PilotEdge Forums

So, after flying C172s a lot, I thought I'd try to put some pressure on myself to think faster (as if I didn't make mistakes before ). I bought Jason Chandler's XHawk (under his AADX aircraft), which has stall speeds around that of a C152 but can cruise 160kts. It's a complex airplane, but very well behaved. I can tell I'm going to get some good practice with it.

I called up as an experimental, and I told the controller I cruised at 140kts...now I know that's on the slow side.

I didn't put in a type when I entered a VFR flight plan. I'm new to experimental world - is there a "type" to enter on PE?

- Doug

HXA - Cruise speeds 100 knots or less - 500fpm climb rate - 500fpm descent rate
HXB - Cruise speeds 100-200 knots - 750fpm climb rate - 750fpm descent rate
HXC - Cruise speeds greater than 200 knots - 1000fpm climb rate - 1000fpm descent rate

Thanks, Andrew -

A followup question: to a controller over the radio, for example if making an initial call for flight following, would I just include, "type hotel x-ray bravo?" (That seems like the most logical and concise thing to say to get the info across.)

- Doug

Just say "experimental"....

The controller will figure out how fast you can go usually just based on your ground speed etc...

Agreed. The ICAO code is not generally referenced over the air. For example, when I was flying the DA-20 A1 and C1 a few years ago (ICAO code is DV40, since DA20 is a Falcon!), I would check in as a Katana or Diamond. If they'd ask what type, I'd say "DA-20 Katana, but the ICAO is DV40 if you need it." (since it wasn't a common aircraft at the time).