Tag: cessna

Episode #32a – Flying Tailwheel with Paul Santopietro

Recently co-host Rick Felty had a chance to fly with and simultaneously interview Paul Santopietro, a 13,000 hour pilot, ATP, CFII, MEI, Commercial Glider, Commercial Single Engine Sea and 8,000 hour tailwheel pilot. The interview was conducted during cruise flight at about 2000 feet above southeastern Massachusetts while flying in a Cessna L-19 Bird Dog. With an old-school stick and rudder approach to flying and his affable manner, Paul discusses the unique challenges of tailwheel flying, the history of the Bird Dog itself, with a few other fun stories thrown in.

For part of the year, Paul is based on the east coast of Florida, but spends his summers teaching tailwheel flying at 1B2, Katama’s grass field on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Paul can be reached mainly via email at birdogdrivr@aol.com or visit his web site at LearnTailwheel.com (currently being renovated).

Listen to Episode 32a Below

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Video: How fast is the Citation X?

Recently, I flew a trip in the Citation X, and an opportunity arose to give a good idea of just how fast the airplane is.  Coming home from Lebanon, NH, we happened to be on the same airway as a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 going the same direction, only we were 2000 feet higher and going significantly faster.  You can see that in about 90 seconds, we gain over 2.5 miles on the 737.

I couldn’t get a good shot of the plane out the window, but I filmed the TCAS2 (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) display, in which you can clearly see the relative movement between the two airplanes.  Conveniently, our true airspeed and groundspeed are also shown on the same display.  In most conditions, the X cruises at around 525 knots TAS, and with a hefty tailwind, I’ve seen upwards of 615 knots over the ground, or roughly 700mph.

Enjoy!

Jonathan

HD video here

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