The final Lockheed C-5A Galaxy took her last flight today. Tail 70-0461 departed from Westover Air Reserve Base to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base outside Tucson, Arizona. The jet will be decommissioned and stored. Over time, it will most likely be parted out and eventually scrapped.
The Air Force originally flew a total of 81 C-5As, part of a total fleet of 131 C-5 A/B/C models. While the C-5A fleet is now retired, the C-5 will continue to fly as the upgraded C-5M. The conversion to the C-5M Super Galaxy began in 2009 with ‘low rate production’. Since then, 56 aircraft have been converted. The C-5M has ‘new’ CF-6 engines along with a number of system improvements meant to reduce maintenance requirements.
Westover Air Reserve Base flew the final four C-5A models in the Air Force. Since our last report, the final four have slowly been retired to the Boneyard with tail 70-0461 having the distinction of the last flight. Its sister-tail, 70-0451 was flown to Travis Air Force Base where it will eventually be displayed at the Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center in Fairfield, California.
C-5A tail 70-0451 flew its last flight on July 26, 2017. It will eventually be on display at the Travis AFB Heritage Center. (Photo by: Airman Hanna N. Smith)
This is truly the end of an era in heavy-lift aviation. The strategic airlifter was loud, noisy, and a maintenance hog. Yet it flew hundreds of thousands of troops to conflicts from Vietnam to Desert Storm to OEF, OEF, and HOA. The TF-39s that were slung below the wing had the distinction of being the first high-bypass turbofans in the Air Force inventory. They could lift nearly a million pounds of airplane into the sky in the most austere environments.
While it may be hard to believe it, airman and avgeeks will never again hear the distinctive whine of FRED’s engines. A toast and a moment of silence for the original FRED. So long, buddy.
Tail 70-0461 spools up for her final takeoff to the Boneyard. Photo: Westover Air Reserve Base
Combat search-and-rescue airmen with the U.S. Air Force Reserve 920th Rescue Wing live by the motto, “These Things We Do, That Others May Live“, and that is proving true yet again in the 2017 Hurricane season.
They just recently returned home to Patrick AFB, FL on Sep 3, after flying weeklong relief efforts in Texas to rescue stranded victims trapped by flooding from Hurricane Harvey.
920th Rescue Wing in action rescuing flood victims in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Credit: USAF
But now, Hurricane Irma is raging as a powerful Category 5 storm in the Caribbean, and has its eyes set on Florida’s Atlantic coast, including Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and the 920th’s home – Patrick AFB.
Responsible for a variety of demanding missions and ready to deploy at a moment’s notice, they are trained to perform some of the most highly-specialized operations in the Air Force, and their elite Pararescuemen (better known as PJ’s) are among the most highly trained emergency trauma specialists in the U.S. military.
The 920th doing what they do best, rescue. Photo: Mike Killian
They deployed roughly 90 Citizen Airmen, three Pave Hawks and two HC-130Ns in support of Air Force Northern’s search and rescue mission for FEMA disaster relief efforts in Texas, and saved over 235 lives in the process.
But now, 920th crews are in the process of relocating their helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft to Orlando and Georgia, in response to Irma’s projected path and pre-position for rescue efforts if needed.
Hurricane Irma from space today. Credit: NOAA
Many of the roughly 90 Citizen Airmen with the 920th who deployed to Texas for Harvey rescue efforts live in the potential path of Irma, and are preparing themselves and families for the storm, while also transitioning from Harvey relief missions to preparing for Irma relief missions in the coming days with their HH-60G “Jolly” Pave Hawk helicopters and HC-130P/N “King” refuelers.
Col. Kurt Matthews, 920th Rescue Wing commander, strongly urged all his rescue warriors to get prepared. “Now is the time to secure your home and ensure you have emergency supplies and an evacuation plan,” he said.
Matthews said his biggest priority is to protect “airmen and assets“.
Preparing for Irma at 45th Space Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla. Credit: USAF
Meanwhile, the 45th Space Wing has entered Hurricane Condition IV (HURCON IV), disconnecting electrical power to non-essential facilities and preparing their facilities for the arrival of the storm.
Tomorrow at 7 a.m. the 45th will officially begin full evacuation for the barrier islands.
And whatever Irma does, the 920th RQW will be ready.
.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The U.S. Air Force uncrewed space shuttle lifted-off from the Kennedy Space Center on Thursday to begin a fifth classified mission to test and develop new technologies for future space craft.
The autonomous Boeing-built X-37B orbital test vehicle will spend over one year in a low Earth orbit at around 500 miles in altitude. The flight will build upon the programs four previous long duration missions.
Thursday’s launch marked the first time commercial launch company SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket delivered an X-37B into orbit. Previously, United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V delivered the first four missions into space.
Under sunny skies, the Falcon 9’s nine Merlin engines ignited as the countdown clock reached zero to lift-off on time at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Seconds later, the white rocket and it’s historic military payload enclosed in a protective payload cleared the tower of it’s seaside launch pad and began to dart out over the Atlantic waters.
