Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Bose A20 Headsets
A friend of mine recommended that these be my birthday present to my wife. Another friend had upgraded from the old Bose to the new Bose A20's and had made a comment about the difference. So, I have a new pair for my birtday and now I have had a pair of flights in these things and all that I can say is WOW.
The insurance - Flight part 1
Monday, we spent 4 hours in the air. First, the weather was bumpy. We were at 4,500 and still getting some light turbulence. I am always apprehensive of maneuvers in any new plane. I have flown Cessna 150, 172, 182, Maule MX-7, Cirrus SR-22, Columbia 400, Piper Arrow, Archer II, Aztec, and a Beech F33 Bonanza. Now I am adding the Baron B55 to the list. Same process, the stomach gets a little queezy in anticipation.
Well, after working my brain back through the fact that Vmc (and airspeed) only applies when both engines are not running things were fine. Steep turns were a snap, power off stalls were good and slow flight was a piece of cake. Lots of landings at Frankfort, Ky airport.
In the mean time, we had the #1 voltage regulator go out. That was interesting to work out, but a learning experience none the less in the plane. A Baron has two. The backup systems in these planes are just phenomenal. Right down to two engines.
Well, after working my brain back through the fact that Vmc (and airspeed) only applies when both engines are not running things were fine. Steep turns were a snap, power off stalls were good and slow flight was a piece of cake. Lots of landings at Frankfort, Ky airport.
In the mean time, we had the #1 voltage regulator go out. That was interesting to work out, but a learning experience none the less in the plane. A Baron has two. The backup systems in these planes are just phenomenal. Right down to two engines.
The insurance - Ground school
It strikes me as funny when people who are not familiar ask about "What does the FAA require to fly this and that". Although, those of us active in aviation realize that once you're through with the FAA, the insurance companies are the next in line dictating who can fly "this and that".
I'm currently in process with my Trusty CFII, MEI Charlie Monette working my way through the "approved" insurance program for the Baron. Over time - Charlie's managed 3 or more Baron's of the 55 and 58 flavor.
Saturday, we spent 5 hours of intense review of the Airplane Pilot's Operating Handbook with excruciating detail covering page by page of the systems in the plane. I on the other hand had ALREADY read the POH several times. When Charlie started to inquire about parts of the plane, I told him what I knew and then pulled up the Beechcraft Part's Manual and Shop Manual. I explained to him that I bought the parts manual from Hawker Beechcraft and acquired the shop manual. He laughed and said "That's a first", no one had brought the complete parts manual to any of his ground schools in 40+ years. I think that combined with my extensive high-resolution photo collection of the plane impressed upon him that I was "studying".
I'm currently in process with my Trusty CFII, MEI Charlie Monette working my way through the "approved" insurance program for the Baron. Over time - Charlie's managed 3 or more Baron's of the 55 and 58 flavor.
Saturday, we spent 5 hours of intense review of the Airplane Pilot's Operating Handbook with excruciating detail covering page by page of the systems in the plane. I on the other hand had ALREADY read the POH several times. When Charlie started to inquire about parts of the plane, I told him what I knew and then pulled up the Beechcraft Part's Manual and Shop Manual. I explained to him that I bought the parts manual from Hawker Beechcraft and acquired the shop manual. He laughed and said "That's a first", no one had brought the complete parts manual to any of his ground schools in 40+ years. I think that combined with my extensive high-resolution photo collection of the plane impressed upon him that I was "studying".
First Flight
Lots of progress to report. My Inaugural flight in the new plane was ALL OUT. My trusty CFII, MEI Charlie Monette stopped counting hours accumulated for the FAA before I was born. He's generally not disturbed by anything it seems. So, the choice to test drive the plane in full-blown IMC seemed like low to moderate risk for me. After all, I had been staring at the panel for weeks now and was really curious as to how this baby was going to behave.
Charlie's first thoughts were that on the way to Auburn we would be IFR for about an hour. My tension levels went up. Fortunately, the Baron B55 with Colemill climbs like a rocket. We were in full blown IMC 1000 feet off the ground (30 seconds). We climbed straight through to 6000 feet above the ground and broke out in beautiful weather. An hour of cruise and we went back down into the clouds to make the approach for Auburn. On the way back the weather was about the same, but the approach was much wetter in Lexington than in Auburn. One good thing about flying IMC, the plane gets washed.
Charlie's first thoughts were that on the way to Auburn we would be IFR for about an hour. My tension levels went up. Fortunately, the Baron B55 with Colemill climbs like a rocket. We were in full blown IMC 1000 feet off the ground (30 seconds). We climbed straight through to 6000 feet above the ground and broke out in beautiful weather. An hour of cruise and we went back down into the clouds to make the approach for Auburn. On the way back the weather was about the same, but the approach was much wetter in Lexington than in Auburn. One good thing about flying IMC, the plane gets washed.
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