The "Do's" of Cirrus Flight Training in Los Angeles

Learning the "Right Way"...

There’s a right way and wrong way to do most things in life. Granted, it can be a little subjective at times, but I think most would agree to let the bread thaw out before you lather it up for your next PB and J, right? (Either that or I’ve been wasting so much time in my life, or need to stop eating like a 10 year old). But even that has it’s “do’s and don’ts”, and it’s certainly no different when learning how to fly, especially in Cirrus aircraft.

Check out some of these “Do’s”:

• Fly with a factory certified school
• Learn by way of syllabuses and standardized curriculum
• Learn only with the newest technology (Listen, the FAA is starting to federally mandate technology, sorry to all the other pilots who feel that Cirrus pilots “don’t know how to fly”, but guess what? We’ll see you in soon to teach how to use some of this newer “stuff” about to become required for flight, hate to say “I told you so”) 
• Fly with in safe aircraft, i.e., parachute!
• Fly what you want, even if it means saving up a little more prior to beginning (We've seen it time and time again, folks start in an older aircraft to “save money” but lone and behold, they’re not happy with the plane, and usually all sorts of other things, and come to us later to fly Cirrus. Problem is, you're back tracking a bit “re-learning” a few things and worse part is you could have been flying with the exemplary safety features all along! )

Frankly, we could write a book on the “Do’s and Don’ts”, who knows, maybe one day we will, but in the meantime, call us, schedule an appointment, ask us tons of questions (we love them, really), and fly what you want to fly, not what your friend who got a PPL ten years ago says or what some mailer from Captain Joe “airline pilot” with a plane for rent says.

We’re the experts on flight training, not those guys. We eat, breathe, and sleep flight training. It’s our business, so let us help!

Start out by checking out www.calaironline.com

Cirrus's over Los Angeles, a Safer Bet

Parachute, parachute, parachute!

I know we talk about it all the time, enough already, right? We'll we can't, we won't. As the leader in Cirrus flight training in Los Angeles, it's our duty in keeping all informed.

To this date, two-thirds of all fatal accidents in Cirrus’s aircraft could’ve had different outcomes had the pilot’s pulled the chute. A, what should be simple decision, which could’ve yielded much better products. Or maybe that’s it; maybe it’s not that simple…

Since March, 2013, there have been 32 CAPS events that have saved 65 lives. It’s pretty impressive if you think about it. And certainly to the fact it has a 100% success rate when deployed within specified parameters. The problem is that some Cirrus pilots just haven’t had the proper training. The CAPS pull is more than muscle memory, anyone can pull it (that’s kind of the point), but rather a properly trained Cirrus pilot should be considering CAPS scenarios even during their pre-flight. And to get to that point a pilot must be trained, the right way. It requires a change in the pilot’s thought and decision making process, it requires a different perspective, and for most, not a natural one.

 I don’t expect this blog post to count as "Cirrus currency", but as Cirrus Training Center owner, one thing that keeps me awake at night is wondering “if”. “If” my pilots would actually deploy the chute vs. make some obnoxious attempt at an off airport landing to be the “hero”, or if we’ve even drilled the point home enough; thus constantly hammering out “Parachute Propaganda”, with good intent obviously. So with that, we’re going to just throw out some bullet points to chew on, ready?

1.       Every second counts! The CAPS System is not a gimmick, trust it!
2.       Don’t be a “Hero”, Be safe!
3.       CAPS was tested at 133 KIAS but was designed to be used at speeds of 187 KIAS!
4.       CAPS deploys within 4-6 seconds
5.       The altitude loss in straight and level flight is 410’ (561’ in the G5), and 920’ in a one turn spin (1081’ in the G5)
6.       Altitudes above 500’ and below 2000’ need to be an immediate decision
7.       Above 2000’, trouble shoot, checklist, ect., to make deployment decision at 2000’, if at all possible
8.       Consider the CAPS anytime you have a doubt less than 110% of your outcome and safety, it’s that simple!

