Pilots now can train to recognize and recover from unusual attitudes in a Columbia 400 at Sean D. Tucker’s Tutima Academy of Aviation Safety in King City, Calif. The school’s Columbia 400 is a stock factory model, but has been reclassified as an experimental by the FAA to allow it to be used for aerobatic flight in the Executive Pilot Awareness Training program. “All the instructors here are approved to offer that training,” Tutima instructor Ben Freelove told AVweb on Tuesday. “So, this is the only place you can get it.” Air show pilot Sean D. Tucker will fly aerobatic maneuvers in the 400 at several events this summer (including EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis.) to demonstrate the airplane’s capabilities. “The Executive Pilot Awareness Training program will prevent accidents and save lives because it teaches an advanced level of pilot proficiency previously unavailable through other programs,” said Tucker. “The strength, durability and handling of the Columbia 400 is remarkable. It’s a safe platform for this type of training, easily withstanding the stresses of upset attitude flying.” Students will practice recovery from extreme attitudes and control-system failures, and will experience exposure to high G-loads and dizzying rates of rotation. They will gain confidence that they can control the airplane and recover, according to the flight school.
FAA OKs Tutima Academy To Offer Columbia 400 Upset Training
Key Takeaways:
- Sean D. Tucker's Tutima Academy now offers unique "Executive Pilot Awareness Training" for unusual attitude recognition and recovery using a Columbia 400.
- The academy's Columbia 400 was reclassified as an experimental aircraft by the FAA to allow aerobatic flight, making this the only place to receive such training in this specific aircraft.
- The program aims to prevent accidents and save lives by teaching advanced pilot proficiency, including recovery from extreme attitudes, control-system failures, and exposure to high G-loads.
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