That's not uncommon when you go up in a small plane on any sort of ride (unless there are insurance issues restricting them from letting you). If the pilot happens to be a CFI, you can even log the time.
The Aircraft Thread
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That's not uncommon when you go up in a small plane on any sort of ride (unless there are insurance issues restricting them from letting you). If the pilot happens to be a CFI, you can even log the time.
Just reading the Wiki entry on the Enterprise. Seems the plan is to move it about as a visiting exhibit and that last year it was examined and deemed suitable for transport on the shuttle carrier aircraft.
Speaking of which a google search should turn up an article written by a pilot of the shuttle transporter talking about flying that plane with a shuttle onboard - quite and interesting read.
Rett Mikhal
Captain
This is my kinda thread. I don't even know where to start. I guess I'll go with favorite planes by era:
WWI:
The Sopwith Camel:
http://military.discovery.com/technology/vehicles/fighters/images/sopwith-camel-625x450.jpg
Sure, today it's ugly and has curves in all the wrong places, but back then it was the most beautiful thing that ever flew. Add to that an excellent performance rating and good combat record and you've got an excellent plane.
WWII:
The FW-190 "Butcher Bird"
http://warrelics.eu/forum/military_...her-bird-fw190-butcher-bird-duxford-jul09.jpg
I know, I know. You're thinking "how could you not say the Mustang!" The Mustang has enough love. Although the P-51 is pretty much perfect in terms of piloting, the FW-190 beats it in terms of being a War Machine. She was armed to the absolute teeth with more cannons and guns than most bombers, plus racks for bombs, and an optional mortar (yes, a mortar attached to the side which could be fired from the cockpit to hit bombers from below). I've flown a lot of dogfighting simulators, and nothing chews up fighters and bombers like the FW-190 in the hands of an expert. I personally managed to shoot down 200 planes in a campaign with my FW-190F. Everything else was just a toy.
Korean War:
The F-86 Sabre:
http://www.myfreewallpapers.net/vehicles/wallpapers/f-86-sabre.jpg
Speaks for itself. No words. Should have sent a poet.
Six Day War:
The Mirage 2000:
http://www.veafotoaqui.com/images/Mirage_2000D.jpg
A true example of versatility without sacrifice, the Mirage 2000 played a heavy role in Israel's astounding success in the Six Day War. Of all the modern jet aircraft in the world, she has birthed the most aces.
Vietnam War:
The F8 Crusader:
http://www.amcgltd.com/archives/images/crusader.jpg
How can you not love that frame, especially with the shark face on it? The real hero of the Vietnam war, in my opinion, and the best fighter... because it actually was one. While Phantoms were struggling with faulty missiles and NATO codes about BVR missiles, the Crusader was knocking MiGs down left and right with its cannon and heat seeking missiles. Armed with a very respectable flight envelope and afterburner, it could out perform anything in the right hands and was, according to pilots, a dream to fly; the exact opposite of its Phantom competitor. While I love how the Phantom looks and all that it did in terms of technology and tactics advancement, it was just a missile boat for all intents and purposes. The Crusader was... a crusader.
The Cold War:
The F-14 Tomcat:
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/resources/2008/05/F14.jpg
There is not a doubt in my mind that the F-14 is the greatest and most beautiful plane ever made by mankind. When the Navy asked the impossible, Grumman said "F-14." The very fact that one F-14 outperforms six F-18s, even with their more modern technology and control systems, is a real testament to its power. Phoenix missiles, over 100 nautical miles, at six targets, simultaneously, with little margin of error... nothing else has come close to that level of lethality. The F-14s only Achilles Heel was it did so much in a time when the Navy did so little. It was simple the right tool at the wrong time. We should be thankful for that, really, the whole no war with Russia thing... but I still like to imagine the F-14 would have sent everyone packing.
The Tomcat is just an inspiring piece of engineering and aviation history. I remember with bittersweet fondness the day she was retired, and History channel devoted a weekend to her entitled "Farewell to the Tomcat." I would have liked to see her fly, just one more time...
WWI:
The Sopwith Camel:
http://military.discovery.com/technology/vehicles/fighters/images/sopwith-camel-625x450.jpg
Sure, today it's ugly and has curves in all the wrong places, but back then it was the most beautiful thing that ever flew. Add to that an excellent performance rating and good combat record and you've got an excellent plane.
WWII:
The FW-190 "Butcher Bird"
http://warrelics.eu/forum/military_...her-bird-fw190-butcher-bird-duxford-jul09.jpg
I know, I know. You're thinking "how could you not say the Mustang!" The Mustang has enough love. Although the P-51 is pretty much perfect in terms of piloting, the FW-190 beats it in terms of being a War Machine. She was armed to the absolute teeth with more cannons and guns than most bombers, plus racks for bombs, and an optional mortar (yes, a mortar attached to the side which could be fired from the cockpit to hit bombers from below). I've flown a lot of dogfighting simulators, and nothing chews up fighters and bombers like the FW-190 in the hands of an expert. I personally managed to shoot down 200 planes in a campaign with my FW-190F. Everything else was just a toy.
