ismael chang ghalimi

Garmin GPSMAP 696

The new Garmin GPSMAP 696 looks like the perfect EFB…

When is Christmas again?

First Helicopter Flight

Today, I received my first helicopter flying lesson. Gene and I drove to Watsonville Municipal Airport (KWVI) and flew a Robinson R44 (727KP) down the coast to Monterey, Pebble Beach, and Carmel. Once back at the airport, we practiced some hovering. Rotary wing flying is quite a bit more challenging than fixed wing flying, but it’s totally exhilarating. Flying at 500 feet along the coastline, we spotted a whale and could easily maneuver over it to get a better view. I think I’m really hooked, and the only thing I can think about now is the next lesson, which will cover autorotation. Many thanks to Gene for this amazing experience.

IFR Currency

Today, I renewed my IFR currency with Eliot. Back in the clouds!

Trip Around the World

Before we turn 40, May and I intend to take one year off and travel around the world, on a Pilatus PC-12 NG. This trip would take us to well over 100 destinations, flying along the coast of most continents. Here is the map of our itinerary as it is currently planned. Make sure to click on the ‘Next’ link at the bottom of the left column in order to get the trip’s last waypoints. You can also view the trip using Google Earth. If you’ve been to some of these places, please let us know the sites we should not miss there.

First Pilatus PC-12 NG Flight

Yesterday night, I got to fly on the brand new Pilatus PC-12 NG. I flew my first hour on PC-12 a year ago, but it was on a PC-12/47, equipped with more traditional instruments. The PC-12 Next Generation is fitted with Honeywell Primus Apex, a simplified version of the instrument panels found on the Boeing 777 and the Falcon 7X. Eliot and I flew N935NG from San Carlos (KSQL), and did three touch-and-go’s in Half Moon Bay (KHAF). I flew on the left seat, for a total of 45 minutes, which unfortunately could not be logged, for the chief pilot who was on the right seat was not a CFI. But quite frankly, I did not really care, for getting to fly this amazing aircraft was enough to make me plenty happy. I’m loving it…

Christmas Presents

Christmas is fast approaching, and it’s time to make lists for Santa Claus. At the very top of mine would be the Draganflyer X6 UAV helicopter and the Kobalt 53” Stainless Steel Tool Chest. At $15,000 and $1,600 respectively, someone might have to bail Stanta out though…

Aerion

Will the current crisis kill the Aerion project? I sure hope not.

Rolls Royce RR500

Rolls Royce recently announced the release of a new turboprop engine, the RR500. This 350 to 450 shp class turbine is designed for single and twin-engine fixed wing aircraft. I can’t wait to see it on a Cirrus…

Air Traffic Simulation

Many thanks to Jacques-Alexandre for the link to this post.

High Altitude Training

I completed my high altitude training today. Eliot and I flew N423SR to Beale Air Force Base to attend the Aerospace Physiology Training organized by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI). On my way there and back, I had the privilege of carrying a former captain who flew on Boeing 747 for Cathay Pacific. The training program was absolutely fascinating, to the point where I almost passed out in the decompression chamber (sorry, no pictures…). Definitely an eye opener regarding the risks inherent to high altitude flying. We also got to see four U2 planes, including one doing some pattern work at incredibly slow speed, and a couple of Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), which definitely are much bigger in real life than they look on pictures. Overall, a fantastic trip, which added 2.2 hours of SR22 experience onto my logbook and completed my transition to Cirrus SR22 GTS Turbo transition, for both G2 and G3 models. Awesome!

Cirrus Perspective

The ish+may family is back home in Palo Alto, CA, right on time to learn more about the new Perspective avionics developed by Garmin for Cirrus. It’s now an option for the SR22 and SR22 Turbo, replacing the good old Avidyne Entegra. Cirrus Perspective is based on the Garmin G1000, integrates Synthetic Vision Technology, Dual AHRS, Yaw Damper, and a convenient Target Fuel Flow indicator that should dramatically simplify operations when flying the Turbo model. Prior to this upgrade, I preferred the Columbia 400 (now Cessna 400) to the Cirrus SR22 because of its superior avionics. The only advantage the Cirrus had over the Columbia was a redundant GPS (Garmin GNS 430). Now that the Cirrus SR22 comes with Garmin G1000 and Dual AHRS, I cannot think of any reason to look for something else. Aircraft ownership envy…

First Flight in Canada

Today, Teddy and I rented a Cessna 172P (CGGSN) with Victoria Flying Club and flew over to nearby Vancouver, BC. We left Victoria International Airport at around 7:30 PM, and this wonderful 1.3 hours flight took us over Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver Harbour, and Gabriola Island. Our instructor Tristan had been flying for less than a year, and had about the same amount of flying hours as I did, without any instrument rating. Quite refreshing! Now, I really need to get my seaplane rating…

Turbo Transition

Last week, I started my turbo transition on Cirrus SR22 GTS Turbo, alongside training for my high altitude endorsement. I now have 3.9 hours on type, including a flight to FL 250 (25,000 feet). I expect to be done with the whole program in a couple of weeks, following completion of the Aerospace Physiology Training, a 1-day training course organized by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) at Beale Air Force Base and other participating military facilities. More on this very soon…