As Cirrus pilots, it’s our duty to access any abnormal or emergency situation differently, as we now have the authority to greatly change the outcome and face of general aviation. To fly today without a parachute is like driving a car without airbags, ridiculous. It’s here, it works, and it’s saving and changing lives. I hope you all are onboard!

For more info, visit www.calaironline.com

Exciting News from Cirrus!

As a clear leader in general aviation in design, technology, and safety, Cirrus is yet again taking strides to set themselves apart. This time, they're tackling flight training. Awesome! As innovative as the company is/has become, the flight training community should be excited. We certainly are!

In all honesty, it's long over due.

Our primary goal in starting a Cirrus training center in LA was to give flight training a face lift. Starting with the aircraft, though structured training and newer syllabi, and ending with the best customer service we could possibly provide. No more circa 1970's planes, videos, and 100lb flight bags. No more huddled around 20 yr old coffee pots having E6B calculation contest. Update your Ipad, update the plane, go fly! And be able to do it smarter, safer, and more efficiently because we can, damn it!!!

Clearly Cirrus has many more resources than us but as a training partner, we're excited we all share the same vision, let's change flight training for the better. With an updated training portal chalked full of excellent resources and, what sounds to be, pretty cool currency and Cirrus training incentives for pilots to soon roll out, we'll make sure as Los Angeles' Cirrus Training Center that we're keeping you all informed.

Stay tuned!

www.calaironline.com

Los Angeles' Debut Cirrus Center Moved

First of all, thank you Torrance airport for letting us get the flight school, pardon the pun, off the ground. It was a great place for us to get our "feet wet" while building and constructing our vision. (Of which, on a side note, we're nowhere near as we have a grand vision for the new face of flight training in Los Angeles.) But as the universe has lead us elsewhere, we have grabbed the "bull by the horns" and taken on the tedious task of relocating.

With that, hello Hawthorne! KHHR

Multiple reasons lead us to the move, but after close evaluation, we know it's been in Los Angeles' best interest for us to do so. 

The most important part of our move is that we're now as accessible as we can be from every area in LA. Having a location, literally, right off the 105 freeway, we're hop, skip, and...

Between the 105, 405, 110, La Cienega, Hawthorne Blvd, or whatever else you can imagine, there's no need to deal with any other airport for your rental and flight training needs.

Oh yeah, no departure curfews, no landing fees, no noise abatement (we obviously practice "quite flying procedures however), a wonderful FBO to operate out of (Jet Center LA), and a quickly growing airport (Tesla and Space X are on the field, naturally), are all but a few great reasons KHHR is LA's up and coming airport. Why not have a Cirrus center there as well?!

Check out www.calaironline.com for more details!

Happy Flying!   

Cirrus Training Center or Just Another Flight School

Any flight school can have a Cirrus on their line.

Did you get that?...Any

Just because you found a Cirrus for rent, or to train in for that matter, doesn't mean your getting the professional training that your hoping for. We've been on the scene long enough now to see that there's a clear difference from students and renters that come from other non Cirrus certified schools and have even heard about or know the condition of other Cirrus's at non certified facilities.

A perfect example of this is a pilot who recently came to fly with us after flying a Cirrus on another flight line who had no idea how or when he might even consider deploying the parachute. This is "Cirrus Flying 101" as far as we're concerned. One of the first topics of a factory designed transition course is that you'll quickly dive into is CAPS deployment, when and how, and safety. We've seen things even as silly as pilots not knowing there's things as simple as a shut down checklists. The list goes on and on.

It's absurd frankly.

Long story short, if you want to learn how to fly Cirrus aircraft the way their meant to fly and be guaranteed professionally maintained aircraft, look for a certified center. It's takes taking things to the next step to obtain and retain a factory certification from Cirrus. As anyone would expect from the leader of aircraft in general aviation.

For more information on flying Cirrus aircraft with a factory endorsed school, visit www.calaironline.com