Transition Training – Feedback from some happy fliers

Taking the opportunity to learn more about your aircraft or improve your flying skill. Check out this story.

 

Lancair Super Legacy Training in Tasmania

Have just spent three days exploring the capabilities of the Lancair Super Legacy RG with Gary Weeks and two mates in Devonport.

VH-LNZ is a twin turbo charged Reno Racer version of the Legacy, owned by Terry Travers who imported it from California. We recently joined LOBO Oz and met Gary and his immaculate Legacy at the Mudgee fly-in.

I had only just started flying the Legacy and gained a huge amount of knowledge from the presentations at the fly-in and invaluable advice from Gary Weeks, Gary Burns and many of the other members. They were also extremely supportive and generous with their time in assisting us to prepare for our trip to Warbirds over Wanaka in LNZ.

During all of this communication, we started talking with Gary about the possibility of doing some “transition training” in the Legacy. I had not done any real training other than flying with Terry who had done some training in California before the plane was shipped here.

I had been flying the Legacy very conservatively and well within its limits and my own personal minima’s. So after several weeks of strong westerlies and rain in Tassie, the weather cleared for three beautiful days of clear calm weather for putting the Legacy through its paces.

It is an awesome machine, and Gary opened our eyes to what it is capable of, how it behaves in different scenarios and how to make sure that we stay safe. We are not intending to go anywhere near the limits, but it is important to know where they are, how to recognise them, and what happens if you approach them.

We went through slow speed handling characteristics, stall recognition and recovery, steep turns, glide approaches, emergency gear extensions, engine management, instrument approach configuration, flapless landings, cross wind considerations, go-arounds and so many other helpful tips and advice on all sorts of topics, including Legacy specific maintenance issues, ditching and off-field landings, weight and balance, weather and icing, unusual attitude recovery and performance limitations. All absolutely invaluable knowledge that could one day save your life.

So if you haven’t already done it and you want to extend your knowledge of any Lancair you fly, get in touch with Gary or one of the other committee members and organise some training, or just get actively involved in the group, attend the fly-ins and benefit from the vast amount of experience and knowledge that exists within LOBO.

As a bonus, you will meet some fantastic people that enjoy sharing a common passion.

Thanks Gary for a thoroughly enjoyable and extremely valuable few days sharing your knowledge with us. We are very fortunate to have someone with your passion and expertise in the Lancair community.

Leigh Bryan.