- Joined
- Oct 30, 2003
- Messages
- 18,363
- Location
- Santa Maria, California
- Aircraft
- Givens Predator
- Total Flight Time
- 2600+ in rotorcraft
It sounds like more of a milestone that it feels.
I have 2,115 landings and I am not able to remember the last bad one.
I have 185 hours of cross country.
I have ten hours of night flight.
I opened up a new world by installing an IO-320B1A and a larger three blade Catto propeller on the Predator.
I have been learning about hot starts and leaning a fuel injected Lycoming engine.
I feel that the limitations of a marginally performing aircraft have been relaxed.
Raising the engine made a difference in the way the Predator reacts to the application of power that allows me to better manage all phases of flight. I feel it makes me look like a better pilot.
I am more comfortable working on the Predator.
The testing of the new capabilities of the Predator has taught me many things about how much I have to learn about piloting a gyroplane. I continue to explore, quantify and find uses for these new options.
I have less trouble managing the rotor spool down in the wind.
I feel like I have more options when I am presented with a piloting challenge.
The feeling of oneness with the Predator happens as soon as I buckle up and the feeling of oneness with the sky happens as soon as the tires leave the ground. I used to have to feel around for a while before it came together for me. I am finding that the feeling lasts past the end of the flight and I sort of slowly slide back into being a ground person.
My ability to interact and benefit from ATC continues to grow. The extra complexity of class C airspace ATC has become almost routine and feels manageable.
Managing the Pilot’s tasks takes up less of my conscious mind and I have more capacity for basking in the wonder of flying.
My situational awareness continues to improve, particularly as to the location of other aircraft based on radio communications.
The search for other aircraft has become more formal and I am having greater success. My response to locating other aircraft is more appropriate and less disruptive.
I do not remember the last time I asked myself, “What do I do now?” Managing divergence from intentions seems to happen quickly and naturally.
My flight planning continues to improve.
I find I have more confidence in the reliability of the Predator. The lack of oil leaks helps this along.
I continue to battle overconfidence.
The pieces of the puzzle seem to fit together better.
I can read the same thing in a book about flying or rotary wing principles that I read at 200 hours as PIC and it means much more to me now.
My piloting skills continue to grow.
My lust for more speed and capability has escalated.
My love of flying continues to grow.
My ability to communicate my feelings has diminished as the feelings have become more subtle.
Thank you, Vance
I have 2,115 landings and I am not able to remember the last bad one.
I have 185 hours of cross country.
I have ten hours of night flight.
I opened up a new world by installing an IO-320B1A and a larger three blade Catto propeller on the Predator.
I have been learning about hot starts and leaning a fuel injected Lycoming engine.
I feel that the limitations of a marginally performing aircraft have been relaxed.
Raising the engine made a difference in the way the Predator reacts to the application of power that allows me to better manage all phases of flight. I feel it makes me look like a better pilot.
I am more comfortable working on the Predator.
The testing of the new capabilities of the Predator has taught me many things about how much I have to learn about piloting a gyroplane. I continue to explore, quantify and find uses for these new options.
I have less trouble managing the rotor spool down in the wind.
I feel like I have more options when I am presented with a piloting challenge.
The feeling of oneness with the Predator happens as soon as I buckle up and the feeling of oneness with the sky happens as soon as the tires leave the ground. I used to have to feel around for a while before it came together for me. I am finding that the feeling lasts past the end of the flight and I sort of slowly slide back into being a ground person.
My ability to interact and benefit from ATC continues to grow. The extra complexity of class C airspace ATC has become almost routine and feels manageable.
Managing the Pilot’s tasks takes up less of my conscious mind and I have more capacity for basking in the wonder of flying.
My situational awareness continues to improve, particularly as to the location of other aircraft based on radio communications.
The search for other aircraft has become more formal and I am having greater success. My response to locating other aircraft is more appropriate and less disruptive.
I do not remember the last time I asked myself, “What do I do now?” Managing divergence from intentions seems to happen quickly and naturally.
My flight planning continues to improve.
I find I have more confidence in the reliability of the Predator. The lack of oil leaks helps this along.
I continue to battle overconfidence.
The pieces of the puzzle seem to fit together better.
I can read the same thing in a book about flying or rotary wing principles that I read at 200 hours as PIC and it means much more to me now.
My piloting skills continue to grow.
My lust for more speed and capability has escalated.
My love of flying continues to grow.
My ability to communicate my feelings has diminished as the feelings have become more subtle.
Thank you, Vance