12 | MAGAZINE 10
At flight we will be able to verify
the efficiency and safety during
Praetor maneuvers. Even still be-
ing a “taboo” for many operators,
enthusiasts and also pilots, FBW
technology surprises regarding fi-
ght safety, under normal operating
conditions, which means, with
activated protections.
The aircraft is protected against
high and low speed stalls, as well
as shows limitations in turns
around its longitudinal axis. Aile-
rons make compensation to relief
load at wing ends, in case of a
higher than 2g maneuver and pro-
vides more comfort when crossing
a turbulence area. And it is also
possible to pilot a Praetor 600 like
a conventional aircraft, switching
off protections, but what for?
Equipped with Honeywell-
HT7500E engines producing 7,
pound push each, taking off at sea
level, at ISA standard temperature,
this machine requires a runway of
1,437 meters at its maximum takeoff
weight of 42,857 pounds. It takes
only 13.3 minutes to climb up to
level 370; no aircraft of this categoryis able to take off and land in such a
short length and to climb as quicker
as the Praetor 600.ENGINE START
In a sunny Monday afternoon,
we will take off from São José dos
Campos for the test flight. By my
side there are Captain Salgado
and Captain Berto, integrating the
crew. Our takeoff weight is around
31,000 pounds and fuel quantity
is 6.200 pounds, nearly 40 percent
maximum capacity, which is 16,
pounds.
Thanks to the full fadec system,
engine start is very simple: I keep
power throttle stick in idle and turn
button to start position. Because it
is a start using APU drained air and
alternatively a LPU, the sequence
is fairly fast, less than 30 seconds. I
make after-start verifications using
the smart electronic checklist, which
in case of a failure, directly guides
the pilot to the right diagnosis page.
We begin taxiing towards runway
15, the nose wheel control is made
by the pedals themselves that are
docile and precise.