Grounded!

 

Garmin 480 - Monitor Feature

Garmin 480 - Monitor

ForeFlight Dynamic Procedures

Information is from the ForeFlight Web Page

Streamlined workflow with a procedure sidebar

The new Dynamic Procedures sidebar provides a clean, collapsible information display panel with all of the information necessary to brief and fly an instrument approach in one place. Because it is context-aware, it presents just the information you need in a highly structured and streamlined format, and integrates other existing features like 3D View to provide value above and beyond any pre-composed chart.

Exciting features of the Dynamic Procedures sidebar include:

• Change Approach and Hide Chart buttons make it easy to view or hide the sidebar and access other approach options with a single tap.
• A consolidated briefing strip pins essential procedure information to the top for easy access.
• Communication frequencies are clearly organized for quick reference.
• Notes are intelligently filtered to show only the information that applies to your current approach.
• The dynamic route display provides heading and distance metrics, per-segment speed and altitude restrictions, as well as additional notes for special segments like course reversals and arcs. 
• Integrated 3D Airport view allows the user to preview the runway environment and approach lighting systems from two simulated perspectives. Toggle between Approach Lights and Short Final views, and quickly open the airport in the full 3D view to switch between night and day modes, providing a complete picture of the runway’s approach lighting configuration as well as local terrain and obstacles.   

Plane Wash

 

Following our annual we had some interior work done to upgrade our seats. New foam, leather and sheepskin inserts.  How do the seats feel? Amazing! The lumbar support is a win and with fresh foam the ride is really comfortable.  

Since annual was completed she was tugged over to the interior shop. We only had seats and a armrest done so our girl had to sit outside for two weeks. Wow, the birds and the wx really left 3 Tango Charlie a mess.  Today I fixed that, she is now clean and happy.

Interior Upgrade

 Interior Upgrade

Out with the old

Mary and I decided it was time to update our seats. The foam is pretty much shot and it would be nice to upgrade. We also wanted the center console pad to be updated with new foam and leather. After talking with Jon we decided to go all out and replace the original blue check fabric portion with sheepskin. Jon recommended the new interior shop on the field to do the work. Mary and I had a nice chat with Roberto(shop owner)and he gave us a few options. What a nice man, he was so easy to work with. Roberto is going to remove the seats while the plane is in the shop awaiting an IFR cert and knock out the seat frame restoration and when materials arrive the seats will be completed. 

Road Trip

Mary and I were planning on attending my great niece Brooke's graduation party so we are headed north. Our first stop is at New Garden, N57 to check on the plane and pay the invoice for 3 Tango Charlie's annual. Next we decided to meet with Roberto (Roberto Aircraft Interiors) to get a peek at the new seats and get a completion date. I will still need to schedule transportation back to N57 to take 3 Tango Charlie home. 

New foam w/ lumbar support

It was nice to meet Roberto and discuss the seats and headrest custom stitching. The foam for the seats is complete. The new padding with bolsters and lumbar support should make for a nice comfortable ride. The only downside was seeing our baby tied down outside, that’s a first. On a positive note we got to see the plane cover for the very first time. 

Roberto sent a few pictures of the progress. Everything will wrap up this week and we hope to fly home Friday or Saturday 

A before and after pic of the interior. Not a great shot of the old but it's all I could find. We had the front seats and the center console (padded armrest) updated. The shop quoted me a good price to door all the door cards, window trim, and headliner if we get it done in October.  We’re giving it serious thought. 

Annual 2025

Annual

3 Tango Charlie is tucked in the shop at New Garden for her annual inspection. I dropped the plane off on Friday and work began on Monday morning. Mary and I headed north in order to check on the progress. 

Our ride north on SR1 was an adventure. I was doing 70 with traffic when two cars blasted on by like I was parked, absolutely crazy. The best was a white Honda changing lanes like the frogger game obviously trying to advance through the traffic. I said to MAry I wish there was a cop around to bust these crazies. Sure enough maybe ten minutes up the road sat the white honda with a Delaware State Trooper parked behind him with the lights flashing. My day is now complete, justice served. Good job DSP.

Speaking of roads, the new access road to the airport has been repaved, what a smooth ride. The new road made for a good start for me, having done miles of paving in my construction days. Mary decided to wait in the SUV while I investigated the airplane inspection process. 3 Tango Charlie was just getting ready to be let down from the jack stands following the completion of the gear swing test. I asked if an emergency drop was done and if the reservoir will be checked. I received a yes to both questions. 

I asked how the inspection was coming along since I no longer do owner assist. Actually the last few years it's been more of owner watch, ask questions, offer Commander advice since I can't crawl around in and out of the plane any longer. I was told she's in great shape and pretty much done. 3 Tango Charlie  did have one cylinder give a very low reading on the initial compression test but the engine was cold when tested. The plan was to do the leak test and let 3 TC run to warm up. Once the retest was done the questionable cylinder, number 2, came up from mid 40's to 75/80. That's a relief!

Hinge pin (10)

I have a loose gear door hinge/pin on my left main. I have been monitoring the play in the hinge and it's time to address the issue. The shop also noted a bit of oil seepage from the number 1 cylinder rocker panel so they replaced the gasket. I needed a tail nav light replaced. The oil was changed and camguard added. I appreciate the shop adding the camguard for me since I forgot to bring it with me for annual. 3 Tango Charlie was also due for an IFR cert and that was completed with everything checking out perfect. All AD's were complied with, the most important is the elevator spar checks. Here's the breakdown.

Next up the interior upgrade!!

Garmin 480 - The Diversion

 

 

This video is a review on how to set up the Garmin 480 for a diversion. I stumbled through this on my recent flight review but quickly recovered with a nearest selection and then direct. Hope this helps all you 480 users! I had to review the ActFP vs DB selection. Buttonology requires practice so we don't lose our skills. Fly Safe!