Whenever my head becomes saturated with boat issues, I renew my strength and spirit by piloting an airplane.

Because I wanted to stay current with the newest technology I decided to get checked out in the carbon fiber Lamborghini of the air, the single-engine aircraft built by Cirrus, an SR-22.

The precise feel that a pilot has when piloting the SR-22 is smooth as felt. Some airplanes provide a feedback feel of driving an 18-wheeler. Not so with this sweetheart. She is silky smooth in her response. A very addictive, velvety purr for this guy.

This 185-knot beauty has gull wing doors, a wide cockpit that can easily handle a 6-5, 250 pound person, and leather seats that are as comfortable as any first class airliner seat.

Three things make the SR-22 stand out:

1. Her all-glass cockpit. You fly the plane with two computer panels instead of the old days of steam engine round gauges.

2. The plane is flown with a left-hand joy stick instead of the traditional center mounted yolk.

3. The Cirrus is the only aircraft in the world certified with her own

parachute. If all goes to hell and some sort of catastrophe is about to occur, you simply pull a handle that deploys a rocket sending out a large parachute that will allow the entire aircraft to float gently to the ground.

I was impressed how all of the newest electronic instrumentation on the bridge of my command, the 70-foot M/V Thunder (which requires a couple of square meters of space), is contained in an area of 2 square feet in the cockpit of the SR-22.

After visiting five airports and several FBOs (fixed based operators) in South Florida, I found Rick Wright, owner of Correct Aviation Services based at the Pompano Airport (945-545-0405).

Wright is retired from a career with United Airlines and has a growing fleet of new Cirrus SR-20 and SR-22 aircraft available. His two brothers are licensed yacht captains, the oldest in command of
M/Y Stein Song, so he understood that my schedule of classes and flights could be canceled at any moment due to the whim of my vessel's owner.

Wright had no problem being flexible on scheduling. Other flight schools would not agree to this without implementing cancellation fees.

Wright's business offers initial flight training as well as upgrade training for licensed pilots. The program starts with a week or so of ground school, which is comprised of sitting down with a computer and studying three DVDs on the airframe, power plant, avionics and appropriate speeds.

The first day of class starts with a written test on how well you understood the information on the DVDs. Next, a one-on-one with the instructor is dedicated to answering questions, followed by discussing scenarios on emergency procedures.

The first time in the plane is dedicated to the start-up procedure and making sure that the information gained from the DVDs is put into practice. You'll be asked to make the computers do what you want them to, such as entering a flight plan to a destination.

The first take-off is just thrilling. Using a left-hand stick comes naturally within minutes. Being able to watch the computer screens for an amazing amount of flight data is remarkable. One screen, called a Primary Flight Display, shows all the data required to fly the aircraft, such as air speed, altitude, heading, vertical speed, barometric pressure, and altitude select for the autopilot, just to name a few.

The second screen, known as the Multi-Function Display, details the navigation information with the aircraft in the middle of a moving map, much like Nobletec on a yacht. However, this screen also has the ability to show you other aircraft within 10 miles, weather information in real time showing clouds, cell strengths and lightning strikes.

Terrain heights can be enabled for showing hills and mountains in the vicinity. Airport information can be displayed that shows runways, frequencies in use, approach procedures and air traffic control data.

The flight characteristics of the SR-22 are docile. She wants to fly herself out of a simulated stall maneuver. Flying to our destination was auto-pilot controlled. The navigation computer interfaced with the autopilot, much like on a yacht.

Once at our destination “ a grounded yacht “ I disconnected auto pilot and hand flew the multiple orbits overhead while my passenger took photographs. The thrill of tight spirals with the inherent g-loads was an excellent reminder of how much fun flying can be.

There are many projects that come up on a yacht that having access to an affordable aircraft matters. It can change the parameter of the operation from "How can we do that?" to "No worries, mate." This will always impress an owner or charter guest.

Learning to fly the SR-22 is thrilling, mentally stimulating and just plain good fun. When sitting around Ft. Lauderdale and wondering what to do with oneself between the owner's next voyage or the next charter, give yourself a new cerebral challenge with a total spirit renewal. Either learn to fly or, if you are already a pilot, enjoy the check-out in a Cirrus.

Contact Capt. David Hare through editorial@
the-triton.com.