I got to check off another item on my list of things I'd like to do list...
I always thought it would be so cool to pilot a Cessna 182. I've wanted to fly one since I regularly started jumping out of them in 1977.
Yesterday, only thirty years (give or take) later, I finally got to do it.
Our Civil Air Patrol squadron ended up with a loaner C-182 a few weeks ago. One of the nearby squadrons had just gotten a new glass cockpit aircraft, and we had been without our aircraft for quite a while due to an extended 100 hour, so our squadron commander arranged to allow us to borrow the other squadron's "other" airplane - a C-182.
I had been wanting to fly it since it arrived, but I just couldn't work out the scheduling.
Yesterday, the stars finally aligned.
I was out at the airport because the Collings Foundation bombers were due to arrive at the local airport. The bombers - a B17 and a B24 - are going to be here for the weekend. As part of the event, our CAP squadron set up our aircraft on static display and also set up a tent with some promotional materials so we could do some recruiting.
Luck - as defined by an old boss: When opportunity meets preparedness - was on my side. I had dressed in my CAP uniform, there happened to be a CAP instructor pilot at the airport, who also was in uniform and the aircraft was available. Unfortunately, it was already tied down in place for the static display. So, somewhat uncharacteristically, I asked if it would be too much trouble to move the aircraft off of the tie down and go fly for a bit. Fortunately, two other members had similar desires, so, the aircraft was moved back to the taxiway, and off we went, me in the lead. Sometimes, even luck needs a nudge. Or maybe as someone else once said - you make your own luck.
Anyway, flying the 182 - with its constant speed propeller, 200 HP engine, cowl flaps and heavier weight, was not nearly as difficult as I had imagined. Maybe the fact that I have flown quite a bit the last few weeks helped. Maybe the time I spent flying the Microsoft Flight Simulator complex aircraft lessons helped. Maybe the instructor was really good.
Whatever the reason, I had an absolute blast!
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Posted by David at January 20, 2007 05:55 PM