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Marauder

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Everything posted by Marauder

  1. Marauder
    The only time I use the bearing pointers on my Aspen is when I get one of those "intercept Victor 29" requests or when I checking VOR accuracy per FAR 91.171. But I sure do like and use my secondary HSI capabilities.
  2. Marauder
    I went frequency mode with the CiES. The “black box” is actually just a firmware upgrade and a wiring harness (that is what you are paying $375 for the option).Frequency mode is less suspect to interference but in our planes it probably doesn’t matter. As for grounding, when I was troubleshooting my installation, grounding was a concern. These units should be grounded through the JPI and not locally. What that means is the outside sender’s (if present) grounds need to be connected to the inner sender’s grounds and then sent up to the JPI. I also used the JPI wiring provided. It was shielded and also shielded wires to the outboard. And for the 100 gallon tank people. The location of the outer senders and the dihedral shape of the wing will force the unit to show full fuel until the fuel level can activate the outer senders. For electrical connections, I used sealed connectors designed to be in wet or fuel/oil environments. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
  3. Marauder
    Mine is a little different. When I first got the plane 28 years ago, I was living paycheck to paycheck. I have fields for entering costs on the fly (pun intended) and they do the summary for the monthly and yearly costs as well as a calculated cost per hour. What I typically do these days is run a Quicken monthly and update the spreadsheet with the monthly values which then does the YTD and cost/hr calculations. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
  4. Marauder
    I checked the current G5 spec sheet on the Garmin site and didn’t see reference to dual Nav inputs. It looks like you can have the GMU 11 magnetometer feed 2 G5s. That would allow you to buy a second G5 with the HSI feature. Not sure I’d want to be flipping AIs if I had to go to the second G5 for navigation. I wonder if Garmin allows for a throw over switch for Nav source? If allowed, that would be one way to get the G5 to accept two Nav inputs. I would still want to have a separate CDI and not put all my Nav eggs in one basket. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
  5. Marauder
    Gray sludge sounds like lead build up. How frequently do you change the oil? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
  6. Marauder
    You betcha! It’s a great way to keep track of required descent points either IFR or VFR. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
  7. Marauder
    Chicken! I have the permanent scars from that activity.
  8. Marauder
    I think the best approach is what works for your workflow. I really like having the ADS-B In stuff showing up on the panel. I have an iPad Mini on the yoke and find it difficult to use it for ADS-B In while it has another primary function, namely for the approach plates. I like keeping the approach plate up on the iPad and the approach procedure on the Aspens. Being able to see the weather and traffic while you are navigating is fine on the iPad for the enroute stuff. It comes down to personal preference and how you use the equipment. The iPad also can be affected by glare. The panel mounted stuff isn't.
  9. Marauder
    Garmin will get through these additional models fairly quickly. They have a motivation to do so since TruTrak and STEC are potential nimblers of their market share.
  10. Marauder
    Don is correct. Around 40 hours. If it is a virgin install (ex. not upgrading from an 830) there will be more time spent getting everything installed. My JPI 900 install was cheaper than the 830 since the 900 re-used some of the existing probes. Also, if you are attaching other things into the system, it will drive up the hours. In my case, I wanted both fuel pressure and flow to be displayed on my JPI 900 and the EI FP-5L. That required additional plumbing.
  11. Marauder
    I think that is the exact reason they aren't doing it. When I hear comments that an Aspen should be more competitively priced closer to the G5s, it is these additional certification costs that are bundled into an Aspen's cost. But instead of buying a new autopilot, you keep your existing autopilot hardware.
  12. Marauder
    Not sure if your antenna mount is riveted or has screws holding it on. When you disassemble, the easiest way is to pull the new RG-400 through using the old RG-58 as the wire puller. Strip back several inches of both old and new wires and physically wrapped them together (like a lineman connection) so that the total attachment is less than the width of the outer sheathing. I would then wrap it in electrical tape and pull the new wire up through the tail. If that fails, the other option is to use an electrician's fish tape and do it that way. I would recommend using RG-400. It is the standard today.
