Vision Jet Travel

How I started to learn to fly and the Jet demo flight

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A drive to Bankstown regional airport in Sydney some 17 years ago, turned a new corner in my life path. To learn to fly again, I initially learnt some of the basics when I was in the Israeli air force when I was just 18.  Remembering the practices and precise flying requirements to fly in gullies and avoid power lines it all comes back like a door in time opening up.  Hours and hours of practice and study; first private pilot licence then instrument training, night rating, it never stops.  Anyone who thinks that's it, I can fly, is kidding themselves. To fly is to keep learning, it is a healthy addiction.  

Fast forward on to 17 years and now the challenge to learn how to fly a jet!  Single engine high tech Jet. They say it’s not so different from the latest Cirrus SR22, well, we will see... 

​One year before the delivery schedule of the Jet, which was scheduled for October 2019, Cirrus invites us as Vision Jet position holders to the Tennessee Cirrus Vision Jet state of the art training facility where they train and prepare the new owners.  It  was clear this was going to be a new ball game, a whole new way of thinking.  

A warm welcome was given by the Cirrus trainers at the Vision Jet Center and access to the simulator and avionics training systems opened the challenge to how hard the work will be to get to the competencies needed to fly this amazing Jet.   

The highlight of the visit was the demonstration flight, sitting left seat with Adam Hahn guiding and explaining the features. We started the engine and that sound of a Jet engine spooling up knowing that this is the sound that will soon be mine was soul altering. 

We run through pre-flight checks, then onto the runway to take off on my first feel of that engine motion, building acceleration down the runway and the feeling of taking control of that beautiful bird as she takes off was exciting.  Adam speaks to air traffic control and we are cleared to climb to 18 000 feet, it is set into the Avionics and I can’t believe the speed of the accent, watching the altimeter spin like a slot machine... we were at 18000 feet within minutes.  

We worked through some manoeuvres Adam showing me the safety features and getting a feel of the stick shaker and the stick pusher.  Steep turns and completing a missed approach.  Then back in light to moderate icing conditions to the Knoxville airport to a 18kt cross wind, 50% flap position yet crisp perfect landing, a proof that trailing landing gear has some advantage. 

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The interior of the Jet is just a genius space also, with the windows being so large all the way around the plane giving a 360-degree view.  The pilot and Co-pilot seats slide all the way back to the passenger space for easy access and when in command position leaves the passengers so much leg room that you cannot touch the seats in front. 

The demo Jet was a racy red with black interior leather, over the next few months we will choose our interior and exterior, so it was good to see other Vision Jet Owners choices some fully customised some in the premium package.  It is so hard to choose as they all look great. 

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I spent a few days at the Training facility getting familiar with the avionics, flying the simulator, taking a flight in an SR22 and pre-course checks with an instructor that determined how much I need to work on stepping myself up to the levels of flying required prior to taking the Jet.  

So, with fantastic informative online training material and a basic understanding of the requirements needed to start the training I went back to Australia to prepare for my entrance to the flight training in August 2019. 

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At 57 try to make your brain turn back time and go back to learning and retaining.. I would read a course, view the video and read the supplied material and it just wouldn't stick in the same ease as when I was younger.  The brain couldn't kick into gear.  So I slowed down and worked on the material in small bits after a while I started to click and the learning started to stick and stay there and grow. 

It helped that the course material is in a format that is easily absorbed and interesting to keep you going. Short video tutorials then short questions and answers. You need to listen carefully and go over them a few times.  Lots of them, but all very interesting and well structured. 

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Having completed the online course by the pre-requisite time and working hard to learn the avionics it was time to go to the US and join the group of new Cirrus Jet Owner and pilots that will learn to fly this incredible new Jet. 

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