­FOR THE PILOTS OF OWNER-FLOWN, CABIN-CLASS AIRCRAFT DECEMBER 2015 $3.95 US VOLUME 19 NUMBER 12

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JETS 1 DIAMOND I 40 HAWKER 1000A 34 LEARJET 36A 53 DIAMOND IA 9 HAWKER 125-1A 24 LEARJET 40 CHIEF PILOTS & OWNERS 3 DORNIER ENVOY 3 2 HAWKER 125-1AS 219 LEARJET 45 Aircraft Count 282 ECLIPSE EA500 1 HAWKER 125-3A/RA 193 LEARJET 45XR 47 EMBRAER LEGACY 600 2 HAWKER 125-400A 115 LEARJET 55 4 AIRBUS ACJ319 8 EMBRAER LEGACY 650 29 HAWKER 125-400AS 5 LEARJET 55B 32 ASTRA 1125 158 EMBRAER PHENOM 100 1 HAWKER 125-400B 12 LEARJET 55C 31 ASTRA 1125SP House Ad 82 EMBRAER PHENOM 300 4 HAWKER 125-600A 293 LEARJET 60 63 ASTRA 1125SPX 123 FALCON 10 11 HAWKER 125-600AS 130 PREMIER I 51 BEECHJET 400 28 FALCON 100 113 HAWKER 125-700A 16 SABRELINER 40 Full Page 275 BEECHJET 400A 25 FALCON 200 50 HAWKER 4000 13 SABRELINER 40A 58 BOEING BBJ 4/C Ad 176 FALCON 2000 187 HAWKER 400XP 7 SABRELINER 40EL 391 CHALLENGER 300 21 FALCON 2000EX 21 HAWKER 750 3 SABRELINER 40R 65 CHALLENGER 600 81 FALCON 20C 223 HAWKER 800A 24 SABRELINER 60 58 CHALLENGER 601-1A 17 FALCON 20C-5 2 HAWKER 800B 1 SABRELINER 60A 133 CHALLENGER 601-3A 26 FALCON 20D 335 HAWKER 800XP 2 SABRELINER 60AELXM 56 CHALLENGER 601-3R 3 FALCON 20D-5 14 HAWKER 800XPI 12 SABRELINER 60ELXM 279 CHALLENGER 604 7 FALCON 20E 67 HAWKER 850XP 3 SABRELINER 60EX 5 CHALLENGER 800 8 FALCON 20E-5 131 HAWKER 900XP 1 SABRELINER 60SCEX 169 CITATION 500 59 FALCON 20F 4 JET COMMANDER 1121 85 SABRELINER 65 319 CITATION 525 82 FALCON 20F-5 6 JET COMMANDER 1121B 1 SABRELINER 75 284 CITATION BRAVO 229 FALCON 50 12 JETSTAR 731 17 SABRELINER 80 151 CITATION CJ1 8 FALCON 50-40 11 JETSTAR II 3 SABRELINER 80SC 69 CITATION CJ1+ 113 FALCON 50EX 51 JETSTREAM 31 101 WESTWIND 1 202 CITATION CJ2 135 FALCON 900 40 JETSTREAM 32 4 WESTWIND 1123 160 CITATION CJ2+ 21 FALCON 900C 15 JETSTREAM 41 45 WESTWIND 1124 390 CITATION CJ3 116 FALCON 900EX 15 LEARJET 23 76 WESTWIND 2 180 CITATION ENCORE 98 GLOBAL 5000 26 LEARJET 24 306 CITATION EXCEL TURBO PROPS 112 GLOBAL EXPRESS 5 LEARJET 24A 5 CITATION I 25 GULFSTREAM G-100 19 LEARJET 24B CHIEF PILOTS & OWNERS 288 CITATION I/SP 161 GULFSTREAM G-200 53 LEARJET 24D Aircraft Count 478 CITATION II 8 GULFSTREAM G-300 14 LEARJET 24E 50 CITATION II/SP 275 CARAVAN 208 27 GULFSTREAM G-400 9 LEARJET 24F 173 CITATION III 1087 CARAVAN 208B 222 GULFSTREAM G-450 33 LEARJET 25 329 CITATION MUSTANG 3 CARAVAN II 7 GULFSTREAM G-500 57 LEARJET 25B 138 CITATION S/II 34 CHEYENNE 400 330 GULFSTREAM G-550 7 LEARJET 25C 257 CITATION SOVEREIGN 221 CHEYENNE I 42 GULFSTREAM G-I 94 LEARJET 25D 284 CITATION ULTRA 14 CHEYENNE IA 110 GULFSTREAM G-II 6 LEARJET 28 287 CITATION V 303 CHEYENNE II 31 GULFSTREAM G-IIB 28 LEARJET 31 20 CITATION VI 59 CHEYENNE III 186 GULFSTREAM G-III 172 LEARJET 31A 104 CITATION VII 21 CHEYENNE IIIA 188 GULFSTREAM G-IV 43 LEARJET 35 257 CITATION X 59 CHEYENNE IIXL 317 GULFSTREAM G-IVSP 426 LEARJET 35A 199 CITATION XLS 22 CHEYENNE IV 182 GULFSTREAM G-V 21 LEARJET 36 303 CONQUEST I

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354 CONQUEST II 13 MERLIN IV-A TWIN PISTON 28 ROCKWELL 520 49 KING AIR 100 13 MERLIN IV-C COMMANDER 502 KING AIR 200 105 MITSUBISHI MARQUISE OWNERS 15 ROCKWELL 560 12 KING AIR 200C 1 MITSUBISHI MU-2D Aircraft Count COMMANDER 12 KING AIR 200T 29 MITSUBISHI MU-2F 21 ROCKWELL 560A 9 ADAM A500 203 KING AIR 300 1 MITSUBISHI MU-2G COMMANDER 1550 BARON 58 House Ad 3 KING AIR 300LW 22 MITSUBISHI MU-2J 17 ROCKWELL 560E 479 BARON 58P COMMANDER 588 KING AIR 350 32 MITSUBISHI MU-2K 137 BARON 58TC 11 ROCKWELL 560F 34 KING AIR 350C 15 MITSUBISHI MU-2L 5 BARON A56TC COMMANDER Full Page 17 KING AIR 90 23 MITSUBISHI MU-2M 142 BARON G58 36 ROCKWELL 680 SUPER 7 KING AIR A/B90 30 MITSUBISHI MU-2N 4/C Ad 43 BEECH BARON 56 TC 17 ROCKWELL 680E 120 KING AIR A100 38 MITSUBISHI MU-2P 2 BEECH BARON 58 PA 19 ROCKWELL 680F 203 KING AIR A200 55 MITSUBISHI SOLITAIRE 217 BEECH DUKE B60 COMMANDER 58 KING AIR A90 673 PILATUS P-12 193 CESSNA 340 22 ROCKWELL 680FL GRAND 221 KING AIR A90-1 341 PILATUS PC-12 NG 556 CESSNA 340A COMMANDER 135 KING AIR B100 549 PILATUS PC-12/45 120 CESSNA 402B 14 ROCKWELL 680FLP 902 KING AIR B200 154 PILATUS PC-12/47 BUSINESS LINER GRAND LINER 78 KING AIR B200C 18 PIPER 700P AEROSTAR 64 CESSNA 402C 63 KING AIR B200GT 492 PIPER MERIDIAN 38 CESSNA 404 TITAN HIGH PERFORMANCE 2 KING AIR B200SE 10 ROCKWELL 680T TURBO 288 CESSNA 414 MOVE-UP SINGLES 3 KING AIR B200T 6 ROCKWELL 680V TURBO II 374 CESSNA 414A 66 KING AIR B90 7 ROCKWELL 680W TURBO II CHANCELLOR OWNERS Aircraft Count 295 KING AIR C90 9 ROCKWELL 681 HAWK 72 CESSNA 421 32 KING AIR C90-1 89 SOCATA TBM-700A 61 CESSNA 421A 160 KING AIR C90A 91 SOCATA TBM-700B 250 BEECH BONANZA 454 CESSNA 421B 493 CESSNA 182 316 KING AIR C90B 4 SOCATA TBM-700C1 757 CESSNA 421C 7 KING AIR C90SE 115 SOCATA TBM-700C2 71 CESSNA 206 66 CESSNA T303 448 CESSNA P210N 278 KING AIR E90 318 SOCATA TBM-850 124 PIPER 601P AEROSTAR 160 KING AIR F90 22 SOCATA TBM-900 26 CESSNA P210R 29 PIPER 602P AEROSTAR 58 CESSNA T182 17 KING AIR F90-1 6 STARSHIP 2000A 465 PIPER CHIEFTAIN 1 MERLIN 300 51 TURBO COMMANDER 1000 1 CESSNA T206 28 PIPER MOJAVE 2714 CIRRUS SR22 1 MERLIN IIA 27 TURBO COMMANDER 690 870 PIPER NAVAJO 29 MERLIN IIB 129 TURBO COMMANDER 690A 240 PIPER MALIBU 24 ROCKWELL 500 SHRIKE 387 PIPER MALIBU MIRAGE 12 MERLIN III 113 TURBO COMMANDER 690B 33 ROCKWELL 500A SHRIKE 20 MERLIN IIIA 58 TURBO COMMANDER 840 69 ROCKWELL 500B SHRIKE 37,744 TOTAL 49 MERLIN IIIB 16 TURBO COMMANDER 900 46 ROCKWELL 500S SHRIKE 14 MERLIN IIIC 23 TURBO COMMANDER 980 8 ROCKWELL 500U SHRIKE AIRCRAFT 5 MERLIN IV John Shoemaker, Advertising Director 2779 Aero Park Drive • P.O. Box 968 • Traverse City, MI 49685-0968 (800) 773-7798 • (231) 946-3712 • Fax: (231) 946-9588 E-mail: [email protected] • www.twinandturbine.com

DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 1­ Simcom Training Centers

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2 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 Contents DECEMBER 2015 • VOL. 19, NO. 12

EDITOR FEATURES LeRoy Cook 4 Editorial EDITORIAL OFFICE 2779 Aero Park Drive Foggy Bottom Traverse City, MI 49686 Phone: (660) 679-5650 E-mail: [email protected] 6 Beech Baron C55 PUBLISHERS J. Scott Lizenby The 50th Anniversary of the Big-Engine Baron Dave Moore 6 PRESIDENT Dave Moore 12 Winter Wisdom

CFO How To Fly Through Winter Safely J. Scott Lizenby

PRODUCTION MANAGER From The Flight Deck Mike Revard 18 Guide My Sleigh PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR Steve Smith – Kevin R. Dingman

GRAPHIC DESIGN 12 Michael McCatty Twin Proficiency ADVERTISING DIRECTOR John Shoemaker 20 Confirmation Bias Twin & Turbine 2779 Aero Park Drive – Thomas P. Turner Traverse City, MI 49686 Phone: 1-800-773-7798 Simcom Training Centers Fax: (231) 946-9588 [email protected] 22 After You Land, Call This Number… Full Page Responding To The FAA REPRINT SALES DIRECTOR 18 MEDIA COORDINATOR – Kevin Ware 4/C Ad ADVERTISING ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Betsy Beaudoin Phone: 1-800-773-7798 26 En Route: [email protected] Sierra Industries introduces improved, SUBSCRIBER SERVICES re-designed entry step for Cessna Citations Rhonda Kelly TBM Owners and Pilots Association Convention Diane Chauvin Molly Costilo Brings Daher Turboprop Family Together P.O. Box 968 JetProp Announces Upcoming Delivery Of 300th Aircraft Traverse City, MI 49685 20 1-800-447-7367 Blue Sky Network Unveilst Satellite Tracking System

COVER PHOTO Photo Courtesy of LeRoy Cook 32 On Final

TWIN & TURBINE WEBSITE The Art Of The Preflight www.twinandturbine.com­­ – David Miller Issues of Twin & Turbine are available for free 22 www.twinandturbine.com

Twin & Turbine (ISSN 1945-6514), USPS 24432 is published monthly by Village Press, Inc. with advertising offices located at 2779 Aero Park Drive, Traverse City, Michigan 49686. Telephone (231) 946-3712. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Copyright 2015, Village Press, Inc. Periodical Postage Paid at Traverse City, MI. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Twin & Turbine is distributed at no charge to all registered owners of cabin-class aircraft. The mailing list is updated monthly. All others may subscribe by writing to: Twin & Turbine, P.O. Box 968, Traverse City, MI 49685, or by calling 1-800-447-7367. Rates for the United States and its possessions follow: one year $29.95; two years $52.50. Canadian subscriptions are $15 per year additional, including GST tax. Overseas subscriptions are $30 per year additional, U.S. funds. Single copies $3.95. ADVERTISING: Advertising in Twin & Turbine does not necessarily imply endorsement. Queries, questions, and requests for media kits should be directed to the Advertising Director, Twin & Turbine, P.O. Box 968, Traverse City, Michigan 49685. Telephone 1-800-773-7798. Website: www.twinandturbine.com. MANUSCRIPTS: Twin & Turbine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or art work. While unsolicited submissions are welcome, it is best to query first and ask for our Writer’s Guidelines. All unassigned submissions must be accompanied by return postage. Address queries and requests for Writer’sGuidelines to the editor. POSTMASTER: Send address changes and inquiries to Twin & Turbine, Village Press, Inc., P.O. Box 968, Traverse City, MI 49685. DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN­ & TURBINE •• 3­ editor’sbriefing Foggy Bottom

till in the sunshine as the gear Do not rely on glowing prognostications you obtained prior and first flaps went out, it to departure. As we are forced, more and more, to rely on Slooked as if the arrival was our own weather research in the absence of a friendly human proceeding normally. The airport’s briefer, it’s even more important to keep multiple alternates in landmarks were coming out of the mind. Because the FAA is discontinuing area forecasts (the old haze, obscured somewhat by the FA), they are no longer describing regional outlooks. We’ll have early sun angle. Wisps of morning to check prog charts against hourly METARs and determine if mist filled the valleys under us, but the TAF is likely to be working out. All the more so when the they should be dissipating with destination is both non-towered and has no weather reporting. solar warmth. Legalities aside, you ALWAYS need an alternate.

Sliding down final, the runway first came into view, then Clear sunny or starry skies notwithstanding, a dab of moisture became less distinct as we grew lower, then disappeared as we when the temperature drops to the dew point is all it takes to started to flare for the touchdown. Whiteness wrapped around turn routine into irritating. At that point, you need to revisit what the aircraft as I struggled to maintain orientation. Somewhere, it means to be Pilot In Command. there’s a bottom to this, was my initial thought. Then, I began The lesson is that no flight’s conclusion is assured until the Jetbed to worry about picking up the centerline so I could track the tires stop rolling. The bottom of a descent can get foggy at the Full Page runway on rollout. Cripes, one runway light at a time is all I can last second. As pilots, we need alternates, and the resolution see flashing below me. to exercise them, even when we think we’re practically home. 4/C Ad Power up, positive rate, gear up and we popped back up into Life is like that; just when you are sure nothing can go wrong, the sunlight. The non-homogeneous ground fog hadn’t appeared the road develops a curve. threatening, but at touchdown height it obscured forward vision When you encounter a foggy bottom at the end of your enough to remove needed references. The solution was to orbit descent, be prepared to execute survival actions. Know your the field to approach from the opposite direction, where the options, switch to Plan B, and communicate your intentions sun’s lessened glare, and perhaps thinner fog, left the runway to all concerned. That’s just being a pilot, staying thoroughly in sight during the flare. flexible to the end.

My good friend and mentor Dennis Shattuck once told me a LeRoy Cook, Editor similar tale, about an after-midnight arrival in his Mooney. He could see the runway lights from directly above, but found they disappeared in a 50-foot layer of ground fog when he tried to land. After two attempts, he gave up and went elsewhere–a very wise choice.

4 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 Jetbed

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DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 5­ Big-EngineBy LeRoy Cook

6 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 BARON Turns Fifty

true “twin Bonanza”, in the form of the Model 95 Travel Air, originally called the “Badger” until someone realized NATO had tagged a Russian bomber with the same name. To create the Model 95, the Bonanza airframe was given the T-34 trainer’s tail and a 180-hp Lycoming on each wing. A good little airplane, the Travel Air was limited by its small engines, but its type certificate #3A16 was later amended, in late 1960, to create the Model 55 (technically, 95-55) Baron, with a massive swept tail and 260-hp Continental IO-470 engines.

Going Up A Size Growth, in the go-go days of the 1960s and 70s, was a given. By 1964, Continental had reworked the he Beechcraft Baron C55, the first of the Baron IO-470 into the IO-520 and, suddenly, everyone building line to use Continental’s big-bore IO-520 engines, Continental-powered airplanes had more horsepower Tachieved certification on August 18, 1965. In the to work with. The Baron C55 was introduced as a 1966 half-century since, it continually retained its status model with a foot-longer nose than its B55 sibling, a one- as the foundation of fast personal transportation, and piece windshield and 200 pounds more gross weight. was eventually expanded into stretched-cabin and The tail span was increased to 16 feet, versus the B55’s pressurized variants. Further upgrades with a new panel 13.75. The better-looking profile and extra useful load and 300-hp engines came along with the 1984 Baron 58. made it a hot seller from the outset.

