Now, on to the flight I had last weekend! Yes, still behind, but here we are.

James & I took the DA-40 up at the last minute to get some currency time and test out a route I want to do later in the year. We FINALLY made it to Tyler! For those of you that read often, you might remember I have tried this trip nearly three times now, all of them scrubbed due to weather at Tyler Pounds Field.

This flight was unique for a few reasons.

1. While this was a DA-40, I had never flown this DA-40 before.
2. I was back to using steam gauges, glass cockpit (G1000 panels) in this bird.
3. James learned how to taxi! Steering with your feet is hella weird if you have never done it before.
4. I am becoming increasingly comfortable with RPM/manifold pressure settings in climb, cruise, and descent on this bird.
5. For whatever reason, we were flying at 10-15 KIAS slower than we should have been. Neither one of us put anything on the airframe to cause this, but it slowed our progress down considerably.
6. I was cleared into Class Bravo on the way back (not on the way out), but skirted the edges of the shelf for the most part, per ATC request. Frankly, I think I was hastily given clearance into Bravo upon departure and I was never given the instruction from the tower. When I asked the controller, he said I was cleared, but then immediately started to vector me underneath Bravo.
7. The controller at KDTO (who will remain nameless here) got a little antsy with me as this one tends to do. I was cleared to land, read back my clearance, and then was asked by the controller minutes later what my intentions were.  For real.
8. Got the HD video going, but again had some audio issues. I will get this resolved FO SHO on the next one. I know exactly what I need to do to make sure it works. Frankly, it’s not my top priority (flying the plane is), but I want to get some good video for you guys.

So I’m good for a few weeks! Next flight may be over to Pop’s new lease, or back down to Tyler to see friends.