TWinter

Cost of hangers in this part of the country is $150 at my field. The cost at their field was $125. So $275 for both was not bad. The ones at their field were brand new with bi-fold doors(actually the hanger in my avatar). I wish the hangers at my home field were as nice. I kept a beater vehicle there so I could fly over and visit and have wheels to drive to and from the airport to their house. As far as being a good son and needing a hanger there. I lived 1500 miles away from them on the east coast for the first half of my adult life with occasional visits. Retired and now I'm in my 50s and they are in their 80s. Life is short and they have always been there for me..It's my turn to make sure they are taken care of.. -Tom

I tried doing that until our friendly FAA Gods did a records check of hangers in the area. I had one here at my home dome and another 25 miles away where my folks live. The city Code Enforcement where my folks live called and said they got a call from the FAA asking questions about my plane, tail number and was it hangered there. Apparently, as a routine check the FAA will do a check of hangers assigned a different fields and what tail #s are assigned to those hangers. In my case my tail number showed up at as assigned to my home base and also showed up at my folks field data base of assigned hangers. FAA said, No-No! One tail # assigned to one hanger. You can't have two hangers assigned to one tail #. End result was I had to give up the hanger at where my folks live. These were municipal hangers and not privately owned. I'm sure this makes a difference. There was mention that our friends at the FAA have been clamping down on this because of Homeland Security. I guess the moral to the story is if you have two hangers and they are city owned..keep it to yourself. It was all news to me. It was too bad, the hanger I had to give up the nicer of the two. Just a pass on of info.. -Tom

I've had a chance to see how quickly a plane can go "down hill" by outside vs. in a hanger. Prior to my Mooney life I had a Cherokee. I sold it to a guy at my field. I had always kept it in a hanger when I owned it. The plane remained in excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition when I had it in a hanger. When I sold it to him he did not have a choice and had to keep it outside. There were no hangers available. It's been outside for four years now. It has deteriorated over the years..It only took about two years for it to start to show outside wear. At one time I was proud to tell people I had owned that plane..not so much anymore. Looks pretty rough now. I say take the hanger, you won't be sorry. -Tom

Wow..Lots of WCoast Mooney folks. Have fun and do take pictures. Us in the southeast and odd-coast are not feeling the love. I guess SnFun will be here soon enough. -Tom

Just had my physical last week...Another one down and here's to hoping it might be the last ( sort of-every 4 yrs is much better)... Only good thing about two years is it keeps me honest on my workouts and diet.

Good luck..Portsmouth is a great city. The guys at Port City Air were great do deal with. I'm originally from there and flew the Mooney up twice last summer from Tennessee. Hope to make several trips up next year. You might also try SFM. That's pretty active FBO. -Tom

I know all to well about taxes and small business..been running a small business for 20 yrs. As a private health club owner we battle daily with tax exempt YMCAs and other non-profit related businesses that get subsidized funding while trying to compete with the private sector such as myself (like you said, don't get me going on that topic). I guess my reference was municipal to municipal.. Apples to apples. I do understand your point though. -Tom

I owned a sign shop at one time. A vinyl cutter, or plotter as called in the sign busness is a roll fed cutting device to cut vinyl signs or graphics. You can use regular clip art from computer files or scan images and make a graphic design. I've sold the business years ago, but still have some equipment. I've done several Mooney logos for my hanger and vehicle. Similar to screen-printing. -Tom

This is just across the river from me. Maybe 15 minute flight. We've been urging our FBO to get competitive with these prices. Kennett has a great philosophy/strategy about their pricing. They said the city prices just a few cents above cost to try attract people to come and stop by Kennett. To shop, go to restaurants, see what Kennett has to offer. They look at the airport as a "Gateway"- (their term). I would say they have a smart city government..It seems to be working. Too bad other FBOs don't look at the glass as half full.

I didn't realize there was a difference in the landing light and cowl between the C and E. MIne does not have the trim ring on the outside. The lens cover just uses prongs that install on the inside of the recessed area where the light is. Yours look good. I like it with the outer trim. Just looked closer..you have the enclosed cowl. Looks great.

Start dieting this week before you try to get the wing servos replaced and keep thinking "skinny hands". It's tight in there.. You will get it eventually and good luck.

And another 2k for GPSS. Now I remember why I went the route I did.

Yep.. From Gulf Coast Avionics the S-Tec System 30 Alt is a single axis Altitude Hold only autopilot which can be installed as a stand alone pitch system, or as a complement to any brand of autopilot. Since it installs and operates separately, no complex interfacing is required. Works like a charm Great thing about it is I can use it with or without the PC system. You can make banks and turns at will and this system will maintain altitude independent of the AccTrk.

