Well??

"Pretty" sells a lot of minijets.

My Pilatus was parked next to a 30 year old, jet black Lear 31 today while I was loading. All my passengers wanted to fly on the Lear. Ha.

Isn't that just the way of things. And it affects us, the pilots too. I am teetering on an upgrade myself. And the single turboprops offer such a great value and performance. But as soon as you look at a jet, there goes the practicality and emotions take over; bigtime.

John
I disagree an Eclipse is less expensive faster and safer than a TBM however it's smaller and has less range. It's range going westbound in the winter means that you will never make more than 2 stops. This works perfectly for me for the last 8 years

[quote="John Oaks" And it affects us, the pilots too. I am teetering on an upgrade myself. And the single turboprops offer such a great value and performance. But as soon as you look at a jet, there goes the practicality and emotions take over; bigtime.[/quote]

Yes, when you see one and get that tingling feeling, it's the common sense draining out of your head and moving to your wallet

True enough. But if you were loading them in an old Lear they would be looking at the hawker next to you and wanting to be flying in that.

If you were loading them in the hawker they would be looking at the gulfstream parked next to you and wanting to fly in that.

If you were loading them in the gulfstream....well, it kind of stops there. Guys in gulfstreams are happy although I guess you can go BBJ or trump force 1....but that seems like more headaches than happiness.

JOHN,
Your up in Oshawa, its the TBM capital of Canada and the service center is right there.
Im in Oshawa this week on the 8-9th if you want to fly or talk TBM.






Isn't that just the way of things. And it affects us, the pilots too. I am teetering on an upgrade myself. And the single turboprops offer such a great value and performance. But as soon as you look at a jet, there goes the practicality and emotions take over; bigtime.

One day I'll be happy too. Ha

I'm very happy now. Just not content...

I am also happy w the TBM. It is currently perfect for my lifestyle. I do know lifestyle changes.

I do wish I could arrange for a 100 knot tail wind all of the time.

Why stop at a 100 knot tailwind? After my flight the other day, I'm now aiming for 130 knot tailwinds, both ways.

Here is why jets are cool. I was running flat out into a headwind yesterday doing 318 true and I was barely doing 250 knots over the ground and at one point dropped down to 220. Thats too close to piston speeds!

400 knots has a lot of allure as I would be able to stay over 300 almost all the time. I know it doesn't make that much of a time difference, it just would be nice to never be close to piston speeds while burning jet A!

I find myself always wanting more speed when heading west bound. A Phenom 100 wouldn't suck.

Michael,

Work second reporting to BT'rs needing a pirep should be priority #1!
Can't watch the football game either till homework done...

Sorry everybody. I just saw phenom 100 on the ramp. Great ramp presence! G1000 prodigy impressive and familiar. Cabin size / interior impressive.

My wife's impression was similar. She went to do a demo flight but plane couldn't fly? Not sure I know why!?! Trying to reschedule next week here at home. Pilot took her thru a complete walk thru. She loved the avionics. Like the ergonomics of the cockpit. I thought it was a little tight. I'll download pictures when I get a chance.

Range with full fuel an issue. Useful load with full fuel an issue. I fly out of shorter runways, contaminated runways.......all an issue. It's a beautiful plane. Designed well. Nice avionics....but then again not the G3000. 41000 ft vs 31000 ft wouldn't be helpful for some weather and better winds. Pilot said at 41000 TAS was 340. I was initially told it was 390?

Very long story but my 21 year old college kid met me in Naples. I was there for business and he had an interview for a summer internship. He was able to hitch a ride with a friend of a friend from state college (KUNV) to Naples (KAPF) in a Citation X!! I then flew him back to state college in the TBM.........let's just say the "X" screwed up his reality!

He is ruined.