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  1. bigmo

    The new stuff is kinda mind boggling!

    If $15-20k is your budget for your entire panel, you’re going to be hard pressed to put together anything that supports miniumun equipment to support instrument training. Even used, a WAAS GPS brings $3500 +/-. If you’re thinking you’d like actual IMC capability, no exaggeration, you’re off by...
  2. bigmo

    Why are Rotax engines limited to 150/160hp?

    I’m a Rotax owner and believer. The 914 I have is brilliant motor. It makes crazy power for its size/weight and flies beautifully well into the teens. I’m 1/4 of the way to my 2k hour TBO and not a single problem. While they are’cheaoer’, they aren’t cheap. At TBO I’m looking at $42k all-in. I...
  3. bigmo

    Headset Evaluation

    My wife flies with me quite a bit and asked for a Bluetooth set that she could use as she likes to bring work with her on the flight (and needs audio). I gambled a bit with a set of Avcomm A1000. Absolutely brilliant headset. I had to send my Zulus out for a cable repair and used the Avcomms for...
  4. bigmo

    Gold Seal IFR course- anything else needed?

    I don't have any pros/cons to Gold Seal (I personally used Pilot Institute for my instrument). I think all of the prep options are just fine. I started with Sheppard, but it was too much new content..so I chose the "traditional" online ground school. I did go back to Sheppard for test prep and...
  5. bigmo

    Asking for Advice on GPS Nav

    This was my original plan too - but the clean units that didn’t look as if they were dragged behind a truck for 20 miles are all selling for $3500+. I don’t need the extra radio, so $1500 more to be factory new, and arguably 20 years newer/better makes it a no brainer.
  6. bigmo

    Asking for Advice on GPS Nav

    This is one of the most frustrating parts of dealing with avionics installs. One would THINK there would be some pretty standard tables for installs. Especially if we're talking a new or newer new a/c with a modern panel. For a SINGLE piece install, I was quoted everything from a low of 20 to a...
  7. bigmo

    Asking for Advice on GPS Nav

    If everything is working well, by far your lowest cost option will be the GPS175. VERY solid unit, modern, and should compliment what you already have quite well. I'm having one installed in 60 days. Installation quotes were 'reasonable'.
  8. bigmo

    New Garmin GTNs - Dumb Question

    I can't believe I don't know this - or can even find a discussion on the topic. With a NEW avionics purchase of a Garmin GTN (in the USA), does Garmin include/ship the units with *any* data? By data, I mean, a basemap, navigation data, obstacle, safe taxi, or terrain. I'm lining up install now...
  9. bigmo

    Upgrading Saratoga panel

    So...the shop that said they ordered tens of thousands of dollars of equipment and "was already being benchtested" - but clearly wasn't will do a "free annual". Think I'd take a hard pass on the annual and ask for a sizeable discount on labor. Like 100% of it. You seemed pretty clear with...
  10. bigmo

    Garmin GTN Installation Level of Difficulty

    Gauging folks here that do this for a living - or have experience installing a Garmin GTN in an "all Garmin" panel. My S-LSA Tecnam is all Garmin (twin G3X Touch, Garmin autopilot, com, nav, audio panel, etc.). I have the legal docs I need from the manufacturer for the installation, which can be...
  11. bigmo

    I need help. I want to get to 250 hours as efficiently as possible.

    I mean this politely…you’re overthinking things. The shortest answer to all your questions is money. Save as much as you can, then buy a big chunk of block time and get at it. Check out some of the proven accelerated programs that get you through Instrument - I did mine start to finish in 7...
  12. bigmo

    Bad Comms Today with Center

    Pretty long flight today. Three different centers, and like 6 different approaches and 2 towers. All crystal clear. Gonna chalk this up as it's ATC, not me lol.
  13. bigmo

    Bad Comms Today with Center

    No, sorry for the confusion. The freq given to me in my clearance was correct - but didn't work. I was only able to reach them when I reverted to a freq I used on the inbound flight.
  14. bigmo

    Bad Comms Today with Center

    Correct. They gave me the right frequency. The FBO had a "Picking up your clearance" poster - and the freq they gave on the phone matched. It was not, however, the same freq I cam inbound with. As oon as I flipped to that freq, I got them right away with 0 issues.
  15. bigmo

    Bad Comms Today with Center

    I *almost* called Center today when I got home - but figured I'd check in with the braintrust here at POA. Flew IFR into an uncontrolled airport (uneventful). Dropped a family member off. Pretty rural area, so I called bluetooth on the ramp and got my clearance for my trip back home. Easy...
  16. bigmo

    How to buy a plane

    Man, this is some stellar advice!
  17. bigmo

    I’m calling the peak

    Three grown kids in three sperate states. And, my wife and I are not getting any younger. It's not like money is no object for us, but I'd rather have it now and enjoy it than wait 3, 4, 7 years for prices to stabilize.
  18. bigmo

    I’m calling the peak

    I’m not sure about the check theory, but I do think it’s a combination of a number of factors. Two that come to mind are the simple fact that twins are sitting more and more and unfortunately, many being left to rot The mission space of the light twin is being flown mostly by singles. Next...
  19. bigmo

    GPS Navigator Install in a S-LSA

    Midwest, but willing to go just about anywhere at this point.
  20. bigmo

    GPS Navigator Install in a S-LSA

    I'm open to it. I'm instrument rated (and current), and there's certainly a few times I'd like to punch up or down through a layer. My Tecnam IS fully equipped (dual screen, dual ADAHRS, battery backup, current pitot static). This was news to me, but a semi-legend in the LSA world told me that...
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