One of the most commonly sited reasons for accidents in EAB aircraft according to the NTSB, is lack of training in type. Each aircraft has a unique personality of it’s own. That does not necessarily mean that a particular aircraft is difficult or easy to fly, it simply means it is different from other aircraft. The ability of a person to handle a new type of aircraft is not necessarily a reflection on their skill or ability. The amount of flight experience a person has is really not a significant factor in their ability to handle a new type of aircraft. The key is, how much experience they have in an aircraft that is very similar to the new type of aircraft. For example, I have trained professional pilots with thousands of hours in complex aircraft that had a very difficult time getting the hang of the Challenger. Yet a low time ultralight pilot or taildragger pilot may waltz right in and fly it like they had been flying it for years. The primary factor is that their experience is in similar aircraft. In this case, aircraft that are light weight, rudder dominant, and often a pusher configuration. I have given transition training to many pilots over the years. For some it was very quick and easy and probably was not even necessary. For others, they never would have survived without it! The problem is, you never know which one they will be until they have the controls. Please don’t take any chances. Get transition training. Even if you have to travel hundreds of miles to do it. I had a student pilot call me one time to inquire about training. He did not come. Instead, he found a CFI that would train him in his Challenger. The CFI had never flown a Challenger. The CFI got in the plane with the student, having never flown it, and took off. To make a long story short, they both survived, but with serious injuries and a totaled airplane. If you want to take training from a CFI locally, and he does not have at least several hours experience in your type of aircraft, insist that he get transition training. It may save both of your lives. Often, the situation is further complicated when the new type of aircraft has just been completed, or just purchased and the result is a pilot with little or no experience in type test flying an unproven aircraft. I probably don’t have to mention that this is a recipe for disaster.
We offer transition training in both a Challenger 2 CWS and a Quicksilver Sport 2SE aircraft. Whether you just need enough time to make sure you are safe to fly, or if you need a certain number of hours of dual instruction for insurance purposes, we can help you. If you need to obtain an endorsement for the fixed wing category of sport pilot, or if you need an endorsement for high speed or low speed for sport pilot we can do that. But please don’t skip the transition training!