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pequeajim
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Posts: 708
Location: New Holland, PA
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 Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:52 am Post subject: Transition to my Lightning? |
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Just thought I would share some thoughts with you guys and gals about where I am in my build-fly cycle with N730AL.
First of all, I am probably one of the least experienced, (licensed) pilots flying the Lightning, (perhaps fewest number of hours). Considering this, I wanted to go about transitioning into my aircraft in a logical common-sense way to assure the safety of my aircraft, plus my rear-end! I thought about my build experience and could see a few potential problems.
(Problem 1)
I am the type of builder that works a 45+ hour week in a highly stressful job, involved with my family, is active in my EAA chapter, likes to go camping, flying, ride my motorcycle, fishing, etc et….
If you ever heard someone say, “I have too many things on my plate”, this was a description of me during my build time. What time was left for anything else?
(Problem 2)
I spent a lot of time and money getting my private pilot’s license, then started building;
Because of this, the money that I would normally budget for aircraft rental kind of went by the way side, and guess what suffered?
(Problem 3)
As I got closer to completing my build, my excitement grew, (naturally), and I wanted to get into the air fast; (who wouldn’t?)
You know how a chain of seemingly small events can translate into a nasty situation? If you look at any one of the problems individually, it doesn’t seem like something that would be insurmountable, but when you look at all three, you can see potential for a bad ending to an otherwise great experience.
(Problem 1)
The bottom line is that for me, building and trying to keep some semblance of a normal family life while building an airplane in West Virginia was a very difficult thing to do. Without the understanding of my dear wife, I would not have made it through this time and still have a marriage. I said this first because it is what is the most important thing in my life; (yes, even over my Lightning!). So, during the build, I had to figure out how to balance my family time with my building time and my flying time. Guess what suffered the most?
(Problem 2)
Unless you are fairly wealthy, renting aircraft time to practice flying and building a composite aircraft creates some obstacles. Again, something suffers and IT’S NOT GOING TO BE MY LIGHTNING! (I guess you get the point…) The other thing is that if you are going to hangar your airplane, and insure it for hull damage, (who wouldn’t?), this will add to the list of things to save for so you can get your bird up and flying. Because of a VERY long waiting list, I have had to carry an empty hangar for 6 months, just to get one! All of this adds to the cost of future ownership, so guess what suffered the most?
(Problem 3)
For me, I wanted to take my time building, but as I got closer to completion, I started to get very excited about the day when my Lightning would be declared “airworthy”, and I would actually get to fly my baby. I don’t know about you, but I know if I allow my excitement develop into impatience; I can end of making poorly thought out decisions. I have been burned in the past with purchases, but this is different than buying a laptop, or a new TV. My life depends on me taking my time and thinking clearly!
So, here is my approach to transitioning into my Lightning.
The biggest issue that I see is the lack of continuous flying during my build time. This will make you rusty; not a good thing… The other thing for me was even being able to get some rental time in a similar type of aircraft, low wing, stick and rudder, nimble. I had a few less than desirable options at the local airports, so I tried to get air time when I could afford it. This in my opinion was not enough for me to be comfortable in my Lightning, however, Arion offers 3 hours transition time to buyers of the Lightning kit. After N730AL passed its inspection, I bought an airline ticket and hopped down to SYI for some seat time with Nick. You know, you really have got to like someone to fly all day in a clear cockpit low wing in 93 degree heat!
The first time I took off in the Lightning, I could plainly see how different it was than what I had been sparingly flying. The response of the airplane is much lighter on the sticks and more responsive. This is amplified on any airplane during takeoff and landing which I had not done during my previous demo flights. Even though I spent some minimal time in a stick and rudder Sportstar, the feel was totally different with the big Hershey bar wing, and very little rudder input needed. The important thing was that Nick was in the cockpit and able to help us avoid any nasty situations, while guiding me through procedures in the Lightning; Starting the engine, flight systems, taxi, take off, climbs, turns and banks, slow flight, stall recovery, pattern work, approaches, go around, and landings.
My comfort level with the Lightning increased dramatically over the course of the day. I felt like I came away with something that will make me a safer Lightning pilot.
Step two will be to continue to practice at a field with a nice long runway. Lancaster has two big paved runways (7000’ x 150’) and (4100’ x 100’). This will give me a fair amount of room in case I should make a mistake, and keep me close to home for a while.
Step three will be, as I feel more comfortable with the airplane to visit other airports with different runway configurations, (and restaurants).
Jim!