The C, D and E version of the Baron 55 is often The C55 was changed to a D55 designation in 1968 overlooked, viewed as something thirstier and heavier and the E55 came along in 1970, concurrent with the than the smaller B55 but less capable than the Baron introduction of the Baron 58. A steady seller, the E55 58. Given that it’s not as suitable for a six-seat mission, remained in the line until production ended in 1982. it is, in all other aspects, a great business and family Some 1,200 C55 through E55 Barons were made (serial traveling tool, often priced near, or below, single-engine number prefix “TE”), most of them produced at a 150- competitors. Admittedly, its upkeep and training needs 200 per year clip in the first four years, before the Baron are fully multi-engine requirements. But older Barons 58 drove annual demand down to 25 or so in the 1970s. still represent near-turbine capability in a compact Our subject airplane is the personal transport of package with relatively simple systems. Kansas City entrepreneur Chris Hall, a stock 1966 Baron To review, the foundations of the Beech Baron were C55 which has seen careful tending over the past five laid in 1957, when Beech Aircraft certificated its first decades and still serves splendidly. Hall flies a King Air

DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 7­ C90 in his business, but uses the C55 for proficiency and air scoop atop the nacelles, missing on the B55. A for runs requiring only one or two seats. He is an A&P, large electrically-adjustable cowl flap is under each so he’s able to keep up with the occasional aging issues, engine. The tight cowlings feature hinged side panels for like the recurring spar web inspection on the wing’s maintenance access; the two batteries are in the lower carry-through section, a balky heater and intermittent portion of the nose. Three-blade propellers were an instrumentation. As a well-populated aircraft, with option on the early Barons, although ultimate efficiency strong type-club support from the American Bonanza was actually found with two-blade props. Many 1960s Society (www.bonanza.org), service and parts are Barons had alcohol de-iced propellers, along with a readily available. windshield spraybar, and non-FIKI pneumatic boots were on the wings and tail. Landing/recognition lights The IO-520/550-powered Barons are distinguished are located in the outboard leading edges, with a taxi from the IO-470-driven airplanes by a small induction light on the nosegear strut. While using many Bonanza-derived components in the wings, cabin and landing gear, the Baron C55 had more robust structure to handle its 5,300 gross weight. The electrically-actuated flaps have extended chord length beyond the outboard trailing edges; the left aileron has an adjustable trim tab, with servo action to lighten yoke forces. Fuel is contained in interconnected bladders, using leading-edge cells like the Bonanza but with added tankage behind the spar. The de-facto optional system holds 136 usable gallons, 74 in the mains and 62 in an auxiliary selection. Starting in 1974, the E55 eliminated the auxiliary tank management with a 166-gallon interconnected system. The electrically-operated landing gear zips up and down in 4.5 seconds with 28-volt power, carrying 6.50 x 8 main tires and a 5.00 x 5 on the nose. As with the Bonanza, the gear is fully enclosed when stowed, the inboard gear doors opening and reclosing as it cycles. Backup extension is via a manual crank. A large baggage door (optional but always ordered) is aft of the boarding wingwalk, allowing aft baggage or fifth and sixth seat occupants to be loaded. Typically, 55-series Barons are operated with one or both rear seats removed, due to the difficulty of ingress. Most baggage goes in the 300-lb capacity nose compartment, accessed by a swing-up door on the right side. The prominent mast under the nose carries a still-installed ADF sense wire that extends aft to another post under the tailcone. The impressive Baron tail stretches 9.2 feet into the air and spans 15.9 feet. Dual elevator trim tabs are fitted for symmetry, augmented by small fixed tabs. The rudder has its own trim tab for engine-out conditions. A fresh-air inlet is located in the large dorsal fin, feeding the cabin’s overhead vent system. Heating is supplied by a 50,000-BTU Janitrol combustion heater in the nose.

Fast Flying In The 1960s Boarding via the wingwalk, we entered the time-warp cabin of N48SC. The dual control wheels are mounted on a single crossbeam, obscuring much of the lower panel. Bonanzas and Barons frequently came with a single throw-over yoke, giving more room for the front passenger, as evidenced by fold-away rudder pedals, with

8 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 Woodland Aviation

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4/C Ad no brakes, on the right side. The tight confines of the Baron cockpit is the secret to its 200-knot top cruise number. Accordingly, power controls had to be placed high in the center panel. Much has been made by self-appointed correctionists over the odd placement of cockpit controls, to which Walter Beech would have said “what’s odd about it?” The Baron’s throttles are in the center of the quadrant, with props on the left and mixtures on the right; the gear knob is right of the yoke, with flaps on the left. This arrangement was bequeathed to the Travel Air and Baron from the Twin Bonanza, which had carried it forward from the Beech 18, itself patterned after the front offices of 1940’s two-pilot airliners. It remained so until the 1984 redesign of the Baron 58. One adapts easily enough. The fuel selectors are beside the knee, giving main, aux and crossfeed settings with schematic portrayal. Ignition and starting switches are on the left sidewall, guarded by a key-operated master switch. Trim wheels are on the lower quadrant, with cowl-flap switches on the subpanel. The electric cowl flaps were changed to manual levers midway through the E55’s production, to eliminate maintenance. Dual-needle power instruments are located directly above the levers controlling them, Pacific Coast Avionics at eye-level for easy scanning during takeoff. The door absolutely must be checked for latching Quarter Page before takeoff; if it pops open in-flight the noise level is dramatic and it cannot be closed without landing, 4/C Ad although the airplane is safely flyable. The middle windows feature Bonanza-style prop-open ventilation for ground operation, and double as emergency exits if a release pin is pulled. Starting requires boosting up a bit of fuel pressure, then beginning cranking with throttle at idle and advancing it slowly until the engine catches. An adroit application of boost pump overcomes reluctance and the second engine follows in due course. Taxiing is a pleasure with positive nosegear steering, although the tall glareshield presents some challenge. At runway end, the usual piston-engine checks are best followed by reviewing a checklist, due to the 1960’s scattering of target items. Controls, cowl flaps, trims, doors and windows are confirmed, followed by a runup, beginning with prop exercise at 2,200 rpm, reducing to 1,700 for mags test, and reduced further to 1,500 rpm for a feathering check.

Takeoff Planning While the big-engine Barons are about as capable as any piston twin under engine-out conditions, takeoff planning should always begin with consideration of “what if...” Early Barons were grandfathered out of the airspeed indicator markings of Vmca and Vyse, but most have been retro-marked. On N48SC, a blue radial

10 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 SPECIFICATIONS trim is fine tuned. The superlative 200 knots supposedly 1966 Beech Baron C55 comes at 75% power and 6,500 MSL, but most trips will Powerplants Seats 6 see 185-190 knots on 65% power, where fuel burn runs Fuel 142 gal. usable 28 to 30 gph. Performance Service ceiling 20,900 ft. While a stable, comfortable cruiser, the Baron Single-engine ceiling 7,100 ft. C55 seriously enjoys being maneuvered, with light Max. cruise speed 200 kts. controls and quick response, particularly with the Stall speed 67 kts aerodynamically-boosted aileron circuit. Beech always Takeoff distance (50 ft. obstacle) 968 ft. built nice-flying airplanes, and the big Barons, even the Landing distance (50 ft. obstacle) 1,414 ft. 6,000-lb 56TC, are all fun to fly. Max. range (w/reserve) 955 n. mi. Climb rate-2 engines 1,670 fpm Slowed down, the Baron C55 handles well, even at Climb rate-1 engine 335 fpm 80 knots; approach flaps and gear can go out at 152 knots and full flaps are allowed below 122 (the C55 was Weights MTOW 5,300 lb. certificated around mph indications, which will be used Landing 5,300 lb. in equivalency for its operation). Even an approach stall Empty 3,015 lb. was tolerated well, coming at about 70 knots. Useful load 2,285 lb. Dimensions Wingspan 37.8 ft. An approach and landing starts by leveling at 140 Height 9.2 ft. knots, often with first-flaps extended to improve visibility, Length 29 ft. putting the gear down to initiate descent and using 120 Cabin length 11.75 ft. knots for pattern maneuvering, then slowing to 105 on Cabin width 3.5 ft. final and perhaps 95-100 over the fence. Barons roll out Cabin height 4.2 ft. enthusiastically and, while an 1,800-foot landing over Baggage 420 lb. a 50-foot obstacle is quoted, doubling that distance is a wiser policy. Precision, however, is easy to achieve with the responsive handling. denotes the 100-knot Vyse, but there’s no red line for the Vmc of 80 knots. Knowledgeable Baron pilots pitch If one is prepared for its geriatric maintenance up to a climbout attitude comparable to that attained requirements, a 50-year-old big-engine Baron is a great at single-engine best-climb speed, accelerating rather old traveling machine. With modern avionics, it delivers than zooming skyward exuberantly. Barons don’t like to fine value and performs as it always has. There is a stay on the ground near liftoff, tending to wheelbarrow if 500-hour recurring AD inspection for cracks in the held down, so lifting off at close to the Vxse of 96 knots center-section spar web that can be eliminated with a and getting the gear up with positive rate places the kit, the rest of the maintenance depending on the state aircraft in safe territory. Beech’s handbook numbers, of neglect and wear. Beechcraft products are well built, on the other hand, are based on liftoff at Vmc + 5 knots. but parts can be pricey. The Baron climbs well, particularly if lightly loaded A half-century seems to come along before we realize with both engines on duty. Expect 1,500 fpm or more at it. It’s worth taking note of such a milestone, recognizing full chat, brisk enough that one pulls power back to 25 a great airplane. T&T square and accelerates into a cruise-climb of 130-140 • knots to prevent ear-popping pressure changes. Quickly reaching optimum cruising altitude in the 8,000 to 10,000-foot range, the cowl flaps are buttoned up and

DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 11­ Winter Wisdom lying through the pit of winter, when life- A wise old north-country pilot once told me “Son, threatening wind chills and unusable runways never fly over country you aren’t prepared to walk out of.” Fare distinct possibilities, is not for the faint of He meant you should carry a parka, wear boots instead temperament. It takes devotion to the cause to tug an of loafers, have headgear and gloves, and upgrade the airplane out onto a slippery ramp in the dark, perform survival kit in the baggage compartment. Carry some a perfunctory preflight with numb fingers, and race blankets for the passengers, in case the cabin heat goes snowstorms to the destination’s final approach course. inoperative. Take winter seriously. Wintertime flying is a tiresome chore, and if you live in the balmy southlands but make occasional trips And Then, There’s The Weather northward, you are going to be doubly challenged. Weather patterns in wintertime move rapidly. You may have one day of ideal CAVU conditions, during which Dealing with winter’s difficulties calls for an annual you’ll make plans to go flying tomorrow, replaced the renewing of dormant skills. It’s a time to dig out the following day by a nasty front, which then turns into engine covers that have been piled in the corner of the another clear day before the next system arrives. Winds, hangar, put the tire chains back on the tow tractor, and both aloft and on the surface, can be strong and shifting apply ICEX to the boots and/or recheck the deicing as high pressure and low pressure alternate over a steep fluid’s level, if you haven’t fired them in anger lately. gradient. The jet stream dips south of its summer tracks, Most importantly, you’ll need to refresh your own winter- and triple-digit headwinds play havoc with medium- flying talents and methods. altitude flight planning. Summertime flying is a much more casual affair. Our airplanes can cover a lot of territory in a few Convective weather notwithstanding, one expects to go hours, often taking us from one type of air mass to on schedule, with little preparation. Airports are always another, so an easy departure might be followed by a open, daylight is in the majority, ramp attire is the same tight approach. Going into the northern tier of states shirt you wore in the cockpit. Winter, by comparison, requires added preparation and rethinking of one’s demands respect. You had best be prepared, or you’ll options. Flying over or through multiple weather systems be punished. can require careful planning. Going east or west can

12 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 mean dealing with tomorrow’s or yesterday’s weather, optimistic, compared to the forward flight visibility seen as well as today’s. from the cockpit. Sure, you can always see the ground straight underneath the airplane in snow, as long as The good weather days are the ones that are cold and you’re clear of cloud, but as the intensity of falling snow clear, miserably frigid under domes of high pressure. picks up that circle of visibility shrinks. Warmer weather brings cloud layers and the threat of precipitation. Most of the time, you’ll find it relatively When flying near significant bodies of water, be easy to top the lower layers of cloud, since the clear air cognizant of the lake effect snowfall on the downwind is waiting no higher than the low teens. The bad news side of the moisture source. As an otherwise-mild change is that, if there’s any moisture about, you won’t want to in air mass moves across the water, it picks up moisture linger during the climbout. Icing is going to be found at it can’t hold and readily dumps it the form of airport- some level in those clouds, maybe even on the ground closing amounts of snow to the south and east. Chose an under them. Depart without delay, with everything alternate on the dry side of the water or far to the south. turned on to ward off ice, and expedite your ascents Circling approaches are particularly risky when snow and descents. Do not fool around with “just a little ice”, is falling; there’s nothing much in the way of visual and don’t count on it sublimating away in the clear, reference to maintain orientation. All of the cockpit particularly if the sun angle is low or non-existent. aids on the panel need to be supplemented with old- Winter precipitation is much more schedule- fashioned caution when you’re groping for an airport threatening than summer showers. Light rain is hardly that passed by under the side window. cause for concern, only dropping visibility to a couple of It’s quite common to encounter temperature miles unless the air becomes saturated. Light snow, on inversions during the cold season. Cold air pools at the other hand, can immediately result in a quarter-mile ground level overnight, leaving the previous afternoon’s of whiteout visibility, and it only takes a cloud layer as relatively-warm air floating along a few thousand feet thick as a handkerchief, it seems, to generate significant AGL. Pollutants are trapped in the cold layer and cannot snow. Down low, a snow-covered landscape blends into rise through the cap of warm air, reducing visibility. an indistinct cloud base with dangling tentacles of When moisture-laden warm air moves over the top of snow. Reported ground visibility might be enchantingly the stubborn cold air, raindrops falling into the sub-

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DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 13­ freezing temperatures below will become supercooled, and taxiways get as prompt attention as runways. remaining liquid until they contact a surface like your Calling before you go is the best advice for winter airplane, where they turn into clear ice. This freezing operation. Find out if the FBOs are ready to receive rain is instantaneous trouble and must be exited without traffic and what is their best estimate for the airport delay; climbing into the warm air is traditionally the reopening. If you’re going to want a hangar or deicing best escape, but it doesn’t always work. If trapped on services, get in line by making your needs known the ground while freezing rain is falling, waiting it out in advance. in a heated hangar is about the only option. Runway conditions are pretty much a known quantity Airports That Aren’t Always There in summertime, other than for some ponding of standing water after a rainstorm. Summer’s wet pavement adds In winter, you’ll have to deal with the reality of runway to the stopping-distance requirement, but not by as closures and perhaps entire airports shut down. The much as the slickness of wintertime conditions. Braking storm may have moved on, but the airport remains action reports are to be taken seriously; know the closed while snow removal is underway. General aviation friction-meter readings that mean trouble, starting is prized for its ability to use smaller fields, giving us at about 40 and above. Yes, you can land on a snow- more destination options. However, small-town airports covered runway, but how much more room will you don’t have the big snowplows and manpower of big-city need to get stopped? How much snow depth can you aerodromes, and they may not recover from a big storm tolerate? What if you hydroplane on locked-up brakes? for several days. Snow removal is an even-lower priority What if your brakes freeze from snow accumulated where it seldom occurs. Those freak snowstorms that during parking? These are all valid concerns for winter hit the upper southland now and then can wreak havoc operations. with trip schedules; the only plows in the county are The point is, runways can be quite variable in busy clearing freeways, leaving the airport for already- suitability during the winter. If you’re counting on overworked contractors. dry pavement to meet your needs, be sure that is Up in the snow country, of course, clearing the what’s waiting for you. Don’t forget that patches of airport is a routine chore. But that doesn’t mean ramps frozen stuff may be lingering on part of the runway,

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14 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 even after it has been plowed. And, have a care when taxiing. Late in the winter, some pretty impressive mountains of pushed snow will have been accumulated on the ramp edges and around the smaller taxiways. Don’t hook a wingtip on one of these moguls, or turn into a winter-tightened taxiway that can’t accommodate your wingspan as well as in summertime. Moreover, always taxi as if you had no brakes; you might not. Be especially careful on days with flat lighting, as encountered under a gray overcast that leaves no shadows, particularly deceptive after a fresh snowfall LEKTRO, Inc. has rendered everything a tidy shade of white. The old snowpiles fade into invisibility, allowing you taxi right Quarter Page into them without knowing they’re there. Fingers of loose drift accumulate downwind of these piles of used 4/C Ad snow, and you can roll into a foot of fresh snow without ever seeing it. Throw on your taxi lights to create some shadows, even though it’s daytime. Can we operate in the winter, safely and effectively? Sure, but it’ll take some effort to deal with the vagaries of old man winter. Operate with caution and keep your options open.•T&T

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DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 15­ Raisbeck

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16 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 Raisbeck

