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, whether experimental, high-performance, or even light sport, carries a significant accident risk, primarily due to insufficient pilot preparation and performance.
Comprehensive transition training is crucial, encompassing an in-depth review of the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), thorough understanding of aircraft systems, extensive practical airwork, and mastery of modern avionics and emergency procedures.
Pilots must consult their insurance provider for specific transition requirements, as these often mandate more rigorous training or mentor pilot hours than regulatory minimums.

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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.