-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Peter R. wrote:

Nice timing. Today was my first time in a complex too: a '79 182RG.


The instructor requested a few turns, then sent me back to the
uncontrolled airport for my first landing. Slow down before entering
the 45, gear down, which dropped the airspeed from 140 to about 110 kts,
then turn downwind. Wow, are we moving fast on the downwind.

That was the theme of the trip for me: "wow, are we moving fast". How can
maneuvering speed be so slow if this thing wants to move so quickly?

My first landing was a bit slow, as I pulled power back too fast on
short final. The stall warning horn went off about a second before
mains touched. The previous owner commented that I was too slow. Did I
mention that I had a different outside approach picture than the one I
was used to?

I found myself struggling for the right power setting. What's the right
setting for a 500' descent? What's the right setting for downwind? What's
the right setting for...anything?

All that I found easy were climb and cruise, since those are well documented
in the POH.

The difference in the controls was also an issue. The throttle on the 172s
I've flown has been simple push/pull. I can control it with a fair amount
of precision w/o even looking. The 182 had a verner throttle. I could
twist, or I could hold the button and push/pull. But neither was really
"working" for me.

I know that this'll come...but it was frustrating to have to hunt for the
setting I wanted.

I found myself landing soft-field style, holding it up with a little extra
power just above the runway. But because the sight-picture was different,
I kept doing this a little high. And I'd bounce between relaxing it too
slowly and too quickly (see throttle differences above).

[...]
On the ground and in the warmth of the FBO, the instructor and I had an
informative debriefing. I then scheduled him for several more days over
the next two weeks. This will be a challenging, yet fun transition.

Lucky you. I have to wait a week for my next chance.

- Andrew

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.4 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQFAPW92sJzG+JC8BsgRAgXDAJ97E1cvatt6wsTJ+3JI/1z6zLoLcACgkivf
Q0Y0KDNWZR+T5G2/T7bs4Yo=
=iFHu
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----