This is an older picture (2003) of 69G at Buena Vista, Colorado. She is owned by three of us through 5280 Aviation LLC. We bought her in 2002; at the time she had an original Cessna radio, an ADF, an old Cessna transponder, and a Cessna autopilot. About the only piece of avionics that wasn't original was a Narco radio. This radio is now one of the few items remaining after our extensive upgrades. She still has the same interior and paint as when we bought her; the paint is in good shape, but the interior could use some work soon. The nosewheel pant has been replaced with a more modern style, and the prop is now a 3-blade to go with a new engine.
Equipment:
- 270 HP P. Ponk "Super Eagle" O-470-50 engine, installed 2006
- McCauley "Blackmac" C401 3-blade propeller
- Garmin GNS-430W WAAS IFR-certified GPS navigator NAV/COM
- Narco MK12D second NAV/COM
- Garmin GTX-327 mode C transponder
- Garmin GMA-340 audio panel
- Garmin GI-106A CDI
- S-Tec System 50 autopilot with altitude hold and GPSS roll steering
- JPI EDM-700 engine monitor
- Precise Flight 4-place oxygen system
- M-20 air/oil separator
- Garmin GPSMAP-496 portable GPS navigator with real-time XM weather
With
the autopilot coupled to the Garmin GPS we can fly a complete flight
plan on the autopilot, except for altitude changes. The engine monitor
gives us CHT and EGT information on each cylinder, as well as oil temperature, outside
temperature, carburetor temperature, and fuel flow. The engine monitor
is connected to the GPS, so we have fuel-to-destination and
fuel-to-next-waypoint information available.
Here is a picture of the new P.Ponk engine being installed in
2006. The overhaul consisted of adding larger IO-520 cylinders
to the existing Continental O-470
crankcase, to make basically an O-520; the official designation is
O-470-50. This engine produces 270 peak horsepower compared
to 230 HP for the original engine. Coupled with a 3-blade prop it
produces better climb rates, faster cruise speeds, and less noise and
vibration.
Here she is flying happily over Rocky Mountain National Park. She's been to Dallas, Las Vegas, and Southern California in addition to many trips in the Colorado/Utah/Wyoming/Nebraska/Kansas/New Mexico area.
