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There's an emerging market for fast (300kt), turbofan powered, "relatively inexpensive"(still $2m+) light/very light jets. For example, Cirrus SF50 (Vision Jet)
by pageandrew 6y ago
There's an emerging market for fast (300kt), turbofan powered, "relatively inexpensive"(still $2m+) light/very light jets. For example, Cirrus SF50 (Vision Jet) and HondaJet. There are also some larger business jets in the Cessna Citation and Embraer Phenom line that can be used for single pilot ops.
So, there's definitely an opportunity for wealthy, owner-operator pilots to fly fast aircraft that might be too much airplane for them. Turbofan aircraft do require an additional type rating (i.e. more training/qualification). Type ratings however do not expire, so one could find themselves in a situation where they're legally allowed to fly but not proficient enough to do so safely.
- duxup 6y agoHappens with charter pilots too it seems. I read a report where the pilot was trying out a turbofan that his employer was looking at buying. The guy selling the plane felt like the pilot was just not keeping up with the plane, didn't sell it to the charter company. Charter company got another plane somewhere else ( it didn't say how or where ). On a flight the pilot somehow didn't notice the autopilot disconnected, plane drifted into this long turn. Once the pilot realized something was up he grabbed the controls and pulled them hard over and snapped off the wings.
- lisper 6y agoReference? That sounds like an apocryphal story to me. It is incredibly hard to break the wings off an airplane.
- redis_mlc 6y agoJust keep pulling back in a spiral. Count to 10. Off they go.
- averros 6y agoYou will likely black out first. Small GA planes in normal category are usually designed to handle 4.6G in "down" direction without any damage to airframe. To tear wings off you'd need 6-7G. In negative direction it's smaller Gs, but it would also either disable (gravity fed) or overwhelm (pump based) fuel system resulting in loss of power. The realistic way to tear wings off small plane is to enter uncontrolled spin at altitude sufficient for gaining lots of vertical speed (and then botch recovery) or do a way-over-Vne dive.
- sokoloff 6y agoTurbojet aircraft require an annual proficiency training event that’s quite similar in scope to a check ride. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/61.58 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/61.58 So, while it’s technically true that the type rating does not expire, you still need annual training and certification.