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The long solid IFR segments are far from boring, especially when the possibility of convective or icing activity exists near your flight, and the added drama of turbulence. The constant instrument scan surveillance, checking for changing destination weather, hypothesizing fuel reserve options...

I can very well understand the adventure that a such a trip would hold for any of us. But if the weather is that capricious, let it be the incentive to get your instrument rating.

Yes. Hard to fly your aircraft legally if you don’t fix the discrepancies discovered on annual, and you are just asking for a problem if you don’t stay up with preventative maintenance.

I purchased my PA28-181 new in 1980 and was very happy with my early inexpensive annuals. I recall being shocked when things, like magneto service, really increased that annual. However, those annuals became only sporadic. Fast forward 35 years and I can’t t seem to get an annual for less than...

That collector terminal looks nothing like Lon Stratton’s, but it may appear similar to my other transistor.(see photo). When I go back to the plane with my VOM, I will put a probe on that. I’d guess if it is loose to contact, that would be a telltale. Let’s say it is loose, would that mean...

Its not an OR decision. It’s an AND decision, if possible.

I took note of your earlier comment about Piper using Maxdim on their newer aircraft, however, I could be wrong but I think they did away with the exact same panel on the Archer3. I don’t think they use those thumb wheels on them. But regarding your replacement using a Maxdim, did you put it in...

Hey folks, look carefully at this photo again. Does something appear wrong with the bracket crossing the transistor? The right side screw appears broken and bracket sagging as a result. Could that be the failure visible on only inspection? Maybe not since the other transistor has a somewhat...

If the Maxdim was needed, and worked out as hoped with the wheel knob on the right for panel lights, that is not an issue for this situation as a strict switch function output is not needed. However, the wheel on the left is responsible for the undimmed output to the Nav lights and my...

I’m about to buy that VOM. I will be using it for this purpose, automotive and household usage including AC current. A quick Amazon search show examples ranging from $6.99 to about $190 for one with a “Craftsman” name. Analog and digital appear as choices. So we what do you recommend?

Could it be that if the crappy looking knob that it comes with is not used, then the installation is considered experimental and not permitted in a certificated airplane. Oh I would hope sane judgement of my IA would prevail.

But with the Maxdim solid state unit, is the OEM transistor even used when rewiring? The directions probably tell the details.

There is a tiny screw on the OEM thumb wheel, so maybe yes if the shaft diameter is the same. The pictures do not show a flat, but maybe only seeing one side or not the distal portion of the shaft covered by the thumb wheel.

Yes, I saw that but they did not look offset to me, that is why there was a question.

Maybe, nobody has tried. Looks like it could work looking at these photos.

Now that I see my own set up using my photos, if Maxdim was needed, could it be that it would fit exactly where the original fit, and the shaft is long enough, and that the shaft diameter could accept the original knob from my panel? Would the already installed transistor be needed and wired as...

I finally got some views of the potentiometer and the transistor. These views look quite different from the Saratoga we were working with before. But because of all your help previously, I was able to find things by reviewing the many views that I obtained. However, I am not sure I see a...

So you’re OK with bird droppings all over the engine compartment?

Cowl plugs to elimate birds nests have been highly effective over the years, but they are not infallible. Consider this jaw dropping example of mine. Flew into Ann Arbor Michigan in the late afternoon. Was tied down in front of the FBO’s active hangar and ramp. Had cowl plugs installed. On...

I read a story about someone doing their run up after switching tanks, and then their engine quit on climb out. Albany Tom’s post addresses that. The precise time that fuel exhaustion occurs at takeoff power may vary among aircraft, and I don’t care to experiment. For me, it is far safer to...