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N1BZRich(at)aol.com
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| Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:01 am Post subject: Transition to my Lightning? |
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Jim,
Good email. You may be a low time / experience pilot, but your thinking and transition plan are "right on target". Your time with Nick should prepare you for your first flight in your "jet". I would much rather see someone with your perspective on transitioning to a new aircraft than someone who thinks they can "handle anything" just because they have logged some "large" amount of time. I have seem 20,000 hour airline pilots (19,500 hours of auto pilot) who I would not let fly my Cub. I have also seen 20 hour student pilots that could fly the Cub like they were born in it. The point being that flying time or experience alone does not necessarily make a good or safe pilot, but having the correct attitude about being ready to "learn" new things are the key. So, keep up the good work.
Blue Skies,
Buz
PS: It is a beautiful afternoon in Oshkosh. Things were kind of slow, so turned on the computer to do some e-mails. I am sitting here under a tree, looking at a few airplanes in the pattern. I will buy a beer for the first Lightning to land here. Heck, I will buy a beer for every Lightning that flies into OSH for the show this year. Life is good.
Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for FanHouse Fantasy Football today.
[quote][b]
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pequeajim
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Posts: 708
Location: New Holland, PA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:24 am Post subject: Transition to my Lightning? |
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Thanks Buz:
I seem to remember this question on my FAA exam, (although the answers may have been different)
What is the antidote when a pilot has the hazardous attitude of `Invulnerability`?
A) Have someone shoot you in the head so you can’t harm anyone else.
B) Take a step back and look at how stupid you are being.
C) Attend the next “Idiots Anonymous” meeting and say; “Hello, my name is (…) I’m am an idiot”
I like “B”.
PSS: I’m pretty jealous right now with you sitting under a tree at OSH, you lucky dog you…
From: owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of N1BZRich(at)aol.com
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 2:58 PM
To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: Re: Transition to my Lightning?
Jim,
Good email. You may be a low time / experience pilot, but your thinking and transition plan are "right on target". Your time with Nick should prepare you for your first flight in your "jet". I would much rather see someone with your perspective on transitioning to a new aircraft than someone who thinks they can "handle anything" just because they have logged some "large" amount of time. I have seem 20,000 hour airline pilots (19,500 hours of auto pilot) who I would not let fly my Cub. I have also seen 20 hour student pilots that could fly the Cub like they were born in it. The point being that flying time or experience alone does not necessarily make a good or safe pilot, but having the correct attitude about being ready to "learn" new things are the key. So, keep up the good work.
Blue Skies,
Buz
PS: It is a beautiful afternoon in Oshkosh. Things were kind of slow, so turned on the computer to do some e-mails. I am sitting here under a tree, looking at a few airplanes in the pattern. I will buy a beer for the first Lightning to land here. Heck, I will buy a beer for every Lightning that flies into OSH for the show this year. Life is good.
Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for FanHouse Fantasy Football today.
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n5pb(at)aol.com
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| Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:33 am Post subject: Transition to my Lightning? |
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Jim,
Nice transition approach. I've been flying a Zodiac which will have similiar avionics; low wing and bubble canopy, but it's a lot slower than the Lightning. I will be building mine at SYI and will definitely run Nick through the paces during my check out....
Buz, I won't be able to be at OSH this year, but I'll take you up on your beer offer after my first flight in MY Lightning...
Bear
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Clive J
Joined: 03 Nov 2007
Posts: 340
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject: Transition to my Lightning? |
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Some good sense here Jim, thanks for sharing it with us.
I sat looking at my plane (once it was at the airfield) many times
thinking I should just give it a quick blast. I've been flying the
Jabiru regularly and have 1600 hrs over 15 years. Even the test pilot
felt I could shake myself down without him sat next to me. He felt I'd
be fine if I just felt it out myself. I had 3 dodgy landings with him
and the coaching from the right seat stopped me from making a poor
situation worse, the next 4 sorted it and I was solo. I waited till I
had the right weather and the right frame of mind and I had an enjoyable
accompanied hour and a half and I was away.
With flying we all have the 'right pace' which helps us learn quickly,
go too fast and we learn nothing, even go backwards. Thankfully I
stopped myself from trying to learn too fast with the flying side of my
project, and believe me after 4 years I'd make your keenness look like
indifference!
Enjoy all the stages. Slow as they may seem, the end result will be so
much sweeter.
The weather in the UK remains the worst 'summer' I've ever had the
misfortune to witness. 3 weeks off and the forecast is as it's been for
months. Again this weekend it's too blustery to go anywhere. Still I can
work on the Esqual....
I should have got that ticket and had a beer with Buz.
CJ
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pequeajim
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Posts: 708
Location: New Holland, PA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject: Transition to my Lightning? |
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(grin...)
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pennington(at)q.com
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| Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject: Transition to my Lightning? |
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<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]--> Hello Jim
How very well put!
Gary Pennington
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