Skyview update... CRASH

I was installing a software update to my Skyview system and it ended up bricking my unit... YIKES.  After investigation on the cause it appears that the backup battery did not have enough charge to satisfy the initial cycle.  Lesson here is to always initiate updates using ship power.

I took the 'opportunity' of having the whole Skyview off line to test fly using the Garmin 696 as my only panel source... defiantly not ideal but it was okay for VFR flight.  The lack of engine and fuel instrumentation was a bit disconcerting though.

Skyview bricked during a BIOS update 

test flying the 696 as the only instrument

New GPS puck antenna works great

I decided to research the remote antenna solution and came up with an alternate brand that had very good reviews including technical evaluation of the performance as superior to the Garmin unit at less cost.  Go figure.  I give the Gilsson antenna a big thumbs up!  The magnets were removable with a couple of screws and the satellite lock up is quicker than ever with stronger signal strength reported by the 696.  My only complaint is the black finish is a bit glossy and the white lettering adds to the reflection off of the windshield.  I have a plan to scuff the finish, remove the white lettering, and paint it with some flat black but it is wired and tied up nice and neat so I have ignored it.  Works great though!

Garmin XM and Gilsson GPS puck on the dash

rapid lock up of satellites with the Gilsson GPS puck

Dynon remote transponder wiring

I wired up a Dynon remote transponder and tucked it up behind the sub panel on the left support rib to the firewall.  Pretty easy access here once you crawl into position... The wiring is pretty straight forward and does not involve a lot of rework.  I used the 5A power line from the old transponder, a new ground, a couple of data lines, and two loop back connections on the transponder I left all of the other connections for the 330 in place incase I need to switch back and will remove them after proving out the new system.

this is 'easy' access!

I have the serial connection to the SkyView documented in my installation notes making it a snap to keep all of the connectors straight.

SkyView serial port pinout

For serial connections I now have:
Serial 1 old out to the 330
Serial 2 Garmin 696 GPS
Serial 3 Dynon transponder transmit and receive on Serial 3
Serial 4 is available
Serial 5 is dedicated to the Dynon GPS

serial connection to the SkyView harness

Garmin 696 GPS remote antenna is dead

The performance of the Garmin 696 in getting an initial satellite lock has been degrading for a bit but I was pushing the issue out of my mind since it would eventually work fine but the initial lock was taking far too long.  I did a bit of basic trouble shooting, called Garmin tech support.  They indicated that a 5 minute lock up was all that they could count on but that was inconsistent with other published data and the original performance of the unit which always got a lock within 30 seconds or so.  I tried another online tech the next day and got a suggestion to do a hard reset of the unit... finally from VAF a Garmin tech with much more experience suggested testing the unit using the internal antenna to see if the external antenna or connector had failed.

With the unit out of the plane the internal antenna worked as expected and the external was mostly worthless... unfortunately I could not determine if the fault was with the connector, the internal interface, or the antenna.  I tried to grab another antenna to test but could not find one so I ended up ordering a replacement to be delivered within a week.

It took about 5 minutes with the plane sitting outside in the sun an it still sat there on Autolocate.

crappy performance form the external Garmin antenna

Attacking paint imperfections on a wingtip

Sometimes I am bored... today I attacked every minor speck on the right wingtip.  Pretty much as perfect as it will get after I finished.  First you have to find the speck, then cut it down with some 2000 grit paper, the clean and use diminishing compound to bring back the finish.  As the compound breaks down it needs to be wetted to continue the process to end up with a shine that matches the untouched areas.  It is pretty amazing but you need to be cautious of cutting into the underlying color or primer.  As I have done this more and more I have become somewhat skilled in evaluating a speck before trying to improve the finish... most times I have been getting it right and the finish has been getting better and better; mostly to the right side of the plane though since it is nearer to my lights and the bulk of my work area.

I enjoy fussing with the finish.

diminishing compound on paint imperfections ready to buff back to a shine

290.6 tach hours - Oil Change

290.6 Tach hours

These oil changes are getting pretty easy now.  Very little mess.  Cut filter open and inspected media - no debris or metal found.

the cleanest  change yet ;)

Trailing edge of upper gear leg fairings

When I initially fabricated the upper intersection fairings they were pretty close fitting but after paint they were splayed out a bit on the trailing edge.  I ignored them but it has been an issue that has been simmering thoughts of doing something... since then I have been noticing how other similar aircraft address this and found that they were attached with a screw and nut on a local extra 300.  

Today I was noticing a bit of a squeaky chaffing sound during taxi and chased it down to the gear fairing on the right side where the inside tab has broken allowing quite a bit of movement.  I decided to fix the pieces at the intersection by adding an attachment on the trailing edge. this really cleans things up and i should have done this earlier...

added a screw to join the trailing edge of the upper gear leg fairing with the gear leg fairing 

I might end up painting these screw heads

246.4 tach hours - oil change

246.4 tach hours


Oil change

246.4 tach hours - oil change

201.2 tach hours - Annual inspection

201.2 tach hours


Annual condition inspection...

one of the cleanest oil changes ever ;)

pulled the oil screen for inspection and measured the crush washer to get some spares

so easy to fill with the cowling off

161.6 tach hours - Oil change with Hayden

161.6 tach hours


Oil change with Hayden :)

Hayden was very interested in the details and was a great helper!

161.6 tach hours - oil change

119.1 tach hours - Oil change

119.1 tach hours

Oil change

the old filter cut open and filter element cut out of the filter base for inspection each time

119.1 tach hours - oil change