Post 172 Is Actually About 162

This is the Cessna 162 Skycatcher. Yes, I want one. A blue one or red one...maybe not purple.


I'm not one to do commercial posts, and this isn't solicited by Cessna. This is just about pure love for Cessna's new LSA - The Skycatcher.


The Skycatcher is simple and state of the art. It as a 100 horsepower Continental O-200 engine, that burns just over 4 gallons per hour at 77% power/112 KIAS at 6,000 feet. Max speed is 118KIAS at sea level. It has electric trim and MANUAL slottted flaps. YES! Manual flaps on a new Cessna.

Takeoff roll at sea level 770'/1250' over 50' obstacle. Landing distance is 420'/1040' over 50' obstacle.

It holds 24 gallons useable, climbs at 850 FPM at sea level and has a service ceiling of 15,500 feet.

The flight controls consist of a sticks with trim & radio controls and rudder/brake pedals on both sides. The nosewheel is free castering, so steering is done via differential braking. 172/182 pilots are already used to that technique anyway.

A single Garmin G300 display will provide primary flight and engine information in a split screen format. A Garmin SL40 Com radio, Garmin GTX327 Mode C transponder,
and a 121.5 Mhz ELT will be standard equipment. This photo shows an MFD as well. I imagine it will be optional for GPS nav/wx/terrain and other goodies. Gotta love the cup holder on the passenger side, too.

Strange angle for a photo, huh? That's possible because the doors open vertically. It looks a little more comfortable than a 152, don't ya think?

Cessna is accepting orders already for delivery in early 2009. I think this plane is going to bring some affordability back to flight training. Kudos to Cessna. This is a lot of airplane for a pretty low price, especially considering that it comes from Cessna.

WSUS33 KKCI 251855SIGWCONVECTIVE SIGMET 38WVALID UNTIL 2055ZAZ NVFROM 70N PGS-40SSW INW-50WSW PHX-40ESE LAS-70N PGSAREA TS MOV LTL. TOPS TO FL420.OUTLOOK VALID 252055-260055FROM 30NNE HVR-50NNW GGW-40WSW ELP-50S TUS-30SSE BZA-CZQ-40WREO-50SSE HLN-30NNE HVRWST ISSUANCES EXPD. REFER TO MOST RECENT ACUS01 KWNS FROM STORMPREDICTION CENTER FOR SYNOPSIS AND METEOROLOGICAL DETAILS.

---

I'm in Wickenburg today. Thankfully, on the ground smack dab in the middle of an area of huge thunderstorms with tops to 50,000feet. It has rained over 2 inches in the last hour and shows no sign of letting up. Every time I check the radar, it keeps getting bigger.

Being in desperate need of some flight time, I almost flew up here thisweek. At the last minute, I decided to drive. I beat Murphy this time.

It's good to know that my time working in Wickenburg is nearing a close.I'm really sick of it here and am ready for new scenery. 32 more daysuntil the scenery changes. Tick-tock.

AWAC Paddywhack, Give The Girl A Job

Congratulations to my friend Dana. She was just hired by Air Wisconsin, one of the premium regional air carriers. Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation (AWAC) is the largest independently owned regional air carrier, with a fleet of 70 Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft feeding the US Airways system.

Good Job, Dana!

---

I went to the doctor today and was finally found to be clear of kidney stones. Yes! The test results finally came in and said that the stones were the calcium type. Other tests revealed that I must:

1. Stop drinking soda. Ouch.
2. Cut back on sodium.
   

I don't use a lot of added salt, so hopefully quitting soda will take care of the sodium issue. The doctor says to avoid stones, I should drink a gallon of water, with lemon, per day. OK. I'll do anything to avoid stones again.

The good news is that the coast is clear. Medical is good.

---

It's the half way point from being hired to the commencement of training. Five more weeks and it's back to the hectic pace of intense training. This time though, my career depends on success. No pressure.

Before I know it, I'll be flying in and out of some of the busiest airports in the world. The other day, I logged in to LiveATC.net and listened to approach and departure control as well as tower at JFK, my future home base. It's a pretty cool site that has live ATC for most of the busy Class B airports in the US. Give it a try.

As always, fly safe.

0 to 380 in Seven Minutes

Whatever your opinion of the Airbus 380, this is a pretty amazing video.