Well that was different !!

I've been in my friends Cirrus SR22 before, but this was first time since I started taking lessons, so I was able to bring my "Extensive experience" to bear LOL.

I didn't think 2, four seat single engine fixed gear planes could be so different, but what a change.
Not sure I like the side stick, but its just getting comfortable I guess, he has the Avidyne glass, as well as the new touch screen GTN750 GPS/NAV/COM unit in the center console, which is very cool.

We flew Van Nuys to San Luis Obispo.
My mate let me do most of the work, but he did control the power/manifold pressure as I have not done that.
I don't like the free wheeling nose gear steering, but I guess it is something you get used to.
When the power comes in on take off ! WOW what a difference..... starting to rotate at 70-75kts (my usual climb speed) seemed very disconcerting at first. Must admit I do like climbing at 130kts though.

Rudder pressure much higher that what I fly, is that on purpose, or just a function of the higher speeds ?
Also I believe the ailerons and rudder are connected as I needed no rudder input during normal rate turns to stay coordinated, (my friend mentioned them being connected but I wasn't sure). How does that effect everything if you need to do a side slip ?

On descent I'm used to just pulling a little power and trimming and getting a nice 500fpm descent, he kept the power up and just had me point the nose down ! no point slowing down he said..is that the cirrus way ?

I got a straight in to San Luis Obispo, other than the speed and flare and float, points being different, (he called them out for me) nothing to scary, in fact my 13 year old daughter in the back on her first small plane ride slept through the whole landing and taxi so I guess I did good.

Weather was great (surprise surprise Southern California), cool how much shorter the trip is when you're indicating 165kts and doing 175 across the ground instead of 105-130 LOL.

He let me do the power coming back into van nuys as he figured I knew the area well enough to be able to concentrate on one more thing.

Over all a very fun day, but I felt more like I was playing a video game than flying, it would take a while to get used to it I guess, but I for one am in no hurry to jump out of the Cessna's
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