The delta-winged spacecraft, which resembles a smaller version of NASA’s space shuttle orbiters, launched from historic pad 39-A — the same pad as the Apollo moon missions and shuttle flights of yesteryear.
The launch began exactly four months after the conclusion of the fourth test flight which lasted 718 days in space. All combined, the four previous missions have logged 2,085 days in low Earth orbit. Mission five’s unknown duration may have it stay in orbit for up to two years.
“This mission carries small satellite ride shares and will demonstrate greater opportunities for rapid space access and on-orbit testing of emerging space technologies,” the Air Force said in a statement issued this week. “Building upon the fourth mission and previous collaboration with experiment partners, this mission will host the Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader payload to test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipe technologies in the long duration space environment.”
Falcon 9’s first stage landed successfully at Kennedy Space Center. Photo: SpaceX
Two and one-half minutes into the flight, the Falcon’s first stage separated, and the second stage took over the ascent portion to place the space plane in its proper orbit.
As the X-37B was carried into orbit by the upper stage, the newly spent first stage began its controlled journey back to America’s Space Coast. A series of burns by the stage positioned the empty casing to successfully touchdown upright upon its landing legs eight minutes following launch.
Following an undisclosed flight time, the space plane is expected to touchdown no earlier than 2019 at its prime landing site in Florida. Once the Air Force sends commands to bring the reusable space plane home, it will reenter just like NASA’s space shuttle, and aim for a touchdown at Kennedy’s Shuttle Landing Facility runway.
The X-37B vehicle. Image: SpaceX
Once the landing command is given, the space plane will automatically maneuver for reentry into the atmosphere with a nose-up angle. There will not be anyone on the ground with a joystick flying the X-37B. If weather or technical issues occurs on the day it returns, Edwards, AFB in California could be called up as a back-up site with it’s longer runway.
(Charles Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)
This story is breaking news. We will keep this post updated as we learn more.
UPDATE #1: Sept 7, 2017 11:58 PT
Details are few at this point. What we know is that two A-10Cs crashed at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) near Nellis AFB, NV. Both pilots ejected safely. There is no word on their condition. Here is the statement from Nellis AFB Public Affairs.
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. –Two United States Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, crashed on the Nevada Test and Training Range Sept. 6, 2017 at approximately 8 p.m.
Both pilots ejected safely and are being evaluated at the Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center at Nellis.
The aircraft were on a routine training mission at the time of the crash.
The cause of the crash is unknown and a board will be convened to investigate the incident.
While it is too early to speculate, it is highly unusual for two A-10s to crash at the same time. One of the few plausible explanations is that there was contact between the two jets. We’ll update you as we learn more.
Southwest Airlines’ Boeing 737-300s, dubbed the Classics, will make their last and final flight on September 29th. The 737-300s have been in service since the 1980s making them among the oldest planes in the Southwest fleet, and now like spandex pants and big hair, these old reliable aircraft have run their course.
Fast forward to April 2016 and the Southwest Airlines pilots’ union dispute over training requirements. Southwest suggested separating a group of pilots that would specialize in flying the 737-300s exclusively, since the FAA had varying, independent training requirements for the Classic airplanes. The proposed separation went over like a led zeppelin, however, and there is speculation that the pilots’ flat out refusal to accept what they believed was divisive action by Southwest led to the rapid replacement of the classic fleet in favor of the Boeing 737 Max 8.
.
Observers noted a lack of hoopla surrounding the arrival of the new Boeing 737 Max 8 fleet. Southwest spokespersons cite the hurricane as the reason for the lack of fanfare around the Max arrival, saying a celebration would be inappropriate in the face of such devastating losses in the Houston area. The airline has suffered when catastrophic Hurricane Harvey caused havoc in Houston. Houston Hobby is the second largest Southwest hub in the country. The category 4 hurricane caused torrential downpours and flooding that closed down airports and roadways.
Regardless of the underlying reasons for the quick switch, Southwest Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly says this situation is a cloud with a silver lining since this new Max fleet will provide significant fuel savings and lower maintenance costs. The expected 14% fuel savings will contribute to the carrier’s bottom line by reducing the cost of transport for each passenger. In addition, the Max have advanced technology winglets and other technological advancements designed by Boeing that make them more efficient than other narrow body aircraft.
Customers will certainly appreciate that all Max planes are equipped with modern satellite-based broadband internet. The 737-300s were not wifi-enabled so the upgrade to the Max modernizes the entire Southwest fleet. You could say it is the end of an era, as these Classic airplanes go by the way of the dinosaur. Southwest will officially launch the Boeing 737 Max 8 October 1 under this new accelerated fleet modernization effort. The fleet drawdown will coincide with the end of the busy summer season. With -800 and -MAX deliveries, Southwest will return to a similar fleet size by early next year. Southwest is the last major US carrier to fly the -300 series aircraft. Once they retire their fleet, ‘avgeeks’ will have to fly on second-rate carriers like Jet2, Ukraine International, or BoA in Bolivia.
