This was taken during the flight test. This was probably the best flight test that we have been allowed to do. The idea was to experience the aircraft’s eigenmotions. Basicly that means that the pilot tries to create an unstable situation and then releases the controls to see what the aircraft does. Usually this should result in the aircraft returning to a stable condition. We tested the short period, phugoid, dutch roll, and spiral. In the Cessna Citation II all these modes are stable except for the spiral. The dutch roll was probably the most fun to do.

These pictures were taken at a lecuter organized by the RVD. The first picture is of the first dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels. The keynote speech was given by the second man on the moon, Buzz Aldrin. The speech was interesting, with some fun anecdotes. For example that Buzz had said something to the effect of “we are number one for takeoff.” We is of course funny, since you really didn’t expect any other space ships on the moon. And the one that the Dutch media had a field day with, that the flag had fallen over during takeoff and the fact that they had not told anyone about it. However, unless I misunderstood, they did tell them eventually upon arrival back on earth.

At the airport, saying bye to Tim. He left to South Africa to go work for a company in Johannesburg. Which gives me yet another nice place to go visit. It’ll be a tough choice to make: Cuba or South Africa. Of course after July I’ll probably have seen enough of Cuba for awhile. Who knows?