Well, I'm far enough along in my build that I need to get back in the air. However, before I can do that I needed to get my 3rd class medical out of the way. Another pilot friend suggested a good AME (Aviation Medical Examiner) so I made the appointment for Tuesday 21st and went in. I met with Dr. Raniolo. He is a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner, Federal Air Surgeon's Cardiology Consultants and a nice guy. I passed without problem and am good for another 24 calendar months. YAY!
Since my SuperSTOL has a tail wheel and will have 300+ horse power, it means I will need a tail wheel endorsement and a high performance endorsement on top of just getting re-current. When I was at the 2018 Copper State fly-in, I found the elusive tail wheel instructor (Taylor) but just didn't get around to flying with him until now. Fortunately, he operates out of Deer Valley airport which is close by.
I finally scheduled an appointment with him Thursday 23rd. We met and formulated a plan to get me back in the air. The good news is I will get re-current and my tail wheel endorsement all at the same time. This is possible since he has a Super Decathlon (tail wheel aircraft - see pic) which I'll be flying. The tail wheel endorsement normally takes about 10hrs, but re-currency will take a bit longer so I'll end up with the TW endorsement as part of my re-currency training. Monday 27th I start flying...
Once all this training is complete (over the next couple of months) I should be nearing completion or at least beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel on the build. I'll then seek "type specific" training, which is training in an actual SuperSTOL aircraft. This will be done either in North Carolina with Harrison Smith or in Idaho with Steve Henry. As the time nears I'll make inquiries and a decision at that time. This training is specific to the SuperSTOL and will prepare me for flying my plane.
Once the build is complete, I'll schedule with an FAA DAR (Designated Airworthiness Representative) to do the final inspection and sign off that it is airworthy. Once it passes, I'll then have a Phase One flight regime I must fly before I can take passengers. Phase One requires 40 hours during which time I will be putting the plane through its paces and writing the operating manual for it. There is a very specific flight regime that I will follow which over that 40 hours determines the performance specs and safe operation limits of the aircraft.