Korean War:
The F-86 Sabre:
http://www.myfreewallpapers.net/vehicles/wallpapers/f-86-sabre.jpg
Speaks for itself. No words. Should have sent a poet.
Six Day War:
The Mirage 2000:
http://www.veafotoaqui.com/images/Mirage_2000D.jpg
A true example of versatility without sacrifice, the Mirage 2000 played a heavy role in Israel's astounding success in the Six Day War. Of all the modern jet aircraft in the world, she has birthed the most aces.
Vietnam War:
The F8 Crusader:
http://www.amcgltd.com/archives/images/crusader.jpg
How can you not love that frame, especially with the shark face on it? The real hero of the Vietnam war, in my opinion, and the best fighter... because it actually was one. While Phantoms were struggling with faulty missiles and NATO codes about BVR missiles, the Crusader was knocking MiGs down left and right with its cannon and heat seeking missiles. Armed with a very respectable flight envelope and afterburner, it could out perform anything in the right hands and was, according to pilots, a dream to fly; the exact opposite of its Phantom competitor. While I love how the Phantom looks and all that it did in terms of technology and tactics advancement, it was just a missile boat for all intents and purposes. The Crusader was... a crusader.
The Cold War:
The F-14 Tomcat:
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/resources/2008/05/F14.jpg
There is not a doubt in my mind that the F-14 is the greatest and most beautiful plane ever made by mankind. When the Navy asked the impossible, Grumman said "F-14." The very fact that one F-14 outperforms six F-18s, even with their more modern technology and control systems, is a real testament to its power. Phoenix missiles, over 100 nautical miles, at six targets, simultaneously, with little margin of error... nothing else has come close to that level of lethality. The F-14s only Achilles Heel was it did so much in a time when the Navy did so little. It was simple the right tool at the wrong time. We should be thankful for that, really, the whole no war with Russia thing... but I still like to imagine the F-14 would have sent everyone packing.
The Tomcat is just an inspiring piece of engineering and aviation history. I remember with bittersweet fondness the day she was retired, and History channel devoted a weekend to her entitled "Farewell to the Tomcat." I would have liked to see her fly, just one more time...
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I'm partial to the Avro Lancaster and also have a family connection. I had two great uncles who flew as Lanc pilots during the war - both survived (one had a crash that broke most of the bones in his body, the other flew a complete tour with his tail gunner).
And the full album with other warbird
http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh254/marc36au/CFB Trenton Open Day July 2009/
And the full album with other warbird
http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh254/marc36au/CFB Trenton Open Day July 2009/
The Cold War:
The F-14 Tomcat:
There is not a doubt in my mind that the F-14 is the greatest and most beautiful plane ever made by mankind. When the Navy asked the impossible, Grumman said "F-14." The very fact that one F-14 outperforms six F-18s, even with their more modern technology and control systems, is a real testament to its power. Phoenix missiles, over 100 nautical miles, at six targets, simultaneously, with little margin of error... nothing else has come close to that level of lethality. The F-14s only Achilles Heel was it did so much in a time when the Navy did so little. It was simple the right tool at the wrong time. We should be thankful for that, really, the whole no war with Russia thing... but I still like to imagine the F-14 would have sent everyone packing.
The Tomcat is just an inspiring piece of engineering and aviation history. I remember with bittersweet fondness the day she was retired, and History channel devoted a weekend to her entitled "Farewell to the Tomcat." I would have liked to see her fly, just one more time...
I agree 110%. I love the turkey. Been in a couple of them as well, never pass up the ability to at least sit in one. The problem is Iran. Iran has around 76 model A F-14s sitting in the desert. all but a few F-14 were sent to AZ to be destroyed so their parts wouldn't fall into the hands of Iran. Normally a retired airplane is just parked to die and perhaps used again. All F-14 will never be used again. So sad. Such a great airplane and the tomcat-21 would have been super, but then again the YF-23 was hands down better than the F-22, too bad they forgot the damn cockpit and used an old F-15 cockpit and broke spec.
I'm partial to the Avro Lancaster and also have a family connection. I had two great uncles who flew as Lanc pilots during the war - both survived (one had a crash that broke most of the bones in his body, the other flew a complete tour with his tail gunner).
The Lancaster is a great plane. There's one on display here in Ottawa at the Canadian Aviation Museum, and I'm always impressed by it when I see it.
Switch
Captain
Alenia Aermacchi M-346
A new advanced jet trainer, the M-346 emerged in the wake of the collapse of the 1990s joint venture between manufacturer Aermacchi and partner Yakovlev, who went on to develop the Yak-130 for the Russian Air Force. The two aircraft are very similar, however the M-346 employs exclusively western components in its construction. To date, it has been ordered by the air forces of Italy, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
A new advanced jet trainer, the M-346 emerged in the wake of the collapse of the 1990s joint venture between manufacturer Aermacchi and partner Yakovlev, who went on to develop the Yak-130 for the Russian Air Force. The two aircraft are very similar, however the M-346 employs exclusively western components in its construction. To date, it has been ordered by the air forces of Italy, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
I'm partial to the Avro Lancaster and also have a family connection. I had two great uncles who flew as Lanc pilots during the war - both survived (one had a crash that broke most of the bones in his body, the other flew a complete tour with his tail gunner).
The Lancaster is a great plane. There's one on display here in Ottawa at the Canadian Aviation Museum, and I'm always impressed by it when I see it.
The one pictured there is one of only two left in the world that are still airworthy.
She's based in Hamilton iirc anf flew up to Trenton for the 100th Anniversary on the base there in 2009. Was scheduled to fly on the day but was grounded to technical problems.
Boy was I bummed
This of course
Beechcraft Starship
Beechcraft Starship
Just so you're aware, the images you posted were hotlinked from other sites, and that's not allowed as it leeches bandwidth from third party sites that may find it undesirable. If you need to post a picture, use your own web space, a photobucket account, or your TrekBBS photo album to store it.
I've converted the images to links.
The Concorde. Technologically obsolete almost before it went into service, a fuel guzzler, permitted to fly supersonically only over water due to the sonic boom, and never profitable even with the premium fares charged for the privilege of traveling between Paris and New York in three-and-a-half hours.
But damned if it wasn’t sheer poetry in flight. The most beautiful commercial transport aircraft ever built, and one of the most beautiful aircraft of any type in the history of aviation.
But damned if it wasn’t sheer poetry in flight. The most beautiful commercial transport aircraft ever built, and one of the most beautiful aircraft of any type in the history of aviation.
As I understand it, in combat operations the Harrier is usually flown in STOVL (short takeoff, vertical landing) mode, allowing it to lift off with a useful-sized weapons load without gobbling fuel. The vertical takeoff and hover capability is mostly for airshows.
The FW190 was a good plane, but the P-51 kill ratio against all German fighters was 11:1. You could say at the end of the war the German pilots were not as well trained, yet you could say the exact same thing about the Me109 kill ratio against many of the inferior European/Russian air forces early in the war.
As far as being a "war machine"..There's a misconception that cannons are always better than machine guns in WWII. If you compare the projectile weight per min fired, the FW190 basically comes out even, with the 190 slightly ahead (580 to 608 for the 190). They carried a similar ammunition load in later models. They both also carried about a ton of bombs in their later variants.
RAMA
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The Boeing Model 450, the B-47 Stratojet. The common ancestor of the B-52 and the 707 and most modern jet airliners. Slim and graceful without a bad-looking line. Introduced the USAF to long-range jet operations and was the backbone of SAC in the 1950s. I always thought the bubble canopy on a bomber was so neat, but I guess they were awfully hot for the crew. The number-one aircraft I wish I'd seen fly.
B-47B with RATO. Even with water injection those six J47s didn't quite have the low-speed thrust for a full load.
RB-47E.
"When the Navy did so little"? Just because World War III didn't break out doesn't mean nothing was going on. To thousands of sailors who slept a little easier under the Tomcat's BVR umbrella it was definitely not an aircraft at the wrong time.
The original Clipper. I love that plane/boat.
When I was a kid I saw one at an air show lose power and drop about 20 feet to the ground during vertical descent. The landing gear broke but the pilot was OK. The Blue Angles were standing around before their show and they all took off running and jumping fences toward the plane. I can remember that so clearly.
--Justin
B-47B with RATO. Even with water injection those six J47s didn't quite have the low-speed thrust for a full load.
RB-47E.
"When the Navy did so little"? Just because World War III didn't break out doesn't mean nothing was going on. To thousands of sailors who slept a little easier under the Tomcat's BVR umbrella it was definitely not an aircraft at the wrong time.
The original Clipper. I love that plane/boat.
When I was a kid I saw one at an air show lose power and drop about 20 feet to the ground during vertical descent. The landing gear broke but the pilot was OK. The Blue Angles were standing around before their show and they all took off running and jumping fences toward the plane. I can remember that so clearly.
--Justin
Is that why the tandem cockpit and bubble canopy of the XB-52 prototype were changed to conventional windows and side-by-side seating for production?
I had the chance to sit in a B-47 cockpit many years ago, on a Cub Scout field trip to March Air Force Base in Riverside County.
The main reason usually cited is that the a/c and pilot were able to work together and assist each other better on a conventional side-by-side flight deck. I have also read that General LeMay demanded the change after he got a look at a Vickers Valiant.
--Justin
Rett Mikhal
Captain
I was actually referring to funding projects, referring to the plans to upgrade the Tomcat into a Bomber variant and a more sophisticated model E; both of which were scrapped in favor of the cheaper and more cost effective Hornet. Lousy Hornet... I in no way shape or form wanted or want to see WWIII. Since the Tomcat the Navy has been downgrading fighters, which I don't understand. I mean the logistics of having more, cheaper to fly and easier to maintain Hornets is logical, but the Hornet is just useless in a fight. Might be prudent to have some of the heavy hitters on station just in case.
Your cub scout troop did a hell of a lot more than mine did. All we ever accomplished was sitting around talking about what cub scouts in better States were probably doing and how much fun we could have if we weren't cursed by being in Massachusetts. Oh, and one time we had a cake baking contest. I think that was when the girl scouts were doing a nature walk, which meant we were officially girlier than the girl scouts.