TWinter

I'll try to get to the hanger this weekend and get a pic. I mentioned to my AP that the Power Boost was difficult to move. He checked it out at the last annual. He pointed to the cable and said that it was nearly worn through and not operating smoothly..Said that he could try to replace it then or we could wait until the next shop visit and go from there. While he had open I just took a quick look into the cowl area and saw the frayed area he was pointing out. Don't remember exactly what it looked like. Not knowing what the annual bill was going to be I passed on the repair then knowing I would be back after New Year for the light install. Drives me nuts knowing something is not 100%. Just thought I would try to source the cable and be ahead of the game. I'll try and see if I can get a pic over the weekend. -Tom

My ram air cable is frayed and needs replacing. I haven't put my A/P on it yet, but we noticed it had some fray on it near the front during the last annual a few months back. I'm having my new wig/wag LED landing light put in sometime during the next few weeks and thought I might have him tackle the ram air cable at the same time since the cowl will be pulled a part. Any suggestion on the best source for the new cable. I guess it should be noted is that my 73E has the ram air as the lever sliding up/down switch on the center console. I've seen a few push/pull cables on EBay and didn't know if they hooked up similar or were even acceptable to use. Thanks, -Tom

This is the best way to go and be sure to get the XC for our stubborn hot starts. I've got hot starts figured out after several years, but once in a while during the summer I'll miss catching the start on the first go round..It's always nice having a strong battery. -Tom

I also use MyRadar Pro App. Works very well on the IPhone 6+.

If you were asking me?..I have GDL88 w/ GTN 750. In conjunction I have also been using my 796 portable to display weather and use the GDL88 primarily as traffic display on the 750. For some reason I had it in my head that XM weather was marginally more accurate as far as "real time" over the ADS-B. Maybe that was the case before all the towers were put up and the coverage has improved so much more. I realize there is a delay on both XM and ADS-B, but seems that the XM was slightly better. Apparently, not so much. I took two trips this past summer from Tennessee to Maine and back. The XM weather worked well and the timing was not far off. As all have mentioned, majority of my weather briefing and planning was done on the ground well in advance of actual departure time. XM pixels and image depiction on the 796 seems much less blocky over the GDL. Maybe it's time to do a real time comparison of the GDL and the XM. If they are the same of only within a few minutes in difference I'll probably drop the XM. As most all agree it's best to do your planning on the ground and just use the in the air data for the overall picture. -Tom

I know the discussion has been brought up before, but I never thought about the actual real-time delay of ADS-B weather. This month's MAPA magazine has their accident report write-up. While we always hate to hear about fatalities, especially other Mooney drivers, but it is always beneficial to learn from them. I've been up and down the fence about canceling my XM subscription since having the GDL-88 installed, but I've always hesitated because I've heard the weather on ADS-B is "slightly" delayed, Even more so than XM, and honestly, I like having the XM radio. I read the accident report in the Mapa Log and see the NTSB determined a major factor in the accident was the fact the ADS-B weather displayed to the accident pilot could have delayed as much 15-20 minutes. That's quite a length of time. Enough for them to conclude that it was a major factor in the accident. Some of you guys may know more about the accident and the accuracy of the NTSB findings. But this really gives some new perspective about hanging onto the XM weather subscription and keeping the 796 portable up to snuff.. Just something to keep in mind. Our Mooney's are fast, we can cover lots of ground in 15-20 minutes. What we actually encounter when we get there and what's on the screen might be totally different. Whether using XM or ADS-B always remember there will be a lag time...up to 20 minutes. -Tom

Looking at Zephyrhills and the PIREPS about jumpers, gliders etc just to make life easier I think we will change plans to Tampa Executive.. Still arriving on the 5th and leaving the following Sat. 9th. Staying at Country Inn Suites Tampa East. $140 a night plus tax..Not a bad price.

Will do..Be great to put a handshake to forum handle..thanks -Tom

The thread got me motivated tonight to start thinking ahead. Probably going to be flying the following plan KDYR-O6A-KZPH 594nm. Pick up a rental car at KZPH and staying just on the outskirts (Plant City). That's the general plan at this point. Glad to see pricing looks a little better than Oshkosh. Never been to Zephyrhills. Get there on Tuesday and leave Saturday.. -Tom

I'm thinking Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, a car rental and hotel somewhere along the outskirts..Sounds like Mooney will be well represented

Just sold a 396 on EBay..auction closed out being sold at $425.. Just to give you an idea of recent sales.Good luck!!

Meant to mention yesterday..Looks great! Thanks, -Tom

Aero Comfort did my seats and yokes a few years ago..Very good job and great to work with. At some point I would like to have them finish all of my interior. -Tom

Looks like most of the work was done on the west coast. Interior was probably done by these guys. http://www.eliteairinteriors.com/ Or just buy the plane and the interior will come with it Looks nice, -Tom

Erik, That's one of the best little tips I've heard in a while.. Never thought about marking the seat posts..thanks. Obviously, I'm a rookie biker. I'm going to try these Allen bikes and see how well they work for us. If I find it feeling small I'll take a look at the Montague or maybe look at taking the backseat out and using our road bikes. The other half is not a real happy flyer so I'm hoping the bikes will entice her into wanting to take more trips by plane and then do some bicycling after we get there..if not I guess I'll have plenty of bikes for sale and plenty of room for just Me, Myself and I and just one bike.

I may have the pad leftover for the pilot/copilot (tan cloth). I don't have the frame though. -Tom

This was my second choice.. Not sure how well they would fit in the Mooney once folded. Might as well go with a full size non-folding road bike if you are going this big. Heard much about them?

