Powered by a 141 hp Rotax 915iS engine driving a three-bladed MT-Propeller variable pitch, the aircraft offers remarkable potential. Before taking to the skies, however, Colombo entrusted his aircraft to the teams at SE Aviation Aircraft for a complete upgrade. The MCR, which made its maiden flight in 2010, has had its instrument panel completely retrofited with a Garmin G3X, complemented by a modern avionics suite incorporating autopilot, 8.33 radio and transponder. A dedicated mount allows also the installation of an iPad on the co-pilot’s side, optimised for readability in flight.

Thus prepared, the F-PYCA quickly became the ideal tool for what Colombo loves most: travelling. As he had done previously with his TB20, he regularly flew between Fano and Mâcon, where his wife lives, and enjoyed numerous getaways with her, family and friends. Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and even Agadir (Morocco), where the couple owns a holiday home, are now naturally included on his navigation chart.

But when asked which flight made the biggest impression on him on board his MCR-4S, Colombo doesn’t hesitate for a second: the very first! The one that allowed him to fly his plane from Pontarlier to Fano, crossing the Alps. A memorable journey, which he describes himself:
“After several months of waiting, the plane is finally ready to fly. The cockpit has been completely redesigned; the old one had evolved in stages and lacked clarity. Today, the F-PYCA has latest-generation avionics based on a Garmin G3X, with autopilot, 8.33 radio, transponder and navigation instruments. On the co-pilot’s side, the iPad is mounted on a swivelling, ventilated support, perfectly readable in all conditions.

For my regular flights between Fano and Mâcon, I also requested the installation of a 15 W radio so that I could stay in contact with both Marseille Control and Milan Control when flying over the Alps. For me, uninterrupted communications are a key element of safety.
After a successful test flight with Eric Fumey and good weather conditions, I took off from Pontarlier towards Switzerland, then the Great Saint Bernard Pass, flying at flight level 115 thanks to the oxygen on board. This allowed me to avoid most of the scattered clouds. The view was exceptional!

As I enter the Po Valley, I maintain the same engine parameters, with fuel consumption of around 22 liters per hour. Despite a strong crosswind, the autopilot keeps the aircraft on route without any difficulty. The MCR-4S performed flawlessly throughout the flight. Compared to my old TB20, this MCR is slightly slower, but in terms of payload and range, it’s pretty much the same. On the other hand, in terms of fuel efficiency and overall operating costs, the 4S is unbeatable! In short, this first trip confirmed that I had made the right choice.

At SE Aviation Aircraft, seeing such an experienced pilot as Colombo Vandi fully exploit the potential of his MCR-4S is a real source of satisfaction. His enthusiasm, high expectations and confidence reflect what we want to offer to each of our customers: high-performance, safe aircraft that are perfectly suited to travel. Happy flying, Colombo!