We flew the plane home from the Portland area, Stark's Twin Oaks Air Park where Delynn and Mitzi Elrod of Reliant Aircraft Services had the plane for the month before we picked it up. They were giving it the TLC for systems and such, annual, so forth. They were the right folks for this. I was totally happy with the work they did. Their hospitality was just a treat that came with their care for the plane.
Chief Flight Instructor Steve was with me for the almost 700 miles to e bolted off the ground and headed East by South. Out over the Oregon Countryside, Mt Hood off to the left and down across the Cascades.The three sisters were apparent then Mt. Thielsen jutting up into the sky. Crater Lake off the wing and then Klamath Lakes. Mt. Shasta was the next peak to show itself off to our right. But before we had Shasta in the window there was the overly impressive ash/smoke, and debris shoving its way into the sky from the Bootleg Fire, scary sight though it was miles from us.
We passed around Shasta to the East and South of it. Down into the valley, past Redding and down to Red Bluff for fuel and to get out of the aircraft for a bit. It was 102F there and the man that poured our fuel said they were getting short of inventory and were not sue=re when the next fuel delivery would arrive at Red Bluff. He said it was a problem that many airports in the area experienced. We jumped back into the air and headed for home.
Got back in town/home after almost 6 or so hours of flight we rolled back in and tied down. THe plane was impressive, at least. We opened her up a couple of times. Got 175 MPH on the meter but mostly we pulled her back to about 145 MPH. It was clear early on this is not a Skyhawk, or a Skylane. This was something different.
I had the time and appropriate landings to get my insurance to kick in and my complex endorsement a few days after we returned. SInce, I have flown the plane but only in the pattern, in an attempt to hone my landing skills with this plane. I almost think I have it. It lands pretty sweet if you get the energy management down and the sight picture figured out. It is not a Cessna. That's clear. It is far more exciting and just as well behaved. Flying to Catalina this Monday
