Craig,
What AHRS did you have in the plane?
From: Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Craig Berland
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007
7:07 AM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] fallability in the
digital age
I am in a motel room right now in Medford, OR.
Landed a few hours ago after retuning from a six day trip to Anchorage, Alaska
and back in a Cessna 182 RG with two Chelton displays. Obviously
certified. I am a relatively low time IFR pilot and not nearly as capable
as many of you. With that said, On this trip I flew approximately 15
hours IMC and shot 25 approaches all of which were IMC except two.
Several were to minimums. To get a feel for this trip, check out the
approach and miss into Valdez,
Alaska. It went to
minimum however we made it in. I can tell you point blank, the
Chelton improved the safety of that approach 1000%. I will also tell you
I would not have left the ground on any leg without an autopilot. All
legs were flown from total IMC to some IMC. The Chelton system is
amazing.
We did have some problems with the Chelton
after one of our stops in heavy rain. The PFD went tango uniform as Brent
says. We departed with one display and backups. The PFD was fine when
it was turned on in level flight. Doing so did eliminate the flight
plan. Did I say I wouldn't leave the ground without an autopilot?
We also had an attitude problem on the MFD. So in summary, backups are
mandatory, but the Chelton was a key reason my trip was both very enjoyable and
safe. Oh, most of the IMC was at zero to -2 degC. You can figure
the rest out. Actually it was not bad at all.