Title says most of it. I'm well acquainted with G1000, over 1000 hours, SEL, MEL, High performance, Complex, and instrument rated. There is an SR22 G3 GTS Turbo that I would like to rent & fly but the training instructor is out for a while and unavailable. Does anyone know a place that has this aircraft I can do transition training on that's relatively cost effective? I've seen sites that say they offer 2-3 day transition courses for pilots of a similar experience level, but the training is done in an SR20, which isn't the same thing since the GTS Turbo has FIKI, Oxygen, FL250, etc. Have done google searches, but can't seem to find exactly what I need to get the training done. They'll let me take the plane as long as I've done the course work and all on the type.
If you don't get a specific recommendation, look up Cirrus Training Centers reasonably close to you and see what they have. I'd start here. I'm not that familiar but, based on some fairly recent contact, the Cirrus transition program is nationwide and, subject to local considerations (such as western mountainous terrain), eliminates or greatly simplifies additional checkouts in the same model. I don't know about "cost effective" when it comes to Cirrus
This is actually quickly becoming more difficult than i originally anticipated. I've called around virtually everywhere. They're saying the G3 Turbo GTS is basically an SR22T, but it has the Avidyne systems instead of the perspective vs perspective plus. The training centers all have the newer stuff with perspective and +. I'm waiting on a couple of call backs.... but this isn't looking too promising.
Not sure if you’re willing to travel but independence Aviation at KAPA has been all Cirrus for a long time and used to have some Avidyne aircraft on the line as leasebacks. Whether they do now I don’t know, but their instructors have been doing Cirrus since the ice ages of Cirrus so they know the older stuff, I assume.
Yep at this point, I have to travel. as virtually no one has the avidyne stuff. I'm going to give them a ring now.
Max Trescott is Cirrus CFI/expert. Runs Aviation News Podcast. 1-650-967-2500 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well, now i'm not sure how turned on / turned off I am by this place you recommended. I did talk to someone, who I thought at first was a seasoned pilot. And most places I talked to prior to this had some package "Like a 2-3 day transition course" the guy I talked to felt a lot more like a private pilot certifcate shop where you do some studying, you flight for 30 mins, come back the next day, and it ends up taking 3 months. In fact at one point on the phone when I said, I'd like to get it done and would need to fly out there and make arrangements, he said "well let me put you in touch with another pilot here in the next "week or so" and my guess is you'll probably have to book a few weeks out here, weather depending...." I said "well, I am instrument rated and that's kind of one of the primary points here is to get to the flight levels, everything I read said this was like a 2-3 transition course is that not correct?" The whole thing just seems wonky to me, or like this their first rodeo. My understanding was that this stuff was standardized, efficient, and gets you on your way.
You were probably speaking with staff, not necessarily even a CFI. Ask to speak with their Chief Pilot. Other than the head honcho, I don't know anyone there anymore. Meantime, I'll check with my local Cirrus shop and see if they have an idea.
I'm familiar with Independence and underwhelmed by it. You need to talk to the Chief Pilot, not the CFI who picked up the phone at the desk. Talked to them about getting my instrument - they're not happy if you don't want to rent a Cirrus (or buy one). They're incredibly proud of being one of the Platinum Cirrus companies. One of the managers pointed to a stack of resumes he's reviewing to hire as CFIs..."there's a couple retired Air Force Generals, retired airlines...." and so on. My response "Gee, sounds like my EAA chapter". Obviously, I'm not working with them for the instrument.
Max Trescott may be your guy. Seems like his business is basically Cirrus training. Sounds nice enough on his podcast. He has quite the presence online so I'm sure he's not hard to get a hold of. Palo Alto, CA based.
Sorry, @USAF-LT-G. No-go at my end. Apparently not that many training centers have the older Avidynes available. Your best bet of those mentioned seems to be Independence. Don't know if they are Avidyne, but they do have G3s. Either that or, sadly, you'll have to wait until the folks you are going to rent from have someone capable of doing the transition training. I understand the reasons Cirrus is so restrictive, but one of the collateral effects is limiting the rental market in their older aircraft. Yours is one example. There are others.
