Short Final

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

Verified

Key Takeaways:

During taxi at Oakland, Ground Control expressed curiosity about an Eclipse Jet's specifications, asking the pilot about its true airspeed, engine type, and thrust.
The pilot reported a true airspeed of 370 knots and Pratt & Whitney 610 fan jet engines with 900 lbs of thrust per side.
After hearing the relatively low thrust figure, Ground Control fell silent.
The pilot humorously suggested their engines were part of the "hair dryer division" to explain the reaction.

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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