EAA Sport Aviation - April 2010

REMOS GX, is similar to the plane I trained in, the REMOS G- 3. However, the GX had a completely different panel and several new instruments I would need to learn to operate.

To prepare myself for the flight, I talked with pilots who had flown both planes and asked their opinions. Some told me the GX flies similarly to the G- 3; others told me to treat it like a completely different aircraft.

The best thing I did was talk with Joe Norris, EAA’s homebuilders’ community manager, who has flown more than 80 different aircraft. He shared this advice. “Before flying any plane for the first time, go sit in the plane,” Joe said. “Familiarize yourself with where everything is. Imagine you are on base and need to pull the throttle back a little, put in another batch of flaps, and adjust the trim. Don’t be afraid to reach up and touch the controls. It’s much easier to get comfortable with a new cockpit arrangement while on the ground than when you’re flying.”

I used to think it was an adrenaline buzz I was experiencing after each flight, but now I think it is actually more of a competency buzz, if there is such a thing. I can’t think of another time I feel as competent as I do right after a flight.

He also told me the first transition is always the hardest and that each one after this will get easier. He added that because everything had always been in the same place for me, even the smallest changes would feel major. He was right.

I did just as Joe advised and sat in the plane for quite a while before my first flight. All the main flight controls were in the same location, but the panel was