I just looked up your aircraft type, a Cirrus SR22? I still have to learn about all those types and their features. Do you have a partachute system?
I just had my 4th lesson and have flown a Pipistrel and an Aquila for now! 😅
N345TS "The Countess" at your service!
From: mazin at 08/02 18:31
> nostr:npub19mun7qwdyjf7qs3456u8kyxncjn5u2n7klpu4utgy68k4aenzj6synjnft is a pilot as well!
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Discussion
All cirrus come standard with what they call CAPS (BRS for the airframe).
Cool you got to fly a Pipistrel! What was that like? Range is still the main problem with those, right?
Most flight schools in the US still use 70s C172s. A few of the fancier ones have newer 172s, DA40s, or SR20s.
Yes, the Pipistrel Velis has a flight time of only 50min but largely depends on your cruise power. It has 2 batteries and you have to land with 30% state of charge. That way you can still do a go-around and complete another circuit.
So the Velis is only suitable for very short trips or local flights. Therefore, they are mainly used in flight schools. You can perfectly learn traffic patterns with it.
I really enjoy flying with the Velis. It is super quiet (compared to a internal-combustion engine) and it has noticable fewer vibrations.
I’d love to fly one! I’m not sure if there are any near me though…
They are a joy to fly. 160kts at 65% power. 4.5-5 hour range. I can fly ~1000 miles without refueling.
From: mazin at 08/03 10:33
> I’d love to fly one! I’m not sure if there are any near me though…
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I think Pipistrel has expanded their distribution network to all continents now. Although I suspect that most aircrafts can be found in Europe. Where do you live?
Yes to the parachute. It's a nice security blanket; but given a nice plowed field I'd probably opt to keep control as long as possible and put her down in a traditional forced landing. The airplane has airbags in the seat restraint system so even a rough landing would likely be pretty "safe".
From: Peter1<-mazin at 08/03 02:07
> I just looked up your aircraft type, a Cirrus SR22? I still have to learn about all those types and their features. Do you have a partachute system?
> I just had my 4th lesson and have flown a Pipistrel and an Aquila for now! 😅
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Thanks for your clarification. It still seems unpossible for me to bring an aircraft safely down with a parachute. 🤯 On the other hand those modern aircraft are so light. The Pipistrel Velis, I am flying, has an empty weight of only 428kg. So cool.
The CAPS system has been remarkably successful. There is no incidence of a fatality when the CAPS system has been used within its specified operating envelope.
There are many remarkable cases where it saved lives. In once case there was a mid-air collision between an SR22 and a cargo hauler at a Denver airport. Everyone lived. The Cirrus pilot pulled his chute, and the two occupants walked away. The cargo hauler landed only to find that the roof of his cargo area had been torn away.
There's another case where a ferry pilot was hauling an SR22 from LA to Hawaii. He was carrying a large fuel bladder but was unable to transfer the fuel from the bladder to the wing tanks while over the mid Pacific. He flew over to a cruise ship, pulled the chute, and they rescued him with a dingy.
From: Peter1<-mazin at 08/03 09:22
> Thanks for your clarification. It still seems unpossible for me to bring an aircraft safely down with a parachute. 🤯 On the other hand those modern aircraft are so light. The Pipistrel Velis, I am flying, has an empty weight of only 428kg. So cool.
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This is really incredible, especially the rescue on sea. Thanks for sharing!