SkyBound

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 and has been very reliable. I have it neatly hidden off the glareshield and using external suction cup antennas on the windshield. www.skyradar.net Please PM me if you'd like more information and if interested I can get you a discount through the referral. --Alex

Seth, I have two landing Whelen lights. The mechanic ordered two of the same. I am working on getting one switched to a Whelen taxi light. --Alex

Seth, I have two PAR 36's on my K. Should be the same set-up as your Missile. My C has the PAR 46. They are currently parked in the tie-down side by side if you want to do a comparison. ;-) I have been happy with the PAR 36s and don't notice much difference transitioning from the C to the K at night. I can see the pavement fine on landing, but would like more light for taxiing. I am looking forward to adding wingtip LED lights when those become available. I have been looking at AveoEngineering and their 6-in-1 AveoMAXX. According to the company rep they should have an STC for a Mooney any time now. http://www.aveoengineering.com/index.php/product-info-aveomaxx-6in1 --Alex

Seth, Thank you for your post. I am getting some interest. The listing is also on Trade-A-Plane and Barnstormers. 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

Zane, I am in the process of selling my M20C after upgrading to an M20K and found your post helpful and encouraging. Thank you for taking the time to write about your experience. --Alex

Hi Rockydoc1, Please take a look at my 1970 M20C with a fresh March 2013 Annual and IFR Pitot Static inspection currently listed for $29,990: http://www.treborav8...anger_M20C.html I have owned the airplane for the last 8 years and hope to find a good new home for it. Please feel free to PM me for more information. --Alex http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/album/13710-/

Hi Rbuck, Please take a look at my 1970 M20C with a fresh March 2013 Annual and IFR Pitot Static inspection currently listed for $29,990: http://www.treborav8.com/Treborav8/My_Sales_Albums/Pages/1970_Mooney_Ranger_M20C.html I have owned the airplane for the last 8 years and hope to find a good new home for it. Please feel free to PM for more information. --Alex http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/album/13710-/

The airplane is now back with March 2013 Annual and IFR Pitot-Static Inspections. Who would like give this great bird a new home?

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and your wisdom. I had the opportunity to visit the Red Line Aviation facility today, meet the owner, and try the Sidewinder on his Bonanza in the rain. The product handled very well and I am inclined to give it a try... --Alex

I use a SureFire pre-heater. I've had it for about 5 years and it has allowed me to start in cold temperatures when the FBO doesn't have pre-heat or when FBO is closed after hours. It's essentially a propane system in a toolbox that runs off of camping stove size propane tanks. The fan blower needs electricity and I travel with a small 12V car jumper battery to plug that into. http://www.crystal-airways.com/surestart/surefire.asp --Alex PS: How do you like the Reiff system? Which version do you have? Do you find it superior to Tanis? I am thinking of getting one installed for the next winter season on my newly acquired M20K now that I have migrated from a tie-down to a hangar and have access to electricity.

Thank you for taking the time to share your opinion.

