TWinter

And to think I complained this year when my shop went from $1800 to the new rate of $2000. Going up a grand is a pretty big increase. -Tom

A good alternate is the STec 30 altitude hold. I use it in conjunction with my Brittain Accu and is a good combination. -Tom

Keeping the runway clear of birds and wildlife.. https://www.facebook.com/thisisinsider/videos/1518305921810134/ -Tom

Looks like I'll be helping Jose' retire or enjoy retirement. On my short list..Long range tanks Always good to know where the money is going.

Various tools, flashlights, emergency aid gear, Mooney tow-bar, oil, extra headsets ,.but not much that is just Mooney specific. I do have a extra landing light..that's a good one to keep in mind and keep on board. Handy wipes and batteries always seem to be in short supply no matter how often I refill them. -Tom

PM sent.. -Tom

Well "Boost" is functional again. There was enough slack in the cable to be able to trim the fray back and reattach the center core to the locking bolt and re-secure the cable. Some lube while it was all opened up. Working well with full range of motion. The inside contact switch for the "Boost" light still needs some very minor adjustment, the boost lever has to be pushed to the extreme top for the light to go off. All seems to be working as it should. Maybe I'll be able to gain that 1" of manifold pressure now. -Tom

"Top Gun" star Kelly McGillis has confirmed rumors that she is a lesbian, saying she is "done with the man thing." "I did that. I need to move on in life," the ... If Tom Cruise couldn't do it for her then I'm not sure even old Mooney Pilots can change her ways. Mine was a good sport for a while..when I start reciting lines before the actors she gets a little agitated. Mrs.Hank probably likes flying..mine not so much, but she tolerates it, tolerates me and the never ending reruns.

Am I the only one gets the evil eye from the significant other when I'm scrolling through the TV guide channels trying to find something to watch and I stop when I see TopGun, Dangerous Flights, Ice Pilots, The Aviator, Red Tails, Fly Boys or pretty much any aviation program that we've seen 100x. Or if she is in the kitchen and hears the opening music to TopGun...Drives her "NUTS". lol

TG is a great laying on the couch late Sunday afternoon movie..lol. Most of us have seen it so many times we can close our eyes and nap in and out while its on and never miss a beat. No thinking necessary. My brother was a Top Gun instructor and says the movie is so far from reality it was really a turn-off for the real deal. I still enjoy it though Anybody seen Kelly Megillis lately -Tom

This trip is more of a trip for he and I to share the experience. Not sure the MAPA convention would be the correct venue for this type of trip. -Tom

I've looked at the Mooney Corp website ( I have to agree..poor web design). Anyway, I am looking for some info about the factory and availability of taking a tour. While having dinner with my father the other night I mentioned how cool it would be for he and I to take a tour of the now up and running Mooney Factory. He thought it sounded like a terrific idea. Does anybody know who, what and when they do factory tours or do they even do them randomly? Cost etc? It's only about 4 hr +/- flight for us so we would probably go down on a Thursday and get settled in. Hopefully tour the next day (Friday) and come home late Friday or Saturday morning. We would get a rental vehicle right at the field and stay in Kerrville Thursday night and possibly Friday night. I have not been able to make it to a Mooney Homecoming so I'm not familiar with Kerrville. Any recommendations for us as far as where to stay and or tour info..Dad's close to 80, but in good health. Walking the tour will be no problem..As far as seeing sites that require a whole lot of walking, probably needs to be somewhat limited (he had knee replacement last year..does well, just limited). Dad's a retired Marine ("24 yr lifer") and a major history buff..anything we just need to see in the area that he would enjoy? Any suggestions or tour info? I know I can call the factory and get info, but thought I would toss this out there. Thanks, -Tom

Congrats and welcome to the E club. -Tom

I've got the same ones..Only in black. That's were the similarity in our planes end... lol

I had my originals recovered by Aero Comfort. Turned out good, but I went back and forth about getting the newer thicker style like yours..Changing the shafts was the only thing that held me back. My AP wasn't crazy about swapping them out. After seeing these I wished I had pushed him more to do it. Yours look great! Very nice..

I'm in camp #2 if we based it on the drawing Chris made. -Tom

I love my E, but a Missile always seems to get my attention. I've seen a few, but most that are in my CB budget are ragged out and need soooo much work, much like what you have experienced in your search. Don't give up the hunt yet. Let me know if you come across a nice Missile while your looking for your dream bird. I'm always interested in considering a change of pace..as long as the tail is on backwards.

Recently been using the Flightstream to send GDL88 info to my 796 portable via BT. Works well. Technology is on a roll..

Find me a sweet deal on a Missile and I'll show you a sweet deal on a nice E model Turn key!!

Found the culprit this afternoon. Looks like the fray was just the outer wire stranding that I could see prior. The center core wire had pulled loose from the lock nut/bolt that holds it in place. Awfully tight up there. A little bent, but repairable..Thanks for the info. Good functional design, but I could think of better ways it could have been done,

What was the turn-around time..My seats are done. I would like the plastic covered in the Ultra? Hector did my yokes and seats. Came out great. Just need to finish the plastic, and have the dash plastic replaced with a fresh CNC cut panel. Lance, Yours looks great! -Tom

He's too close for missiles Goose, I'm switching to guns

That's exactly what I have 73E model

If you look in the POH there is a section that gives the exact combination of where the vents etc need to be positioned either opened or closed to get the defrost benefits. Doesn't work great, but they do have a combination that is supposed to be the defrost combination. There also a brief warning in there about directing too much heat on the windshield. -Tom

Thanks and sounds good. I'll probably pull the cowl this weekend and really take a better look. Might just need a good "look-over". I should have checked it more carefully when he was pointing it out during annual, but they were just getting things buttoned up after annual (seems like there are always a lot of annuals lined up in the fall). I might go ahead and put the new light in this weekend. The light needs a second power run and the switch changed out to a three way. On/Off/Wig. I can handle the RR of light and get a good look while I've got it opened up and go from there. I'll have him run the new light wiring, the log entries and sign-offs next week when I take it over. I'll get a better idea of what I have or don't have.. Thanks -Tom