I know I've posted a number of questions since joining the list. I wanted to post an update to the progress that has been made since acquiring N360JH (a small tail 360)

I completed 5 hours of transition training with the owner's instructor, a gentleman who was flying that particular airplane on a regular basis.  Flying from the right seat was a little unfamiliar, but I somehow managed to not get us both killed.  When I eventually moved over to the left seat, things improved fairly quickly.  At the end of the training, I dropped him off at Allentown, PA (ABE) and flew home solo to Caldwell (CDW), the plane's temporary home.  CDW has a longer runway than my home field of Lincoln Park (N07), making it an ideal staging location.

The next flight was IFR to Blairstown to have the ASI replaced (mph on the old gauge, new gauge is kias/ktas).  The wind was almost dead calm, and landings had been going well.  Lincoln Park's rwy 19 is only a few hundred feet shorter than Blairstown, and I stopped with oodles of room at Blairstown, so I opted to return to Lincoln Park.  Landing went great, no probs.

Next flight was IFR to Block Island, with a VFR return to Lincoln Park.  Getting 246kts over the ground in a 700fpm descent into Block Island was mind bender, but ultimately, great fun.  I don't think I've ever enjoyed circling for the 45 quite as much as that.  This time, due to winds, I landed on rwy 1 at Lincoln Park, with 2100ft available for landing due to the 800ft displaced threshold for trees.  The landing went well, using 82-85kias on final, stopping comfortably with 400ft left. I made sure to get onto the brakes as soon as practical after touch down, something I had been somewhat lazy about doing in the past. Prior to that, I was more focused on directional control and getting the flaps up.

The Block Island flight was particularly enjoyable, I felt ahead of the airplane for the duration of the flight and had a wonderful time. It's also great to know that when the winds are mild, landing at home is a non-issue. I will gradually start practicing in crosswinds (elsewhere) to build more experience in less than optimal conditions.

The plane is an absolute joy, and a life changer.

Sadly, it's taking a short rest while two oil hoses are changed out due to what is a very clear leak (either at the connection or within the hose itself, we're not sure yet, the mechanics had only the briefest of looks so far). The shop is really busy, though, so it'll be a good two weeks before it's done.  This will, without question, be the longest two weeks of my life.

My first two solo flights felt like training flights, filled with work (still great fun, mind you).  The 2nd solo flight (Blairstown to Lincoln Park) was VFR, relatively low level, and very enjoyable, not much to it.  The 3rd/4th flights (Lincoln Park to Block Island and back) were shear pleasure. All of the training in the DA-20/DA-40 finally came back...the muscle memory from the 172 finally making an exit, stage right.

I feel extremely lucky to have the privelege of flying this exciting aircraft. I have much to learn, but it's going to be such a ride.

Thanks to all who have taken the time to help educate me on many different matters in such a short time. For those that are interested in more detailed accounts of the flights (I log and film them for my own training, as well as for friends of mine who are fellow buffs), I keep flight logs at http://keith.tristesse.com  (requires a 1280 horizontal resolution or more to display correctly).

Keith