Panel Changes - Should I put an Aspen in a 65C

[rob]

Quote: allsmiles

You know very well this is not proper logic.  We still build houses today as they did 30 years ago with lumber and sheetrock but we don't buy today a tube tv that was available 30 years ago!! Do we!?  Why? Because these construction practices are sound and have not changed.  But tv technology HAS.  Today we can buy an lcd screen.

Similarly our Mooneys are built the same way they were 30 tears ago or longer because it is a proven design. But avionics have changed with technological advances.

[PTK]

 I would not call composite airplanes the state of the art.  UV light degrades composite. This is why they are all white.  They delaminate from moisture, and they BREAK WITHOUT WARNING unlike aluminum which usually will provide some warning before breaking.  God forbid it hope it never happens to anyone, but you cannot bend a plastic airplane and repair it like you can an aluminum one.  You bend a composite airplane it's done.

I would take my aluminum Mooney over any plastic airplane any time!  Wouldn't you? 

 

[KSMooniac]

I'm a composite structural analyst in my day job, and it is absolutely state of the art.  It has entirely different failure modes than metal planes, and it is indeed quite repairable if you know what to do.  Unfortunately composite repair is not a common skill in the field, yet.  They can also have an infinite lifespan whereas aluminum structure does not...

There are advantages and applications for each material...

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: KSMooniac

They can also have an infinite lifespan whereas aluminum structure does not...

 

[tablor]

My experience with composite repair is somewhat limited for my field, but I think what I'd say that's somewhat analogous to what Scott is saying is that with the correct equipment and FAA approved repair process any composite damage can be repaired thus allowing the 'infinite lifespan' in both time and hours.

That's not to say that all damage is cost effective to repair.  This is no different from the aluminum and steel in our aircraft.  (This is where I'd disagree with Scott's statement suggesting AL structure is not 'infinite' - perhaps he does have a different idea of infinite than I do!) You can fix anything you want on a busted up/corroded wing back to varying levels of 'new'.  It's not always cost effective though and as noted in several other threads would affect the re-sale value.  Composite repair is moving forward as planes are damaged.  Some years ago Diamond left a large inventory of new planes on the ramp during a severe hail storm.  Initially they were thought to be scrap, but after completing some number of fatigue life cycles to a damaged unit without performing any repairs it was found to be acceptable damage.  IE Bondo, repaint and sell as new. 

I guarantee that each of your Mooney's had repairs made to them in the factory build - there's an entire system for dispositioning these repairs.  Some repairs may be more severe than others.  Spars and tubes are most certainly regularly repaired as part of the process of building a new plane.

[DaV8or]

Quote: tablor

I guarantee that each of your Mooney's had repairs made to them in the factory build - there's an entire system for dispositioning these repairs.  Some repairs may be more severe than others.  Spars and tubes are most certainly regularly repaired as part of the process of building a new plane.

[rob]

I got my bird back from Heath Aviation in Winona, MS today. Here's the completed panel.

The work that was done was as follows:

- Remove Garmin 250XL and King KX155, replace with 430W and SL30.

- Install Aspen EFD1000 and replace VSI with gyroscopic AI.

- Install Aera in Airgizmo's angled mount

 

I paid an arm and a leg but I am thrilled with it so far. I have lots of reading to do now.

[carusoam]

I think Rob ended the argument of whether an Aspen should go in an older mooney.

Apparently, it should go in with a WAAS GPS and autopilot too!!!

Way to go Rob.  Great functionality.

Best regards,

-a-

[Theo]

Quote: rob

I got my bird back from Heath Aviation in Winona, MS today. Here's the completed panel.

The work that was done was as follows:

- Remove Garmin 250XL and King KX155, replace with 430W and SL30.

- Install Aspen EFD1000 and replace VSI with gyroscopic AI.

- Install Aera in Airgizmo's angled mount

 

I paid an arm and a leg but I am thrilled with it so far. I have lots of reading to do now.

[flight2000]

Awesome Rob.  You're my hero!!! I'm following in your footseps next summer with the below list of items based on your trailblazing.

- Aspen EFD1000Pro

- STEC-30

- EI MVP-50 or EMD-930 or EMD-830 (can't really decide at this point although leaning more towards the 830 right now)

Let me know how the training goes and how long it took you to feel comfortable with the new toys...

Brian

[KSMooniac]

Beautiful!  Enjoy it, after doing your homework of course. 

[DaV8or]

Great Job. Clean and functional. Now plan a flight, dial 'er in and sit back and watch the magic unfold.

[danb35]

Quote: flight2000

- EI MVP-50 or EMD-930 or EMD-830 (can't really decide at this point although leaning more towards the 830 right now)

[glafaille]

Sometimes "State of the Art" has more to do with the cost to manufacture a product and the profit potential of said product.  NOT the durability, strength, longevity or suitability of the product.  Lots of 50 year old aluminum planes still flying with 50 year old vacuum steam gauges.

We will see how the "State of the Art" stuff holds up over time.

[Guitarmaster]

On August 21, 2010 at 4:04 AM, danb35 said:

 

Quote: flight2000

 

- EI MVP-50 or EMD-930 or EMD-830 (can't really decide at this point although leaning more towards the 830 right now)

 

I am installing a 900 in my plane.  Go with the primary and get rid of all the old gauges!