Hot Rod

Here are some shots of a Pilatus PC-21 high performance turboprop trainer on a flight from Northeast Florida Regional Airport (KSGJ) near St. Agustine down to Melbourne International Airport (KMLB) on Florida's space coast.

 

We pick up the action over the coastline of eastern Florida as the airplane is just starting its descent from cruise at FL180.

 

 

The PC-21 has tandem seating with the instructor sitting in the rear and above the student in the front cockpit.

 

As we get down to approach altitude in this view from the rear cockpit we can see Merritt Island and the causeway out to Cocoa Beach on the coast off the left wingtip. Further out in the upper left are Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center.

 

With the airport in sight at 10 o'clock, we're cleared for the visual 9R approach. After landing we've been instructed to report to the tower controller! Why?

 

On final, cleared to land.

 

 

Touchdown, taxi, and shut down on the ramp. Welcome to Melbourne!

 

 

Edited November 2, 2022 by BillD22

Brilliant shots, looks so real, why were you told to report to the control tower?

Brilliant shots, looks so real, why were you told to report to the control tower?

 

Thanks Paul - if you look carefully the reason is visible in one of the shots!! :pilot:

Edited November 2, 2022 by BillD22

Gear up

Gear up

 

Good guess but the gear was down. We will be getting our wrists slapped but for another (once you see it) highly visible reason!:D

Edited November 2, 2022 by BillD22

Great shots of your Hot Rod Bill. Nice story line too. :cool: :cool: Flying with drop tanks over densely populated area.

Great shots of your Hot Rod Bill. Nice story line too. :cool: :cool: Flying with drop tanks over densely populated area.

 

Thanks Larry - another great guess but our mistake was more basic. It's hiding in plain view!

Cool shots, lovely plane.... I get the feeling thiuus would make a nice little jet.....

Here's what got us a trip to the control tower after landing::(:o

 

14 CFR § 91.117 Aircraft speed.

(a) Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, no person may operate an aircraft below 10,000 feet MSL at an indicated airspeed of more than 250 knots (288 m.p.h.).

 

Edited November 6, 2022 by BillD22

OK, didn't notice that.

Crew admiring the view and looking for best screenshot angles on the descent from cruise.

 

Meanwhile, back at the airplane........................................:)

Ahhh yes, many of the crews that operate from here are affected by those tenancies as well.

Those darn regulations....

Thanks Bill!

Yep, it was in plain sight. :D

Great shots Bill! And yes, I love my PC-12s as well!

 

As to "Calls to the Tower." Real World, I had that happen more than once or twice! :eek::eek: Thankfully back in my day, military pilots were so much in demand we usually got off with a huge -ss-Kicking from a C.O.! Nothing like what they do to civilians for lesser mistakes now!

 

Martha Lunken recently lost thousands of hours of flight time, tons of PIC ratings on a ton of different aircraft, and had to start over with a "First Solo" with zero hours just for flying under a bridge!! :eek::eek: If they did that to military pilots during a time of war, there would be almost no one left to fly all those expensive military planes!

 

Michael

Great plane choice for a ride Bill, love all pics :cool::cool::cool: