Re Transition to G1000

Three and a half years ago I went through a course and a couple of flights to transition to a Cessna 182 G1000. I remember studying all of the menus and which way to turn this or that knob to get the thing to do what you wanted it to. The most difficult part was the autopilot, which was before the current Garmin integrated one. It was an obvious flaw in the system and, while I'm glad it has been corrected, it's a shame how many almost new planes are flying around out there with something so much less than it could be.

I had access to the G1000 for about a year or so, then it became unavailable.

It became available again last month, so I decided to get checked out again. Truth be told, I was much less eager to put time and money into relearning the thing in excruciating detail this time. After all, it flies like any other 182 doesn't it?

Yes, but only as long as we're talking about VFR flying, which is the type checkout I limited myself to. Even if I had brushed up enough to pass an IFR check, I don't think it would have been a good idea. Actual IFR single pilot in a small plane is a demanding environment, which I don't attempt unless I'm really comfortable in a plane. A couple of hours of flying around in something as complex as a G1000 is not enough for me. At this point I'm still in the "What's it doing now?" frame of mind.

As far as getting back in and just making it fly, I didn't have many issues. The digital display does take some getting used to. I think it's quicker and easier to get altitude and vertical speed just glancing at the needles. Having to look at a number and interpret it takes a fraction of a second more and consumes extra brain cycles.

I look forward in the coming months to getting more practice and perhaps taking on that instrument check.