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DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 17­ From the Flight Deck frequency of an in-range FBO for fuel information. With the touch of a finger, we can see current METARS Guide My Sleigh and fuel prices. Although normally involving self-serve stations, the fuel by Kevin R. Dingman cost icons on electronic charts help us locate less-expensive fuel at out- his past fall, I made several Biblically Speaking of-the-way fields. trips in the Duke that needed And since we celebrate a pivotal the WAAS GPS discussed in Wet Head and Wet Pants T and culturally-momentous event the September T&T article “Old- Have you noticed, though, that the in December, I can seasonally School”: a Garmin 430W coupled self-serve fuel pumps are typically and politically correctly add that to a Century IV autopilot and flight nowhere near the public restrooms? the increases in safety and utility director. In fact, one leg would turn Or any shelter for that matter. Picture are of Biblical proportions. With out to be critical – more on this in a progressive taxi instructions to a cooperative terrain, we can descend bit. The trips were right around the remote, wind-swept ramp out near as much as three or four hundred time when a weather system coming feet lower than before– usually to a the landfill. And sometimes the off the Atlantic produced strong winds DH of 200-250 feet AGL. And, with pumps require a checkride, sign-off along the Eastern U.S. As explained proper approach or runway lighting, and training-completion code before by the weather channel, some of us to visibilities in the ¾ mile range. they‘ll work. While WAAS may help learned an additional application for These minimums are pretty much us to get into more airports with bad the word “fetch” – other than the ones what you get on the average ILS. This weather and cheap fuel, the fact that involving a tossed stick or a spousal significantly increases our options. you needed LPV minimums in the request. Apparently, fetch can also be And when your back is up against first place indicates that the METAR used to describe the effect of strong, The Red Sea, options are a good likely includes OBSCD, FG, BR, RA, sustained winds traveling a long thing – biblically speaking. Another TSRA or SN – sometimes with a plus distance over a large body of water. momentous feature provided by sign in front of them. These visibility The phenomenon created hefty surf, modern electronic gadgetry is current restrictions dampen my bald head flooding and plenty of low IMC. weather and fuel prices at airports on that unsheltered, wind-swept along our route. That’s immensely ramp out by the landfill. We must Unless we’re taking someone to now consider not only the approach a major airport to use the airlines, more efficient than asking center to dig up the weather or locating the available, the distance/cost of going our final destination can normally off-course for the cheaper fuel, but the be reached more efficiently by wet-head component. We must also landing at one of the thousands of GA consider how urgently we and our airports around the country. During pax need the public restroom. After the weather systems’ influence, remote fueling, we sometimes need WAAS GPS allowed me to fly the to restart the motors and taxi back Duke into airports in the Carolinas to civilization and the indoor potty. previously served only by traditional non-precision approach procedures. Looking back at those approaches, we can shake our heads and reflect as we compare not only the inaccuracy of their lateral and vertical guidance, but the stability of the procedure, the navaid and the avionics displaying the information. GPS, modern avionics and NextGen procedures have turned another page in aviation history. GPS approaches with LPV minimums, to thousands of airports that were previously accessible only through VOR, NDB or circling approaches, offer a substantial increase in utility and safety.

18 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 New considerations go into flight inverted and what’s one dot among the time I noticed, it was too late planning these days – all because of friends anyway? This event did get to salvage the approach. During the those darned LPV minimums and my attention though; all of it. Due to 360 to re-intercept final, I got slow. fuel price displays. the “fetch” phenomenon, the weather How slow? Don’t ask, but I can tell within an hour in any direction was you with one throttle at idle, the gear Two Different Animals 400/2. It was daytime, the ice was warning and stall warning use the I’ve read articles discussing the trace-rime at cruise and “only” one same horn. The landing was fine, question of increased risk associated motor had an issue. I consider my but to say the approach was sloppy with GPS/LPV approaches. Although instrument crosscheck to be very would be generous. It turned out we may not be up to low-IMC thorough because that’s what others to be a loose oil line. Four quarts approaches as a regular diet, are tell me. My flight instrument and (out of ten) remained after landing. we flying into or over lower IMC navigation crosscheck is professional, Mechanics Darrell and Jim found the than before, simply because our but my engine crosscheck is constant leak in minutes, fixed it, added oil, electronic magic makes us more and concentrated. I can’t afford to cleaned it up and that was that; less comfortable? There are several sides hurt the engines in the Duke and, than $200. After a night in the local to this dilemma. Number one, we after three engine failures at work, I hotel to contemplate life, death and can plan and fly trips in which the watch the parameters closely. It paid clean out my shorts, the next day weather will be 400/1, knowing that off. As you know, analog gauges make found the Duke back in the soup, the approaches we need are available it easy to notice when the left and headed home. most everywhere. Two, we can fly right needles are not parallel. The The Feds (who happened to be the trip with weather that is better right engine oil pressure gauge was there the next day doing a bird- (say 600/2), knowing that, if the about one-quarter scale lower than strike investigation), pilot friends and forecast was wrong or the weather the left. Unstrapping from my seat, I family all said, “well, you landed out deteriorates, we can still find those slid over to the right seat and looked of it, with crappy weather on one magical LPV minimums nearby. And at the motor – no visible clues. After motor, and didn’t bend any metal three, we can more comfortably fly moving back to the hot-seat, I looked – good enough.” I suppose so. But I over an extended area of low IMC, at the gauge again: even lower and pray to never fly so poorly again. I’m feeling secure that, if we need to slowly decreasing. Damn, this isn’t grateful to have had WAAS GPS to land immediately, many airports happening. help guide my sleigh. It’s even better with LPV minimums are under our than a glowing red-nosed reindeer. wings. All valid points, but I can How Slow? Don’t Ask Now that winter is upon us, with the tell you from experience, perhaps Pulling the throttle back didn’t associated low visibilities and runway the point of this article, that having help, as the pressure continued to contamination, remember to evaluate LPV minimums available along your drop. The last thing I wanted was for and manage the risks – including route of flight, and actually flying a it to seize and throw a prop blade or an honest look at your fitness and single-engine, single-pilot approach break an engine mount. So I did it: proficiency. I know I will. T&T to those minimums, are two different prop to feather, mixture to cutoff. animals. Add night time or icing to I declared the emergency, ran the • the picture and things could get very rest of the checklist and selected uncomfortable. And I’m not talking an airport: Lancaster, Ohio, an about a wet head or pants. We must uncontrolled airport, paved runway decide before we launch: are we the with HIRL, VASI, and a GPS approach pilot to fly that approach on one with LPV minimums of 200 and ½ motor to LPV mins? Which brings us mile. This would be only the fifth or back to my comment in the opening sixth approach to LPV mins with the paragraph and the newly installed new 430W and the first in weather Garmin 430W providing a critical Kevin Dingman has been flying for all the way down. And my first real- capability. over 40 years. He’s an ATP typed in life, IMC, single-engine approach the B737 and DC9 with 21,000 hours. There I was, on a dark and scary in a GA airplane. Like most piston A retired Air Force Major, he flew the night, a dot low and inverted on twins, a go-around from low altitude F-16 then performed as a USAF Civil Air Patrol Liaison Officer. He flies the glideslope, two inches of ice on is a 50/50 proposition and likely not volunteer missions for the Christian the wings, both motors coughing. possible after gear extension–this organization Wings of Mercy, is Sorry, that’s an old joke about trying would have to be done right the first employed by a major airline, and to make our stories sound bad to time. I porked the final approach owns and operates a Beechcraft Duke. Contact Kevin at Dinger10d@ highlight that they got our attention. course intercept because I forgot gmail.com Most engines will cough if you fly to execute the approach mode. By

DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 19­ Twin Proficiency: Confirmation Bias by Thomas P. Turner You can beat confirmation bias by

hile on a night instrument approach to a non- Now, the pilot on employing a little towered airport, the aircraft collided with the this fateful night healthy skepticism Wairport’s perimeter fence and terrain. The was not a newcomer. when briefing yourself fence and perimeter road were parallel to, and about A 28,000-hour ATP/ 750 feet east of, the runway. The last radar plot was at an CFII, he was highly for an approach (or a altitude of 1,200 feet MSL, slightly east of the runway, experienced in the visual night landing) and approximately 435 feet from the accident site. type of airplane Sheriff deputies reported that the weather was “foggy”. being flown and had The pilot was flying an RNAV (GPS) approach. The logged over 150 hours in the previous six months. During published minimums for the approach are a 400-foot the flight, the pilot received the weather conditions at ceiling and one mile visibility. The automated weather his intended destination and several tower-controlled station about 33 miles northwest of the accident site alternates from Air Traffic Control. He stated that he’d reported calm winds, temperature 41°F, dew point 41°F, do the RNAV (GPS) runway 31 approach at his filed visibility less than 1/4 mile and a Runway Visual Range destination, and if he couldn’t make it in, then he’d go ( RVR) of 600 feet variable to 1,200 feet in fog and an to an alternate about 50 miles away. indefinite ceiling. An examination of the airplane failed Nearing the airport, the pilot contacted Center and to reveal any anomalies with the airframe, structure, said: “I believe I’ve got (the airport) in sight right now, or systems. Under the conditions at the time, the pilot but I’m gonna go ahead and do the approach to make appeared to have mistaken the east perimeter road for the runway landing point. The NTSB’s probable cause: sure.” The controller replied, “All right, that’s good, The pilot’s decision to continue the approach below yeah, (the alternate is) showing clear, let me look and see minimums without visual references, and subsequent what that weather was at (the closest reporting station). collision with the perimeter fence/terrain. Yeah, it’s almost an hour old, but it was showing just a hundred there with quarter-mile visibility and fog.” The We tend to see what we want to see. And we tend pilot responded, “All right, I’ve got the prison (near the to believe what we want to believe, especially under airport) in sight, I know that, and it’s right there by the stress (like on a night approach in low IMC when we’re airport, I can see the lights at the prison.” There were no on a schedule to get to our destination). Research has further transmissions from the accident aircraft. As the shown this to be a common trait across all cultures and NTSB report states, the radar track and the wreckage societies. We suffer from a psychological predisposition makes it appear the pilot mistook a road for the runway. called confirmation bias. The airport in this event was equipped with MIRL Science Daily calls confirmation bias “a phenomenon (Medium Intensity Runway Lighting) and no touchdown wherein decision-makers have been shown to actively lights. AirNav.com (a commercial airport guide), listed seek out and assign more weight to evidence that the runway markings as “in poor condition,” according confirms their hypothesis, and ignore or under weigh to the NTSB. evidence that could disconfirm their hypothesis. As such, it can be thought of as a form of selection bias in Another NTSB report: collecting evidence.” If information or an observation During a localizer back course approach, the does not match our mindset, we tend to discount, or airplane collided with four electronic transmission even completely ignore, the contrary evidence. cables located 75 AGL and approximately 7,000 feet

20 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 short of the runway. The crew when briefing yourself for an pavement, or not at all if the runway executed a missed approach approach (or a visual night landing). is covered in snow). and landed uneventfully at an Check what pattern of approach “Runway in sight, landing.” alternate airport. The NTSB found and runway lights you’ll see when that the crew did not adequately you first have visual contact, from It’s not enough to see lights at the review the approach chart. The the Airport/Facility Directory, Missed Approach Point; you need to First Officer (pilot not flying) airnav.com or similar sources, and see the correct lights. If you don’t misidentified lights on the ground, on the airport view of instrument see the expected sequence of lights which influenced the captain’s approach charts (figure 1). Compare and markings on short final, miss subsequent misidentification (of the pattern to published examples the approach and climb out safely highway lights for the runway (figure 2), and finally the runway to try again or go to an alternate. If environment). stripes you expect to see (figure 3). the runway lights or markings are minimal, don’t combine low-light This was another case of On final approach, watch for the and poor visibility conditions–wait confirmation bias, in this event the specific patterns and make these for the sun to come up or the weather captain’s willingness to believe that callouts to yourself as you progress to improve, or go land somewhere lights not aligned with the runway down final. Say them aloud; there is else. Don’t just think you see the were the runway lights he was strong evidence that speaking aloud runway. You’ve got to know you looking for. The point is that even supports good operating technique: see it. T T high time professional airline crews & can fall victim to confirmation bias. “I have the approach lights Thomas• P. Turner is an ATP That, in turn, “confirms” that single- in sight.” CFII/MEI, holds a Masters De- pilot operators need to actively work “I have the runway edge lights gree in Aviation Safety, and was to avoid it as well. the 2010 National FAA Safety in sight.” Team Representative of the Year. Beating confirmation bias “I have the runway markings in Subscribe to Tom’s free FLYING You can beat confirmation bias by sight” (this may not occur until LESSONS Weekly e-newsletter at www.mastery-flight-training.com. employing a little healthy skepticism your landing light illuminates the

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DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 21­ “After you land… Call This Number” By Kevin Ware

t is 112 degrees F. on the ramp except for 6,000.” We write on approach the hold line for runway at North Las Vegas (KVGT), our wet paper with slippery pencils, 12R with all FMS data entered, ICitation 560 is facing southwest pushing the hot headset cushions plus all checklists complete, and into the afternoon sun and we uncomfortably close to our ears to tell the tower we are ready to go. have a GPU hooked up with the get it all down, and after a couple Thankfully, we are immediately air conditioning going full blast – of tries, our readback is accepted. cleared for takeoff. but the inside of the airplane still We then start entering the routing On this leg I am the pilot flying feels like a pizza oven. In addition into the Universal FMS and Garmin (PF), and after getting airborne I to being uncomfortable for us, we back-up system. know avionics can do really odd start a right turn to heading 250 in things when they get hot, so we About halfway through this, order to intercept the LAS 313 radial are anxious to get airborne and the ramp guy shows up and we out to the RUZCO intersection as cooled down before something hurriedly get the engines started, the SID requires. Passing through untoward happens. fearing he might again disappear. 1,500 feet, I turn on the autopilot With engines running and the GPU and hit NAV, and ask the pilot not But then, in the middle of disconnected, the AC seems to work flying (PNF) for the after-takeoff squinting, panting, and sweating a little better, but it is still well over checklist. About halfway through our way through the checklist, the 100 degrees in the cockpit as we the checklist, he says “hey, Kevin, ramp attendant suddenly walks off, ask for taxi clearance. While rolling where are you going?” I reply that I making an engine start ill-advised out, we respond to three separate am flying the published departure, with the GPU hooked up. While calls from the ground controller, and expect to start a right turn to hoping he will soon return, we asking us to confirm we have indeed intercept the 313 radial shortly. temporize by calling for our IFR been assigned the Right Turn Two He says, according to the Flight clearance back to Bellingham. departure. Each time we look at Director on his side, we just passed The clearance comes back with a our scrawled notes, check that the through that radial. I look over, and garbled …”cleared to Bellingham… correct SID is pulled up on our iPads sure enough we have an avionics Right Turn Two departure…flight and entered into the avionics, then discrepancy. Problem is, which one plan route…climb via …departure… confidently reply “affirmative.” We is correct?

22 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 The easiest thing to do at that point would be to call the radar controller, announce that we have an avionics problem and request she confirm our position. But, she is talking non- stop to airline traffic departing Las Vegas International and we cannot get in a word edgewise. Luckily, it is severe VFR, and there is no traffic nearby on the TCAS. And so, as the airplane levels off at our assigned 6,000 feet on heading 250, we have a brief CRM-type discussion about the problem. For several reasons, we decide the Universal system on the PNF’s side is probably putting out the correct information, and I switch the autopilot back to ‘heading’ and start a right turn to 360 to re-intercept Turbines, Inc. the 313 radial. While I am doing this, the PNF Third Page is waiting with his finger on the transmit button for a break on the 4/C Ad frequency to announce our situation. But, at the very end of a sentence while talking to another aircraft, she suddenly says “Citation XXX, were you assigned the Right Turn Two departure?” The PNF replies with a professional “affirmative”, and adds that we are correcting to return to the 313 radial. The controller responds with an abrupt and tersely worded series of heading and altitude changes that leaves him no time for further explanation. As we leave her frequency a few minutes later she says…“when you land, call this number, 702…” We complete the trip without any further incident, and after landing my fellow pilot volunteers to look into the airplane issues, if I call the 702 number. I dial it up and am surprised to be switched to the exact same lady controller we had back in Nevada. She seems in a hurry, and not at all interested in hearing Rocky Mountain Propellers Inc. our side of the story. She says she needs to complete a computer form Sixth Page and just wants my name, address, phone number and pilot’s license 4/C Ad type and number…the rest she says I can to talk to the FAA about. This does not sound at all good, so upon getting home I promptly fill out a

DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 23­ NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System via computer (http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov), and then start checking the daily mail with more interest than usual. Three weeks go by and nothing happens, but then an official-looking letter bearing the FAA logo arrives from Las Vegas by certified mail. It is dated two weeks prior to its arrival, yet it requests a reply in 10 days. The phrasing has a definite legal ring, as if written by a prosecuting criminal attorney, although it is signed by an Aviation Safety Inspector. It has a clear editorial bias that says we did indeed do something seriously Select Airparts wrong and enforcement action is being considered. The third paragraph even has a Miranda-type warning Quarter Page that any response I choose to make could be used against me. 4/C Ad The “guilty until proven innocent” tone makes me quite uncomfortable, and so I call a pilot acquaintance who was formerly employed as an attorney with the FAA and describe what happened. His attitude is actually not that concerned. First, he says promptly filing the NASA ASRS form was definitely a good idea, as the outcome of these events is often hard to predict. Second, when he worked for the FAA, the FSDOs often deliberately sent out letters later than they were dated, because they thought it made a prompt response more likely. Third, the Las Vegas area has one of the highest

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24 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 rates of ATC pilot deviation reports I contact the maintenance shop (I was very glad to hear), all of this in the country, and he thought this and find that after our return both had been properly entered into the might have something to do with the avionics and the faulty air aircraft’s logbook. why we were questioned three times conditioning were indeed worked on. I promptly obtain copies of the by the ground controller about I call the mechanic and he says they log and send these via e-mail to our SID clearance...”getting it on never found out exactly what was the Las Vegas-based FAA Aviation the tape.” went wrong with the avionics, but Safety Inspector. A week later, I get he understood the airplane had been Finally, on a more positive note, a return e-mail saying, “I closed out heat soaked and that can often cause he says the FAA is definitely in the investigation with no action, since software and wiring connection the business of weeding out “bad” you provided documentation showing problems that are difficult to pilots, but, at the same time, they the avionics discrepancy involved reproduce. He says they removed know only a very small percentage in the pilot deviation was repaired”. the boxes, reprogrammed the of pilots fit that description, and, in addition, they generally do not software, tightened all connections, Who says the FAA is always hold pilots in violation for ATC re-tested the systems and now they unreasonable, or that all heat-soaked deviations that are equipment- all operate normally. The AC system avionics failure stories necessarily based. His concluding advice was also charged with Freon, and have bad endings? T&T was that I should describe what • happened in a letter, send it in as a reply, then see what happens. Kevin Ware is an ATP who also holds CFI, MEII and helicopter ratings, and I draft a reply which is almost is typed in several business jets. He identical to the ASRS report I had has been flying for a living on and already submitted to NASA. To off since he was 20, and currently cover my bets on the timeline, I works as a contract pilot for sever- al corporations in the Seattle area. send it off to the FSDO inspector in When not working as a pilot, he is Las Vegas by e-mail, fax and USPO. employed part-time as an emergency A week of silence follows, and then and urgent care physician for a large one morning my cell phone rings clinic in the Seattle area. with none other than the Aviation Safety Inspector from Las Vegas on the line. Unlike the tone of the letter bearing his signature, his attitude Nashua Flight Simulator is quite different, being both friendly and courteous. We chat a bit about Sixth Page our flying backgrounds before getting down to the business at 4/C Ad hand. He then says he has a long computer form to fill out, and he would appreciate my help with that. The form has some questions one would expect, such as time of day and weather conditions, but most are completely irrelevant to our operation, such as those about rest periods and multiple time zone flights. When the long data-entry process is finally over, he says, given Double M Aviation that there appeared to be an avionics discrepancy, he would assume the Sixth Page airplane was sent to the shop and a repair entry made in the logbook. 4/C Ad If so, and if I could send him a copy of that entry within the next five days, he should be able to just close the file.

DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 25­ EN ROUTE

Sierra Industries introduces improved, re-designed entry step for Cessna Citations essna Citation modification firm Sierra • Inertia reel cable with T-handle makes the step easy to retract from Industries is proud to introduce Version 2.0 of inside the cabin Cits Citation cabin step. Designed with significant • STC approval (pending) for Citation models 500, 501SP, 550, 551SP, improvements in functionality and appearance over the S550, 560 (V, Ultra, Encore), 525 (CJ, CJ1, CJ1+), 525A (CJ2, original factory step, the “SkyStep” improves safety CJ2+), 525B (CJ3, CJ3+) and utility at a highly competitive price. Manufactured at Sierra’s PMA-approved facility in Uvalde, Texas, • Options such as integral lighting, custom paint and tread finishes are the SkyStep is applicable to a wide variety of classic also offered. Citation aircraft. The SkyStep is now available at an introductory price of $15,500 installed, a superb value, compared Improved features of the new step design include: to the cost of the stock Cessna Citation replacement • Precision machined from aircraft aluminum to eliminate cracking step. Sierra’s price includes onsite (continental US) and breaking installation by Sierra technicians. A discount of $1,500 • Enclosed back & sides to prevent slipping and improve applies if installed at one of Sierra’s MRO facilities in passenger security Uvalde or San Antonio, Texas. • Three evenly-spaced steps instead of two, for enhanced ease of entry A video is at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8 7DZmg3wmCw&feature=youtu.be • First step is closer to the ground; no need for a separate first step in the nose More information can be found on the Sierra website: • Pneumatic cylinders softly deploy the door, preventing damage to http://www.sijet.com/skystep or via toll-free phone at door sill and toes 1-888-835-9377.•T&T

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26 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 EN ROUTE

TBM Owners and Pilots Association Convention Brings Daher Turboprop Family Together he TBM Owners and Pilots Chabbert, Senior Vice President of Association (TBMOPA) the Daher Airplane Business Unit. Tannounced a record “This 12th TBMOPA Convention vionics attendance at its latest annual maintained the event’s ascension R.C.A gathering, held October 7-11. Over under the direction of Chairman Exceeding the standards 100 TBMs – including 20 of the new Frank McKee, with its organization R.C. Avionics TBM 900s, as well as the predecessor remarkably managed by Bill Alberts Trustworthy TBM 850s and TBM 700s – arrived at and Andrew Knott.” Sixth Page Charleston Executive Airport (KJZI) Competent Chairman McKee noted that in South Carolina. the 2015 convention enabled the 35 4/CYears Ad TBMOPA’s meeting included three TBM family to take part in much- Experience days of dynamic learning sessions appreciated safety seminars, customized for the TBM aircraft especially in the field of high- Up-Grade altitude training, while other family, featuring presentations Specialist by industry leaders and Daher, sessions were devoted to operational the aircraft manufacturer, along techniques. “Once again, our annual with TBM vendors such as Pratt & event offered an excellent way for www.rcavionics.com Whitney Canada. owners to learn and socialize with each other, meet with vendors, and 763-398-3920 While the program included talk with personnel from Daher,” presentations specific to the TBM McKee added. “The social events very fast turboprop product line, encouraged further discussions there were topics covering more about flying and offered the general areas – such as airmanship means to develop friendships. My and safety. This year’s topics thanks also go to the vendors who included ADS-B, training, a Pratt & participated, providing support Whitney engine update and a safety and financial contributions for the review, among many others. TBMOPA’s charitable foundation.” Attracting almost a quarter of Among the 2015 gathering’s the entire North American TBM highlights was the presence of fleet, the 2015 TBMOPA annual two French Army TBM 700 pilots, convention remained the largest Captains Dupont and Michiels, who fly-in convention dedicated to a flew one of the service’s aircraft Hillaero single-engine turbine aircraft or from their Rennes, France base – small private jets – registering marking the 20th anniversary of this Modification Center an increase in attendance of four cornerstone TBM version’s service percent from last year. The 2015 entry in their unit. In addition, Sixth Page TBMOPA Convention attracted the pilots performed an aerial more than 100 TBM 700/850/900s demonstration with their TBM 700 4/C Ad to historic Charleston, South as an introduction to the TBMOPA’s Carolina; 150 owners, 30 vendors gala dinner, held on the deck of the and 325-plus attendees were present retired aircraft carrier Yorktown. at the event. Featured speakers at this year’s “Year after year, the TBM event were retired USAF Col. Mark gathering continues to improve Tillman, who related his experiences in quality as well as numbers of as the former Commander of Air attendees, and we are proud to bring Force One, NASA Astronaut Storey our support to this high-level flying Musgrave, and Dr. David Strahle, community,” commented Nicolas who discussed preflight weather

DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 27­ H Harse•T&T

EN ROUTE

planning and the Next-Generation Radar/NEXRAD network). Joining the guest speakers was a well-known orator for many TBMOPA members – famed ferry-pilot Margrit Waltz, who has circled the world in TBMs. Sessions on the important topic of high-altitude hypoxia awareness training were organized by Airdocs, in conjunction with Western Michigan College of Winner Aviation Inc. Aviation, focusing on state-of-the-art aviation hypoxia awareness training. Quarter Page As with the association’s previous annual conventions, participation in the technical sessions qualified members 4/C Ad for savings on insurance premiums that are exclusive to TBMOPA. Pilot companions were offered activities at the South Carolina event as well, including a “pinch hitter” flight training program designed for non-pilot companions and a visit to Boone Hall plantation – a preserved historic mansion of the Old South’s golden age. The TBMOPA has fixed the date of next year’s convention, which is slated for Phoenix, Arizona, September 21-25, 2016.•T&T

Theory R Properties

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28 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 EN ROUTE

JetProp Announces Upcoming Delivery Of 300th Aircraft etprop, LLC of Spokane, Washington, is pleased to JetProp on reaching this milestone and wish the team announce that one of the newest JetProp owners many more years of success”. was honored during the Malibu/Mirage Owners and J The parent company, Rocket Engineeering, started Pilots Association (MMOPA) annual convention in Coeur bringing four STC’s to the aviation marketplace in 1990, D’Alene, Idaho, held from September 16th to 19th. and JetProp joined Rocket in 1996 to bring several more The 300th JetProp is currently in the manufacturing PT6 turbine conversion STC’s to the market. They have process and being converted to a PT6A turbine-powered received full certification from the FAA, EASA and Malibu/Mirage. Mr. Ricky Lennard of Shreveport, ANAC, with over 570 certified aircraft flying in over 20 LA, received an engraved plaque to commemorate countries worldwide. the delivery of the 300th PA-46 conversion since JetProp operates its aircraft manufacturing facility JetProp began. at Spokane’s Felts Field airport. The JetProp team “I love my Piper Mirage! With the performance and can be contacted online at [email protected] or at reliability of the PT6 turboprop, I feel like I’ll have the 1.509.535.6445. T&T best plane in the world”, commented Lennard. • “For 20 years, JetProp and Pratt & Whitney Canada have teamed up to provide operators and pilots of piston- powered aircraft, such as Mr. Lennard, the improved power to weight, efficiency, reliability and safety of the PT6A”, said Denis Parisien, Vice President, General Aviation, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “We congratulate

Northeast Air Inc.

