Justin’s Pilot Reports (PIREP)

A few months ago I learned that Wright Flyers, a flight school at San Antonio International Airport, had just acquired a 2006 Cessna Skyhawk equipped with the “NAV III” package. Translation? A Skyhawk with a Garmin G1000 glass cockpit. Instead of several round, traditional flight instruments this new Skyhawk boasts two large LCD displays that replace them.

Shortly after taking delivery of the airplane, I started the process for getting “checked out” in this airplane so I could earn the privilege of renting it. This process started with the purchase and completion of the King Schools “Cleared for the Garmin G1000” course which is a much needed requirement to complete the aircraft checkout. I found the course to be incredibly informative and detailed. At the conclusion of each lesson the software provides an opportunity to use a built-in simulator to interact with the G1000 to complete tasks covered by the lesson. This went far in building familiarity with the G1000 interface.

The course includes additional lessons for pilots that seek proficiency in IFR operations. I completed the additional lessons since I fly IFR often and wanted a complete aircraft checkout. I found that if you’re familiar with a Garmin 4oo or 500 series GPS, you’ll feel quite at home with the G1000 implementation of instrument approaches.

After completing the course, I hooked up with Len Houston - a retired Air Force Colonel and instructor at Wright Flyers. Len is a former F-4 Phantom pilot which was right up my alley. The Phantom has always been one of my favorite fighter jets.

What followed was some ground school time with Len which was really a review and demonstration of what I’d learned after completing the King course. We also spent some time working with a Garmin G1000 simulator. I later ordered the simulator from Garmin and will use it to stay proficient with the instrumentation.

I then completed about 4 hours of flight time with Len in the airplane. We started with basic flight maneuvers in the airplane including stalls, slow flight, etc. and did several landings. I found that I was quite comfortable with the G1000 and kept remembering in the back of my mind that this is still “a Skyhawk…flies the same…performs the same…you KNOW this airplane Justin…”

Subsequent flights involved conducting instrument approaches including the GPS Rwy 15 approach at Castroville, the VOR 32 approach at Stinson and the ILS 12R approach at San Antonio International. While conducting the GPS 15 approach at Castroville, we heard the Garmin G1000 tell us “Traffic…Traffic” as it kept track of a hornet’s nest of airplanes participating in a fly-in there.

It wasn’t long before Len had noted in my logbook that my aircraft checkout was complete.

Here are a few observations about my experience that I’d like to share:

The ILS approach takes a little getting used to. The glideslope (which appears next to the altimeter) is visually separated from the localizer (which is part of the HSI). This felt like the ILS approach involved additional “scanning” compared to a traditional ILS implementation. In retrospect, I don’t really think that’s the case…but it’s a feeling that will probably go away with more experience.

Everything about the G1000 feels more precise. You’re shown numeric values of airspeed, altitude, and heading versus the analog “dial” presentation you’re used to. Not a bad thing at all…just takes some getting used to.

The large primary flight display in amazing and is a big help when flying IMC. I think it aids situational awareness and helps the pilot maintain better aircraft attitude control when robbed of all your outside visual references.

There are a few new and very important items on the aircraft checklist. Be sure to follow the checklist carefully. But you’re already doing that for every flight….RIGHT?

The depiction of traffic on the Multi-Function Display goes a long way in helping the pilot with collision avoidance. You’re getting a view of other aircraft very similar to ATC and the use of this information increases safety for every flight.

I’m sure I will have more to share as I fly the G1000 and continue to learn more about what it has to offer. If you have the opportunity to get checked out in a glass cockpit equipped aircraft I highly recommend it. The future is here. The future is now!

If you’re in San Antonio, contact Wright Flyers so you can schedule your own checkout in Skyhawk N23758!