Retired Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-300 classics await their final fate at Tuscan International Airport in Arizona. (Photo by Jeff Gilmore)
United Airlines announced an order for 45 new Airbus A350-900 XWB aircraft, overriding an original order for the slightly larger Airbus A350-100 XWB’s.
Targeted replacement for the Boeing 777-200 fleet
United Airlines was the launch customer for the Boeing 777 back in 1995. At the time, it was the most efficient airliner ever built. The aircraft featured giant Pratt and Whitney engines with a diameter similar to the Boeing 737 cabin’s. The Boeing twin-jet could easily fly United’s trunk routes between Chicago and Tokyo and London. It was the perfect replacement for the aging Douglas DC-10 fleet and it augmented the flagship Boeing 747-400 as well.
Much has changed since 1995 for United. The airline has undergone a bankruptcy, it undertook a merger with Continental and its had its fair share of very public customer service struggles.
As the airline looks to the future, it is in the process of retiring the Boeing 747-400 fleet. It began accepting delivery of the larger Boeing 777-300ER to the fleet last year as a near one to one replacement for the aging Boeing 747s. United also has a large and still growing fleet of 787 Dreamliners that allow the airline to open up new markets between mid-size international cities. With amenities of the larger wide-bodies, and long legs, but efficiency of a midsize jet, the Boeing 787 now fits a critical role in their business plan of direct flights to markets traditionally served through connections. Flights between Singapore and San Francisco open up new opportunities for United. The Boeing 787-8 and -9 series aircraft make those new opportunities possible. United is also welcoming the largest 787, the -10 series to the fleet next year
Boeing 777-200s are aging and no longer state-of-the-art
The Boeing 777-200 fleet is aging. United firmed up their replacement plan through this order. United still operates some of the earliest Boeing 777s still flying. The fly the aircraft on domestic trunk routes, to Hawaii, and to Europe. While United is upgrading the jets and adding additional seats, they are still becoming long in the tooth. United will receive the A350-900 beginning in 2022 with the 45th jet to be received by 2027. Currently United operates 55 Boeing 777-200s. Assuming zero growth, the Boeing 777-200 fleet would be retired within the next 10 years, most likely as they take delivery of the new Airbus A350 fleet. That schedule would be in line with their current long-haul retirement plans which have seen the Boeing 747-400s and older Boeing 767 retired between 25 to 30 years old.
Airbus celebrates the win
In a statement by Airbus, United said, “For the past year, United has done a complete review to ensure that we have the right long-term fleet strategy, and it was clear that the A350 aligns with our replacement needs and our network,” said Andrew Levy, Chief Financial Officer of United Airlines. “The combination of the range performance and efficiencies make the A350 an attractive aircraft for United.”
“This updated and expanded order is a strong reaffirmation of the A350 XWB Family,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “United and Airbus have had a long and strong partnership for many years, and we’ve worked together to ensure their requirements for the future are met, if not exceeded. The airline’s decision to grow its widebody fleet with, for the first time, a widebody model from Airbus, shows they know that the A350 will meet their financial and performance demands, while pleasing their customers who will enjoy the quietest and most comfortable cabin in its class.”
Airbus has recorded a total of 848 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 45 customers worldwide.
Millions of people journeyed into a 60-70 mile wide path stretching from Oregon to South Carolina to experience witnessing the moon completely block out the sun on August 21, 2017. For many, it was the first time a total solar eclipse has occurred over the mainland U.S. in their lifetimes, including myself, and being an aviation photographer my first instinct was, naturally, to fly into it.
Additional photos have emerged of Princess Juliana Airport. The Dutch Ministry of Defense has posted a series of photos showing the devastating power of Irma. The Maho Beach looks completely washed away. The famous bar at the end of the runway is in tatters. The main runway looks mostly clear, but it is evident that the water washed over the runway. This probably means that all runway lights and approach equipment has been damaged. As of 2PM PT time, the airport is still officially closed.
Sint-Maarten Princess Juliana Airport, September 6, 2017. Photo: Vliegveld en landingsbaan Sint-Maarten.
UPDATE #1 Sept 7, 2017 8:53AM PT:
Photos are beginning to emerge of St. Martin Island and Princess Juliana’s famed Maho Beach. It is clear that Hurricane Irma was a very destructive storm. While buildings surrounding the field appear to be standing, the area looks more like a warzone than a tourist destination. The damage is severe and widespread.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Maho Beach fared much better. While the waters might be still receding, it appears that the beach itself was washed away. It will take some significant work to repair the buildings and restore the beach.
Hurricane Irma, a major category 5 storm, barreled through the Caribbean today. In its direct path was St. Martin Island. While some news outlets sensationally state that the airport was ‘destroyed’, it’s clear that the airport was damaged by the massive Hurricane. Here’s what we know so far:
1.) St. Martin took a direct hit
Maximum sustained winds from the hurricane have been estimated at 185MPH, with gusts over 200MPH. The island took a direct hit from the storm.
