Hi everyone,

My name is Rich, I'm 15 years old and I'm taking flying lessons at Hanscom (KBED) to become a pilot. Earlier this summer, my friend from school and her dad offered to take me up in her dad's friend's Eclipse 500. I was extremely excited for this opportunity, and yesterday (August 27) we went to Maine to for breakfast in the Eclipse Jet.

At 9:30 my mom took me to meet my friend and her dad. We got in the car, and headed on base to one of the hangers where they keep the jet. We walked into the hanger and unlocked the plane. Her dad pre-flighted and I helped. Meanwhile, my friend opened up the hanger doors and took some pictures of the plane. Then, we towed the plane outside of the hanger, and took our seats.

Headset on, and ready to go!

We started up our engines, and taxied out to the active runway, 29. After holding for a couple of landing planes, we taxied into position, and took off! It was MUCH faster than the Skyhawk takeoff I'm used to.



Climbing out of 29. Our flight was cleared IFR to 2,000 then to 7,000, 10 minutes after departure.

Once we were handed off to Boston controllers, we climbed to 4,000.



Mr. L flew the plane for most of the ride, but offered to let my try. Of course I accepted! I held 4,000 and the heading until we reached Pease (PSM). Then I turned to our next waypoint and eventually began descent.


It took a few minutes to get used to the joystick. It seemed to cause some left turning tendencies.

Mr. L let me descend, enter the Sanford (KSFM) pattern. I flew the base leg, reduced power, and handed the controls back over to him for the landing on runway 32.



We touched down softly! But the Eclipse does not have reversers or spoilers, so Mr. L pumped the brakes and we finally came to a stop after using a good 2/3 of the runway.

He made a turn-around, and then let me back-taxi down the runway until we reached runway 25. We then made a turn onto the taxiway, and followed the center line until we pulled up to the tarmac.

Sanford is an uncontrolled airport, so as we crossed approached the airport building, the unicom called us up and sent airport staff over to guide us to our parking spot. Once parked, they lay down a red carpet by the door.

We deplaned and took some pictures of the plane.


There we are standing in front of the nose. Notice the red (now gray) carpet next to our door.

Sanford is a great airport! We went inside, and went to the little airport cafe! Our waitress immediately recognized Mr. L, even though he hadn't been to Sanford in three years! All of us were hungry, and I ordered the best blueberry pancakes! We had a great conversation and as I was talking the waitress came over and told me she remembered me too! She had a great memory because I had visited Sanford only once before, two months ago with my instructor.

After we paid, my friend and I walked back out to the plane. On the way we stopped to take some pictures with the only other jet parked there - a Citation X.









There's the Eclipse!

We all get back on, and as Mr. L begins to run through the checklist, I notice people are coming out of the restaurant onto the outside patio!
We had a good 15 watchers, one of whom had a videocamera, and was recording our taxi!

Here is one of the Eclipse's three screens:





The Thrust Levers:



I taxied the plane out to runway 25, and I was about to give the controls over to Mr. L, when he asked if I would like to do the takeoff! I was so excited!

I taxied into position, advanced the thrust levers half way and let the engines spool up. Then, I pushed them full forward, and we shot out like a rocket.





When the speed indicator indicated Vr (90 knots), I pulled back on the stick, and we were up!

Mr. L called out "gear up" and I pulled on the gear handle. I then banked the plane, reduced the thrust, and entered a left crosswind. I overflew the airport and then Mr. L showed me how to put the plane on autopilot. He contacted Boston, and activated our IFR flight plan back to Hanscom.



He let me adjust the autopilot as need be, and we let the computer do the flying, as the controller routed us off course, out to sea.



We turned back towards Bedford, and flew an ILS approach to runway 29.



He landed the plane a bit under glideslope as to make taxiway Foxtrot. Smoothly, he pulled off, and brought the plane over to the hanger. We got out, and shut the hanger doors, after the plane was back in its parking space.


There's the entry door!

Overall, it was a great trip! I will definitely remember this flight for a long time. I'd like to thank my friend, Mr. L, and Mr. L's friend! I had a great time!

[Edited 2009-08-27 20:26:27]