I would need to look for my paperwork on the Stec 30 Alt Hold. I think it was about $3500. The Accu Trk I bought from a forum brother. The hard part would be finding a serviceable Accu Trk. They seem to be few and far between. I think I'm into all of it serviced, tagged and installed for under 7K. I'll see if I can find receipts and give you a better idea.

Larry, After Phillip sent it back to me and he told me nothing was wrong ( I really hoped he would swap it out for a replacement) I took it back to the hanger and actually zip tied the box to the top beam in the hanger and using the external antenna (I bought from switchbox), I stuck the magnetic external antenna on the roof of the hanger hoping for the best possible reception. It worked okay a few days then became inconsistent again. I had extension cords running all over the place trying to figure out the problem...Finally got frustrated and took it down. I'll try it again this year, maybe the stars will be in line and I'll have better luck.

My Switchbox worked spotty all of last year. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. I sent it back for him to take a look. He said nothing was wrong with it. Even after I got it back it got to the point where I didn't trust and ended up pulling it off line. May have been a cell reception issue, but I felt he could have been more helpful regarding trouble shooting. It's in my hanger cabinet right now. I may give it another try this year. I also bought the cooler and switchbox. -Tom

Saw this last night on EBay. I mentioned the ad was well done. The Buy Now price was very tempting. I see the Buy Now is gone now, but nice job on the ad. -Tom

Great write up.. I'm really on the fence about these. Just wish Tango 2 was already out. Not sure I'm ready to give up my A20s. Enjoyed the videos and Pirep. Tom

I think there are two main players. AeroSheep and Rocky Mountain Sheepskin. Cost wise they are very competitive. I bought a new set from Rocky Mountain about 6 months ago. So far so good. Delivery was on time, install was simple and the quality and color are good. This is my second set, my first set I bought used just to see if I liked them. I did, so after about a year or so I ordered a new set. The only reason I ordered the new set was to get a color match for my interior. So far I'm very pleased. -Tom

Okay..That's what I thought, Great looking panel you have -Tom

I have the STec 30 Alt Hold.. You have the Stec 30 AP. Two different systems I think. Am I missing a add-on box that can be installed w/ my altitude hold that will do approaches etc. That sure would be nice. Mine is strictly a bare-bone auto-pilot system. Is there another piece I can add to the STec30 alt hold that I'm unaware of ?. -Tom

If I had to bet I would say that picture is at Union City, TN airport?

The GTN750 is a very nice GPS and very useful and capable, but the cost is reflective of it's versatile utility. I literally did some refinancing on my plane when I did the GTN750, GDL88 and Flightstream 210 updates. The cost was pretty hefty. As far as the AccuTrack A/P goes. This system will hold a heading assuming you have a properly working PC Leveler. You will also need some sort of alt hold to work with the Accu system. It does not hold altitude. You will need a STec 30 Altitude Hold or similar..more $. Even after you have done that you still can't do approaches etc with it. It will fly you straight and level on a GPS heading and hold altitude. Sounds like you might want to look at a more advanced A/P system that will let you do approaches etc. The quadrant controls are on select years and models. Some guys like them (like me) while others prefer the venier (sp?) controls-push/pull. I'm probably in the minority. From the sounds of what you are liking it appears you will have a very envious panel. We look forward to seeing what you come up with. Good luck and keep us updated. -Tom

The family has been picking my brain for my Christmas list. They all usually pool together and typically I supplement to get whatever my next project is for the plane. While a upgrade from my current JPI-830 to a JPI 9 series for a primary is what my real next "to do" plans, but that will be way out of holiday Christmas gift giving budget. My next upgrade on the list was to take a look at the "Boom Beam" landing light. I know there are a few threads about landing lights, but regarding the Boom Beams...pricey, but are they worth it?. Right now I have a LED and it seems adequate. I have a hanger mate who has a Boom Beam on his Aztec and he loves it. I have not called to get a current price, but I have it on my radar. Those who have them..is it worth the $ and what did you pay or if you have shopped them what were you quoted? Are there any other good alternatives that I don't know about that will give you the same high output. I would like to have it wired as a solid on or wig-wag option as well. I also have the clear lexan Lasar light cover over my landing light now..will the Boom Beam be too hot and damage the cover? -Tom

Mines a E w/ GTN750, JPI 830, GDL-88 with remote transponder. Hope to be replacing the JPI830 with a JPI primary soon. It will require the panel to be redone, but this is how it is now. The picture was a few years ago. The Garmin 696 has been changed to a Garmin 796 and a AccuTrak AP was installed under the dash below the JPI 830.