Bringing my new M20K home for the first time I was surprised by the difference that the extra few hundred pounds makes in moving the airplane compared to my M20C. Also transitioning from a tie-down to a hangar with an incline, I realized that there was no way I could push the plane up into the hangar on my own without another person or a tug. The culprit is also a short tow bar that came with the airplane, that makes it very difficult to turn reaching underneath the three-bladed prop. Now I am on a mission to find a tug and a replacement tow bar. After doing some research I have narrowed it down to a few of these electric tug models. I believe that the electric tug is most maintenance free compared to a gas powered one and always ready as long as it stays plugged in between uses. For the non-portable units, batteries can be replaced easily under $100 and are available locally. In my research I seemed to gravitate towards the two-wheel models, vs. single wheeled Power Tow type design. Do the portable tugs that use a drill really work? What if the tire is wet? I have seen some posts siting that the best part of the deal is the drill since it can be reused, is that the opinion of most? There is obvious value to travel with them, however since these cost just as much as the non-portable ones if I am planning to only use it in the hangar, is it worth it? I would love to hear your feedback, the model that you use, and recommendations/reviews for these tugs and tow bars if you have experience with them: Electric Tugs: Portable Tugs: The popular Robotow: http://www.robotow.com/index.php Sidewinder from Red Line Aviation: https://www.redlineaviation.com/mooney/sidewinder-mooney-airplanes/ Non-Portable Tugs: The popular Power Tow Line: http://www.powertow.com/POWERTOW-LINE-AIRCRAFT-TUGS_ep_28.html The Aero-Tow E-200: http://www.aero-tow.com/E200.html AeroKART: http://aerokarts.com/index.html PricelessAviation 701 - the advantage of this one is that it has a swivel and does not have to be lifted to turn the airplane, but costs $1,000 more than the three above: http://www.pricelessaviation.com/moving-equipment-tug701.html Lindbergh Aircraft Tug Company - Lindy's AircraftCaddy 4K Jr - Does anyone have this tug? http://www.lindbergh.com/aircraft-tug/airplane-tug.html Any other models/recommendations for tugs that I should consider? Tow Bars: Simple Deluxe Tow Bar from Aircraft Spruce: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/deluxe_towbars2.php Bogert Aviation - Bogi-Bar - Seems to be the most logical alternative to what came with the Mooney: http://bogertaviation.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=garden_flypage.tpl&product_id=3&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=23 Fancy Tow Bar with an optional vehicle attachment from Red Line Aviation. Could be useful should one also tow with a golf cart or tractor: https://www.redlineaviation.com/mooney/be-3-xl-mooney-airplanes/ Any other models/recommendations for tow bars that I should consider? Thank you in advance. --Alex

Duke - thank you for posting the information on how to adjust the stall warning tab. I have forwarded it to my mechanic. --Alex

Carusoam - which MSC do you use? Could I contact them for guidance on the adjustment? Thank you! --Alex

Got it to stall speed and did a couple of power-off stalls and recoveries. All without a sound at all.

The switch is installed correctly... Please keep the ideas and suggestions coming! --Alex

Would the Sonalert sound on the ground, but not in the air? The strange part of the issue is that I can make the warning go off when I wiggle the tab on the ground, but not while in flight.

I was not able to get the stall warning to sound in flight on my recently purchased 1979 M20K. The switch moves freely and operates as designed when tested on the ground. The mechanic was not sure what adjustments and additional troubleshooting could be done. Any thoughts or suggestions on what I could try? Thanks. --Alex

I had the same experience with Coy. It's comforting to hear that mine is not unique. I have been trying to buy a Deluxe Mooney Buyer's Kit since October 2012. Coy has been very friendly on the phone and in e-mail responses saying that he will gather the materials and contact me in a few days. However after four months of trying (it is now February 2013) still no luck...

Thank you all for the comments and feedback. Very helpful! --Alex

Thanks for the quick replies. I am looking for something for my K model. --Alex

What type of Gust Lock or Control Lock would you recommend? Thanks. --Alex

Don and RJ, Thank you for your responses. My K is a 79 and the Oxygen was added in 1985. How do you suggest I proceed to confirm that I can use later parts to move the tank into the tailcone? If I find out that I am able to move the tank into the tailcone, do you suggest I go with the composite? On the contrary, if I just replace the tank and keep the set-up in the baggage compartment would you recommend steel or composite? Thank you again. --Alex

I have recently acquired an M20K with a 77 CF 3HT steel cylinder in the baggage compartment (see attached photo). The cylinder is at the end of its 25 year life and needs to be replaced. My option is to replace it with the same steel cylinder - $1,300 or a composite cylinder for $1,700 plus cost of labor for minor modifications. I would only gain 10 lbs with the composite cylinder and am currently leaning to just staying with the steel as I don't see the value in additional cost just to gain 10 lbs. What advice does the group have for me on this decision? I have also seen the option of having the cylinder installed in the tail cone in other airplanes however my mechanic is saying that to get approval for that in my airplane would be very costly. Any suggestions here? Thanks in advance! --Alex