I returned to the Cirrus plant at 0900 on Wednesday morning and was introduced to Joel Ostby, a UND Aerospace “Cirrus Certified Flight Instructor” who was allocated as my instructor for the “UND Aerospace SR22 Transition Training”

Theoretically the “UND SR22 Transition Training” is optional. However, it is included in the price of each new aircraft and I found it to be extremely worthwhile. The training is scenario based and conducted over a very full 3 days. Each day consists of three lessons, one on the ground and two practical flights, each flight consisting of three separate legs to different airports.

I had spent many hours studying the comprehensive package of written and computer based training materials which Cirrus had sent me when I placed my order, and I felt well prepared to start the training. Nevertheless I was very conscious that the SR22 is a much higher performance and more complex aircraft than the Socata and Cessna aircraft I had flown previously. Everyone with SR22 experience that I had spoken to had warned me that in addition to learning to operate the aircraft systems in flight, the SR22 is a powerful and “clean” aircraft, so speed control and rate of climb would take me by surprise initially and take some time to learn how to control – they were right!

The training scenarios start as fairly simple routes practising use of the systems and getting familiar with the handling of the aircraft, hand flying and in autopilot mode mainly in the IFR environment (although some basic VFR handling is also conducted at times during the course). Increasingly though the scenarios get more complex with simulated system failures and external problems being thrown at you more and more to teach the operation of systems in primary, backup and totally failed modes.

Together with UND Aerospace, Cirrus have developed a “Standardised” approach to Cirrus flight training, and there is great emphasis on using the automated systems available to the pilot to their full capacity. What this course is NOT is teachning you to fly (you are required to know that in advance, and be appropriately licensed!). What it IS is an intensive introduction to the advanced systems available to the pilot of a Cirrus SR22 aircraft.

This course was extremely valuable. Joel was an excellent instructor, putting his knowledge across effectively and in a friedly and relaxed manner, even when simulating complete disasters onboard the aircraft!!

On the evening of Friday 4^th May we finished the final lesson, Joel signed off my logbook and other necessary paperwork to record that I had completed the training and met the necessary proficiency standards, and we went for a meal and a beer in Duluth to celebrate.

This was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding flight training experiences I have ever had, and at the end of the three days I felt ready and confident to fly N238JG myself.

Air to Air Phot Shoot

As I have mentioned elsewhere on the web site, N238JG is one of the first SR22 G3 to be delivered by Cirrus, and is the first one to be delivered in the “Monza Red” colour scheme.

The weather during my Transistion training was “Severe Clear” – beautiful clear blue skies and on Wednesday I was asked by Cirrus in-house Aerial Photographer and Pilot Justin Dillon whether they could borrow my aircraft for a publicity photo shoot to take photos for their own website and publicity material. Of course I agreed, and asked if I could come along too.

We took off Easterly from Duluth and flew out over Lake Superior. I had never flown in such close formation with another aircraft before which was interesting, as were the spectacular locations we flew over – many of which I recognised from various Cirrus brochures! We returned to Duluth and landed after about 90 minutes flying.

The next day I viewed the results - some really excellent shots of N238JG accentuating the colours and the scenery over which we were flying. To cap it off, Cirrus had printed one of the best photos onto large photoframe size and had it signed by Alan Klapmeier, Co-founder and CEO of Cirrus Design, which they presented to me as a thankyou for borrowing my aircraft.

Did you Know :  Like all Cirrus Aeroplanes, N238JG has a PARACHUTE! It is called the Cirrus whole Aircraft Parachute System or CAPS for short.

Fun Fact:  Parachutes were first designed by Leonardo Da Vinci more than 450 years ago. The first working parachute was demonstrated in 1783 by a Frechman called Sebastian Lenormand. Parachutes saved many hundreds of lives, particularly of airmen during the 2^nd World War, but the first company to put a whole aircraft parachute onto a production aeroplane was CIRRUS DESIGN.

Quiz:

Answer to yesterday Quiz – Lake Superior is the Lake on which Duluth sits

Todays Quiz:  Tomorrow we are leaving Duluth and flying to Grand Rapids in the US State of Michigan. If we go in a straight line, which of the Great Lakes are we going to fly across? (Two Lakes - Answer tomorrow)