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DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 29­ EN ROUTE

Blue Sky Network Unveils Satellite Tracking System lue Sky Network has unveiled Gilbert, Blue Sky Network’s CEO Aircraft. Over the next several its HawkEye 7200A, the most and President. “Drawing on this years, Air Transport Operators Badvanced satellite tracking vision of GADSS, we have developed will be required to equip aircraft system yet. Paired with the feature- a new generation of hardware that is with enabling hardware products rich accessory, the HawkEye 100A, physically efficient and concurrently that are married to back-end this device adds an even more cost-effective. Blue Sky Network has services to support the ICAO powerful dimension to Blue Sky always been a complete solution GADSS vision. These units will Network’s line of tracking and provider, and with this sophisticated have to autonomously identify management solutions specifically HawkEye 7200A device coupled to abnormal circumstances in flight for aviation assets. The HawkEye SkyRouter, there is no reason for any and may also have to be “tamper- 7200A is FAA-certified with an company to delay deployment of this proof” with independence from the AML STC and features pinpoint important safety tool.” ship’s power. tracking with GNSS precision, With the HawkEye 7200A and optional Bluetooth connectivity, The New Standard and future ICAO GADSS qualifying SkyRouter, the industry leading The HawkEye 7200A meets and specifications. cloud-based web portal, there is no exceeds the proposed International reason to wait–the building blocks “We are tremendously proud Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) are available now. Blue Sky Network to have participated in ICAO Global Aeronautical Distress offers operators a “best-in-class” discussions regarding the future Safety System (GADSS) required ICAO GADSS solution designed to of aviation tracking,” stated Jon performance criteria for Transport meet all the expected requirements.

Paul Bowen

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30 • ­TWIN & TURBINE DECEMBER 2015 EN ROUTE

Light As Air, More Powerful Than Ever brings another unrivaled quality to the HawkEye 7200A. Through Ad Index Supported by Iridium’s powerful Air Capitol Dial...... 26 SkyRouter, operators can easily view, global network, the HawkEye 7200A ASE, Inc...... 14 manage, and communicate with weighs only one pound and boasts B/E Aerospace, Inc...... 24 aircraft at any location in the world Covington Aircraft Engines...... 13 the most advanced technology Double M Aviation...... 25 at any given time. Maximizing the on today’s market. Its high-grade English Field Aviation...... 15 power of SkyRouter gives operators Gogo Business Aviation...... Back Cover GNSS receiver incorporates GPS and complete control and visibility of Hartzell Engine...... 21 GLONASS for double-level tracking Hillaero Modification Center...... 27 aircraft activity. with exceptional accuracy. Jetbed...... 5 If an aircraft has an event defined LEKTRO, Inc...... 15 Blue Sky Network’s flexible Nashua Flight Simulator...... 25 by the operator as abnormal, Northeast Air Inc...... 29 firmware platform also allows for easy SkyRouter will monitor these and Pacific Coast Avionics...... 10 remote upgrades to onboard hardware Paul Bowen...... 30 route alerts locally and via SMS as the evolution of performance Preferred Airparts LLC...... 26 or email as instructed. With the R.C. Avionics...... 27 based GADSS criteria changes. The occurrence of a distress event on Raisbeck Engineering...... 16-17 unprecedented small form factor of Rocky Mountain Propellers Inc...... 23 the aircraft, while in flight, the the HawkEye 7200A was designed to Select Airparts...... 24 operator will receive reports at Simcom Training Centers...... 2 allow the unit to replace the required an accelerated rate–everything is Theory R Properties...... 28 #2 ELT (a pending ICAO proposal). Turbines, Inc...... 23 customizable at the discretion of Winner Aviation Inc...... 28 Stay Connected At All Times the operator. Woodland Aviation...... 9 SkyRouter–Blue Sky Network’s Information: ADVERTISING DIRECTOR JOHN SHOEMAKER advanced cloud-based web portal– www.blueskynetwork.com T&T 2779 Aero Park Drive, Traverse City, MI 49686 Phone: 1-800-773-7798 • Fax: (231) 946-9588 • E-mail: [email protected]

Statement of Ownership, Management and Monthly Circulation of Twin & Turbine OWNER: Village Press, Inc. PUBLISHER: Village Press, Inc EDITOR: LeRoy Cook • HEADQUARTERS OF PUBLISHER & PUBLICATION: 2779 Aero Park Dr., Advertiser Traverse City Michigan 49686 • STOCKHOLDERS: Village Press, Inc., David B. Moore, J. Scott Lizenby • BONDHOLDERS, MORTGAGEES,OTHER SECURITY HOLDERS: Fifth/Third Bank – Grand Traverse Spotlight! CIRCULATION: Average No. Copies each issue during preceding 12 months: A. Total Copies Printed (Net press run), 18,114; B. Paid and/or Requested Sometimes Twin & Turbine Advertisers Circulation: 1. Mail subscriptions, 8,718; 2. Paid wish they could say just a bit more about in-county subscriptions,Statement 0; 3. Single copy sales, 0; 4. Other classes mailed through the USPS, 0; C. their great products. Total Paid Circulation, 8,755; D. Free Distribution HousePilots AviationN Paws by Mail,1.of Outside Ownership County, 8,873; 2. In County, 0; 3. Other Classes, 0; 4. Outside the mail, 0; E. Total And nowThird they Page can! Free DistributionSixth (Sum of D Page 1-4), 8,873; F. Total 1/3 Page Distribution (Sum of C and E), 17,628; G. Copies Not Distributed, 486; H. Total (Sum of F and G), 18,114; Go to Twin & Turbine’s4/C Ad upgraded website I.Percent Paid and/or4/C Requested Ad Circulation, 50; 4/C Ad CIRCULATION: Single Issue nearest filing date: A. Total www.twinandturbine.com Copies Printed (Net press run), 17,750; B. Paid and/ check out July’s or Requested Circulation: 1. Mail subscriptions, 8,699; “Advertiser Spotlight” 2. Paid in-county subscriptions, 0; 3. Single copy sales, 0; 4. Other classes mailed through the USPS, 0; This month: James Raisbeck’s perspective on Swept C. Total Paid Circulation, 8,759; D. Free Distribution by Mail, 1. Outside County, 8,563; 2. In County, 0; – Blade Props and Aircraft Performance 3. Other Classes, 0; 4. Outside the mail, 0; E. Total Free Distribution (Sum of D 1-4), 8,563; F. Total And learn more about editorial opportunities on Distribution (Sum of C and E), 17,322; G. Copies Not “Advertiser Spotlight” Distributed, 428; H. Total (Sum of F and G), 17,750; I.Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation, 51; by calling John at: J. Scott Lizenby, Financial Officer 800-773-7798

DECEMBER 2015 ­TWIN & TURBINE • 31­ ON FINAL by David Miller The Art Of The Preflight

reflighting your airplane is a pretty routine event, but it can be handled in many different ways. Back in my Falcon 10 Pdays, I was based at a Fortune 500 flight department. They had a team of mechanics that accomplished the preflight duties and actually “released” the airplane on a written form. That did not relieve me of the ultimate responsibility as PIC, but it was great to have an extra set of eyes to look for things gone awry. For the vast With 6,000-plus hours in his logbook, David majority of us, however, we are all alone on the ramp. Miller has been flying for business and pleasure for more than 40 years. Having owned and flown a variety of aircraft types, Weather conditions can alter our routine. I like to do most of the from turboprops to midsize jets, Miller, items in the hangar the day before departure. Things like systems along with his wife Patty, now own and fly checks, oil levels, etc. This allows me to take some extra time that a Citation CJ1+. You can contact David at [email protected]. might be compromised with early arriving passengers or inclement weather at departure time. So, picture Stuart on a very warm, dark morning as he prepared Darkness, and a two person crew, can add an element of surprise. the CJ4 for our trip this summer to EAA and Oshkosh. I was along for Like rolling down the runway at Addison (KADS) one very early the trip, as were some VIP passengers, including three men and two morning years ago, only to realize that both pitot static covers ladies. Stuart was up at 0530 doing his usual preflight. Everything were still firmly covering their masts. “I thought you got those?” we was perfect as I opened the hangar door to let the passengers in. both said to each other after an aborted takeoff at about 80 knots. Did I mention it was dark? If your airplane was towed from the last place you parked, it may The ladies and gentlemen gathered with their bags in hand while have experienced a “bump in the night” that never got reported. And Stuart finished his work. Completely satisfied with his preflight, as for fueling, it is good practice to oversee that task in person. I can’t Stuart entered the hangar holding his towel, a bar of soap, and say that I have always followed that policy. And for you piston drivers, his hair brush. disastrous results have occurred on more than one occasion when jet fuel was accidently dispensed to a “turbine looking” airframe. “I will jump in the shower, and we will be ready to go,” he said in his professional pilot voice. The most important preflight is the one right after any maintenance. Did the guys change any cockpit switches? Important ones, like As he walked by, I heard the shocked wife of one passenger the hydraulic pump circuit breaker? How about the oil filler caps? comment to her husband, “Honey, I don’t think he has any pants on.”

My favorite story, of course, involves Stuart Fred and his beautiful Stuart was standing in his underwear. CJ4. Stuart is a meticulous pilot. On second thought, he is downright The best preflight is the one we do the same way. anal. Prior to every leg, he runs every systems check, conducts a complete walk around, and loads his flight plans while on a power EVERY TIME. cart. He does it the same way every time. Many times he flies alone Fly safe. and departs early in the morning from hot, humid, Houston, Texas. Often, he is completely soaked in perspiration after the extensive inspection and he then jumps into the shower right before departure.

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