hi there

THE IDEA:
i shopped for a 4P as the prices dropped into a range that i could handle. i liked the speed, i liked the range; i liked the fuel economy and i loved the idea of the ability to travel far.

when my lady looked at a 4P she turned to me and said: "you expect me to ride in that HOTROD?!!"

later on she ventured to ask what was the safety record. Answer "TERRIBLE"

ELEVEN MONTHS LATER:

i have put 120 hours on the plane in the first eleven months of flying

it is now a good friend, a good airplane and a delight to fly;
i get excited just thinking about flying it.

AND I AM SAFE IN THE AIRPLANE

and, my lady enjoys the plane; she is busting to take over the navigation and the transponder

YET
as i turn onto the runway for takeoff, i say "peter, keep it straight, adjust for the torque, and get it flying"
YET
in the pattern, i talk to myself about coordinated flight. "do not slip it" "Do not get below 120kts til slowing down on final to the runway
YET
the slowest i have been on short final is 95kts

NEXT STEP
i still need to learn the use of the AOA which should aid in speed and aircraft control.

IT IS A LEARNING PROCESS, IT IS A LOT OF AIRPLANE; IT IS A LOT OF FUN

we had a trip back from eastern Massachusetts to TEB where the convective activity was severe. so severe that the tower told me that even the jets were going "tower enroute" for weather avoidance. on a nominal 170NM trip they were vectoring us and allowing us to be  as much as 30nm off course. between their weather and the on board weather, it became an doable trip. 

VERY EXCITING TO USE ALL THE SYSTEMS AND THE SYSTEM ITSELF TO ACCOMPLISH A FLIGHT IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS

sometimes, (not to offend anyone with the analogy) i equate the 4P to the care you have to give to a Loaded gun.
          it is not remotely dangerous if handled properly

and, in six trips TEB - KEYW i have had twelve legs with headwinds. a new record, but never had a ground speed below 200kts

AH, SUCH IS A LIFE IN A  LNC4
   i smile as i write this

peter