HPNPilot1200
En-Route
Well I officially logged my first 0.8 hours of Multi-Engine time today.......in a jet. Slightly larger and more powerful than the average 172 I normally fly. The company I work for let me fly right seat in a Cessna Citation CJ3 to drop the aircraft off for maintenance, and the PIC who I was flying with (who is a really great pilot and is also a current MEI) let me fly the entire flight from engine start to engine shut down. I have to admit, the thing is way easier to fly than any single engine piston I've ever flown. You have to be thinking quite fast (250 knots creeps up real quick) and know the avionics inside and out, but the thing flies great.
Not your typical first multi-engine lesson, but it sure was a heck of a lot of fun! That thing has an amazing amount of power and performance capability. Climbing out at 200 knots while doing 6,000 FPM on a warm day and having the tower advise "frequency change approved" about 20 seconds after departure as we scream through 3,200 feet leaving the delta is a pretty cool feeling.
The best part was when I taxiied up to the hold short line, we briefed the departure and then I said "Ok, what else do we need to run through?" The PIC's responce: "What are you talking about? We're not in a piston today, you know."
Too bad I can't do the rest of my multi training in the jet. Hopefully I'll get a few more flights in the CJ3 by the end of the summer. I think I picked the right career. At least that's what was running through my head earlier today as I pushed the throttles up to the takeoff detent and felt the jolt of the powerful FJ-44-3A's throwing me back into my seat.
Life is good.
Not your typical first multi-engine lesson, but it sure was a heck of a lot of fun! That thing has an amazing amount of power and performance capability. Climbing out at 200 knots while doing 6,000 FPM on a warm day and having the tower advise "frequency change approved" about 20 seconds after departure as we scream through 3,200 feet leaving the delta is a pretty cool feeling.
The best part was when I taxiied up to the hold short line, we briefed the departure and then I said "Ok, what else do we need to run through?" The PIC's responce: "What are you talking about? We're not in a piston today, you know."
Too bad I can't do the rest of my multi training in the jet. Hopefully I'll get a few more flights in the CJ3 by the end of the summer. I think I picked the right career. At least that's what was running through my head earlier today as I pushed the throttles up to the takeoff detent and felt the jolt of the powerful FJ-44-3A's throwing me back into my seat.
Life is good.