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sufficient detail to see the windsock moving in the wind. With trees and the ramp in close proximity to the runway, it was a great way to learn about more confined airports. Of course, Stephen decided to change the runway conditions to wet to make it interesting and so I could gain more experience with the anti-skid brakes on wet runways. The plane did very well, stopping with sufficient dis- tance. On takeoff, he failed an engine on me and wanted to see if I could fly straight and not hit the planes on the ramp or the near trees. You just can’t train for these situations in the actual aircraft – safely at least.
Check Ride
With more than 40 initial and re- current check rides in my aviation career, each one is a new experience.
Jason Reynolds was my examin- er and we started bright and early at 0630 on day 16. One of the first tasks was a weight and balance and
performance exercise. This was a good scenario, which required work- ing backward from the airport condi- tions (altitude, temperature, wind, and runway length and slope), re- sulting in a reduction in the MTOW of the aircraft. The remaining oral evaluation centered on systems, in particular, their interdependencies. It isn’t sufficient to understand one particular system, but important to explain the impact on others when that system fails, especially when that failure may occur at FL410.
Five-and-a-half hours later, Ja- son signed my Beechcraft Premier Single Pilot Type Rating and a FlightSafety ProCard. It was a long but very thorough training course that also offered me the opportunity to enjoy Wichita and visit friends in the area.
The Program
FSTAT only has one operating Pre- mier simulator. which can impact
scheduling. However, the manage- ment team was very responsive and accommodating to our changing needs. Along with the instructors, FSTAT Premier Program Manager Scott Dickmeyer was accessible to answer questions during and af- ter our course. Scott and his staff take personal pride in supporting the training needs of the 270-plus Beechcraft Premiers that continue to operate around the world, and it shows in their program!
With 11,000+ hours of piloting more than 100 aircraft models Rich Pickett still has a passion for flying. Rich holds an ATP, CFII SME, SES, glider licenses, and type ratings in the L29, L39, Citation 500/510s/525s, Eclipse 500S, Beechcraft Premier and DA10. His company, Personal Wings, provides training, mentoring and aircraft services. He is also a proud owner of an Eclipse and Cirrus SR22. You can contact Rich at rich@personalwings.com.
Sullivan’s Harbor Springs Airpark
28 • TWIN & TURBINE / September 2020 Jet Journal