2.) The famous Maho Beach camera showed intense weather before it went offline
Video from the Maho Beach cam cut out during the most intense part of the Hurricane and is presumably destroyed. PTZtv.com hosts the Maho Beach camera. They saved the last live clip and posted it on YouTube. In the final video, you can see the intense bands of rain and extreme winds tearing up the parking lot and damaging a nearby car.
3.) Tweets show damage to the extensive terminal, gates, and airport equipment
With the storm now passed the island, photos of the airport and the island have started to appear. In the photos, it is clear that the island sustained damage and the airport wasn’t left unscathed. In some of the photos taken by Twitter user @bondtehond, you can see sheet metal torn off the roof of the terminal and one of the four gates appears to be damaged. The inside of the terminal appears to have sustained water and wind damage too.
NOTAMs published before the hurricane approached show that the airport was closed in anticipation of the storm’s arrival. No new NOTAMs have been published since the storm hit.
Hurricane Irma continues to churn eastward towards southern Florida. It is expected to make landfall in the US this weekend. We’ll update this story with the latest coverage as we learn more.
About Princess Juliana International Airport
St. Martin (also spelled St. Maarten) is known for its world-famous Maho Beach that sits right at the end of the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport. Avgeeks from all over the world descend on Maho Beach to watch everything from Boeing 747s to small planes arrive into the island.
JetBlue A320 departure from SXM. Photo by Brad Hayes.
Feast Your Eyes on TWO Awesome Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm In-Action Videos
When the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) made the recruiting film “Sea Eagles” in 1980 aboard the Australian Navy’s aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne (R21), Douglas A-4G Skyhawks, Grumman S-2G Trackers, and Westland Sea King Mark 50 and Wessex HAS31 helicopters were operating from the ship. They were able to do so because the carrier went through several lengthy and extensive refits during the late 1960s and 1970s that added or improved her flight deck, catapults, and arresting gear. Even so the Melbourne was one of the smallest carrier ever to operate jet aircraft from her deck. Thanks to the YouTube channel of the Royal Australian Navy for uploading this look at carrier aviation Royal Australian Navy-style.
The Douglas A-4G Skyhawk was modification of the A-4F variant without the avionics hump but with the ability to employ AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles. A total of 16 A-4Gs (including a pair of TA-4G trainers) were configured by Douglas for the RAN, entering service in 1968. They were later modified more extensively and sold to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as A-4Ks.
WATCH: Royal Australian Navy Carrier Ops From an Impossibly Small Flight Deck 19
Trackers Down Under
The Grumman S-2E Tracker entered service with the RAN in 1968. During nearly 17 years of Tracker operations at sea the RAN lost only a single S-2E Tracker. But a December 1976 hangar fire at Naval Air Station Albatross near Nowra in New South Wales destroyed nine of the 12 S-2E Trackers in RAN service. They were replaced in 1977 by US Navy S-2G variants.
image via royal australian navy
Slow-Motion Action Aboard the Melbourne
Watch catapult take offs and arrested landings by RAN Fleet Air Arm McDonnell Douglas A-4G Skyhawk and Grumman S-2E Tracker aircraft operating from the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. Skyhawks shown are Nos 884, 886 and 889. Trackers shown are Nos 842, 844, 845 and 847. Uploaded to YouTube by AWM Collection.
Editors note: The primary image of this story was originally attributed to the Royal Australian Navy. It was in fact taken by Nick Thorne, used with permission under CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. We regret the error.
That’s 336 Pistons (and Lots of Great Sound) to You and Me
Anyone who attended EAA AirVenture 2017 in Oshkosh will tell you that warbird action at the event was absolutely top-notch. Everything from trainers to fighters to bombers; from jets to props; from every era was in attendance and many of them flew during the daily warbird shows. North American B-25 Mitchell bomber warbirds are always at Oshkosh in droves, and this year was no exception. With the 75th Anniversary of the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo taking place in 2017 it actually would have been a surprise if they weren’t. There are more than a dozen B-25s shown in this HD video uploaded by YouTuber airailimages. Enjoy the sights and sounds of B-25s over Wisconsin!
There are about 35 airworthy B-25s on the planet today. Many of them saw service in World War II, and nearly half of them were also used during the filming of the 1970 Paramount movie “Catch 22” in Mexico during the late 1960s. B-25s (and Navy and Marine Corps PBJs) also starred in the Paramount movie “In Harm’s Way” (1965), Warner Brothers’ “Forever Young” (1992), Columbia’s “Hanover Street” (1979), Touchstone’s “Pearl Harbor” (2001), and the cult classic CBS Friday Night Movie “Sole Survivor” (1970) among a host of others. A B-25 was also used as a primary aerial photography platform for the blockbuster United Artists film “Battle of Britain” (1969).
While there are plenty of things to still love about air travel, we all admit we’re not exactly living in the Golden Age of the airline industry. Yes, more people than ever are traveling, passport ownership has increased, and it’s getting cheaper to visit once-unaccessible destinations. Still, air travel these days isn’t that much fun like it used to be. Here’s our list of the top 5 things we miss about the way flying used to be.
