Leg 03 Jefferson City (KJEF) to Carrollton Memorial (K26) / 117 nm
For this and perhaps a few more legs, I decided to swap the XCub for the Optica, an airplane seemingly perfectly designed for this part of our journey.
I also gave the Navigraph moving map a try. My impressions are mixed. While having a more detailed moving map and charts are helpful, having to login each time I launch the sim is not. That requires that you either login to the Navigraph site and enter a code, or easier, use your mobile phone to scan a QR image. The later method is easier, but the results may not be worth the effort. The moving map has no aviation related information, only your aircraft’s location over an open source map. While there is more detail that the default VFR map, helping you identify towns, it should offer more IMO, given the expense of Navigraph data and Charts, especially if you are flying 2D. I’d almost rather have my iPad running FltPlan Go as I would be IRL, since it will overlay your aircraft onto a VFR sectional or other aviation chart. YMMV.
Anyway, back to the flight and the Optica. I have to say that our first hour was not a cozy one, but by the end of the leg, a missed approach, landing, and a little bit of pattern work, we are doing just fine now. Dislikes: with the engine right behind the cabin, it’s loud. I can imagine IRL that I might double-plug. In other words, use both my David Clarks and some squishy ear plugs. It feels like the Lycoming is strapped to your back, which in a way, it is. It also needs a lot of nose up trim on t/o. There are flap and pitch trim position indicators on the console between the seats. What worked best for me for t/o is to put the trim indicator between the T and R of the the word TRIM, while using the default 10 degrees of flaps.
You will need a lot of runway, so be careful where you set down. I almost dropped onto a nice looking sandbar along the way, then remembered that I would be marooned there. It’s not a bush plane by any definition.
Speaking of landing, a 90/80/70 around the pattern works well, but unless you have lots of runway, use full flaps and keep a little power on all the way to the asphalt. The short landing gear take some getting used to since you feel like you are setting her down on her belly about the time the rubber chirps.
At Carrolton, the color of the grass was fine. I was just running out of runway. I suggest when doing a go-around, if time permits (CFIs will shoot me for this), get rid of all but 10 degrees of flaps. They have massive drag, putting you between a rock and a hard place.
Otherwise, she is a blast to fly, because you really do get the feeling that you are in a Bell, but without all that shaking going on. The view outside is probably unmatched outside of an ultralight. It’s the perfect way to explore the river banks as we travel NW.
What is this ballast thing they speak of? Note the ignition key placement.
This thing is silly with flaps. You will need them at a short field.
The door latch is not the ones at 9 and 2 o’clock. Look down and the bottom of the door frame for another latch to set you free.
The flight was unremarkable, other than cruising along the Missouri at 300 AGL in the Optica is a blast, that left me wondering how much the river bank appers like the one in 1804. Much of the land beyond the river banks have been cleared of trees for agriculture. How much is natural or untouched is a mystery, although one can’t help but wonder.