FI's, Do you think I am carzy?
Join Date: May 2001
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Deice,Well, at the time I had a straightforward choice. Join the rest of the group who had decided to do the MEP training and buy a twin (straight from the PA28) or walk away knowing that they were willing to give it a go and I wasn't. It seemed to me a fairly simple choice. I am my own worst taskmaster and I figured that if at any time I was uncomfortable with the project then I could still walk away just the same , but if on the other hand (and to my great and pleasant surprise) I found that I could in fact hack it, then on the basis that I was being trained by a highly qualified and experienced instructor, and examined and tested to the satisfaction of CAA test pass standards then why not do it!? Only delighted that I decided to take the risk. I would have missed a lot of fun flying otherwise!
Was it a "cool" decision? Yup it sure was , flying any aeroplane is "cool" in fact flying is just a cool thing to do and I make no apology for that! Was it smart? well I was as apprehensive as hell but I had set my opt out criteria and stuck by them from that day to this. I have of course done my share of IFR trips with others who like that sort of flying and goodness knows I wish I had the confidence and ability to do it ( real cool!) and as you rightly say it is not necessarily to be equated with IMC flying and can indeed make flying much safer than VFR even in VMC. But I have set my personal limits and after many years I dont imagine that much as I would like to, anything will make me step outside my comfort region. It just struck me that I saw a kindred spirit in the original poster's question and I would have hated for him to miss out on all the good times which can still be had VFR in any machine simply because someone says ( "You cant do VFR in that thing!")
Aerobatics! No way jose I like the green bit at the bottom all the time and there is more chance of it staying there if I stay out of the clouds.
No idea what Lola T70 is , she sounds a nice girl , but I do take my Aston Martin Vantage down to The supermarket every Saturday!
Regards
Mike
Was it a "cool" decision? Yup it sure was , flying any aeroplane is "cool" in fact flying is just a cool thing to do and I make no apology for that! Was it smart? well I was as apprehensive as hell but I had set my opt out criteria and stuck by them from that day to this. I have of course done my share of IFR trips with others who like that sort of flying and goodness knows I wish I had the confidence and ability to do it ( real cool!) and as you rightly say it is not necessarily to be equated with IMC flying and can indeed make flying much safer than VFR even in VMC. But I have set my personal limits and after many years I dont imagine that much as I would like to, anything will make me step outside my comfort region. It just struck me that I saw a kindred spirit in the original poster's question and I would have hated for him to miss out on all the good times which can still be had VFR in any machine simply because someone says ( "You cant do VFR in that thing!")
Aerobatics! No way jose I like the green bit at the bottom all the time and there is more chance of it staying there if I stay out of the clouds.
No idea what Lola T70 is , she sounds a nice girl , but I do take my Aston Martin Vantage down to The supermarket every Saturday!
Regards
Mike
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
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Fair enough fbm.
I still believe that this particular aircraft type, and others like it (the C340 and C400 series pressurized twins to name a couple) are not suitable PPL level VFR aircraft, even though they can be flown by a PPL pilot and VFR. My personal opinion is that the ratings add to your overall competence, thus making you better equipped to handle fast and highly capable aircraft. Perhaps I'm a fool, the RAF sent boy scouts to war in Spits, and some of them even survived, so this high performance/low experience issue I have may be BS. We may be slightly more conservative in Sweden, but I know that the CAA requires extensive training and additional theory to earn the PA46 rating, and if I'm not mistaken they also require IR. I never bothered to check because it wasn't an issue in my case.
Fly safe!
Lola T70 is a 60s race car and a rather nice lady. But the Aston will do!
I still believe that this particular aircraft type, and others like it (the C340 and C400 series pressurized twins to name a couple) are not suitable PPL level VFR aircraft, even though they can be flown by a PPL pilot and VFR. My personal opinion is that the ratings add to your overall competence, thus making you better equipped to handle fast and highly capable aircraft. Perhaps I'm a fool, the RAF sent boy scouts to war in Spits, and some of them even survived, so this high performance/low experience issue I have may be BS. We may be slightly more conservative in Sweden, but I know that the CAA requires extensive training and additional theory to earn the PA46 rating, and if I'm not mistaken they also require IR. I never bothered to check because it wasn't an issue in my case.
Fly safe!
Lola T70 is a 60s race car and a rather nice lady. But the Aston will do!
Join Date: May 2001
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Don't think there is any IR requirement for the PA46 although I believe a type rating is required but not the HPA certificate. I'm sure if the original poster could handle a 210 then he could manage a Malibu given training and the right attitude. I hardly dare mention that I owned and flew a turbo C335 ( unpressurised 340) for several years, VFR only of course....beautiful aeroplane, It was a little faster than the 340, at the lower levels where I flew, but heavier and with more inertia than the 310, although not as fast as the 310. The only drawback was that I always had to tell ATC it was a 340 cos it looked identical and if I didn't, then for some reason everyone in the circuit started looking for a push pull twin!
I'm gonna have to get me one of these here Lola girls now
I'm gonna have to get me one of these here Lola girls now
Join Date: Dec 2004
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The attitude does alot for staying safe as you mention, and the PA46 most definitely requires a TR and is the only piston single that does as far as I know.
It sounds like you've had your bit of fun, the 340 is a nice plane, and I expect the 335 is about the same, and as you know they all require that you're on top of them. As for the original poster I wouldn't dare comment on his capabilites, they may exceed mine by miles, but, in answer to his question I would not recommend transition to a high performance single of Malibu flavour without the IR for various reasons, but that doesn't mean it can't be done.
I'm beginning to sound a bit like an old vinyl, skipping back to the same track. Perhaps I should switch to CD mode...
Fly/drive safe y'all!
It sounds like you've had your bit of fun, the 340 is a nice plane, and I expect the 335 is about the same, and as you know they all require that you're on top of them. As for the original poster I wouldn't dare comment on his capabilites, they may exceed mine by miles, but, in answer to his question I would not recommend transition to a high performance single of Malibu flavour without the IR for various reasons, but that doesn't mean it can't be done.
I'm beginning to sound a bit like an old vinyl, skipping back to the same track. Perhaps I should switch to CD mode...
Fly/drive safe y'all!
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New York, USA
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Don't know about the UK, but here in the US all insurors are requiring an IR, an approved type training course, recurrent training, and usually at least 250 hours total time and some time in the aircraft.
That said, having that training is a good thing, and will allow you to maximize your utility and enjoyment of that fine aircraft. I flew one quite a bit years ago, and if I had access to one, I'd be thrilled.
That said, having that training is a good thing, and will allow you to maximize your utility and enjoyment of that fine aircraft. I flew one quite a bit years ago, and if I had access to one, I'd be thrilled.
