Prior owner Posted September 18, 2019 Report Posted September 18, 2019 Made a little cap for my ignition key....I’ll post a pic in the plane the next time I go to the hangar. Should be easier to push for start! 6 Quote
carusoam Posted September 18, 2019 Report Posted September 18, 2019 I vote more pleasant on the fingers... especially on cold days... If there are any additional development steps coming... A softer rubberier surface called TPE for thermo plastic elastomer may be even friendlier... Some car control knobs are done this way... hard plastic core, with the TPE surface... Nice work! Best regards, -a- 1 Quote
Prior owner Posted September 18, 2019 Author Report Posted September 18, 2019 11 minutes ago, carusoam said: I vote more pleasant on the fingers... especially on cold days... If there are any additional development steps coming... A softer rubberier surface called TPE for thermo plastic elastomer may be even friendlier... Some car control knobs are done this way... hard plastic core, with the TPE surface... Nice work! Best regards, -a- Thanks. Yes, there will be more development....I’m still looking for the right knob- I just had these laying around. I want something like this, but it has to have a diameter small enough not to obscure the Bendix ignition placard markings. I like your idea regarding the thermoplastic elastomer. 1 Quote
Hank Posted September 18, 2019 Report Posted September 18, 2019 (edited) You just need more stuff on your keyring. This closeup shows mine: There's plenty to hold onto--engraved tag from CFI commemorating my PPL, blue key (baggage door), green key (get inside door), hangar key, maintenance hangar key, old hangar key (just in case). Plenty to hold onto for the push, even with thick Yankee gloves when flying / training in winter with occasional single-digit temps. Edited September 18, 2019 by Hank 1 Quote
Prior owner Posted September 18, 2019 Author Report Posted September 18, 2019 Just now, Hank said: You just need more stuff on your keyring. This closeup shows mine: There's plenty to hold onto--engraved tag from CFI commemorating my PP,, blue key (baggage door), green key (get inside door), hangar key, maintenance hangar key, old hangar key (just in case). Plenty to hold onto for the push, even with thick Yankee gloves when flying / training in winter with occasional single-digit temps. I can’t have anything hanging on my key because it will obscure the instrument below... your ign switch location is definitely much better than mine! Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted September 18, 2019 Report Posted September 18, 2019 It is going to be lumpy in the pocket. Quote
Hank Posted September 18, 2019 Report Posted September 18, 2019 P.S.--be careful setting down bourbon, especially around fellow Mooney pilots. It may disappear . . . . 2 1 Quote
Prior owner Posted September 18, 2019 Author Report Posted September 18, 2019 (edited) 1 minute ago, N201MKTurbo said: It is going to be lumpy in the pocket. Hmmm...You’re correct. Perhaps I will make more friends this way. This key would stay in the plane though.. Edited September 18, 2019 by PilotCoyote 1 Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted September 18, 2019 Report Posted September 18, 2019 12 minutes ago, PilotCoyote said: You’re correct, but This key would stay in the plane I hope it pushes in far enough! Good luck! It looks great! Quote
jaylw314 Posted September 18, 2019 Report Posted September 18, 2019 13 hours ago, PilotCoyote said: Made a little cap for my ignition key....I’ll post a pic in the plane the next time I go to the hangar. Should be easier to push for start! That has to be the coolest idea I've ever seen! Genius! 1 Quote
steingar Posted September 18, 2019 Report Posted September 18, 2019 Yes it's legal, yes it will work, and no you should not put the Bourbon down for any reason other than to give it to Yours Truly. 1 Quote
jaylw314 Posted September 18, 2019 Report Posted September 18, 2019 14 hours ago, PilotCoyote said: Hmmm...You’re correct. Perhaps I will make more friends this way. This key would stay in the plane though.. I've always kept keys on a belt clip and ring. They jangle a bit, but it beats having to dig out keys from your groin when you sit down 1 Quote
