It's been 5 years since my last formal type school (16 days of Phenom training) and I find myself at FlightSafety Orlando in the CJ2. Great first day. The maturity of the systems in later model Citations is evident and it's clear why buyers continue to choose modern jets like the CJ2 for the longer range mission when the money allows. It's a badass plane.

In my case, FSI was a bit of last minute decision born from insurance agent's suggestion that the owner delay the purchase of the plane until his pilot gained more experience. I don't think it will take him long at all as he has a pro attitude and close to 2,000 hours.

My random thoughts on day 1:

I'm a bit torn being both grateful for the quality of the experience and knowledge provided here and the realization that most, including myself at times, avoid the 2-3 week courses in favor or a 2-3 day training scheme. There is a difference but we need to do things like stay married and make a living. But do we really think we can master any complicated flying machine with a 2-3 days in-aircraft training course? As Mark H said to me, quoting his famous friend; "who has 2 weeks?!." Yet, in my opinion, a good old twin Cessna (or Beech, etc.) is no less complicated, way more worn out, and has none of the performance reserve and innate reliability that comes with a new jet.

Today's owner pilots don't step through 5 planes and thousands of hours on the way to turbine bliss. Is there really a shortcut for the hard lessons and experience of the old way? Someone needs to compile the "lessons learned" book! They are not teaching judgment in school. That would add another week or three . . .

Fabulous post Bruce!!!!

Bruce,

You are right on target. My 421 is harder to fly and has way less performance margin than a CJ2 -yet 421 training is far less in depth. The CJ2 may have more sophisticated systems, but piston twins are not lacking in complexity.

I spend way more hours maintaining my 421 than I do maintaining my piloting skills - even though I am a bigger risk to the operation than is the mechanical condition of my plane.

How many hours do we spend planning the new panel, or new interior, or new paint scheme, or which shop to use for engine overhauls? How many hours do we spend training?

I plead guilty.


Best,

Dan

Dan - of course the irony is guys like you and Michael are the ones who study the most and are likely ahead of many "pros." After reading your Twin Cessna flyer article, I checked my gear down Vs. gear up SE ROC - had little idea what it would be otherwise, quite frankly. Thank you for that.

We continued systems work today. Our instructor mentioned a young lady from Sweden with 400 hr who made it through the type in fine style so a little commitment goes a long way if you are upgrading!

Bruce

Oh my heart be still. Pictures or it didn't happen!

Most of the small business jets such as the CJ are as basic as you get when it comes to jet flying. The systems are redundant and for the most part reliable. Flying a CJ compared to a 421 is much harder and time consuming.

Oh my heart be still. Pictures or it didn't happen!

Well...sort of...except without the sordid scandal:

http://christinenegroni.blogspot.com/20 ... ender.html

Well...sort of...except without the sordid scandal:

http://christinenegroni.blogspot.com/20 ... ender.html

Well...sort of...except without the sordid scandal:

http://christinenegroni.blogspot.com/20 ... ender.html

Haha...ya...don't let the pretty face and the big er...jet fool you.

Some shameful $hit to be sure.

Bruce: I've done the initial schools and the short courses; each has pros and cons. In my case, I have over 3,500 hours and initially was trained by the military. So, I had a great start, however, I only fly about 150 hours a year and have to balance that. There is no doubt, wisdom will be developed over time, but there are several manners in which one can get that time. One can also plan and fly more conservatively while you get more comfortable in that plane. In my case, I'm flying a C90 in the flight levels already. The Citation is a bit faster and goes a bit higher, but for the most part, I'm flying the same DPs and arrivals. Getting the muscle memory in the plane is different and knowing the systems. In my case, I decided to fly with copilot for the first year. After that, I'll decide whether to get single pilot rated. In your plane, you can still fly with a mentor or co-pilot for awhile to get the in-plane, hands on experience. Flying with folks that do it for a living can impart great perspective.
I'm a life-long learner. Most of the folks I respect are. There's always some manner in which one can improve, but the most important part is to fly safely. Even the most experienced folks I know constantly work to do improve and stay safe and predictable.

Best wishes and tailwinds always in your new plane.

Sigh: those of us of average looks and no trust fund auger on and somehow succeed.

Dave - I agree with you. I do regret a bit not going for the military training (not that I would have won that lottery) as that's the best training in the world.

But, I guess I didn't make it clear: I'm just along for the ride on this one. It's sadly not my plane; I'm the mentor guy and the long term pilot is a lower time, but mature, professional.

At the end of the day, I'm trying to make sense out of spending two + weeks I don't really have. I was pretty comfortable flying a Citation years ago. A good school/instructor has reminded me that you just don't know what you don't know!

When it comes to the legacy and niche planes, the insurance companies can't mandate a level of training that just isn't offered. Fortunately there are great resources who offer in-airplane training and wisdom but you have to seek them out. In that market and in my experience, however, there is a natural tendency to make it as quick, cheap, and easy as possible. Popular but probably not the best practice in my opinion.

Bruce,
Probably don't need 2 weeks if it is an older CJ2 with Garmin 430s.....but if it is a CJ2+ with proline Collins, and you hadn't flow the proline 21. Two weeks is well spent.

( flew out of Naples when it was a sleepy Unicom airport 1974... Different now!)