Search:
[Title Bar]

Frank Gets a Ride on a Cessna Citation (March 2019)

Someone I know from the flying club now flies business jets. One of the planes he flies is based at the Cortland airport and had a flight the next day. The weather forecast was for snow, and since the Cortland runway is about half as long as Ithaca, it would have insufficient length for takeoff if it was not dry. So they needed to move the plane to Ithaca in order to leave on schedule regardless of the the forecast snow.

However there is the logistics problem of retrieving the pilots' cars that would be at the Cortland airport once the plane is parked at Ithaca. That's where I came in. Actually, earlier than that—I got to get a ride on the Citation from Cortland to Ithaca! While they were up, they did a practice instrument approach at Cortland (N03)to test out some new avionics and then headed to Ithaca (KITH) and did a second approach there. To be clear, it's 12 miles from the Cortland Airport to Ithaca and about 20 minutes by car. We spent about 30 minutes given all the testing they did and the 2 approaches. I think my Prius was cheaper.

It was cool. I've never been in a jet and been able to see the pilots flying. I was sitting just behind the cockpit and was watching and taking some pictures. Here are some highlights. I was using my wide angle lens, which is good for small spaces, but the image quality isn't great. Some of the details on the cockpit instrument panels are pretty fuzzy. 48 pictures, March 2, 2019.

Displaying all 46 pictures

DSC_2022.jpg

DSC_2022-th.jpg

The hanger is pristine.

DSC_2023.jpg

DSC_2023-th.jpg

The Citation with the electric tug attached.

DSC_2024.jpg

DSC_2024-th.jpg

David by the Citation. Both pilots were named David, I guess it keeps things...(more)

DSC_2025.jpg

DSC_2025-th.jpg

The hangar door opens.

DSC_2026.jpg

DSC_2026-th.jpg

The hangar door has some big hydraulic rams.

DSC_2027.jpg

DSC_2027-th.jpg

The Citation ready to be pulled from the hangar.

DSC_2028.jpg

DSC_2028-th.jpg

DSC_2029.jpg

DSC_2029-th.jpg

The tug is attached.

DSC_2030.jpg

DSC_2030-th.jpg

DSC_2031.jpg

DSC_2031-th.jpg

I'm inside the Citation which is outside of its hangar.

DSC_2032.jpg

DSC_2032-th.jpg

Looking down the cabin.

DSC_2033.jpg

DSC_2033-th.jpg

THe view into the cockpit. The panel is dark, everything is still turned off.

DSC_2035.jpg

DSC_2035-th.jpg

DSC_2037.jpg

DSC_2037-th.jpg

David (in the left seat) is joined by David (in the right seat, the owner of...(more)

DSC_2039.jpg

DSC_2039-th.jpg

A panel in the passenger cabin that has some information on it. I didn't really...(more)

DSC_2040.jpg

DSC_2040-th.jpg

A wider view of the little information display in the passener cabin.

DSC_2041.jpg

DSC_2041-th.jpg

Another view of the cockpit as they are setting up the flight plan.

DSC_2042.jpg

DSC_2042-th.jpg

Also, on the ceiling of the cockpit is a satellite cell phone in case they need...(more)

DSC_2043.jpg

DSC_2043-th.jpg

The cockpit instruments with a flight plan programmed into the new $750,000...(more)

DSC_2044.jpg

DSC_2044-th.jpg

We're taxiing in Cortland, leaving the ramp and about to turn on the taxiway...(more)

DSC_2045.jpg

DSC_2045-th.jpg

Lined up on Runway 24 at Cortland.

DSC_2046.jpg

DSC_2046-th.jpg

Ready for takeoff.

DSC_2047.jpg

DSC_2047-th.jpg

Part of the runway numbers (24) are visible.

DSC_2048.jpg

DSC_2048-th.jpg

David begins to advance the throttles to takeoff power.

DSC_2049.jpg

DSC_2049-th.jpg

The view out the cabin door window after takoff from Cortland.

DSC_2050.jpg

DSC_2050-th.jpg

David initiates a left turn after a Runway 24 departure from Cortland.

DSC_2051.jpg

DSC_2051-th.jpg

Hey, we're banking to the left.

DSC_2052.jpg

DSC_2052-th.jpg

The backup Attitude Indicator (AI) agrees we're banking left.

DSC_2054.jpg

DSC_2054-th.jpg

Some of the other cockpit instruments as we're in the bank. We're at 3500 feet...(more)

DSC_2055.jpg

DSC_2055-th.jpg

At 4000 feet, we're in the clouds.

DSC_2056.jpg

DSC_2056-th.jpg

The engines are throttled back quite a bit as we're going to be flying a...(more)

DSC_2057.jpg

DSC_2057-th.jpg

A view out the right-side window by my seat.

DSC_2058.jpg

DSC_2058-th.jpg

A view out the left-side again, as we bank to intercept the Initial Approach...(more)

DSC_2060.jpg

DSC_2060-th.jpg

The Cortland 24 runway is several miles out, straight ahead.

DSC_2061.jpg

DSC_2061-th.jpg

Cortland, as we banked and climbed out after the low approach.

DSC_2063.jpg

DSC_2063-th.jpg

More Cortland looking to the east.

DSC_2064.jpg

DSC_2064-th.jpg

Hey,I can see I-81 through the window (divided 2-lane road and if you look at...(more)

DSC_2065.jpg

DSC_2065-th.jpg

David and David confer on the cruise power settings for the current...(more)

DSC_2067.jpg

DSC_2067-th.jpg

On final approach to Runway 32 in Ithaca on the LPV GPS 32 approach.

DSC_2068.jpg

DSC_2068-th.jpg

A view of the panel as we're on final approach to RUnway 32.

DSC_2069.jpg

DSC_2069-th.jpg

A couple miles out from Ithaca on final approach to Runway 32.

DSC_2070.jpg

DSC_2070-th.jpg

Short final, Runway 32 Ithaca in a Citation.

DSC_2071.jpg

DSC_2071-th.jpg

About to cross the threshold, Runway 32.

DSC_2072.jpg

DSC_2072-th.jpg

Both engines shut down, parked at the FBO at Ithaca.

DSC_2074.jpg

DSC_2074-th.jpg

Frank in the left seat of the Citation. Once everthing has been shut down and...(more)

DSC_2076.jpg

DSC_2076-th.jpg

The Citation at Ithaca.




This page last modified Mar 04, 2019.
Home
RSS Feed
feed