Thursday, April 11, 2019

Transition Training

Transition Training with Mike Seager

Flew commercial to Portland, Oregon, then drove an hour northwest to Vernonia, Oregon.  Stayed at Carpenter Guest House B&B (carpentersguesthouse@gmail.com, 541 961 8601).   Met Mike Seager for my Transition Training (email rv6cfi@hotmail.com, 503 709 4075) at Vernonia Muni Airport (05S).  The week prior, Mike notified me Vans RV-14A would NOT be available (until June 3! ) due to scheduled updates, etc.  Discovered the RV-14 (taildragger) instead had been reserved back Feb 1.  I quickly received confirmation from Falcon Insurance that the underwriter Global was OK w/ using Vans RV-7A for my training.  Mike assured me the 7A flies nearly identical to RV-14A.   We flew Thurs & Fri, April 11-12 in morning and early afternoon.  Rains and low ceilings made flying over  mountains exciting enroute to Scappoose (KSPA) and back.  Lots of pattern work at KSPA.  I gradually got used to CS prop and high sink rates on approach (vs C172).  Abundance of power is understatement -- takeoffs were more like launches!  Mike's a great instructor ( 22,500 hrs mostly in RVs).   On Saturday, I had time prior to flight home to visit Evergreen Aviation Museum ( about 1.2 hrs south of Portland)...the Spruce Goose is amazing!
Mike Seager getting RV-7A ready.

Rare partial blue sky...it's damp in Spring in Oregon!

Spruce Goose.  Over 300' wingspan. 
You could stand up inside wings.  8 engines each 3000 hp.

One of many planes of all eras on display.