Continuing to plan and prepare for my King Air BE200 initial rating in Champaign Illinois. This is the experience I had scheduled to replace the Florida Keys motorcycle adventure i had planned with my sons. Looking at the significant storm coming in tonight, it’s clear the motorcycle trip would most likely have been either canceled anyway.
Several weeks ago I decided not to fly myself out there in my Twin Comanche. The weather pattern has been consistently cold enough to require pre-heat, and wet enough to continue to be an ice and/or snow danger. Again, with the incoming storm, at least I get to say I made the right call on that one. Not sure exactly how much better off I am, however, since now I think my commercial flight may also be at risk.
In any event, all the arrangements are made and I’m all set to go. I’ve been doing a light to moderate amount of bookwork, as well as the light to moderate amount of simulation at home. My work is keeping me traveling and far too busy to focus on this, but I’ll be ready by the time the class starts.
So far, I have received two calls from the instructors I will be working with at the RTC facility. They’ve asked me about my experience and are planning on the timing of modules that I will be exposed to. The fact that I have absolutely zero time in turbine aircraft means that is important for me to get the aircraft systems training early on.
The King Air is a bucket list item for me. I intend to find an opportunity to fly this aircraft for someone at some point, and since no one yet has seen the wisdom of investing in my turbine training on my behalf, I’m taking the matter into my own hands to make it happen. If nothing else, I will bring professional training experience home with me so that I can operate my own simulator in a more accurate and professional manner.
From practical point of view, this training will provide some proficiency experience in the middle of it difficult winter that has me grounded quite a bit. I have packed quite a bit of training into a three-day period; planning on the King Air initial first, followed by Twin Comanche specific training on the tail end.