I hadn’t flown in 2 weeks, and even then, it was just a checkout for the 340 after the annual (which took a month). Then we had crappy weather, and then, of course, Thanksgiving….Before I knew it, it was 2 weeks since I had flown…..

The temp was 16 degreed F, the wind was more or less straight down the runway. Density altitude minus 1800 feet.

Damn, that plane can climb in those conditions. What with the cold air being very dense for the wings to grab, the colder air through the intercoolers so the turbos are working at full peak, and no need to watch cylinder head temps, it felt like I was flying a jet. I hit 2000 feet in les than a mile from the start of the takeoff run.

Spent an hour just flying by hand, getting the aileron trim set right after they screwed with it in the annual, and just plain enjoying myself.

The plane flies hands-off now, all controls are neutral, so there is no roll….which will make IFR hand flying much easier. Did an ILS landing (was by myself no foggles, so it doesn’t log) in VFR conditions just for practice and was kinda wandering across the localizer, but still a good one.

Great day to fly and it was good for me to do so. Lowers the blood pressure and all that.

I gotta find someone to act as safety pilot and do a couple of approaches in a row, both for currency and for competence though.

Either way, 1.2 and two.