TOMATO FLAMES? Are you kidding? I’m sitting with my friend and CFI Paul Sallach in the restaurant at the Inn at Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California, nibbling on a turkey BLT while doing the ground portion of my flight review, what people used to call a biannual flight review. All is well thus far. I know my airspace and cloud clearances. I know what I need to know about sunset, sunrise and the beginning and end of civil twilight. And I’ve got all the buttons, switches and functions of the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin avionics suite dialed in. But TOMATO FLAMES? Seriously?
Back In the Saddle
Key Takeaways:
- A rusty pilot undergoes a flight review in a familiar Cirrus SR22, facing initial challenges in basic maneuvers and regulatory knowledge after years out of the cockpit.
- The review showcases the profound impact of "NextGen" aviation technology, with advanced avionics and powerful tablet apps (like Garmin Pilot) dramatically enhancing situational awareness and flight management.
- Despite modern tech, the author's experience reaffirms the necessity of refreshing fundamental flying skills and basic regulatory knowledge (e.g., VFR equipment acronyms) for regaining pilot currency.
- The pilot successfully regains proficiency, benefiting from the familiar aircraft and structured digital training resources to adapt to the evolving aviation landscape.
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