LOFT

In the airline industry, there is a phase of training called LOFT. Line-Oriented Flight Training. The idea is to train by flying the type of trips you will be doing once you have completed training. Flight #2 in the DA40 was just that type of flight. My instructor told me to pick some place about 45 minutes away that had food. The goal of the flight was to execute, from take-off to touchdown, everything that goes into a flight like this. Extra focus would be put on the Garmin avionix package, plus handling an airplane traveling 30 knots faster than what I'm used to. To make it all just a little more difficult, we decided to do this at night, with a high, thin overcast with occasional thin layers anywhere from 3000-5000 feet.

But first, we need to dance around all of the airspace around here. Our route of flight went something like this.

No real surprise, I spent the first ten minutes of the flight behind the airplane. After takeoff, I need to stay below certain altitudes, talk to air traffic control(who has many odd questions), and get used to checking the heading and GPS. Did I mention it's dark, and that I am unfamiliar with this neck of the woods? It wasn't my best flying, but I finally caught up with the program. Things were going swimmingly as we cruised by the BWI airspace and over the Chesapeake Bay at 150 knots of ground speed. Right up until we accidentally flew into a cloud.

This is not good for several reasons. First, I'm not instrument rated. Besides not being legal, it is a safety hazard. If the cloud were thick enough, I could lose control of the aircraft. Think JFK Jr. But more immediately, the strobe lights on the wingtips were reflecting off of the water droplets, making the prop look like it was in a disco hall. Very weird sensations. And what did my instructor do? Calmly taught through the entire thing. Excellent learning experience to have with him on board.

After a little trouble finding the airport amongst the ground lights, we made what could be politely called a firm landing. The diner was still open, so crab cakes all around. We discussed what went well, what didn't, and that I shouldn't be too hard on myself. 30 minutes later, it's back out in the cold to head home.

Coming back, air traffic control cleared us into the BWI airspace, which is somewhat of a treat. Getting cleared to climb to 4500, we hit the thin layer of clouds again, but on top it was clear and smooth. It's was stunning to seee downtown Baltimore and the Inner Harbor from the air. All around us where the big boys taking off and landing. Amusingly, the safest place to be is directly over the runways, and that is where they sent us. From there, it was a straight shot to Leesburg for a very respectable landing.

While only 2.6 hrs on the airplane clock, it was an exhausting evening. I'm still getting used to the speed of the airplane, to say nothing of the avionics. One more flight, and I'll be signed off to rent it on my own. Should be fun.