Marauder

Great question. I’m coming up for renewal and dropped my AOPA membership. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

This is why I dropped AOPA. Baker’s salary is more than many Fortune 500 CEO salaries. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Your symptoms sound very similar to the voltage regulator failure on my 75 F. My resolution was a two step process. The maintenance shop (I was traveling when this happened) thought it was a failing alternator. Replaced the alternator, voltage was around 13.8 for about half the flight home. Then it dropped to 12 volts. Replaced the regulator with a Zeftronics. Been solid for the past 3+ years. If there isn’t obvious issues with the wiring, odds are the VR or alternator is the issue. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Not sure why my second picture didn’t come through. The red circled items are the Velcro attachment points. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

You’ll need to remove the window treatments first. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

It is a Spatial Designs interior panel. They are attached with 3M Velcro. Just peel them off and you’ll be able to get to the senders. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

This is why we need to be prepared for the zombie apocalypse [emoji3444] I always thought the TV show “The Walking Dead” was a sci-fi show. Didn’t realize it was actually a Nostradamus documentary. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Especially rodent damage. I have a surveillance video somewhere that showed field mice climbing up and into the fuselage of the Cessna next me. The plane sat for years. Finally, it was put up for sale and there was enough bedding material (and the associated urine) to fill a mattress. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Just horrible service life! [emoji1787] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Garry - I went through this nightmare last year. My originals were “scored” according to the shop. New ones are available at Parker for, better sit down, $1500 each! My shop found a serviceable set at a salvage company for $250 each. I would see if a set can be found through salivate companies. I’ll look for the paperwork on the set I got. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I would also add that the original STC was generated in 1986. If there was a concern over an age issue, I would expect a service bulletin, mandatory bulletin or and A.D. to be issued. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I just pulled up my original STC (SA2277CE) for the O&N bladders in F & J models. SA2350CE is the STC for short bodies and for some reason the G (probably because it has a carburetor). Under the “Limitations and Conditions” section, there is NO time limit specified. Under the Brentwing Engineering, Inc. FAA approved Airplane Flight Manual Supplement, there are NO time limit specified. (I think Brentwing Engineering was contracted to write and get the FAA approval of the supplement). Under A.D. 24-25-04 which was issued on 1/21/2005 to address several issues with the bladder installations, there was NO mention of inspecting the bladders for age related concerns while executing the A.D. I would still check with Grigg’s but I think you are being provided service from someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Call Grigg’s and ask if you can’t find the STC documentation. Telephone: (570) 836-5757 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

It also helps having some eye candy on your videos to help drive your income. There are a number of people who have calculated the financials behind some of the more successful YouTubers. Like this couple. Let’s see, what are the chances I would get 1.5 million subscribers being an old Mooney driver using some of the girls in my videos? Spock: “Captain that is illogical” Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Ah shucks! I feel honored being the inspiration for the next generation of knuckleheads. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I think it is about the effort versus monetary reward. I put out a few YouTube videos and found out just how much time is involved in creating just a plain vanilla video. Just creating a boring 10 minute video can take you an hour of editing and compiling time. To get to the real monetary return phase you need to hit a substantial subscriber level with enough views. The successful ones are the tubers who have gained sponsorship (like Garmin sponsoring Aviation 101), have solid contributions from their Patreon sponsors and hit the YouTube monetary levels based on their views. It appears the most successful ones are the tubers who have made a career of it. There are also the negative components to deal with. Premier One pilot (and other aviation posters) have been the subject of FAA investigations because of their viewers. I think what you are seeing is the nature of the beast. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Wait until you see the numbers for a person who spends 5 years in a nursing home. As a 32 year owner of the same plane, I can tell you to the penny what I spent on OpEx. Enough to buy a couple of Pocono Mountain cabins or a really nice beach house or my 5 years in a nursing home. I had an old timer plane owner educate me about flying. He said it would be cheaper for me to stand at the end of the runway throwing $20 bills in the air watching planes fly rather than owning one. I think he was right. I always find it amusing reading these threads. For only a few, plane ownership is a necessity. For the rest, it is a hobby, something we enjoy that few others can do. The more we can incorporate it into our lifestyle, the easier it is to say we got our money’s worth. People tend to justify these expenses in a bunch of ways. Everything from ignoring expenses, not really tracking them or rationalizing them (I won’t keep the plane long enough to worry about an engine overhaul). The bottom line is that if you didn’t have an airplane, you wouldn’t have any of these expenses. It’s like anything in life, if you enjoy it and can afford it, do it. You’re on this ride we call life only once. As for the car expense side thread. My grandmother stated it nicely. “If you want to get back at your worst enemy, buy them a used car”. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Maybe one of the 77 J owners can chime in what they have for a rear seat. The 76 F model was the foundation for 77 J. Maybe there was a change in the seat style in late F models in prep for the J introduction. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Parker can probably provide better clarity when age becomes a factor for insurers. What I do know is that I personally know four 70+ Mooney owners who saw significant increases and one who was told they were uninsurable when they hit 70. I don’t know if they had “priors” or if there were factors involved. Two elected to sell and get out of aviation completely. One moved to a fixed gear plane to be able to obtain insurance and the third went through (I think he said double digit) insurers to find one that would take him on. As for going without insurance, talking to a good lawyer probably would be a good first step. What I can tell you, from personal experience, if they have any inkling you have assets, there are a number of lawyers who will make your life miserable in their attempt to find compensation for their client(s). “Self insured” works for large corporations who have financial means to payout if required. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Only the rear seats in 1975 F recline. The front seats have a rotating knob that can change the angle a bit but I certainly wouldn’t call it a reclining seat. What is weird is that your rear seat looks like it is a one piece back. My F has separate seat backs that can be reclined into the baggage area by pulling a lever on the side panels next to the rear passengers. My rear seats look like these. Not sure why your’s is a bench seat back. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

It’s not that difficult. The most difficult part was figuring out the wiring changes that needed to be made. To make that easier, my IA and I sat down to draw it out. If this isn’t easy to read, let me know and I will scan it and send it to you as a PDF. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Exactly. Your 76 probably has the same style switch as my 75. I used to get a “gear unsafe” and an alarm when mine failed. I used to fly out of Buffalo and a few Januarys we never got above freezing. Even with fresher donuts and properly spaced, occasionally it would still trigger. Mooney offered a retrofit kit for the pre J models. I believe this override switch came standard on the 77 model Js. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I wonder if they will issue a death certificate for this thread… it might read asphyxiation with contributing factor being the fat lady sitting on top. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Merry Christmas! And to all, a good night. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Man, you got a heat wave on your hands! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro