TWinter

Mine in no particular order: 1. My dad nearing his 80s and has three states his military career never took him to. A part of his bucket list has become part of mine. He would like for us visit them as a father/son venture in the Mooney. I think they are South Dakota, Oregon and Idaho. 2. Complete my IFR , then onto Commercial, Multi and CFI (I'm 52 right now)..better get moving. Our local CFIs are nearing retirement. It would be a great semi-retirement type job while still be able to keep my business here in Tennessee. Hoping to actually move coastal and fly back and forth to Tennessee checking in on the business and maybe instructing 3-4 days while back in Tennessee. I'd actually like to live partial week on the gulf coast (possibly Gulf Shores) and opposite days back in Tennessee (only 2.5 hrs +/- Mooney via speed). Being landlocked the last 15 + years is killing me. Need some ocean air and a change of scenery. 3. I've also really enjoyed 201rs videos of Caribbean flying. To me that is really seeing world by air.. Would love to try it as well Ambitious I know..Not as exciting as some have posted, but more like a " flying timeline life plan". -Tom

A good sign graphics shop should be able to make that for you almost while you wait. If it's just a print shop your going to that specializes in business supply such as business cards and letterhead stuff, they might find it more challenging. My local sign shop has made me a few very similar over the years. Vinyl or screen-printed. Pretty easy to do. -Tom

I flown and compared both side by side and to me the XM is better. The pixel quality is clearer in my opinion. The coverage in the air is depicted nearly identical, having said that the ADSB is "blocky". I don't like that. I'm a gadget junky and have bought and sold several different portable Garmin GPS units..496, 510, 560. 696 and 796. I think if I was using the 400 or 500 series portables it would be a toss up to keep the XM or not. Using the 696 or 796 I find the weather to display much clearer than the GTN750 in my tired eyes. I think I pay $45+/- a month for XM radio and weather. I've just kept one antenna and keep swapping to whatever portable I happen to be using. I'd vote to keep the XM. -Tom

Sounds like fun..and close to me. Hope to see some MS folks attend.

Welcome and sounds like you have a done some research.. I guess I'll be the rude one and ask what's the min budget and top budget. It will give the MS folks an idea of what we've seen on the market vs. what you are looking at. Some of the MSpacers keep a good eye on the market and we always like helping to spend someone's money other than our own..so what the budget, what do we have to work with? -Tom

After I get done paying for the panel upgrade I might not need to worry about threesomes. Might be just me and the metal mistress...On the brighter side we know the metal mistress will be glad to fly with me and all the new toys -Tom

Just read the reviews on Signature..Looks nice, reviewed well. Something to keep in mind. Thx -Tom

Just a hop and skip from my favorite New England town, Portsmouth, NH (PSM). September is a great time of year up north. Maybe scheduling training at Manchester and a mini-vacation in Portsmouth combined would work. Like Bob B. I've never attended one of these, but know I should. Time to do some research as far as logistics and registration. -Tom

After all the talk about going to Orlando and what the best ending destination airport would be I ended up having to scrap the trip and send the folks via car..I really hated to make the decision, but flyable weather back to west Tennessee on Thursday for our return was just not happening. Severe thunderstorms forecasted from Wednesday night thru Friday AM. I've watched the weather maps like a hawk over the past few days, prepped the plane, but just not much changed in the forecasts. There is 80-90% chance of rain and TStorms here in Tennessee on the return. I don't think VFR or IFR would matter, these storms look ugly. I don't think I would want to chance the storms that are marching across Oklahoma and up from Texas :(. Very disappointing considering it would have been a great trip to fly. Even more difficult when I woke up this morning and see nothing but beautiful clear skies today in Tennessee and the same in Orlando. Thursday was the absolute only day that we could schedule to come home with work schedules. Sometimes making the "go, no go" decision is much harder than flying the trip itself. Oh well, as they say, we will live to fly another day.. Hope everyone has a great holiday and please say a prayer and remember why we celebrate this special day. -Tom

Good: It's a J Good: It's levers instead of push/pull vernier. Fuel tank selector valve position. -Tom

Thanks for the info and I'll probably get it from Spruce as well or keep an eye out for a discount if something should appear over the next few weeks. As far as training goes I also agree. My AP asked the other day.."How's it going to feel flying with all panels and no steam or round gauges?". With the latest updates that we've decided I think we have eliminated all round gauges. I flew the other day and looked down at the panel and thought to myself, this is going to feel very strange just looking at panels and vertical tapes scrolling. To pass the time while it's in the shop I'm already trying to find something to fly/rent during the downtime. With respect to the other half and my spending on the plane. I've sold the Corvette and other toys, I don't do the bars, don't hunt, fish or roll the dice. We don't have kids to put through college (at times I wonder if these things wouldn't have been cheaper to maintain than an old plane..lol) and I figure when they put me in the ground I can't take it with me.. My only vice is my metal mistress and her name is N7741 and the other half knows all about her. I think she is afraid to make me decide between her and the metal mistress, she might not get the answer she is looking for, so she just rolls with it :). -Tom

