Jesse,

The nose steering shouldn't feel THAT rough. If you don't already, look into the quick disconnect for the nose gear so that you don't break your trunnions when you turn past the tow limits.

Remy

Thanks Remy. I'll look into it when we go on jacks.

Today's project - spinners, boots, window tint, and interior placards..

Yes it is still an active product. We have delivered more than 300 kits and interest is still strong. Those big Lycomings really respond well to breathing cooler air. Induction air temperatures in cruise go from about 200 degrees F down to around 80 degrees F. Here is an illustration of the system. We were lucky enough to hire Ed Schmued to design the intercooler cowling. You can see the similarity to the P-51 radiator cowling. Here is the link to info on Ed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Schmued

Looks like mission accomplished to me!

Jesse, nice bird!

Nice selfie in the spinner Jesse!

Man a big cabin like that would be so friggin nice! Just flew a IFR check ride in the local charter 414 this morning. Man those big cabins are nice!

Keep telling myself I love my Baron, I love my Baron.

Matt, three girls, mom, grandma, time to move up to pressurization and a big cabin

Feel my pain brother, feel my pain!!!!

Jesse is laughing at us right now.......that's a nice looking Navajo!!

Thanks guys. I'll mount my Virb for test flights and some training this weekend.

I'm anxious to crack the whip...

I was actually surprised by all the positive feedback I have received on the Navajo. Several guys here, and several other good sources, have sung her praises. Even the mechanics are loving how accessible the systems are and the layout for ease of maintenance.

Its interesting that there are typically more Navajos flying than Barons of flightaware, yet I hardly ever see them owned personally (like never). It looks like the 135 guys snapped them all up.

I really like the intercooler idea for these engines. The kit is $18K plus 45 hours install. I have never flown a turbo'd piston without intercoolers and I'm guessing the inefficiency will make me pull the trigger. Well that....and he BT discount of course :D

The interior plastics around the windows and overhead panel scream Piper. Other than that, this plane is stout.

Some time last year there was an interior shop from somewhere in South America posting pictures that kept me awake for days. They wrapped every plastic part in leather IIRC, window surrounds, overhead panel, It looked stunning. The extra weight should not be an issue in that plane. If you plan to keep this puppy for a while........

I predict that's going to be a tough sell in Jesse's neck of the woods.

When I got off the commercial flight to pick up the 58P from Jesse, it was 109* in the moon at 9 PM.

SOP was "always start the left engine first at home".
Me (thinking it was for wear-leveling): "Why?"
JJ: "Because that's the engine with the AC compressor!"

Matt, three girls, mom, grandma, time to move up to pressurization and a big cabin

Feel my pain brother, feel my pain!!!!

Jesse is laughing at us right now.......that's a nice looking Navajo!!

An endorsement for Jim Christy, American Aviation, and Aerostar (it's all the same guy anyway): if they tell you it's going to do x,y, and z, it's going to do at least x, y, and z and probably a little better than that. I had the speed stacks and ram air recovery on my Cheyennes and have all kinds of upgrades from Jim on my Aerostar. They're all as advertised, and you won't get better support even years after if you need it than from Jim.

All if it, worth every penny.

Nice bird JJ, you'll love it!

Luc,

I remember those photos. Incredible.

If the Navajo stays, the current interior refurb will hold me over until this last kid is around a few years and can be trusted with writing implements. After that, the plane may receive the full monty interior.

That's one nice thing about the 421 and the Navajo sized cabins. Interior makes a big difference.

Craig,

Thanks...that's helpful knowing you shoot straight.

I spoke with Jim briefly and he seemed to undersell a bit. Its nice when the product can speak for itself.

Best,