Page 35 - Twin & Turbine May 2017

single-engine airplane or a jet,” added Ortega. “The avionics and safety features that they provide is what people are usually impressed by.”
Depending on the airplane and your familiarity, you may want to schedule an avionics demo on the ground prior to the flight. It is much easier to absorb the capability and complexity of a new technology panel when quietly sitting on the ramp hooked up to ground power, as opposed to trying to do it while operating in active airspace.
Planning the Route
Customarily, you will either be able to select a local demo, trip demo, or possibly both. A local demo at the customer or aircraft’s home airport is most common. But a trip demo is advantageous in that it allows for performance data to be more easily compared on a familiar mission.
“I’d recommend planning a flight route that is long enough to experience the aircraft in all phases of flight, preferably at an altitude you would normally fly,” said Teeter. “Maybe also reach out to other pilots who already fly the aircraft professionally – find out what the biggest limitations with the model are. Their opinions may or may not inf luence your preparation, but it can provide real-world experience.”
Another source where you can preview real-world experience is online via aircraft owner association forums. Keep in mind, the negative can sometimes outweigh the positive, but comments and conversations from current owners may still be insightful.
As with any flight, be sure to carefully consider the conditions you could experience. Even though the airplane (particularly new) might exhibit cutting-edge technology does not mean you should take a demo flight in challenging environments.
“Ideally, a demo will take place on nice day so we can focus on the airplane and not the weather,” said Kris Layson, sales representative and demonstration pilot at Muncie Aviation. “Good flying conditions make it a lot easier to answer questions and allow the customer to really experience the features and handling characteristics of the airplane.”
Lastly, determine if you require passengers onboard, such as your CFI, copilot, or significant other. Depending on the situation, it could be useful to include people on the flight along with you. But be cautious: adding a passenger to some flights may mean that you are not allowed to fly in the left seat or conduct certain flight maneuvers. Discuss this matter with the salesperson or demo pilot prior to the flight.
Demo Day
Depending on the aircraft’s complexity and your familiarity, the walk-around can take anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes (during a trip demonstration, that estimate may decrease since you will be with the airplane for a longer span).
What tip do demo pilots seem to unanimously agree on? Take notes.
“I am always really impressed when someone takes notes. It is surprisingly rare despite the overflow of information,” said Teeter.
May 2017
In addition to brochures and spec sheets, inquire if the POH is available. Don’t feel compelled to memorize data, but reviewing will provide a good overview of the systems, speeds and limitations, prompting potential questions during your time with the demo pilot.
“The demo can quickly turn into a blur for customers and notetaking can be really helpful in retaining key information – especially if they are considering multiple aircraft.”
Remember your key performance and features list? Leave space for adding data and impressions by those line items as you go. As an added bonus, snap a few photos along the way, too.
When you circle the aircraft in the walk-around, feel free to manipulate the doors, baggage compartment, etc. If permitted, bring bags you commonly travel with to see how they fit. Are you a golfer, skier, hunter? Try different packing scenarios and don’t forget to confirm whether a space needs to be heated or pressurized for a specific cargo.
In the cabin, get a good feel for the legroom and configurations by moving the seats on all their axis. Are there weight-and-balance considerations regulating who sits where? How are the amenities? The storage? What do you require as far as entertainment? Is it already installed or an additional cost? Factor in the costs of WiFi providers if needed.
“I find it is important to run through a weight and balance. A lot of airplanes out there might look great, but you don’t really know how you can fill it until you write one up yourself,” said Teeter. “Perhaps even two weight and balances, one loaded and one unloaded.”
While in the cabin, you’ll also want to closely examine the condition and coloring of the interior. Is it to your taste? Is it comfortable? Will it need to be changed or updated? These unexpected costs can add up quickly.
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