After accomplishing my greatest feat of getting my complex endorsement in the flying clubs Piper Arrow, the club decided to buy a 2006 Cirrus SR20 G2. So just as I was ready to begin my IFR studies BAM! I have something new to occupy my time.
This plane is loaded with the following:
- Avidyne Glass Cockpit
- DFC90 Autopilot
- Traffic Display / Alerts
- Weather Display
- Terrain Display / Alerts
- WAAS GPS
- Parachute System
So now the energy I have or the little I have this time of year, is going into learning about this plane and its flight characteristics and electronic systems. My task is to memorize the V speeds and traffic pattern power settings, airspeeds and flap settings for all types of TO&Ls. In addition, I need to become familiar with the abnormal procedures and emergency procedures including the different electrical failures and what my options are with this aircraft.
To get a sign off in this aircraft will take much ground study and eventually significant flight time.
My ground study materials include the following:
- Airplane Information Manual
- Cirrus VFR Transition Training Syllabus
- DFC90 Autopilot Manual
- Cirrus Question and Answer Workbook
- Weight and Balance Spreadsheet
I have much work ahead to fly this beast, so the IFR studies will need to wait until I am done getting a sign off for this aircraft. My mind simply can’t multi-task as it once did without me getting aggravated, depressed and forlorn. Winter in New York sucks enough without me putting myself through more levels of hell.
