TylerSC
Pre-takeoff checklist
After owning a nice VFR Cherokee 140 for a few years, this year I decided to look into getting a plane I could do more with from an XC standpoint. So after a lot of reading and shopping I was lucky enough to find a 182J that has everything I ever wanted. PPONK engine, GTN 650, STOL kit, GFC 500, dual G5’s, Stratus ESG transponder, digital graphical engine monitor, strobes, and LED lights all around.
Moving from a bare bones PA-28-140 that I hand flew everywhere to having to learn to be a “systems manager” has been a fun challenge. The first few flights were pretty overwhelming to say the least, as I was a rusty pilot to begin with and there’s a lot more happening in this plane. Insurance required 5 hours with an instructor, but I did more like 15. I basically had to learn to fly all over again and he held me to a high standard before cutting me loose to learn on my own.
I was expecting the move to a CS prop to be one of the more challenging aspects of the upgrade, but I got used to it really quickly. Same with the G5 displays. Really, learning the GTN 650 and especially learning to fly the autopilot have been the hardest things, but man once you learn to work it that AP adds so much breathing room to monitor systems and gather in flight information that I can’t see myself going back.
But I am beyond thrilled to have a real going places aircraft! It will help me with business to be able to gain back a lot of travel hours in the car, into but also my kids are really curious and into it and I’m looking forward to making memories with them (ages 13 and 10). This plane is perfect for our missions (SC to FL, the SC/NC coast, AVL, OBX, maybe even as far as Chicago/NY, and the Caribbean).
I hate to stir the pot but I am loving the high wing, although it wants to float a good bit more than the Cherokee. More importantly I now have TWO DOORS! After years of swinging my butt down and to the side it is so nice to just push my seat back and hop out on my side! On the other hand, needing a ladder to self fuel is a new experience.
Moving from a bare bones PA-28-140 that I hand flew everywhere to having to learn to be a “systems manager” has been a fun challenge. The first few flights were pretty overwhelming to say the least, as I was a rusty pilot to begin with and there’s a lot more happening in this plane. Insurance required 5 hours with an instructor, but I did more like 15. I basically had to learn to fly all over again and he held me to a high standard before cutting me loose to learn on my own.
I was expecting the move to a CS prop to be one of the more challenging aspects of the upgrade, but I got used to it really quickly. Same with the G5 displays. Really, learning the GTN 650 and especially learning to fly the autopilot have been the hardest things, but man once you learn to work it that AP adds so much breathing room to monitor systems and gather in flight information that I can’t see myself going back.
But I am beyond thrilled to have a real going places aircraft! It will help me with business to be able to gain back a lot of travel hours in the car, into but also my kids are really curious and into it and I’m looking forward to making memories with them (ages 13 and 10). This plane is perfect for our missions (SC to FL, the SC/NC coast, AVL, OBX, maybe even as far as Chicago/NY, and the Caribbean).
I hate to stir the pot but I am loving the high wing, although it wants to float a good bit more than the Cherokee. More importantly I now have TWO DOORS! After years of swinging my butt down and to the side it is so nice to just push my seat back and hop out on my side! On the other hand, needing a ladder to self fuel is a new experience.
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