CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3 - 18

CFI TIPS
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND THINK BACK TO THE DAY
YOU EARNED YOUR PILOT CERTIFICATE. It's a day every

pilot remembers and likely has told stories about numerous
times. For many of us, achieving that goal was a dream
come true. We may have had to wait until our children were
grown, our careers afforded us more flexible time, or we
saved up enough money to begin flight training. But in the
end, we did it.

For some of us, there's a second part to that dream-
aircraft ownership. After more than 25 years as a pilot,
aircraft ownership may soon become a reality for me.
As I coordinate all the necessary elements of buying my
first airplane, I'm doing lots of research, learning about
insurance and financing options, securing hangar space
at my local airport,
identifying a mechanic for
AS CFIS, I THINK IT'S AN HONOR WHEN ANOTHER
the pre-buy inspection,
PILOT ASKS US TO BE A PART OF FULFILLING
and the like. But I'm also
THEIR DREAM, AND OFTEN THAT MEANS INITIAL
considering the 6-hour
OR ADVANCED FLIGHT INSTRUCTION. I HOPE IF
flight from its current
YOU ARE ASKED TO FLY WITH A NEW AIRCRAFT
location to its new home 10
miles down the road from
OWNER AS THEY FERRY THEIR PLANE HOME
me. I could hire someone
THAT YOU WILL JUMP AT THE CHANCE.
to deliver the aircraft, but
what a missed opportunity
that would be. As a rusty pilot, those 6 hours are a gift-a
way to get familiar with my airplane, reduce the amount
of rust on me, have a fresh new flight review, and create
amazing memories to last a lifetime.

So, the tables have turned. I'm a flight instructor who will
become the student. But, as a flight instructor, I have a
unique perspective and many thoughts about this upcoming
flight. Getting to know the airplane is not the same as a
familiarization flight one would encounter when renting
a new airplane. It's much more. During my flight I look
forward to having the time to play out several scenarios
during what is effectively transition training. I plan to use
my new purchase for cross-country flying, so the flight
home with my airplane will be similar to a typical flight I
anticipate doing regularly. I will consider it a successful
flight if I walk away with a solid understanding of the
airplane and a high comfort level with flying it.
I will study the POH before the flight and some ground
sessions with my instructor will be useful to talk through
the aircraft systems, critical airspeeds, weight and balance,
and emergency procedures. This will also serve as the
ground portion of my flight review, and should include items
not specific to my airplane, such as regulatory changes since
my last flight, and a review of airspace and weather.
Once the ground work is complete, the day of the first leg
of the flight should start with a thorough preflight that
includes discussion of items that might be of particular
interest to an owner. This may include known issues with
any component of the airplane and when to involve an A&P
in addressing a minor issue.
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 3
