SkyBound

Parker - thanks for your note. I was able to get my fuel flow up to about 10.7-11.0 GPH on the way to OSH yesterday, but don't seem to be able to keep CHTs and TIT at bay and run smoothly to get a little more power above that. I was hoping to get to 11.5 GPH, but 11.0 GPH is close enough. The airplane was doing 165 kts TAS at 14,000 ft. I am excited to know that the airplane can be happy performing that way. Very impressive how much faster your airplane was. I hope that you can return to Oshkosh soon!

Special thanks to all who posted responses to my questions. I lost my LOP virginity on a trip earlier this week. I was able to do 165 kts TAS at 17,000 burning 9.5 GPH using 28.5" and 2500 RPM. Like everyone has said the CHTs were in the mid 300s and TIT stable at 1550. ROP at the same altitude with 28.5" and 2500 RPM yielded only 7 kts more (172 TAS) burning 14.8 GPH and having to trail cowl flaps to keep temperatures below 380. My JPI was showing 75% power for both ROP and LOP with the above settings, but that is not correct, right? When running LOP the equation 13.7 X GPH = HP applies. Thus for my 210 HP engine as jackn pointed out I was only doing 62% power LOP. Could one take this equation as a general philosophy for LOP flight and then say that for my engine I could try various power setting combinations as long as I stay at or below 11.5 GPH which would be equivalent to 75% while keeping CHTs below 380 and TIT below 1600? Parker - I notice that you mentioned that your engine runs rough below 2450 RPM, is that why you stay with 2550 RPM - 100 RPM above that setting? Does that additional 50 RPM above 2500 make a big difference? Do others with my LB engines like mine cruise faster than 2500 RPM? Thanks for the additional comments and advice. --Alex PS: For those 231 and other Turbo Mooney drivers going to Oshkosh would anyone like to get together in the North 40? Post here and may be we'll have a chance to get together next week.

Parker, Thank you for taking the time to share the information. Your 252 is about 10 kts. faster than my 231. Very impressive! I look forward to hearing from others. --Alex

I have continued experimenting running LOP and would like to get some more advice from the 231 pilots. What procedure/steps do you use to go LOP? What FF do you target and what %HP, RPM, MP do you use at various altitudes and what corresponding TAS do you observe? What are your EGT, CHT, and TIT preferred temperature ranges for LOP operations? Do you trail cowl flaps or are you able to keep them closed to keep those temps? How do handle descents and temporary level offs on descent? Are there times when you won't use LOP? i.e. short hops, flying a lower altitudes, etc.? Thanks! --Alex

SOLD!

I am planning on doing that. Just wanted to "keep it in the family" and give the Mooney community a shot at it first. Thanks for the suggestion KSMooniac.

After a recent panel upgrade my fully working King KR-87 TSO ADF system was removed. I am selling the complete system: radio, indicator, and antenna (not pictured). Please make an offer if you are interested. --Alex

Another vote for ForeFlight Checklist Pro. I have been using it for over three years. I have it on my iPhone for preflight and walking around and on the iPod Touch attached to the yoke for inflight - this has worked great for me. In addition to customizing checklists for the aircraft that I fly, I have also created a passenger briefing checklist, AirVenture Arrival, etc. I like the feature to sync checklists between devices and the ability to edit on the device or on the web. --Alex

Carb heat off, mixture rich (unless you are landing at higher altitude). I only use carb heat when there is onset of carb ice. Use of carb heat in the M20C is infrequent. I typically have experienced that in visible moisture/rain/clouds. Enjoy!

I have been using ADS-B with SkyRadar (www.skyradar.net) on an iPad over the last two years and have been very pleased with it. I had the unit hidden in the glove compartment in my M20C model and behind the pedestal now in my M20K model using external antennas on the windshield. PM me if you'd like more details and if interested I can get you a discount through a referral. --Alex

Wow, congratulations on both! What does she cruise at? Do you practice dentistry? --Alex

Hi Matt, Welcome to Mooneyspace and thank you for your interest in my airplane. I have sent you a PM with more information on how to reach me. --Alex

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. This is very helpful to a new K owner. I have really enjoyed my transition from a C to a Turbo and glad that I skipped the J. What settings do you guys recommend for cruising a 231 with an LB engine, Intercooler and a Merlyn Wastegate? Do most of you cruise in the 65% or 75% power range? How often do you go into the flight levels vs. staying in the high teens? I found that the TAS on my airplane is not that much faster at 19,000 vs. 15,000. Would you only climb to the flight levels if the winds were more favorable? Looking forward to the continued discussion. --Alex

The price has been reduced to $27,500 - here are the latest links to the listings: http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20C-RANGER/1970-MOONEY-M20C-RANGER/1252199.htm http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/aircraft/Single+Engine+Piston/1970/Mooney/M20C/1649125.html http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=766499 --Alex

