Oscar Avalle

Just to close the discussion, i adjusted the opening of my fixed cowflaps to 1.5 inchea and the cht on cyl 3 went down feom the high 400 to about 408 in cruise and 470 on take off on a hot day. So problem solved...

ASPEN just send out an email advicing customers not to upgrade to 5.0. "To Aspen Customers: Aspen Avionics has determined that the GNS 400W / 500W Series Unit Software Version 5.0, released on October 16, 2012, causes flight plan cross-fill issues with Aspen's Connected Panel systems. The GNS 400W / 500W cross-fill interface is based on a Garmin-proprietary language, and while Aspen has successfully interpreted the GNS-to-GNS data in previous Garmin software versions, we are at present unable to reach an agreement with Garmin to provide a functional interface with this latest version 5.0 release. Aspen recommends that our dealers and customers who have already installed, or are planning to install, Connected Panel systems in their aircraft refrain from updating their GNS 400W / 500W systems until a functional flight plan cross-fill capability for Garmin's version 5.0 platform has been developed. It's also important for our dealers and customers to understand that once a GNS 400W / 500W unit has been upgraded to the version 5.0 software it cannot be restored with pre-5.0 software. In addition, Aspen has been unable to obtain integration specifications that enable the EFD1000/500 products to display ADS-B data from the Garmin GDL-88 receiver. If you are considering ADS-B functionality, we advise you to wait to purchase products that are based on open, easy-to-integrate architecture. You are encouraged to contact Garmin to request that open integration specifications be provided to Aspen and other manufacturers to ensure broad industry compatibility. You can be assured that your Evolution Flight Displays will be easily upgradable to display ADS-B data from compatible, affordable receivers that will be brought to market in the coming months, well before the mandate. As an Aspen customer, you understand that the power of the Evolution Flight Display Systems and the Connected Panel product lines reside within their compatibility with a wide range of old and new avionics products. This interoperability among all avionics manufacturers reduces aircraft owners' overall equipment and installation costs, while guaranteeing the investments made in aircraft panels. Aspen will continue to foster an open integration philosophy within the avionics industry and urges all manufacturers to follow such an approach for the common good of general aviation."

I use mine for starting, take off, to switch tanks and landings. My Dukes died about three weeks ago and I am waiting for a Weldon to replace it. Meanwhile I borrowed a Dukes from "the only other Mooney in Guatemala".

Joe, yes the runway is still 30 and 12. It is a one hour flight from Guatemala City. The scenary is amazing with the volcanos, the lake, the sea and the mountains. Guatemala is a great place to fly, with some caveats... Surprisingly, you are always under radar control with a squawk code. So ATC sees you all the time and talks to you and is ready to help. I even visited one of their Centers and it is really nice and modern. Great English. All flights need to file a flight plan, VFR and IFR. No night VFR. and there are no VFR charts (for IFR I use Jeppview, but most of the MEA are above 10K, which for no turbo aspirated M20C is sometimes a problem). The ONC charts are no longer available, so you have to rely on normal highway maps. Weather reporting is not that great, no NEXRAD for example... Lots of CB and Thunderstorms... weather changes very fast, specially in the PM. Stormscope is critical, You have to be always ready with a plan B in case you run into weather which is rather normal. But all things considered it is a great place to fly and the aviation community is really nice and friendly. Mechanics are FAA cerfitied, reasonable and their work is great, but SLOW!!!!. So I did a lot of upgrades, from avionics, to interior, etc. I am even now thinking of having my M20C painted...

Great tool, thank you for sharing it with us. I took a course with Mike several years ago and he was great.

I use my superclock from Electronics International. It tells me indicated and density altitude. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/ei-instruments-carbtemp10.php

I am currently based at a field that is 4980 feet high. DA often goes through the roof. The performance has taken a hit, longer take off rolls, but you can still fly as long as you follow the POH and check the density altitude. The other day it was hot and DA was about 9800 feet. Very interesting to say the least. Also when you come in for landing your ground speed will be faster at the same indicated airspeed. Thus it is very important that you keep an eye on the IA and don't be too fast. One thing that I installed and that helped me is an Angle of Attack indicator.

Congratulations!!!! Enjoy flying....

I have to agree...

I got this answer in another forum: A Garmin guy chimed in at another forum, and when he did so, here is what he had to say: Quote: Originally Posted by GarminGuyAtAnotherForum The main issues addressed with this S/W is the DO certification for an approved GPS source for ADS-B. the ADS-B interface for our GDL 88 and the interface capabilities with the GTN, as well as TSO approval for the HTAWS rotorcraft version of unit. He also said that the updated firmware made the VoiceFlight system (the one that enters a flight plan from voice prompts) no longer work, and that that was NOT a "bug."

First I contacted Miami Center, then Cuba and finally Mexico, I think it was Cancun or Cozumel, I really do not remember. But all the time I was in contact with one of them. I also talked to several airliners just for reassurance. I have two Garmin 430 on board. In reality you are never far from land. The only "scary" part is before you reach mexico. For a short period of time you don't see land and you feel kind a lonely... ... You asked me about my altitude, I went up to 12000 feet. Then I continued to Belize and finally to Guatemala. Total flying time 6.5 hours! Although I had 21 gallon ferry tank on board at the end of the trip I was getting nervous.

I took off from La Aurora International Mggt and landed at Rio Dulce, which is a private field owned by the Aeroclub de Guatemala. Very narrow runway...

Here goes a new video...just for fun, flying VFR from Guatemala city to Rio Dulce, Guatemala, close to the Caribbean coast.

I have floqn from key qest to cancun. Very nice flight. Necer too far away from land and always in contact with ATC.

I received today by emal a SB from Garmin indicating that Garmin had released a software upgrade for the Garmin 400W and 500W. It is mandatory for rotorcrafts but not for us. I could not find out what the upgrade was about. Somebody out there knows something about this? Oscar

And the turnkey price was 12K with sinthetic vision.

That is way too much... I had my ASPEN installed in 30 hours...

It is hard to find a M20C in pristine conditions and with no damage history. So I would just make sure that everything is OK and enjoy your bird.

Joe, I agree... way to complicated and considering that this is my wife's camera... I better make sure that I don't mess up...otherwise no flying... BTW I use a RAM suction cup for the powershot camera insider the cockpit. Oscar

Really nice video. I also use a Contour camera... Good to know that they are not reliable after they run for a certain time. On the Powershot, indeed they take great videos, however it seems that their recording time is limited to 7 min... I have not been able to figure out how to change that setting. Oscar.

marks Sounds like a wonderful story. Oscar

I have one installes in my m20c and it is great. Aircraftsprucw has them

What did you replace it with?

Just make sure that they clean up all the old cables that you have in lying around in the back of your panel. This is very labor intensive and takes time and money.