1. Meeting Friends and Family at the Gate
Image via wikipedia commons
If you watch any sitcom or movie from the 1990s, you are bound to see a scene that used to be very common. A non-passenger walks to the gate to meet another character before or after their flight. On TV, it’s usually to proclaim their love. Remember that famous Ross and Rachel scene at the airport?
In the post-9/11 era, that’s just not going to happen. If you’re traveling solo, your entire time in the airport is going to be spent, well, alone. Just this month, Pittsburgh Airport announced they’d be making gates open to non-flyers (with the reasoning being many individuals wanting to shop and dine at the airport), though with some strict limitations. Will other airports follow? Probably not. We miss those days.
2. Free Checked Baggage
How many times have you measured, re-measured, weighed and re-weighed your luggage to be extra-sure you either weren’t going to have to pay for your bag? We understand why airlines charge for bags but is still a pain that air travelers of yesteryear didn’t have to worry about.
I’ve heard many passengers are still “surprised” when they get to the airport and realize they actually have to pay for that bag they brought along. Now, some airlines do offer free bags for certain individuals, credit card holders and the like, but it’s not always a sure thing anymore.
3. Plenty of Legroom
With airlines looking to increase profit and flyers demanding more available seats, adding more seats to an aircraft may seem like an obvious solution, until you realize everyone’s going to be crammed in there like sardines, up until the point where some legislators want to get involved. While you may think legroom was only a thing in the 50s and 60s, you may be surprised to see just how much room we’ve lost since the 90s alone. Some airlines had up to 37″ of pitch. American Airlines famously announced the “More Room Throughout Coach” campaign in the late 1990s. Those days are long gone. Now, you’re probably stuck with a seat width of 17.2 inches and a pitch of 30 inches (Spirit has 29″ pitch seats…ouch!). Let’s just be lucky the “Skyrider” never really caught on, an idea that came about in 2010, and was a saddle-style aircraft seat offering just 23 inches of pitch, and looking a whole lot like torture.
4. ‘Show and Go’ Flying
By Lhb1239 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
If you’ve flown internationally (or even domestically) recently, you’ve probably been frustrated by the amount of time it takes to go from curb to your flight. Most of us arrive well in advance “just in case” a security debacle ensues. If you happen to arrive at the airport during a lull, you then endure two or three hours of time just sitting around in the airport. While we’ll admit that some of the dining and shopping options at larger airports are pretty amazing, many others have limited entertainment options that make air travel more frustrating. Some restaurant options at the smaller airports feel like they haven’t been updated since the 1970s. Hot dog on a roller, anyone?
Once your plane arrives, the boarding process can be super painful too as every Palladium, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze boards before you. Even if you are amongst the the lucky few to board first, you’ll just be sitting around watching everyone else board.
It used to be easier. If you arrived 30 minutes before your flight, you could make your flight. It’s why short haul shuttle operations like Southwest’s Texas triangle (Dallas-Houston-San Antonio) and the Washington DC-New York Shuttle were so convenient. It’s just not that practical today.
5. Free Food and Drinks
By Cudd22 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Free food on flights and alcoholic beverages used to be the norm, especially on international flights. On domestic flights, passengers could expect a sandwich, wrap, or salad. On international flights, a free drink or three were expected. On most domestic flights today, you are lucky to get a handful of trail mix or biscuit. With the rise of ultra-low cost carriers, a free non-alcoholic drink shouldn’t be the expectation. Some airlines like Spirit, even charge for a soda.
This might be one area of air travel that might be getting better. A few airlines, like Delta, are bringing back the free eats in long-haul economy. Though you may not get a hot meal on a starched tablecloth, they will at least they’ll hand you a bag of chips and a sandwich. American Airlines and Hawaiian have followed suit. And other airlines like Alaska have buy on board options including sandwiches and stews that are actually pretty tasty.
At Avgeekery, we’ve watched and reported on the disaster of Hurricane Harvey and the multi-faceted efforts to rescue those affected. While the human suffering is immense, there have been some amazing videos highlighting the heroism of first responders and by the activated National Guard and US Military. Here’s our full recap of the coverage thus far:
Manchester International Airport (EGCC) has a special attraction in store for aviation fans. It’s home to the Runway Visitors Park, a unique location for aircraft enthusiasts to watch departing and arriving aircraft, and tour a host of historic aircraft including the British Airways Concorde, RAF Nimrod, Monarch DC-10 and BEA Trident. It’s also home to The Aviation Shop, where aficionados can shop for aircraft models and aviation related gifts. The park is located lies just off Wilmslow Road, and is a must see for aviation fanatics.
An Aircraft Spotter’s Heaven
A view from the aircraft spotters deck. Photo by Donald Gardner.
Aircraft spotters deck. Photo by Donald Gardner.
Plenty of seating for aircraft spotters to enjoy lunch while watching airplanes. Photo by Donald Gardner.
