Owner's update:
All systems go in N796SP! The autopilot was fixed in December, turned out to be the turn-coordinator going out, an easy replacement, but not an easy problem to find. We have been hard at work to make sure all squawks are addressed. The only squawk left is the altimeter back light still out, for now that can be covered by the white glare shield light at night.
I just took N796SP for a spin down to Las Vegas via the PMD and HEC this past weekend, the trip took about 3 hours and 30 minutes. The engine hummed beautifully at 7,500 feet, 75% and 100 degrees Rich of Peak all the way, leaned precisely to what the EDM-700 engine analyzer's Lean Assist indicated. I could see how cool all the cylinder head temperatures are, varying between 365 and 380 degrees.
On the return trip at night, we flew at 8,500 for a while to stay away from the mountains. The Garmin 496 which rents for free with 796SP showed all terrain and weather info along the way, so even at night I could see where exactly are the mountains are, keeping me confident that we are at a safe altitude, even though I had already use Flight Prep's Golden Eagle to plot out the terrain profile view to ensure the entire trip is safe at 8000 feet via PMD and HEC, and safe at 6500' for most of flight.
The auto-pilot worked beautifully, allowing me to enjoy all the very beautiful stars with my passenger at the extremely clean air at 8,500 feet. Orion's belt, the big dipper and north star can be easily seen. Away from city light pollution and air pollution, you can see about 20 stars within a 10 degree field of view around the north star. You normally cannot see so many of them with the naked eye! Then we dimmed the instrument panel lights way down, even the Milky Way was clearly visible now, it was a magnificent view that I will never forget. "Gallactic" is the only proper word to describe it. The sky and the earth was so tranquil and calm in the night sky, and we were just gliding along between the heavens and the earth.
The Garmin 496 is available for rent by owner to any renters of N796SP for free, and any other aircraft at $17/flight. Please e-mail the owner at
dreams@myopensky.com to check for availability, it will usually be available at Advantage font desk within 24 hours. Don't go on a cross-country without one to check the weather. mountains, and airspace along the way!