Carusoam, The SkyRadar has a remote antenna connection capability that will allow you to hide the box in a convenient location and to simply suction cup the antenna to the windshield. See the accessories page on their website for more info on the various remote antennas: http://www.skyradar.net/purchase/skyradar-accessories.html --Alex

It does not, unfortunately. The challenge is that in order to "awaken" the ground stations the aircraft needs to transmit its own position. In order to accomplish that with proper accuracy to FAA standards, since this position report could be used for air traffic control separation, it is not possible with the portable device like the SkyRadar. I am going to be upgrading my GTX330 with ADS-B Out capability (it's a $1,200 upgrade at the moment) in the next few months to get the traffic more reliably on my iPad with the SkyRadar receiver.

Rob, You shouldn't feel bad about contacting people early as you do your research. I was happy to share the information with you. I agree with Gary - combine the transition training to the Mooney with the complex checkout. That's what I did when I bought my plane. I had very similar 150 hours of experience in mostly 150/172s. The insurance company required 5 hours dual and 5 hours solo prior to carrying passengers. The training went by fast. I suggest finding a CFI familiar with Mooneys so that you can be properly taught all the intricacies and emergency procedures. The complex part is easy - you just have to remember to put the gear down. ;-) Doing it in the plane that you own will also be most cost effective and will allow you to get to know your airplane with confidence. --Alex

Another vote for SkyRadar. I've been using the SkyRadar D-2 ADS-B receiver for over two years now and have been very happy with it. It works great with numerous apps including WingX and has been very reliable. I have it neatly hidden off the glareshield (found great spots in both my current M20K and my previous M20C) and using external suction cup antennas on the windshield. www.skyradar.net Please PM me if you'd like more information, screenshots from previous flights, and if interested I can get you a discount through the referral. --Alex

Another vote for SkyRadar. I've been using the SkyRadar D-2 ADS-B receiver for over two years now and have been very happy with it. It works great with numerous apps including WingX and has been very reliable. I have it neatly hidden off the glareshield (found great spots in both my current M20K and my previous M20C) and using external suction cup antennas on the windshield. www.skyradar.net Please PM me if you'd like more information, screenshots from previous flights, and if interested I can get you a discount through the referral. --Alex

I've been using the SkyRadar D-2 ADS-B receiver for over two years now and have been very happy with it. It works great with numerous apps including WingX and has been very reliable. I have it neatly hidden off the glareshield (found great spots in both my current M20K and my previous M20C) and using external suction cup antennas on the windshield. www.skyradar.net Please PM me if you'd like more information, screenshots from previous flights, and if interested I can get you a discount through the referral. --Alex

Thank you all who have posted. The comments are very helpful. What TAS cruise speeds do you get with the settings you are suggesting running LOP? I would be curious to hear how your planes perform compared to mine in a variety of altitude ranges say below 10K, low teens, mid to high teens, and flight levels if you go up that high. Could you please also comment if you are trailing cowl flaps in cruise or if you are able to keep them closed to keep your CHTs under control? Thanks again.

As I continue to get more familiar with my 1979 M20K with a TSIO-360LB-1 with TurboPlus Intercooler, Merlyn Automatic Wastegate and GAMIjectors I was wondering what practices other members use for leaning. What temperature ranges do you try to keep your engines in (EGT, CHT, TIT) and what fuel flow do you typically aim for during climb, cruise and descent? I had fuel schedule adjusted on the engine and feel that it may be running too lean as I need to keep cowl flaps in trail in cruise when running full rich in order to keep CHT for the #1 cylinder below 380 in cruise at any altitude above 8,000 feet or so. Contrary, I am finding that the #6 cylinder is typically the coolest, running at just below 300 CHT in cruise. My fuel flow is around 13.8 - 14.1 gph at 28" and 2500 RPM for cruise. Do others see the same spread? Any K tricks that you'd like to share to get the best temps, speed, and economy? Thanks everyone in advance for sharing your wisdom and advice. --Alex

Please also post some photos of the new LED install. I hope to install the same on my K. Thank you. --Alex

Excellent point about the battery. That was one of the main attractions for me for the SkyRadar units is that they do not have an internal battery and plug-into the 12V cigarette lighter socket. I also agree with the point of keeping the glairshield clear. The SkyRadar D-2 comes with external antennas (both ADS-B and GPS) that allow for the box to be kept out of the way. In my C I had it in the glove compartment and in the K found a great place behind the pedestal. --Alex

I am also waiting to make the same change to my '79 K. AVEO also has the 6-in-1 light set that they are saying should have an STC for any moment that I am hoping to install: http://www.aveoengineering.com/index.php/product-info-aveomaxx-6in1 --Alex