  13. Marauder
    As one of the longer time owners here, I can tell you there is some benefit from the spreadsheet approach just from the "keeping the peace" perspective. I am one of those who keep reserves for avionics and engine overhauls. In 2012, after sequestering avionics reserves for years, I laid out the plan for spending 10s of AMU (read multiple 10s) to modernize my avionics stack. Sitting down with the wife and showing her the reserve and my plan was a much easier conversation than someone saying, hey honey! I want to drop $50k on the plane. The spreadsheet summary also helps me on the proactive maintenance and enhancement side. If I know I am running hot on expenses for the year, I will delay things for the next year or two. Still, the spreadsheet doesn't fix the issue -- you need lots of money to do this.
  14. Marauder
    That's the issue. There are items that have true scheduled maintenance required times (ADs), others that should be done on a frequency (Hank's mags). Both are being done to prevent the "crap my tractor stopped running" in the back 40 scenario. Hank's mags giving out over the Blue Ridge Mountains would be more than pulling over to the next furrow and fixing it. And then for those of us who are less risk takers, we do preventative maintenance. All of this adds costs.
  15. Marauder
    I know we had this discussion a while back. Don Kaye chimed in that his Bravo annual costs were around 30 AMU. I think it is a healthy read for the owner wannabes that owning an airplane is a financial commitment. It is easy to get enamored with ownership, not so much when you are staring at a 6 AMU annual inspection bill. Those who don't look at the costs obviously have the financial means not to do so. It is a disservice to a potential owner to give the impression that owning a plane doesn't come with many financial strings. Looking back at all those threads where new owners were coping at unexpected costs that should have been expected, should be the reality check.
  16. Marauder
    I've had the screen on one of mine fall out.
  17. Marauder
    I refuse to participate because I am convinced you are either my wife or one of her lackies sent here to find this information out. Which one of you knuckleheads told my wife or this lackey what an AMU was? I have kept detailed spreadsheets for the 28 years of ownership. The numbers are staggering. It is not hard to calculate. Fixed operating costs, variable operating costs and reserves depending on whether or not you intend to hand onto the plane for awhile. The hard part is making sure the spouse doesn't find out what I have been up to.
  18. Marauder
    I would change out the external audio panel and transponder for a remote units and move up the 750 and GNC 255. Since I am spending your money, drop the 255 and pick up a 650 and slide that underneath.
  19. Marauder
    Isn't it amazing when you think you have mastered landing a Mooney only to be humbled once again. Even after 28 years, I will sometimes get surprised.
  20. Marauder
    I think you summed it up well. I have a set of original Zulus, a Halo and a Clarity headset. I like the Clarity’s rigid frame but the ear bud attachment is a challenge. They will come off of their mounts and firmly plant themselves in your ear canal. As for the Halo earbuds, I use the black version Phil sells. They are much more pliable than the original spongy ones. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
  21. Marauder
    I had two KX-170Bs when I first bought my plane. They are excellent radios - when they work. Mine became troublesome due to the plastic cam failures. You have several options: - find functioning units on eBay. They should be fairly common and cheap. Pick up a couple and swap them out as they fail. - buy a Michel MX-170B slide in replacement. Either new or used. - pick up a later model used radio - buy a new 255A or 255B - buy an Icom, Becker or other manufacturer unit. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
  22. Marauder
    He also will sometimes cut out the forward looking camera when things are suspect as well.
  23. Marauder
    We discussed this one and a few others from the infamous Jerry W. All he needed was a tail hook. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
  24. Marauder
    Hey, if these guys couldn't answer your questions, we all know who can. JERRY W!
  25. Marauder
    I would proceed cautiously on any plane. You never know what views the owner has on maintenance. And if a lot of it was deferred, it can come back to bite you. If you are able, ask questions of the owner for their views on maintenance. What kind of things they have done to the plane? It will give you a sense whether this plane was used for building time or the owner was caring for it. I'm a progressive maintenance owner. I like to fix things before they break. Not that infantile mortality of a new part happens, but I would rather replace something before it fails. I guess owning a plane as long as I have, getting stranded in noman's land with a busted airplane will change your perspective on things.
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