lot cheaper than any backup ADI plus installation I could find. http://www.dynonavionics.com/docs/D1_intro.html

On topic, but perhaps not pertinent to this tragedy, but anyone know how long it should take for a fair amount of heavier Jet A to settle & show up in the pre-flight main tank fuel sample? Should be quick, right? Kerosine smell? Trust...but verify.

I thought their site mentioned a 10% tax, but I was charged at my county's rate (8%). I waited for them to bill me, which was a few months after purchase. Aside: I don't condone the liberal politics out here in CA, but I'm addicted to the weather; about the best in the U.S. And year round flying with low humidity, stable Pac air masses & only isolated t-storms within 500 miles. Could be worse (IL, NJ, MN, CT, etc) with sh* t weather.

Ive only had my MSE a few months, but after detailed fuel logs, I have an idea what the guages are telling me. ie, the wing guages read X gallons high, the left cockpit guage reads X gallons low, etc. They are consistent. But I have my Shadin fuel computer tweaked to within 1/10th gallon. I personally wouldn't waste $ on fixing guages, unless they're inop, or you don't have a fuel computer. GA fuel guages are not volume sensing specific gravity electrical current sensors (like an airliner). I just don't think they are going to be +/- 1 gal precise. -joe

Hi guys, Got my plane back (2nd time) from the shop. Apparently they didn't have some pin connectors hooked up quite right. FreeFlight works great now. Only traffic on G530 is on the separate traffic page (see pic below), not any of the Nav pages. Possibly could happen in the future, but who knows. Something about a "heading source"...? The 530 pic is from before my fix when my own shadow was displayed. That's gone now. Haven't played with the wx yet, but here's the screenshot of traffic on iPad mini with WingX climbing from CNO. Not the easiest to see traffic overlaid on a busy sectional, but easy to pinch-zoom (or select the Garmin traffic page) when a target may be a threat. I'm based at an uncontrolled field in busy SoCal, so nice to see where traffic is vs where some guys say/think they are. Easier to visually acquire.

Marauder, I didn't do any research on the Foreflight app. I'm really hoping for Freeflight (ADSB) and the WingX app compatibility, as they claimed. I also didn't go the "Garmin ADSB" route for reasons just mentioned; Garmin doesn't want to play with others. (Actually was shocked when the shop said I'd see traffic on the 530). So we'll see how THAT decision plays out! I believe the ADS-B technogy & equipment will get better and easier once it matures more. Maybe even cheaper. haha

I just got my plane back from Freeflight Rangr XVR (in/out) install using G530W for position. I'll report back when I get time to do more test flying, but at first glance I have to find out if/how to get traffic on the first 2 G530 nav pages vs the separate traffic page. Also, both Freeflight and WingX claimed compatibility, but not getting info through to WingX. Ahh, fun, complicated, expensive avionics...

Related to this old thread I found, here's a small leak I have on cyl #2. (The dark on the flange/collar bolt is oil; gasket area wet but hard to see) It's all oil, no fuel. Oil return line is dry, valve cover gasket dry, push rod sleeves above are dry, front of engine seems dry, cylinder assembly above this point seems dry. Could oil be leaking from an intake manifold gasket?? Oil consumption is 1qt per 8.2hrs over the last 30hrs or so. It's small, but annoying regarding belly cleanliness. I have it all cleaned up and going to fly and try to be a detective, but any ideas where I should be looking? Thanks!

I'm going with a Freeflight ADSB in/out system next month. WAAS info from my 530w & keeping my old kt76 xpndr. Will bluetooth info to iPad w WingX on it. Requires a digital encoder & remote squwak display, but seems the cheapest, more versatile solution at the moment. Technology prob going to get better/cheaper, but I fly in SoCal & want traffic info yesterday.