Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Columbia (later Cessna) Model: LC41 Nickname: Columbia 400
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Single Engine Land
> Engine Description: single piston

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 6/25/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 19
> Number of Times Flown: 11
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: LC42, Columbia 350, Cessna 350 & 400

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 156
> Date First Flown: 6/21/2006
> Location First Flown: Salem, OR airport (KSLE)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Paul Damschen & Stacy Miller, Garmin flight test

Recollections: This aircraft started out life as a homebuilt (by Lancair), was later certified by “Columbia Aircraft” (with what I believe were fairly substantial changes to the wing and flight controls) and later the design was purchased by Cessna/Textron.  

I first flew an LC42 as part of my job as an FAA Test Pilot (the project was an autopilot certification of the new-ish Garmin GFC-700 Autopilot, installed in the Columbia 350; my first flight involved insertion of pitch malfunctions caused by the Attitude Heading Reference System and Flight Director), was FAST!  It didn’t fly all that great (side-stick with manual controls; heavy forces and disharmony, made more challenging by relatively high approach speeds for landing) but the speed for cross-country flights made it a winner.  Combined with the excellent Garmin G1000 system and GFC autopilot, this airplane was the perfect single-engine A-to-B airplane.

I flew 7 flights for the autopilot certification and later was checked out in a 400 at a local FBO (Galvin Training at Boeing Field).  Never flew it after the sale to Cessna.

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Aeronca Model: 11AC Nickname: Chief
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Single Engine Land
> Engine Description: single piston

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 6/25/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 8
> Number of Times Flown: 9
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: Champ

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 38
> Date First Flown: 11/27/1987
> Location First Flown: Galt, CA (Wilton private airstrip)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: John Stoney, owner

Recollections: This was my brother’s airplane.  At the time of flying it, I was NOT a high-time tailwheel pilot (by this time, I’d flown the Beaver at USNTPS as an instructor, but never in this small of an airplane).  The logbook shows two dual flights with brother John and then solo.  I distinctly remember that most of my time was spent in the landing pattern and that the airplane, somewhat surprisingly, was a real glider…pulling the power off at the 180 was not enough…I had to extend a bit, slip, etc.  The other thing I remember is John’s stories later that he was really worried I’d screw it up.  Brotherly love at work!

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Piper Model: PA-28 Nickname: Cherokee
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Single Engine Land
> Engine Description: single piston

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/4/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 18
> Number of Times Flown: 11
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: Cherokee, Warrior, Arrow, Archer

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 10
> Date First Flown: 4/18/1982
> Location First Flown: NAS Moffett Field, CA (KNUQ)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Navy Moffett Flying Club

Recollections: The PA-28 “Cherokee” (or the later Warrior, Arrow, etc) competes with the Cessna 172 Skyhawk for the 4 seat, trainer or transportation airplane.   

When stationed at NAS Moffett Field, CA flying the P-3, I got checked out in the Cherokee and flew it a few times.  Later, while with the FAA in Wichita, I rented one from a local FBO and flew it a few times.  That same year I flew an experimental PA-28 configured for “Low L/D” (it had spoilers and speedbrakes to create significant drag) at NTPS.  Most recently, I flew with Stan “Sundance” Kaspryzk on his Formation Lead checkride for the Joint Liaison Formation Committee (JLFC).  11 flights in 32 years.  Lengthy experience, if inconsistent!  For those wondering–and without much justification–I’m a Cessna guy, I guess.  That may be a function more of availability than choice.

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Cirrus Aircraft Model: SR 20 & 22 Nickname: The plane with a parachute
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Single Engine Land
> Engine Description: single piston

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/5/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 31
> Number of Times Flown: 21
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: SR20 and 22 with various sub-models (eg: “G2”, “G3”)

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 135
> Date First Flown: 4/14/2003
> Location First Flown: New Century Air Center, Olathe, KS (KIXD)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Garmin flight test, Phil Straub

Recollections: My first flight in a Cirrus SR2X was on an FAA test flight to evaluate the new G1000 avionics system.  Later I flew it as a rental with several FBO’s (each requiring a special checkout from a Cirrus-authorized instructor…showing the somewhat challenging flying qualities of the cirrus), and as a student at NTPS.

The Cirrus is, for sure, an amazing cross-country airplane.  Coupled with the advanced avionics (either the Garmin or the Avidyne systems) it’s just an excellent way to get from A to B.  That said, I never really liked the way it handled.  It has a mechanical sidestick, which leaves room in the cockpit for your legs and gives you a wide-open view of the instruments, but there’s a disharmony between pitch and roll controls and it’s difficult to precisely control the airplane.  It’s totally safe, just not fun or easy to fly.  As is often the case in aviation, you can’t have it all.  Aircraft design is a tradeoff.  The Cirrus trade is in favor of performance and it truly achieves that goal.  It’s CAPS (Cirrus Airframe Parachute System) also has been revolutionary in the private airplane market, achieving a number of saves.  

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Mooney Aircraft Model: M20 Nickname: Mooney
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Airplane SE Piston
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Single Engine Land
> Engine Description: single piston

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 11/5/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 19
> Number of Times Flown: 11
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: M20, M20F, M20E, M20J

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 14
> Date First Flown: 4/23/1985
> Location First Flown: NAS Moffett Field, CA (KNUQ)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: Navy Moffett Flying Club

Recollections: The Mooney is a great cross country airplane and it handles really well.  The company has struggled, shut down a few times but returned.  The Mooney’s that I’ve flown have all been the older models, with manual flaps or manual gear or both.  These manual/mechanical systems require the pilot to apply a significant amount of force to the control to raise or lower the gear and flaps and this force application often results in the “Mooney bobble”, particularly after takeoff, as the pilot’s attention is drawn away from maintaining pitch attitude to trying to raise the gear/flaps.  

The airplane is small inside and, being 6’6″ tall, it was a pretty good squeeze for me.  But it was worth it, as the plane was fast and very fuel efficient.   It also is unique for it’s “all flying tail”, where the vertical and horizontal tail  pivot together  when trimming in pitch.

I got checked out at various FBO’s over the year, most recently in 2013 in Seattle but, unfortunately, the owner took it off of lease-back soon after my checkout.  This is an airplane I would consider owning for transportation purposes.