Page 11 - Volume 16 Number 1

speed handling was as docile and controllable as other light jets.It was time to bring the speedy Premier IA back home. Lining up for the visual approach to runway 18 at Beech field, I slowed to Vref plus 10 knots, holding 125 knots to allow for the relatively gusty conditions on our approach. At 500 ft AGL, I disconnected the yaw damper and brought the aircraft in for a relatively smooth landing. Upon touchdown, pulling up and back on the center pedestal’s lift dump handle activated the lift dump system. With moderate braking and a landing weight of 10,500 lbs, the Premier IA stopped in about 4,000 feet.Although the Premier IA is not equipped with trailing link landing gear, I was pleasantly surprised with touchdown characteristics and rollout on the straight-legged gear. Pulling back into the ramp, I realized it was time for me to part with a fine machine that has found a special place in the hearts of some 300 lucky operators.So, after spending the day with the Premier IA, what do I think? The Premier IA is a big little jet. It’s fast, it’s roomy, and it’s truly one of a kind. It’s quite a bit sportier in both handling and performance than other aircraft in its price class. For operators who are not flying in and out of relatively short fields or high airports and have an average mission of l•ess than 1,000 nm, the Premier IA should certainly be in their sights. T&TAbout the author: Cyrus Sigari is president and co-founder of jetAVIVA, a leading light jet sales, training, and delivery firm based in Santa Monica, CA. Cyrus is a type rated in- structor pilot in the CE-510, CE-525, EMB-500, and EA-500. Cyrus holds a degree in aero- space engineering from Pur- due University and is a com- petitive aerobatic pilot. For questions or comments about this report, contact Cyrus at cyrus.sigari@jetAVIVA.com.F DowtyF HArtzellF MCCAuleyF Mt propellerF SenSeniCHF rApCo DiStributorF wooDwArD pt6Ahttp://www.rockyprop.com e-mail: rockyprop@rockyprop.comF lArge inventory F SAMe DAy SHipping F unCoMproMiSeD QuAlity F CoMpetitive priCeS F worlD ClASS wArrAnty F FACtory trAineD teCHniCiAnS2865 Airport Drive F erie, Co 80516FAx: 303-665-7164 F faa/EaSa crS fr6r545nJANUARY 2012TWIN & TURBINE • 9