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Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 10:47 am
by Dennis
Each year my goal is to fly 100 hours in my C-162. The first year I flew 84 hours, the second year 59 hours. Mostly just poking holes in the sky and feeling at peace looking at the countryside below me.

The Skycatcher is VFR Day and Night so I go up with a current friend to enjoy night flight.

I could get my medical back if I wanted to, but I don't mind the LSA restrictions. I'm thankful for them as they have allowed me to keep flying.

Fly safely and often.

Dennis Persyk N900DP Casa de Aero Airpark 68IS North Central Illinois

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVRBbWZr ... e=youtu.be Pattern Flight

http://users.foxvalley.net/~dpersyk/skycatcher.htm Skycatcher Page

Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 1:32 pm
by SportPilot
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Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 4:39 pm
by chavycha
Nice looking 162!

I'm hoping that someone buys the production rights from Cessna and starts stamping 'em out again. Doubt that will happen in our litigious world, but you never know. It is really a nice aircraft. I think they could have filled the 150/152 niche if they'd been given the chance. They are far superior aircraft in every sense, not to mention being 40 years newer. Of course, the 162 makes you work a little, which in my mind makes it a better primary trainer. The 162's not going to bite you but it doesn't like lazy pilots (especially in the roundout/flare).

Is your camera mounted to the strut or tie-down ring?

Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 5:27 pm
by Dennis
Gopro mounted on the tie-down ring. I control it with my iPhone.

Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 11:12 pm
by drseti
Unlike SportPilot, I would gladly trade the O200 for more useful load. The weight difference between it and the Rotax equates to another 10 gallons of fuel. That's two extra hours of endurance!

Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 10:50 am
by Flocker
Dennis wrote:Skycatcher Page
I like the Moller back support unit. Are these available online?

Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 12:00 pm
by Dennis
Flocker wrote:
Dennis wrote:Skycatcher Page
I like the Moller back support unit. Are these available online?
I bought mine at Oshkosh many years ago. Here are some links:

http://www.chirotherapy.com/products/pr ... ductid=147

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywor ... 80smh5ej_e

Sorry for the long link -- you can Google Moller back support and follow the Amazon link. The Amazon back supports seem to be the same as the original Moller and are less expensive.

I have a degenerative back condition and have flown thousands of hours in my Skyhawk and more recently in my Skycatcher in total comfort.

Dennis

Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 2:50 pm
by Flocker
Dennis wrote:Here are some links:
Many thanks! My only rub on the 162 is the uncomfortable seats on long hauls. This may be the answer!

Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:00 am
by HAPPYDAN
From a low-time student perspective (15 hours), I hear what you're saying about the roundout and flare. The C162 is the only plane I've flown so far, so I have nothing to compare it too. What I can say, is the 100 HP is a blessing, and has saved my bacon several times so far. As for maneuverable, I love it. Last week I stalled on turning to final, dropped the right wing and was headed for Mother Earth. The CFI deftly grabbed the controls, powered up and left rudder, no spin and we lost only a few feet! What a save! The last 3 sessions have been crash and dash, so I'm much more careful about airspeed and over-banking. And with more than a few hard landings, I'm impressed by the durability. No damage to the plane so far; just to my ego!

Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:46 am
by Flocker
HAPPYDAN wrote:Last week I stalled on turning to final, dropped the right wing and was headed for Mother Earth. The CFI deftly grabbed the controls, powered up and left rudder, no spin and we lost only a few feet! What a save!
Wow. That must have been shocking. What did your CFI say in the de-brief?

Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 11:29 am
by SportPilot
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Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 1:34 pm
by chavycha
Holy shit. Glad you're still with us.

Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 1:42 pm
by MrMorden
A base to final stall should not be career-ending if the turn is coordinated. The nose will drop and recovery is normal for a stall. Attention-getting, but not deadly. Of course, if you are rushing the turn with the inside rudder...

Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 2:08 pm
by azsportpilot
drseti wrote:Unlike SportPilot, I would gladly trade the O200 for more useful load. The weight difference between it and the Rotax equates to another 10 gallons of fuel. That's two extra hours of endurance!
agreed, a US made Skycatcher with a 912s and doors that stay closed would be a lot better trainer and more marketable

Re: Third Year flying my Skycatcher

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 2:45 pm
by SportPilot
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