[Ken S]

Ken S on April 23, 2018 at 6:22 pm #18637

Aircraft Spruce Part # 13-01550

[Ken S]

Ken S on April 27, 2016 at 8:36 am #18173

Thanks, yours as well. What year is yours?

[Ken S]

Ken S on April 18, 2016 at 3:17 pm #18165

Those are about the same numbers that I look for. I have a PA-32-301 (non Turbo). If I remember correctly, (and depending how you lean), the manual states to lean and then add 100 back (for EGT). So for example if lean is reached at 1540 then add mixture to get the numbers to 1440.

[Ken S]

Ken S on March 8, 2016 at 3:18 am #18146

Yes, my oil filter is right next to the firewall. There is just enough room to get the wrench on the filter to remove / tighten and there are no hoses in the way. It’s a little tight to get the filter out when removing (without spilling oil), but very doable (in my opinion).

[Ken S]

Ken S on March 5, 2016 at 7:06 pm #18141

I’m able to change the oil in my 1983 Saratoga without removing any hoses.

[Ken S]

Ken S on February 8, 2016 at 6:17 pm #18053

Joe, I’ll answer what I can…
1. Here’s a link to an article from AOPA on the Saratoga II when it first came out – https://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/1993/August/1/Piper-Saratoga-II-HP
2. Typical cruise speeds vary based on Saratoga vs. Saratoga II, if it is Turbo, how much the plane is loaded, are there speed mods, is it retractable vs fixed gear, etc, etc. etc, so it’s hard to comment. But as far as getting a Turbo, it’s purely a personal choice. If you want the additional airspeed / climb performance (or need to get up over mountains, or fly the higher altitudes) then you probably want the Turbo. Personally, I didn’t want the extra maintenance (issues) that may have arisen with a Turbo.
3. Sorry, I have zero experience with Avidyne.
4. The number of hours to inspect the PA-32-301 during the annual is around 22 hours. So if there are NO additional issues found, expect the annual to cost around (22 hours x A&P rate) $2,200?? or so. The A&P obviously has to run through any AD’s on the plane as well. Regarding older vs. newer Saratoga – that’s a tough one. I would imagine that how well the plane had been previously maintained and stored (hangared, etc.) could have an impact.
5. Upgrade an older six pack question to a glass panel. I imagine this depends on your budget as well as what you would like to have in the cockpit. A personal preference and $$ related.
6. KFC150 vs STEC autopilot. Sorry, not familiar with the STEC autopilot, but I do have a KFC150 and like it. I have had no issues with it and it couples real nice for approaches.
7. Not sure about Bonanza’s vs Saratoga’s for fun, never flew a Bonanza.

Hope this helps.
Good luck…

[Ken S]

Ken S on February 4, 2016 at 6:55 am #18043

The Saratoga (IMO) is similar to flying an Archer but is larger (heavier) and faster. The other difference to me is that the Saratoga requires for leg power on the ground for taxiing. It’s like a minivan for the sky (holds a lot of cargo) so depending on what you need… I have had mine for 10+ years (probably longer than the average) but really like it even if it’s more room than I need now. It’s a good cross country airplane, very comfortable / roomy in the cockpit. It takes some getting used to if you’re not used to flying high performance to stay ahead of the plane. Unfortunately, I don’t live near New Jersey and am not a CFI. Feel free to post other questions and welcome to the group. Good luck in your search…

[Ken S]

Ken S on September 10, 2015 at 6:30 pm #17843

At Erwin (Hartnett), NC (KHRJ) current price for 100LL (Full Serve) is $3.84…..!!!!!!

[Ken S]

Ken S on February 18, 2015 at 2:49 pm #17624

I upgraded a year ago since I also did not have WAAS in my Garmin 530. So I upgraded (traded-in) the non-WAAS 530 for a Garmin GTN 750, GDL-88, and the GTX327 transponder. In addition, I wanted to upgrade my Garmin portable 496, so I also traded it it for the Garmin portable 796 (with a different vendor). I have ADS-B in / out, TIS-B traffic, and FIS-B weather (on the GTN 750). I decided to temporarily keep the Nexrad weather on the 796 portable to compare the subscription weather product with the free ADS-B / FIS-B weather. Also, the GTN750 cross feeds the flight plan information into the 796 portable and shows the flight path just like the GTN750. I decided to go with the 796 for the backup capabilities in case I should lose the GTN750 (instead of an ipad / Stratus, etc.). Everything works great and I am very happy with the ADS-B traffic and weather on the GTN750. I wonder how I got by without traffic until now!!

[Ken S]

Ken S on January 5, 2015 at 5:54 pm #17569

Getting the aircraft back in the hangar is more of a challenge for me (than pulling it out of the hangar), so I have an electric winch bolted to the floor in the back of the hangar. It has a wired remote so I can steer the nose wheel while the winch pulls it back into the hangar. Still pull the aircraft out (by hand) with a tow bar. Works well for me….