First Independent Mission

Today, I flew to Apple Valley Airport (KAPV) with my friend John to pick up a puppy that should make the delight of his three kids. This was my very first mission conducted for an independent third party. Of course, not running a Part 135 operation, all I could do was to share the cost of the flight fifty-fifty with John. Nevertheless, it was pretty cool to finally put all this training to good use. Another nice thing about this flight was the fact that it allowed me to log my 250th hours, a requirement for the commercial pilot license that I expect to get later this year. I logged a total of 4.7 hours of cross country flying on N53224. I’m loving it…

First Open Water Flight

Today, I rented a Cessna 172 Skyhawk NAV III (N1468E) operated by the excellent Flight School Hawaii for my first flight over open water as pilot in command. I flew with instructor Paul Mikolajewski from Honolulu International Airport (PHNL), which is located on the island of Oʻahu, to Kalaupapa Airport (PHLU), which is located on the island of Molokaʻi. Even though we got a fair amount of turbulence due to a 30 knots wind, the flight was absolutely fantastic. It was my first departure from a Class B (Bravo) airport, and the flight took us alongside the highest sea cliffs in the world, located on the north shore of the island, which was used to shoot Jurassic Park III. Here is a shot of the island, courtesy of Hawaii Pictures:

Once we reached the Eastern tip of the island, we turned around and landed at Kalaupapa Airport. We immediately took off thereafter, not because Kalaupapa remains in activity as a leper colony, but simply because we were running out of time (a student pilot needed the plane for his first flight). We logged 1.9 hours of cross-country flying. For my next trip to Hawaiʻi, I am planning a flight to Kauaʻi.

Many thanks to my dear friend Arnold for his invitation to the islands!

First Trip to Lanai

Today, my good friend Arnold took me for a superb flight to Lanaʻi. We rented a Cessna 172 SP operated by Flight School Hawaii, and flew from Honolulu International Airport (PHNL) to Lanai Airport (PHNY). Once there, we got lunch at Four Seasons Resort Lana’i, The Lodge at Koele, of which I am adding a picture courtesy of Four Seasons:

The island is beautiful, and was chosen by Bill & Melinda Gates for their wedding on January 1, 1994. They actually got married at a sister Four Seasons property, the Four Seasons Resort Lana’i at Manele Bay, but the Lodge at Koele would have made for an even more intimate setting. Anyway, my friend Arnold performed nice landings at the end of both flights, and there could not have been a better way to start a vacation on the islands. Many thanks for the invitation!

Biennial Flight Review, Part 2

Today, I completed my biennial flight review. Good to have wings again!

Biennial Flight Review, Part 1

Today, I flew with Eliot on N53224 for the first part of my Biennial Flight Review. We practiced some stalls over the hills, then simulated emergency landings at San Jose International Airport (KSJC). After more than two months without flying the SR22, I was really happy to be back in the air, and this lesson was a great refresher for some of the emergencies that were taught during my VFR training, but not practiced much since then. We logged 1.4 hours, and agreed that we would meet again next week or the week after for completing the review.

VLJ Blues

The VLJ industry is currently going through its first major shake-up. ATG recently announced that it halted development of the Javelin, Adam Aircraft suspended operations last months, and Eclipse Aviation is rumored to be seeking additional funding, most likely to come from ETIRC, while many early buyers are selling their positions for the Eclipse 500. Building a new aircraft is extremely expensive, and most start-ups fail eventually. At this point, Cessna’s Mustang and Embraer’s Phenom 100 look like the safest bets, while Epic’s Elite became a very serious challenger since Aircraft Investor Resources LLC (Epic’s parent company) received significant funding from Indian billionaire Dr. Vijay Mallya. In the single engine category, the Cirrus Jet looks more and more attractive, even though a used Pilatus PC-12 or TBM-700 might be a better option overall.

First Turbine Experience

Today, I realized one of my dearest goals: flying a turbine-powered aircraft. While at work, I received a call from John, who flies Roger’s Pilatus PC-12, N451DM. He was about to leave San Carlos (KSQL) for Reno/Tahoe International Airport (KRNO), then fly back to San Carlos in the evening, and was wondering if I wanted to join as co-pilot on the outbound leg, then pilot in command on the inbound leg. It was an offer that I could not refuse, and I quickly wrapped my work up, then drove to the airport as fast as traffic and traffic regulation would let me to. John took me through a very thorough pre-flight inspection, describing the aircraft’s systems in details, and letting me appreciate the extreme quality of fabrication this Swiss firm is capable of. The Pilatus PC-12 is a general aviation aircraft, but it’s built like an airliner, or better yet, like a fighter plane. On the outbound leg, I got to familiarize myself with the instruments, and appreciate the aircraft’s awesome performance. And when time came for me to move to the left seat, I felt already at home. While the plane does not have the next-generation cockpit designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, it features a set of instruments I am pretty familiar with, namely the Garmin GNS 430/530 and the Avidyne Entegra. Flying back from Reno to San Carlos, John handled radio communications, and I took care of the rest, including starting the engine, taxiing, taking off, flying the airplane using the flight director, doing some simple maneuvers at various speeds, extending and retracting the flaps and gears, and finally landing back in San Carlos. Once everything was said and done, I had logged my very first hour of turbine time, including 0.8 hours of night flying. Absolutely, positively amazing… Many thanks to Roger and John for letting me fly the airplane. I stand ready to serve as co-pilot at any time. You have my number…