One of the best upgrades I did was to get rid of my vacuum system altogether. Those vacuum pumps are full of plastic components which are designed to wear out (they run “dry,” the graphite dust caused by wear lubricates the rotor). They’re expensive, and you’re lucky to get 600 hours out of them. Happily they’re also completely unnecessary, because for the cost of a couple of new vacuum pumps you can install a Garmin G5 or Dynon D6 under an STC. I got a pair of G5’s, which gave me airspeed, magnetic heading, OAT, artificial horizon, altitude, and a HSI. Even better, the addition of a GAD29 interfaces them to the GNS430, providing course deviation display and altitude and heading bug inputs for the autopilot. The removal of the vacuum pump, vacuum instruments and the associated plumbing and wiring increased useful load by nearly 5kg. It’s a reasonably inexpensive way of vastly improving most GA airplanes without needing to do a full panel refresh.

Love Elmsett Jon. Grew up there for 25 years. Surprising my mum tomorrow for mothers day by flying in to see her as she still live there. 🤘

TB-10 out of 10 landing! Another wonderful flight to be sitting along with you. Frequent 50 hour checks catching the vacuum pump is what helps make flying safe!

nice SkyDemon trick, it took me several rewinds of the video to work out how to so it: SkyDemon Logo, Find Waypoint (gives a list of all forthcoming waypoints in the route), select one of them, then Take Shortcut. I’ve used ‘Direct to’ before but this is more useful when you want to cut a corner on the route, thanks Jon. I have a permit aircraft so can do my own 50, etc hour services and inspections. Most of it is straight forward, I learn more and appreciate the aircraft more, and its a lot cheaper of course.

Nice catch of the vacuum pump! Scary how close it was to failure. Great to see Bertie on camera!

Another Fine video Thank You

Great to see Bertie. He’s grown so much! Glad vacuum pump was caught just in time

The tb-10 landing on grass was really good are you sure it wasn’t the other guy who usually flys it landing it

There was a Cherokee 140 that I flew back in the day that had a similar issue, where water would collect within the foot well, the engineer resolved the issue by drilling holes within the floor allowing the water to drain away!! :(

Thank you Jon, Well spotted by the engineers! I wonder if they would have spotted it if you didnt give them cakes! 😂😂

strange, our Arrow has the same leak :-)

Another informative video :) Regarding the vacuum pump, I've noticed when you are flying in IMC you are using just the vacuum AI. Have you considered a backup AI, such as a Dynon D3? I've had vacuum AI failures on rental aircraft and I flat out don't trust them now, and will never enter IMC without at least two good attitude sources. The plane I fly now has 3 sources: vacuum mechanical, electric mechanical and AHRS attitude sources and for proper IMC it is vital IMO. Part of the rating is partial panel work but I have no intention of actually trying to fly an IAP partial panel if I don't have to!

Great video as usual. What”s the flashing red light above the gear indicator lights telling you?

Curious Jon, but how frequently do you find yourself talking to controllers on a first name basis when flying and do many prefer you not to?

great videos and your inside forward camera looks great what camera is that may i ask thanks

Great video Jon! Of interest, as someone who would like to get into flying but is concerned at the cost of it, how much fuel does your aircraft burn per hour? And roughly how much did the fuel cost for your trip?

Ever considered getting a 3 blade prop rather than a 2 blade prop

I can’t understand why you don’t have a proper cover. When we had our Comanche parked outside it never leaked with decent cover.