rbridges Posted September 18, 2019 Report Posted September 18, 2019 14 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said: It is going to be lumpy in the pocket. People will think he's just happy to see them. 1 1 Quote
hmasing Posted September 18, 2019 Report Posted September 18, 2019 Be careful not to become complacent and accidentally have hot mags. My check is that if I don't see the keys on the glareshield or in my hand, I don't touch the prop or go near the engine at all. 6 Quote
Prior owner Posted September 18, 2019 Author Report Posted September 18, 2019 Well, it work s and actually looks pretty cool... Plenty of room to push start- one pic with it pushed all the way in for start. 8 1 Quote
carusoam Posted September 19, 2019 Report Posted September 19, 2019 That looks even better! And these do too... with the gravity switch... really looks like you can tell what mag is selected, just by looking! -a- 4 Quote
jaylw314 Posted September 19, 2019 Report Posted September 19, 2019 6 hours ago, PilotCoyote said: Well, it work s and actually looks pretty cool... Plenty of room to push start- one pic with it pushed all the way in for start. That looks freaking brilliant! 2 Quote
Seymour Posted September 19, 2019 Report Posted September 19, 2019 Are you in mass production and bartering yet? It's worth a Jim Beam (and maybe even Ezra if postage is included). 1 Quote
Prior owner Posted September 19, 2019 Author Report Posted September 19, 2019 (edited) 28 minutes ago, Seymour said: Are you in mass production and bartering yet? It's worth a Jim Beam (and maybe even Ezra if postage is included). I’ve got to go see the locksmith again- I used an existing key for my plane for this experiment, but if I made them with key blanks, I’ve got to be sure that there’s enough room for him to clamp the key + cap in the cutting machine. might be a fun weekend project to punch out a bunch of them. No time till mid oct though- airplane is going through annual this weekend, then family stuff for three weeks. If I do make some, I’ll post here to see if anybody wants them. They’d be available in red or black and probably won’t cost much. Edited September 19, 2019 by PilotCoyote 2 Quote
Prior owner Posted September 20, 2019 Author Report Posted September 20, 2019 Looks like I'm going to partner with my son to manufacture these things. The new design is a more robust slide-over cap that clamps an unmodified key. There will be an option that incorporates a key ring as well. Stay tuned! 5 1 Quote
DXB Posted September 23, 2019 Report Posted September 23, 2019 On 9/20/2019 at 9:15 AM, PilotCoyote said: Looks like I'm going to partner with my son to manufacture these things. The new design is a more robust slide-over cap that clamps an unmodified key. There will be an option that incorporates a key ring as well. Stay tuned! Great idea! I’m eager to purchase 1 Quote
Tcraft938 Posted September 23, 2019 Report Posted September 23, 2019 On 9/19/2019 at 12:38 AM, carusoam said: That looks even better! And these do too... with the gravity switch... really looks like you can tell what mag is selected, just by looking! -a- I have to try this. My ignition switch is in the same spot and my hand gets jammed against the sidewall and hard to turn and push. I love that it is very obvious the key is in and what it is pointing at. I assume you just used two part epoxy to held the key in the knob after you hollowed out the interior of the knob? What's next, someone find a way to make it glow or have an LED built in? LOL This also works great with a little sign a WWII pilot gave me, "if it's red or dusty, don't touch it". 2 Quote
ilovecornfields Posted September 23, 2019 Report Posted September 23, 2019 My son scolded me last week for getting close to a propeller “without knowing where the key is.” Seems like a bright red one would be easy to spot on the dash. Great idea! 1 Quote
mike_elliott Posted September 23, 2019 Report Posted September 23, 2019 2 minutes ago, ilovecornfields said: My son scolded me last week for getting close to a propeller “without knowing where the key is.” Seems like a bright red one would be easy to spot on the dash. Great idea! Good for your son. Those that have flown with me know that I always ask them "where is the key" before I help push it back or get near the prop. I have been in rehab for a few months once, dont plan on returning... 1 Quote
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