Keeping an eye on weather. A trip from Tennessee to Orlando, leaving Monday. Flying the folks down to Florida for a few days. Visiting with my brother and his family for a birthday and a HS graduation for my nephew. -Tom

That's pretty much what I had in mind. Looks good. Mine goes in the shop the first week of July. Just trying to get things ready. I think this will be included. I know there are a few vendors selling them. Where did you buy yours? Looks like both of our panels will be a total redo. I'll have to learn to fly all over again. Excited, but apprehensive. I know you are as well. -Tom

Any MSers had one of these installed. I have a clock installed in my yokes, but I've sold the yokes opting for the 201 style yokes, bad news is since the clock is built in the yoke I'll be minus a clock. Since a clock is required and I'm doing a panel make-over I thought about going this route. These are pretty pricey for a clock, but it would be nice to have the USB ports on the pilots side. Has anyone installed these or heard anything about them? From the catalog page: 2", 10–32 VDC, Digital, Dual USB Accurate time-keeping is essential for any pilot and in-flight USB charging power is a necessity. The MD93 features intuitive operation with four modes: Local Time, Universal Time, Flight Timer, and Stopwatch. The Duel USB Charging Port supplies the electric current needed to charge any standard or high-power device with a USB interface, while protecting itself and the charging device from short-circuit, power surges and over-current potential. Compact 2-inch size ­fits standard panel cutout Six-digit, seven-segment LED clock and USB charger Four modes: local time, universal time, flight timer and stopwatch Clock settings include 12– or 24–hour mode and seconds On or Off Multiple lighting schemes allows manual or automatic dimming 8-year internal battery maintains time and flight timer memory when not powered by the aircraft USB interface provides 2.1 amps per charging port -Tom

The award goes to 201er.. Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner. I was wondering when he would chime in.. Love those YouTube videos. When's our next excursion. I'm running out of your videos and tired of re-runs. -Tom

We are still planning on it. Probably KORL. The weather is looking kind of "iffy" and I'm flying VFR. We will keep watching weather over the next several days. I think my brother has made our reservations at the Double Tree by Hilton Downtown-Orlando. Still planning on the 30th-2nd. -Tom

So good to see so many insane people who have lost sight of perspective on MS. As we say in the fitness biz.. "Go big or go home ". Some good looking panels out there. Lets keep these old birds flying and looking good. Very nice!! -Tom

So far KDYR (Dyersburg, TN ..west TN) to KPSM (Portsmouth, NH). 954.2 NM flown VFR w/ flight following. Made 2 fuel stops along the way just because I was in no hurry. Did this trip up and back twice last year (2015).. My best and most enjoyable flights to date Hope to do it again this year at least once. Maybe I'll have my IFR knocked out by then and can really use the system. -Tom

My understanding is that they flow into the main tank..no additional senders. My plane is a 74E, but I think the process is the same. When I made the appointment he made no mention of additional senders, just reprogramming of the JPI to show a higher capacity/quanity. -Tom

This has been pretty well covered, but here is my .02. I have an appointment to have the long range tanks installed in October. I told Paul at Weep No More that I had a JPI and was there any issues regarding the increased fuel capacity? He said not a problem. They just reset the unit to accommodate for the updated fuel capacity..Not a big deal. It was not a concern and done on a regular basis when they install long range tanks. -Tom

I've been to a few FBOs and seen the following..Don't remember which were where, but I thought cool ideas and cheaper than making a pilot buy a bitching Betty. 1. As many mentioned..love those old military bases that give you the radio reminder. Portsmouth NH (PSM) does it regularly. 2. Saw an FBO once that had a sign at the end of the runways that says in big letters,, : "GEAR DOWN" 3. I've also seen a FBO that actually mowed the grass with the airport identifier and GEAR DOWN. Now that would be a PIA to maintain all summer and I'm guessing if you landed in the winter when the grass is not growing you are on your own, they probably have a few more gear ups during the winter..lol I'm assuming that they did this just temporary or for fun..I can't imagine they actually maintained it that way. Pretty cool though. -Tom

I think the reply of "Slant Uniform w/ GPS capability" would work for you.. -Tom

Should be there Monday (30th) in the afternoon and leaving Thursday (2nd) in the morning. If by chance you see us shake a hand. It's always great to meet a MSer in person. I'll be the guy looking all unorganized on the ramp, but trying to look like I know what I'm doing -Tom

KORL (Sheltair) is $12 a night for tie-down, doesn't matter if you by fuel ($5.20). No fees are waived. KDED (Deland) is $20 a night tie-down, but the first night is waived if you purchase fuel ($3.87). I'll have to fuel up so it's a toss-up. Interesting Deland was that much more a night, especially since KORL is right in Orlando. By the time I drive the extra 40 min from Deland to Orlando it's really a wash either way. I guess it will come down to convenience since the $ is so close. -Tom

Yeah, but by renewing you will get a newly designed AOPA sticker for the back glass of your car, but you have to ask for it and you only get one I renewed after hesitation, but I guess I'm just trying to support GA wherever I can. I do think the dues are high though and the hats are "old man hats", even though I do resemble that remark. -Tom