The park is a must see for aviation spotters and photographers and provides an excellent viewing platform. Both of the airports runways are also visible from the viewing area. With over 500 aircraft movements per day, you can catch a glimpse a variety of aircraft ranging from the ATR-72 to Boeing 787.
Condor B757-300 after landing at Manchester. Photo by Donald Gardner.
An easyJet A319 taxies toward the parking apron. Photo by Donald Gardner.
Concorde Hangar
The British Airways Concorde G-BOAC is a must see for park visitors. The aircraft entered service in 1975 and transversed the globe for nearly 25 years. Visitors can tour the aircraft from nose to tail and even have the opportunity to sit in the seat in the flight deck. You may even catch one of the former Concorde pilots in the hangar! There is also a wonderful coffeeshop and cafe located next door!
The Concorde Hangar is home to the British Airways Concorde G-BOAC. Photo by Donald Gardner.
G-BOAC is a must see at the Runway Visitors Park. Photo by Donald Gardner.
The Aviation Shop
For model collectors and aviation memorabilia enthusiasts, The Aviation Shop offers a wide range of aviation gifts and accessories.
The Aviation Shop is a wonderful place for visitors to purchase aircraft models and aviation gifts.
Static Aircraft Displays
Aside from the British Airways Concorde, the Runway Visitors Park features several outdoor static aircraft displays including the RAF Nimrod, BAE Trident, Monarch DC-10 and Avro RJX.
Avro RJX. Photo by Donald Gardner.
Avro RJX Flight Deck. Photo by Donald Gardner.
RAF Nimrod. Photo by Donald Gardner.
BEA Trident. Photo by Donald Gardner.
For more information you can visit the Runway Visitors Park Website by clicking on the link below!
Donald Gardner is the Founder and Editor of The Diecast Flier, a hub for model collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. The Diecast Flier features the latest model aircraft news, reviews manufacturer interviews and more. Click here to visit The Diecast Flier!
Exercise Sentry Eagle 2017 was the 30th time the large-force tactical exercise has taken place. The biennial event drew 48 visiting Air Force and Navy aircraft from around the country. Boeing F-15C and F-15D Eagle fighters attended the event from the hosting 173rd Fighter Wing (FW), Oregon Air National Guard (ANG) Eagles based at Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base (ANGB) near Klamath Falls.
The Eagles prepared a specially-adorned Eagle that was hands-down the best looking F-15 at the event. Additional F-15Cs and F-15Ds attended the exercise from the 144th FW, California ANG Griffins based at Fresno ANGB and the 142nd FW Oregon ANG Redhawks based at Portland ANGB. Thanks to YouTuber Habujet for uploading this video.
Official US Air Force Photograph
In addition to the Eagles attending the exercise, General Dynamics F-16C Vipers from the 149th FW, Texas ANG Lone Star Gunfighters based at Kelly Field Annex, from the 54th FG based at Holloman AFB in New Mexico, from the Air Force Reserve (AFRES) 419th FW based at Hill AFB in Utah, and from the 162nd FW, Arizona ANG based at Tucson ANGB attended the exercise. The 149th recently celebrated their 70th Anniversary in style with a special paint job on their best-of-show F-16.
Official US Air Force Photograph
Also attending the exercise were Navy Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron TWO FIVE (VFA-25) Fist of the Fleet with Carrier Air Wing SEVEN (CVW-7) and from VFA-151 Argonauts with CVW-9, both based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore in California. Rounding out the attending tactical aircraft were 56th OG Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs from Luke AFB in Arizona. The passing of gas to the tactical jets was performed by the 116th Air Refueling Squadron Ace of Spaces, 141st Air Refueling Wing (ARW), Washington ANG Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers based at Fairchild AFB near Spokane.
Last month visitors of the Amazing Royal International Air Tattoo 2017 (RIAT) in the UK witnessed a spectacular aerobatic display from the Italian C-27J Spartan, featuring many maneuvers not usually seen performed by an airlift aircraft. It even flew upside down, wich is a spectacular and incredible maneuver to perform with a military transport aircraft, like the C-27J.
From JERRY TAHA PRODUCTIONS comes this amazing video. The video shows the C-27 performing this incredible upside down maneuver.
Not surprisingly, given the fact of its being a product of Italian firm Alenia Aermacchi, the Italian Air Force was the first country to begin operating the twin-turboprop C-27J medium transport, doing so in 2006. It has since largely replaced the Aeritalia C-222, previously G222 (C-27A Spartan in U.S. service) on which the Spartan was based, and taken part in multi-national operations, not least in Afghanistan.
The C-27J Spartan is equipped with the engines and various other systems also used on the larger Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. In addition to the standard transport configuration, specialized variants of the C-27J have been developed for maritime patrol, search and rescue, C3 ISR (command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), fire support and electronic warfare and ground-attack missions.
