OK, I have been inspired by Sir Mark Hangen to make some Navajo videos. Pretty boring stuff, compared to the Citation (no exotic locales), but here is my first attempt.

Specs are a Virb Elite (first gen) using the Garmin headset cord. I tried to edit the video (using Virb edit) to include interesting parts or conversations.

We took off about 7:55 this AM, with an overcast layer, so you cannot see the instruments until near Dickinson. Obviously more footage needs to be obtained to figure that out. Camera was mounted with suction cup on the window and it really vibrated in flight. The Virb does a good job of stabilizing some of that, but need to get a different mount (maybe)?

Go ahead and critique the off centerline take off (hate to dilly-dally with PAX on board) and the long landing...

[youtube]https://youtu.be/T4QrSCvng1I[/youtube]

Why a funky speed on the video until about 9:30 and then it seems to be valid?

It's a Virb thing.

I've been doing the same thing Chris. It's a great tool for self analysis.

Really short composite video of return leg back to Bismarck.

The Virb does not show it, but had greasers on both ends today (part of the reason for eating up so much runway at KDIK).

[youtube]https://youtu.be/sPxm4jYRU2Y[/youtube]

I had a PM from a member about the Navajo, so I thought I would post the content here also. He was asking about Baron v. Navajo...

I honestly don't know, as I have never flown a Baron (55 or 58), but the Navajo is a much larger plane as far a cabin size. I operate a -325, or C/R as the marketing folks named it. The -350 or Chieftain is the longer version. I can carry all the stuff the PAX need. We have VGs on it which give a 340 lb GW increase. We burn about 60 gph in climb and 36 gph in cruise (33", 2200 rpm and 1600TIT), which nets us 170KTAS at 6-7,000 MSL. I rarely go higher than 8k MSL.

We routinely have 5 pax plus me on board. But our trips are short and only put fuel in the inboard tanks. Hot days can result in a slow trip to blue line, but once the airplane "gathers itself up" performance is fine. I go to a 3600 X 60' strip weekly and it does just fine there.

I am totally in love with this plane. Good systems and honest handling. I especially like the Lycoming engines, I am just not a fan of Continentals (no logic there). Getting in from the rear and having some room is very nice. I also routinely fly a Seneca III and that is weird to "button the PAX up" in the back and scoot around to get in over wing. I try and plan for 110 kts over the fence and 95-100 over the numbers. I will drop that a bit at the short strip, just to save on the brakes.

We are coming up to TBO(1600hrs), and although we are not obligated to overhaul under part 91, the owners want that. So we are looking at a Panther conversion. Just the Panther I figure will be $250k, versus the $200k I am budgeting for factory overhauls (with prop OH). I spoke with Mike Jones (Panther STC holder) last Friday and don't know what to think of him. I wanted to talk Panther conversion and he wanted to talk about selling us a Lock and Key Navajo. Hmmmmm... Mike did say that half of the fleet has been converted to Panthers (400 planes). Don't know if that is true. The Panther conversion adds 4 bladed props, which makes a big reduction noise, so says the articles.

Parts are generally available, but not always cheap. We just did an air conditioning mod last year to change over to R134a. Look for an airplane or budget for that mod. Ours was $12k. We tried to limp by the last couple of years on R12 and it would always fail on the hottest days. Ick.

For reference: I run 37/2350 33gph LOP with my Panther and typically cruise 185-190ktas at non-O2 altitudes depending on weight and OAT.

And for the Baron refernence. In my 520 powered 58 it takes 28-30 GPH to get that 185-190 speed.

Not ask much difference as one would think for so much bigger of an airplane.

Hey Jesse when you selling yours?

When I pull the trigger on a JetA burner. I loved the Baron and the 421. The Navajo is a great compromise (as I think you figured out).

Jesse, given the prices of Kodiak's etc, won't they do all you need at a similar cost/entry point.

Can you pay something extra - and not have the VIRB watermark and opening/closing segments? Or is that just an artifact of the platform?

You chose to add that or leave it out. I added it... It comes from the software program "Virb Edit", not the camera.

I'm not really sure what my plane is worth. The last guy looking was planning on spending $350-400k for a short body Panther. I'd guess the Kodiak is over $1M.

This analysis shows $808/hour for 500 annual hours....and that is going slower than the Navajo.

https://www.aircraftcostcalculator.com/ ... g_cost.pdf

If I move to JetA, I'm going to fly to Mike C's office and download everything there is to know about the Mits. Soft field is my only concern.

Regarding the Navajo, I get regular inquiries. I believe everyone sees their value, they are just tough to find. I'm not going to let it go unless I'm REALLY sure.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/5FdpaW7fRWQ[/youtube]

New video, very short, heavy edits.... Contrast still not the greatest.

Chris,

I'm envious of your videos.

I have the Garmin VIRB and the audio cable thingy but IT WONT RECORD COCKPIT AUDIO

I had a passenger figure it out once, but i've never been able to get the stupid thing to record cockpit audio...I know its operator error but still, why the hell isnt that a default option when the flipping cable is plugged in?

Could you list out the steps you take & which buttons to push to get the VIRB to record cockpit audio.

Thanks again.