First 1.2hrs in left seat on Friday!

by **Stephan Mackenzie** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:42 am

After buying my Comanche 250 this fall, I had to complete my PPL before my insurance would allow me to sit in the left seat. My flight test was on Dec 22nd.

Finally, after some time consuming exhaust manifold repairs I got everything in place I needed to go flying, and took off from Pitt Meadows, BC ( CYPK ) under Olympic Advisory airspace for a quick flight to Chilliwack, BC (CYCW ) for a full stop, then 4 touch and go's.

The wind was favouring 07 with a very slight cross-wind and all but one of the landings went very well... the final circuit I had a student pilot in a Seneca behind me on downwind and he did not acknowledge me, or seem to see me, after contacting him directly on the MF I finally got him to break off and hold until he picked me up. I guess all this flustered me enough that I sort of bounced this one in and decided to cob the power and just take off right away and overshoot, then back to Pitt Meadows, for a nice full stop on 36, off on the first taxi-way.

I can see that after a hundred hours or so I will be able to bring this plane into some pretty short fields.

I was all smiles for the next 48 hours or so, to finally fly my new Comanche in the left seat and land on relatively short and narrow runways, compared to what I trained on in a 172, ( 26L is 100ft wide and 4700ft long so it kinda spoils us students ) and do it without too much of a hitch...

With the 1.2 I logged, I am at 61 hours total flying time, and look forward to a couple thousand more in my PA-24-250.

This week I am going to adjust the flap lever, when its full flap, its tight against the co-pilot seat and hard to grab...

Anyways, thats my story... glad to be a member and to have the privilege to fly one of these legendary airplanes.

by **Scott Ducey** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 4:58 am

Congrats! I remember the feeling not too long ago when I got my twin rating in my PA-30. Enjoy getting acquainted with the airplane - they are great in so many ways.

Best Regards,

Scott Ducey

by **David Pyle** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 4:59 am

Stephan,

How much dual have you had in your 250? Any problem finding a CFI with time in type?

by **N3322G** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:57 pm

by **Stephan Mackenzie** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 3:45 am