Photo courtesy of Jerry Taha Productions
In 2007, the C-27J was selected as the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) for the United States military; these were produced in an international teaming arrangement under which L-3 Communications served as the prime contractor. In 2012, the U.S. Air Force elected to retire the C-27J after only a short service life due to budget cuts; they were later reassigned to the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S.Special Operations Command. The C-27J has also been ordered by the military air units of Australia, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, Romania, Peru, and Slovakia.
Video and story courtesy of Jerry Taha, a dedicated avgeek, writer, and videographer.
The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT) has been turning out fledgling jet pilots for the United States Air Force and our NATO allies since 1981. Many of the classes passing through ENJJPT produce a video chronicling their experiences in the program. Many of these videos are funny, some are well beyond funny, and a few are downright hilarious. This video, produced by class Class 01-08 and entitled “The Video That Started A Tradition”, is one of the hilarious ones. Thanks to YouTuber robertf16 for uploading this LOL-worthy look at ENJJPT as seen through the eyes of its multi-national students.
ENJJPT has been extended many times and expanded even more often. In 2016 the program added Romania as its 14th partner and was extended through 2026. The USAF hosts the program at Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB) in near Wichita Falls in Texas and provides the wing commander, vice commander, and operations group commander in the top three leadership positions.
Officers from all 14 participating nations fill positions throughout the wing. Because of the multi-national nature of the staff, during the 55 week program an American student pilot might have a Belgian instructor pilot, a Dutch flight commander, a Turkish section commander, an Italian operations officer, and a German squadron commander.
The rescue of a 98 year old woman by Air Force helicopter exemplifies the challenging conditions that our nation’s heroes face.
We’ve already done a few stories about Hurricane Harvey and the search and rescue / recovery assistance the military has provided in the affected areas. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said that military assistance has been provided by 43 states so far. Abbott called up the entire 12,000-member Texas National Guard to assist with the recovery efforts and the other state National Guard units are working alongside Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard assets to provide manpower, equipment, and support. Here’s a video from The US Army YouTube channel.
Air National Guard (ANG) units in Texas include the 176th Rescue Wing of the Alaska ANG, the 129th Rescue Wing of the California ANG, the 106th Rescue Wing of the New York ANG, the 920th Rescue Wing of the Florida ANG, the 103rd Airlift Wing of the Connecticut ANG, and the 125th Special Tactics Squadron of the Oregon ANG. Army National Guard helicopters and hundreds of personnel from Arizona, Utah, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Florida, Louisiana, and other states have and still are performing not only search and rescue missions but also bridging, water rescue, logistics movement, airfield openings and medical water purification tasks. Here’s a video from the CBS News YouTube channel.
The Texas Army National Guard still has more than 20 helicopters working search and rescue and evacuation missions in Southeast Texas. Roughly 70 Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawks, Eurocopter UH-72 Lakotas, and Boeing CH-47 Chinooks in Army colors are sharing the skies with Air Force Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk, Navy Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk, and a total of some 39 Coast Guard Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk and Aerospatiale / Eurocopter MH-65 Dauphin helicopters. Add helicopters from the local Police, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies to the mix and it’s fair to say there are more than a hundred helicopters in the skies over Texas at any given time. Here’s a video from the CBS This Morning YouTube channel.
Fixed-wing aircraft assisting with the aftermath of Harvey include Coast Guard Lockheed HC-130J Hercules and CASA HC-144A Ocean Sentry search and rescue aircraft, Air Force KC-130 and HC-130 Hercules tankers and transports, Air Force C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, and even Boeing E-3 AWACS and E-8 JSTARS surveillance aircraft and at least one McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) KC-10 Extender tanker too. The Air Force has also sent elements of the 347th Rescue Group including personnel from the the 38th and 41st Rescue Squadrons to the area.
“Picked up a 98 yr old woman today. Imagine everything that she’s seen and been a part of. The stories she could tell! Well, she added one more to her book. When asked if she was ready for her ride in the helicopter she responded “hell yeah I wanna fly in a helicopter!” Can’t make this stuff up!” A 98 year-old female resident of Houston (seen in the background of this image) is loaded into a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter after being rescued from floodwaters produced by Hurricane Harvey, Sept. 1, 2017. The 347th Rescue Group from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. responded with aircraft and personnel in support of Federal Emergency Management Agency after flooding and destruction in parts of Texas. Official US Air Force Photograph
In addition to the Navy MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters already in the area from HSC-7 Dusty Dogs and HSC-28 Dragon Whales, the service has dispatched the assault carrier USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) with about 700 members of Marine Expeditionary Unit 26 to the area for relief assistance. The Marine Corps Reserve has sent Bell UH-1Y Venom helicopters from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 Red Dogs to the region. Other Marine Corps assets in the area include inflatable boats, 7-ton trucks and other high-water vehicles, and even AAVP7 tracked armored personnel carriers- which look awesome driving / floating around flooded city streets!
