Airwork: Moving Up

Airwork: Moving Up – or Down

Tom Benenson

Monday, August 22, 2011 at 08:32 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Transitioning to any unfamiliar aircraft, including experimental, higher-performance, or even "downsizing" to lighter sport aircraft, carries a significantly elevated risk of accidents due to insufficient pilot familiarity and inadequate training, as evidenced by FAA data and insurance industry observations.
Effective and safe transition requires comprehensive ground instruction, including a thorough review of the POH, aircraft systems (e.g., fuel, gear), emergency procedures, and proficiency with all onboard avionics, extending beyond basic "direct to" functions.
Practical flight training should be methodical, starting with cautious taxiing and progressing to extensive airwork at safe altitudes. This includes mastering slow flight, stall characteristics, descents, and various coordination maneuvers to fully understand the aircraft's unique handling and operational characteristics.

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_(August 2011) _The Cessna Cardinal RG was sitting forlornly at the edge of Montgomery Field in San Diego with a “for sale” banner hanging from its propeller. As we came out of the parking lot after having lunch at a sushi restaurant across from the airport, Judith pointed at the Cardinal. Isn’t that one of the kinds of airplanes you’re considering? she asked.

We had been looking to upgrade from a Cessna 150 and were considering either a Cardinal RG or a fixed-gear Cessna 182. The presence of the Cardinal seemed propitious. It took only a phone call to the FBO for details about the airplane and a short test flight for us to decide to buy it.