Short Final

Monday, June 15, 2009 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Ground Control expressed curiosity about an Eclipse Jet's performance while the pilot was taxiing.
The pilot provided specifications, including a true airspeed of 370 knots and 900 lbs of thrust per engine.
After a silence from Ground Control, the pilot humorously quipped that their small engines were "part of their hair dryer division."

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On a recent trip departing Oakland while taxiing over to 29 in my Eclipse Jet:

Ground Control:
What is your true airspeed at altitude?

Me:
370 knots.

Ground Control:
What kind of engines?

Me:
Pratt and Whitney 610 fan jet.

Ground Control:
How much thrust?

Me:
900 lbs. per side.

Ground Control:
[Silence.]

Me:
We’re part of their hair dryer division.

John Wright
via e-mail