Official US Coast Guard Photograph
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has provided generators and 50,000 gallons of both gasoline and diesel fuel to keep the various military vehicles running. All told there are, in addition to the 12,000 members of the Texas Army National Guard, more active-duty personnel deployed in or prepared to deploy to the region. The Army has stated that more than 16,000 personnel from 23 states are involved. As search and rescue / recovery efforts continue it is important to note that the flooding in the Houston, Beaumont, and western Louisiana regions is not expected to subside not for days, but for weeks.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The U.S. Air Force officially announced on Thursday the firm launch date for the next mission of the unmanned military research space shuttle scheduled to make its first flight riding a top a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The Air Force X-37B space plane is scheduled to lift-off from the Kennedy Space Center on Thursday to begin the program’s fifth experimental flight, and the first launched by SpaceX. The first four missions were launch by a United Launch Alliance Atlas V from Cape Canaveral AFS.
The military nor SpaceX would release the exact launch time or window due to security surrounding the mission.
This will be the third flight of the first autonomous Boeing-built X-37B spacecraft, and is expected to spend over one year soaring around the planet between 400 to 600 miles above. The Sept. 7 launch will also mark the fifth mission flown by both OTV’s to test new technologies and spacecraft systems in orbit.
X-37B after arrival from its last mission. Photo: USAF
“The many firsts on this mission make the upcoming OTV launch a milestone for the program,” Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office director Randy Walden said on Friday. “It is our goal to continue advancing the X-37B OTV so it can more fully support the growing space community.”
The Air Force refers to the Kennedy Space Center as the ‘Home of the X-37B’, with a specialized post-flight refurbishment hanger, and the capability to support OTV launches.
Next week’s launch will begin exactly four months following the conclusion of the fourth flight which lasted 718 days in space. Combined all four missions have loged 2,085 days in low Earth orbit.
“This mission carries small satellite ride shares and will demonstrate greater opportunities for rapid space access and on-orbit testing of emerging space technologies,” the Air Force added on Friday. “Building upon the fourth mission and previous collaboration with experiment partners, this mission will host the Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader payload to test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipe technologies in the long duration space environment.”
X-37B prepares for flight. Photo by USAF.
The delta-winged craft’s launch from America’s Spaceport will occur from historic pad 39-A — the same launch pad which saw NASA’s Apollo moon missions and the space shuttle program launch from. Today, 39-A has been refurbished to support the Falcon 9 flights, and will be tested in 2018 to support the return of human-rated Dragon spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to the International Space Station.
The belly of the mini-space shuttle is protected with a black thermal protection system designed by NASA. Aligned with protective black and white thermal tiles, the mini space shuttle has a wing span of 14 feet, 11 inches from tip to tip.
About ten minutes following the Falcon 9 launch, it’s seperated first stage is scheduled to land back at Cape Canaveral.
(Charles Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)
The film “The 707 Astrojet” was produced in 1961 by American Airlines and Pratt & Whitney Aircraft to introduce the flying public to their turbofan-powered Boeing 707 in American Airlines Astrojet colors. The film explains the unique aspects of the 707 and the experiences a passenger aboard one of the new jets would be likely to have. As you might expect, the principles behind the newly fitted Pratt & Whitney JT3D-1 turbofan engines are explained succinctly and understandably. Thanks to YouTuber PeriscopeFilm for uploading this time capsule film from a simpler age.
American Airlines flew 707s between 1959 and 1981. The 707 was AA’s first jet-powered equipment. The Astrojet livery was actually fairly short-lived, but the polish and paint job has been used on at least one Boeing 757 and a couple of Boeing 737 “retro-jets” in the years since the original Astrojet livery was replaced beginning in the late 1960s. Tragically on March 1st 1962, American Airlines Flight 1, a Boeing 707-123B Astrojet (registration N7506A) bound for Los Angeles (LAX), crashed due to mechanical failure two minutes after takeoff from Idlewild Airport (now John F Kennedy JFK) in New York with the loss of all on board.
The Lockheed Martin video “P-3 Orion Desert to Delivery” describes the transportation and refurbishment process used to pull P-3 Orion aircraft from the storage areas at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Recovery Group (otherwise known as the boneyard) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB) for wing replacement and refurbishment so they can be returned to service. P-3s might be well on their way to being replaced by the Boeing P-8A Poseidon, but they are certainly not done yet. Thanks to LockheedMartinVideos for uploading this look at the effort to keep veteran but still viable aircraft going strong.
The aircraft featured in the video (Bureau Number 158920) was delivered to the United States Navy on July 11th 1973. It was eventually reworked to P-3C Update III Mod specifications. The aircraft spent time with Patrol Squadron FOUR NINE (VP-49) Woodpeckers and VP-16 War Eagles before being stricken from the US Navy’s list on 11/2/2004.
P-3C of VP-49 flying over Iceland. Official US Navy Photograph
The aircraft then served with the Taiwanese Air Force 33rd Squadron. After the airframe was returned to the United States it was stored at AMARG as AN2P0215. After its refurbishment at the Lockheed Martin facility the aircraft entered service with the United States Customs and Border Protection Service’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO) group as a Long Range Tracker (LRT) aircraft, most of whose P-3s have been re-winged.
