Sunday morning I went to the airport to get in my time to complete the requirements for my dual cross country. The weater was iffy (low ceilings) so my instructor and I were reviewing my training and where I was in the process. And he discovered I needed 2 hours of cross country dual and not 3 as he thought. He apologised and said he didn't know where he had come up with the 3 hour requirement. So now all I need is my solo flight time and solo cross country, plus the dual training in preparation for my examination check ride.
The weather did not improve enough for any cross country flying so we went up and flew the pattern a couple of times. We worked on slips and then put the airplane away.
I love flying the CT. I have a few problems, but I think I would have problems learning in any airplane. I have a tendency to bump the throttle lever at inopportune times, such as when I'm trying to use the brakes. Sunday after my last landing as we were taxiing in I went to pump the brakes and the sleeve on my jacket caught on the throttle lever and raised it a bit, enough to get our attention at least. I also have a hard time holding the CT straight on final which my instructor and I think is because of a lack of reference point out of the windshield. I have a tendency to keep the airplane pointed slightly to the left just before touchdown. I'm going to try a small piece of tape low on the windshield directly in front of me and see if that helps with runway alignment.
As I have mentioned before the CT can be a little cold inside, but we keep finding and sealing air leaks and I think it will get better. My instructor also installed an air blocker that goes inside the tailcone right behind the BRS. I think we are all learnig at the same rate around here.
We have had a few problems with the CT. The right main landing gear was incorrectly installed at the factory. The landing gear tube was twisted causing the wheel to be cocked slightly at an angle. The only way we knew was because that tire was wearing. We also have had problems with the altimeter. It does not read the correct altitude after takeoff. It slowly starts reading incorrectly while in flight. When I flew my cross country I was holding 2700 feeet (trying to anyways) since takeoff. When we called Toledo approach they showed us at 2500 feet. We changed the display on the Garman and it also showed us at 2500 feet. This is the third altimeter in this plane and the dealer has checked the pitot static system and says it was OK. Next step is an exorcism of the system, I guess.
The guys at the flight school where I am training have recently ordered 2 of the new Flight Design CTLS's. They are going to be fully equipped and they hope to be able to use one of them for instrument training when it gets certified. I can't wait to fly one of them.