Unexpected Flight

I recently got an unexpected flight in a retractable gear, turbo equipped, pressurized  C-210 when Dr. Naresh Ahuja, a surgeon affiliated with Herrin Hospital and stable mate at the Marion FBO,  called and said he was going to make a flight to Olney and invited me to ride along.  What an awesome flying machine! 

His C-210 is equipped with multiple glass panels including dual Garmin GPS, synthetic vision, autopilot of course, and too many other features for me to remember.

We departed KMWA on an IFR flight plan and climbed through an overcast as Dr. Ahuja was pressing buttons faster than I could follow.  He was certainly in command of the airplane.  An uneventful visual approach at Olney ended that leg of the flight.  A quick trip in to town to see his brother and we were back at the airport.  On departure Dr. Ahuja air filed back to Marion.  Back in the soup at 4000 feet letting down, we made a RNAV approach to runway 02.  That synthetic vision is like playing a video game.  A very smooth landing, on both ends, and the flight was over. 

After a flight in such a capable airplane, which would challenge my pilot abilities, I’ll stick with my new flying motto:  Round gauges, tail wheels, and flip phones.

Thanks Naresh for a glimpse at the “dark” side.