REFLECTOR: Got My Transition Training

[Terry Miles]

Glad you liked it.  How'd you make out with all the paperwork stuff?
Terry

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Brian Michalk
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 10:33 AM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: REFLECTOR: Got My Transition Training

I returned yesterday from Sebastian.  Man, I hope that's the last time I 
have to fly commercial.

I have never visited the factory, nor have I really flown a velocity.  
Taking the transition training was better than going to Disney World.  
John Abraham is a very capable instructor.  The best part about him is 
that he doesn't constantly chatter like so many CFI's.  After each 
landing, or after a maneuver, he'll talk you through what you did wrong, 
and what you got right.  He gets high marks from me.

Five hours of factory training is a lot of time to practice getting used 
to the V.  I am pretty sure we got in more than 30 touch and goes, with 
six or more of those being simulated engine failures.  John made sure 
that I would be ready for the things that affect first flights, and 
focused a lot on engine failures, fires, and control failures.  For the 
ground portion we went through some basics with the plane, but again 
spent some time on that punch list of things that need addressing.  
During this process, we went over fire sleeving the aileron control 
cables.  I had not yet done this, so one more item on the punch list.  
It was like having another inspection, but John going over the important 
things, and me referencing my airplane in my mind.  I came away with 
three new tasks I need to take care of before first flight.

I was impressed by how stable the Velocity is.  I can't wait to get mine 
in the air.  There were a few landings where I was having difficulty 
managing airspeed and altitude, but nothing that would have resulted in 
a dangerous landing.  One or two of the simulated engine failures, we 
went around because things were not set up right.  Before I went to 
Sebastian, I practiced 90kt no-flap approaches in a Cessna 172.  That 
was about right as far as setting up how the approaches look in the 
Velocity, but that's about all.  I never really felt behind the 
Velocity.  The most difficult thing for me is to keep off the ailerons 
and get on the rudders when below 75kts.  Once you do that, the landings 
get easy.  And if you are used to landing full stall, it's not that 
bad.  Just arrest the descent, and let the plane settle.  Doing no flap 
landings in the C172 above stall speed is similar.

After flying on Friday, I went over to the service center where all the 
cool people hang out.  There is some seriously cool stuff going on over 
there.  They are working on hot rods.  From the rocket powered V to the 
400HP XL with standard wings.  Comes with air conditioning!  Lots of 
hangar flying too.

The transition training is top notch.  I feel confidant in my ability to 
not ball up my airplane on the first flight.  Even if the insurance does 
not require factory training, it's a good idea.
_______________________________________________
To change your email address, visit
http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector

Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html