Technologically Advanced Airplanes and Omelets

Airliners excepted, I have never flown in a technologically advanced general aviation airplane before (otherwise known as a TAA, because the FAA likes three letter initialisms). With Warrior 481 lacking a carburetor as Ray continued troubleshooting the high CHT issue, Brad offered me a ride to breakfast in his SR-20.

Chris, Melodie, and Brad

The SR-20 is so advanced that it comes with a socially distanced cockpit! Quite innovative for a 2007 model.

As we passed Cayuga Lake en route to Cherry Ridge (N30) for breakfast, a glance at the wing explains a lot about why the Cirrus is so fast. No seams, no rivets or screw heads, and the wing itself is relatively tiny. That, my friends, is a big reason why the Cirrus is so much faster than the Pipers on the field.

The modern avionics and the automotive fit and finish make for a comfortable, nice looking interior. Now...which TV am I supposed to look at?

We joined Tom and Alicia for breakfast on the deck at the Cherry Ridge Airport Restaurant. It's not a very creative name, but the food is good, the people are really nice, and -- honestly -- do we need another Runway Cafe or Tailwind(s) Cafe?

While eating breakfast, a familiar red and white Citabria swooped in for a landing. It was Mark followed by some other pilots from South Jersey Regional. It was great to see him without spraining a wrist this time.

As Brad put the coals to the Cirrus, Tom and Alicia held short of the runway in Eight Five X-Ray.

A direct route between Cherry Ridge and Sodus crosses directly over the top of the Binghamton Airport.

There were a few clouds to maneuver around. Technologically advanced or not, the strategic elements of VFR flying are relatively unchanged no matter what you fly. The speed at which those decisions must be made might vary, however.

Overflying Cayuga Lake on the way home.

Lining up on runway 28 at Sodus, none of the TVs in the cockpit could compete with the view out the window of bringing an aircraft back to Earth.

I am thankful to Brad for the ride and can truly see why the Cirrus is such a capable travelling machine. In the hands of an instrument-rated pilot (to his credit, Brad is most of the way there), the suite of avionics appear to be a truly powerful tool. 

Maybe when I grow up I can fly something this nice. In the meantime, I’ll just have to admire Brad’s airplane while fruitlessly chasing him during fly-outs.