Or this? This was what I thought I might look like riding a folding bike..Yikes!!

I think these two bikes I have are rated @ 230 pound max.. I've been on a mission this past year to change my workouts and get back on the healthy wagon. I've got my bodyweight down form 250-260s to about 238 right now..Goal is to get back to 225-230 (my before moving to Tennessee weight..got to love southern fried foods) . I'm 5'10 so I think these bikes will be okay. I'll try these new Allen's and see how they work. Just gives me more incentive to keep my workouts to more of a overall fitness routine and lay-off heavy powerlifting style. jonhop, At 6'5" and 250 you would probably be more suited for the "Paratrooper" folding bike or one of the styles with a heavier frame or a suggestion like aviatoreb said, maybe a custom build from Bike Friday. -Tom

Tim, Great job handling a very stressful event. I can only hope if it happens to me I can think as clearly as you did. Good luck on getting her back in the air soon.. -Tom

SOLD.. Thanks

But, there is good and bad in every profession. I once had a home contractor tell me I need a whole new foundation because there was evidence of wet foundation area just prior to selling my home as part of a pre-buy home inspection, The contractor thought he had me over a barrel because I needed his sign-off for the sale to go through. When in fact I needed a leaking pipe repaired, not a whole new foundation. His 2-3K estimate was fixed by a reputable contractor for $225. I've had work done vehicles that required minimal repair, but the shop said I needed a whole new frontend. We could all go on and on. I don't label every contractor or every mechanic as out to get me There are bad apples in EVERY profession. Have we ever heard of firefighters committing arson, teachers have inappropriate relationships with students?. It's just when it comes to authority the magnifying glass is always stronger. As far as hearing about attacks that were stopped or foiled..They are typically followed-up with additional investigation and may actually continue for years to follow. The media finds it much more entertaining and higher ratings when it's bad news or news of inappropriate behavior. Reporting good stuff is not nearly as sensational. I'm not trying to lecture anybody about anything. I'm just telling from my point of view.. We won't change the system..We have to work with what we have taking the good with the bad. Allow them to search or don't. You are right, It's YOUR RIGHT..That;s all. -Tom

All well and good, but again..In my short 52 yrs of life, most laws have become more stringent. Have we lost some of our freedom? You bet, however, has crime increased or decreased in the US requiring laws to become more stringent. Increased for sure. Example, Memphis news reported last night. We have had 26 homicides since January 1 this year. It has increased every year. Flying much like driving, it is a privilege we've earned by following rules. If we don't like the rules, we don't drive or fly. This is a forum for discussion. We won't all agree, but that's why we keep coming back. We all have a separate individual backgrounds and will view things differently. My point was simply this. I'm glad the OP cooperated in the 10-15 minute scope and did not hang on his telephone for 30 minutes calling 1-800-AOPA legal services or his lawyer and ask what he should do. If he had done that and turned a routine 10 minute check into a full 20-30 minutes of arguing with extra dialog, meanwhile the real "Mr. Badguy" just landed, saw you and authority debating your rights. He has now refueled and is on his way to your neighborhood to sell the drugs and guns to your local thug. It might not be right, it might be intrusive to some, but it is what it is. If a 10 minute stop is over and done, then there is another 20 minutes the authorities can be looking for the real bad guys. Might have gotten the bad guy that just landed and refueled in that extra 20 minutes. Crime and evil is on the way up folks I'll close out and say this. Some will think, well, he is a retired LEO. He only sees it with his "Thin Blue Line" perspective. I've been out of LEO for almost 15 yrs. Since being out of law enforcement I've been stopped and dealt with some police that were pricks and badge heavy. There will always be some of these individuals no matter what the profession..That's just life. I roll with it and will always try to see things as half full. I'm out.. -Tom

Everyone will have a opinion either for or against these stops, but doesn't it really go beyond the inconvenience of the search or the feeling that your rights are being violated...Granted we have nothing to hide, but maybe it's the next search right after you that is conducted that reveals the illegal weapons that are sold on the streets that could kill that grocery store owner in your neighborhood, the handgun that makes it's way into a kid's backpack at school or the drugs that get filtered down to your local elementary school just a block over. If a ten minute stop and search in a professional manner prevents any of the above I don't understand why we would object. I'm all about our rights..But coming from a LEO background I can promise you that you would be very surprised at the amount of contraband that is moving throughout our infrastructure both on the ground and in the air. I probably won't post on this thread again..we've hashed this stuff out before, but I think it goes beyond the stop and our rights. If ten minutes out of my schedule will prevent a tragedy like what we've seen lately in the news..well, I'll comply and be on my way. -Tom

I think you did the right thing..There are going to be lots of opinions about "Rights and Freedom from Unwarranted Search" etc. Bottom line, you cooperated, they did their jobs and life went on without a hitch. Everybody went (and flew) home alive and well. The next plane they pick just might be a real domestic threat. Sure, you could have said, "No" arguing and questioning authority and your rights etc meanwhile, while you are debating your rights to unreasonable search the terrorist just taxied by with a plane full of contraband. With the way the terrorist threats are honing down on us, we have to try to exercise more understanding, much more than we did years ago. As long as what they asked was reasonable and not overly intrusive I would probably cooperate as requested, much like you did. It seems like they had a very narrow scope of what they were looking for. No harm done. Now, if they started busting balls over minor equipment infractions or documentation then my opinion changes. -Tom