The airport charts database expired during our stay in the Bahamas. I needed to update the aircraft's FMS (Flight Management System) database before departing for home on Sunday. The Hawker 900 has the Collins Proline 21 FMS and every 14 days a charts database update has to be accomplished. Every 28 days the worldwide navigation database has to be updated. The picture shows me using a Dell laptop to transfer data from an update disk to the aircraft computer. The process uses an Ethernet cable between the laptop and the aircraft computer. It takes about 15 min to update the charts and about an hour and 10 min to update the navigation database.
It is normal to order catering for the passengers on the flight. This was our first time using the catering services in the Bahamas. We were very disappointed with the quantity of the food sent for 5 passengers. Specifically, the picture shows what came to us as a fruit and cheese platter for 4 and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It looks good if a little light for 4 adults. The most disappointing thing was the cost:$261.00.
This is the cabin of the aircraft. It has four facing recliners and a 5th recliner in the left rear, with a 3 person divan on the right rear. The rear bulkhead show the doorway to the lav.
For anyone who likes to be able to look at an aircraft and know the make and model. Believe me, there are many. The most obvious distinction between the Hawker 900 and it's predecessor is the first stage of the turbine wheels on the engine. All previous models had straight blades. The 900 has curved blades. A little trivia for you.
It is normal to order catering for the passengers on the flight. This was our first time using the catering services in the Bahamas. We were very disappointed with the quantity of the food sent for 5 passengers. Specifically, the picture shows what came to us as a fruit and cheese platter for 4 and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It looks good if a little light for 4 adults. The most disappointing thing was the cost:$261.00.
This is the cabin of the aircraft. It has four facing recliners and a 5th recliner in the left rear, with a 3 person divan on the right rear. The rear bulkhead show the doorway to the lav.There are folding tables in the side walls that extend for eating and card playing etc. There are 2 video screens for independent movies. The rear screen is visible on the right rear bulkhead. There is a front screen on the front right bulkhead between the cabin and the front baggage area.
For anyone who likes to be able to look at an aircraft and know the make and model. Believe me, there are many. The most obvious distinction between the Hawker 900 and it's predecessor is the first stage of the turbine wheels on the engine. All previous models had straight blades. The 900 has curved blades. A little trivia for you.
Here, the aircraft is parked on the day of departure ready for a preflight. Everything went off as planned. Passengers were a little early and we were #5 for departure at 10AM. A few minutes after the hour we were airborne on our 1:50 flight to Richmond, VA. At FL410, we had to fly through the developing tops of a few clouds and around a massive thunderstorm which was still developing through 47,000 feet. Arrived in Richmond and cleared US Customs by 1210.
Delayed our trip to Trenton about 45 min waiting for a weather improvement. It was 100 feet overcast and 1/2 mile vis. Forecast showed improving weather and we departed Richmond at 1300 and landed in Trenton at 1345. Mission complete.
I had my replacement per diem pilot meet the aircraft for the 1600 departure to Las Vegas. I'll spend a day at home before heading to Las Vegas via Southwest Air to fly the passengers home on Thursday.
1 comment:
Enjoying reading about your adventures. I'm so happy that you are continuing to do what you love, flying. Hope to catch up on one of your trips to the Sunshine State. Cindy M.
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