The pilot flies an Epic E1000AX from Russell County to Mackinac Island. He describes the start-up, climb, IFR segment, approach and landing.
What the video covers
Written in our own words. It only describes what the video shows and says.The pilot begins by saying that the flight will take the Epic E1000AX from Southern Kentucky to Northern Michigan, with Mackinac Island as the destination. At Russell County, he starts the engine, notes that the start is a quick turn, and says he will motor down to 150 on the ITT to avoid a hot start. He introduces fuel to low idle, watches for a hot start and a hung start, and waits for the generator and fan to come up. After the engine settles, he moves to high idle, turns on the air conditioning, and prepares to taxi.
Departure and climb
At the uncontrolled airfield, the pilot says the aircraft is configured for departure and that he will take off VFR and pick up the IFR clearance in the air. He back taxis to depart northbound and announces the aircraft as Epic number 305 Mike Sierra. He performs a static takeoff, says the aircraft likes to pull, and says the right rudder must be used to keep it on the centreline. After rotation, he selects the gear up, flaps up, and engages the autopilot in nav mode. He then contacts centre and confirms that he wants to pick up IFR. The controller gives callsign 305 Mike Sierra a squawk code.
En route systems and weather
While climbing, the pilot says the aircraft has automatic pressurisation and reports a cabin altitude of 1,000 feet, a differential pressure of 5.4, and a cabin climb rate of 600 feet per minute. He says the service ceiling is 340 and that the flight will level at 310. He mentions weather over Wisconsin moving toward the Mackinac Island area and says the route will skirt the east side of the weather. He also says the aircraft has 1,200 shaft horsepower on takeoff and that it wants to pull on the runway. He mentions onboard Wi-Fi and standard barometric setting when entering the flight levels.
Approach and landing
On descent, the pilot says the aircraft is descending to 8,000. The controller clears callsign 305 Mike Sierra for the RNAV runway 26 approach to Mackinac Island. He sets VNAV, points out the top of descent, says the descent path is captured and later arms the approach. He says the aircraft has an inertial separator for icing and notes ice on the leading edge of the wing. When the island and airport are in sight, he says he can see the field and cancels IFR. He disconnects the autopilot, hand flies the aircraft, and announces positions to Mackinac Island traffic. He sets flaps and gear at the speed limits he gives, then lands on runway 26. After landing, he thanks the co-pilot, says there are two Epic aircraft there, and says he will show B roll of the island visit.
