I am the opposite. I have only flown the 35. But technically, I am Type Rated on the 31. At least in Australia, the Type Rating is Lear 31/35/36. This has always surprised me, given the very different config of the 31, simpler fuel system and presumably significantly different handling characteristics laterally. Apologies if this is getting slightly off topic. And thanks for the great comments...

(Written on 21/05/2017)(Permalink)

Thanks guys...It's been eight years since I last flew the Lear 35. Am in serious need of a refresher ground school...

(Written on 16/05/2017)(Permalink)

This is just lateral thinking, but maybe either a bird strike or even a drone strike on the nose may have triggered the Lear's stick pusher at the very low altitude. While the wind gusts were fairly strong going up to 36knots out of the NNW, that's not too much of a crosswind component onto runway 01.

(Written on 16/05/2017)(Permalink)

What can I say? The low cost flying public now think that there is no difference between sitting in their loungeroom versus cruising at M 0.85 at 37,000 feet...

(Written on 02/05/2017)(Permalink)

Doubt that I would call the KC46, let alone the Poseidon, an "auxiliary aircraft"!

(Written on 22/04/2017)(Permalink)

I am surprised that this (as the LN prefix indicates) aircraft is actually at least registered in the country of Norway...this is ridiculous!

(Written on 28/03/2017)(Permalink)

Don't underestimate the degradation in OEI climb performance if this flight had been unlucky enough to also suffer an engine failure (after V1) during departure. The aircraft's single engine climb capability through the segments is based on being able to retract the landing gear.

(Written on 02/03/2017)(Permalink)

Hard to disagree with the commercial and operational logic being applied by Delta! After all, their cockpit crew have to constantly be thinking of the worst case scenarios to keep everyone safe...

(Written on 11/02/2017)(Permalink)

Thanks guys. I thought I recognised the Texan in the photo. The RNZAF have recently taken delivery of a small fleet of them. Maybe eight airframes? I am old enough to remember the Argus in RCAF service. Although piston engined, I seem to recall that the airframe (at least the wing) had a lot in common with the turboprop Bristol Brittania. The RAAF here in Aus are starting to take delivery of their early P-8A Poseidons. Personally, I think that four engines are preferable for the maritime mission.

(Written on 29/01/2017)(Permalink)

Curious habit of the RCAF in that they rename all of their operational aircraft types. For example, the Lockheed P3 is NOT known as an Orion! I had absolutely NO clue as to what precisely was a Harvard 2 until I saw the accompanying photo...

(Written on 28/01/2017)(Permalink)