Take off question

[Typhoon93]

I've just seen a picture of a Tornado accelerating down the runway at Kandahar Airfield last night, and I have a question.

I'm of the understanding that multi-engine aircraft approach and leave airfields in operational theatres in a complete blackout state at night so as enemy can not see the low level aircraft and subsequently fire upon it. How do fast jet pilots do this? I notice the taxiing light is still on, on the aircraft in the picture, and the aircraft is in full afterburner. Does the pilot switch off all lights and extinguish the afterburner just as/just before the aircraft gets airborne?

[Martin the Martian]

I would take a rough guess that if the afterburner was shut down at point of take off it would be a very short flight ending up in the overshoot or on the end of a Martin-Baker let down, particularly with the combination of hot and high conditions and weapons/fuel load.

I imagine that it is all part of the calculated risk. At least the Tornado pilot and nav have a means of escape if they have an RPG shot off at them during take off, unlike the crew of your average C-130 or other transport aircraft.

[Just This Once...]

Are you really expecting an answer to a question about tactical procedures vs performance vs enemy threat?

On what basis do you think you need to know and why do you think an open forum would be the best place to host such a discussion - do you have a grudge against UK personnel?

:ugh:

[racedo]

They called Fast Jets for a reason............ end of.

[gr4techie]

They called Fast Jets for a reason............ end of.

Did VC10's have to slow down when tanking them?

[Flap62]

There isn't really a threat to this aircraft is there? It's getting airborne from Cyprus after all so it's not as though the overshoot is hoaching with insurgents with RPGs. If the environment was so hot that the burner plume would give someone a chance to take a shot at you then you wouldn't be going!

[Typhoon93]

Just This Once,

Apologies and I do not have a grudge against UK personnel. I was genuinely interested since the afterburner is a giant heat signature and it's a giant bright light in the sky, which would make a blackout of the aircraft's lights rather pointless.


If answers will put serving UK personnel in jeopardy, then please don't post them.

[racedo]

Did VC10's have to slow down when tanking them?

grabbing seat and popcorn as see a fight coming :E

[Typhoon93]

I will add that I am just trying to learn as much about the aircraft as I can - I hope to fly these things in the future.

[matelo99]

Let us tell you the specific procedures once all our guys are safely out of a warzone. It's a risk balance question.

[Hempy]

When you do you can come on PPRuNe and answer your own questions! :E

[PPRuNe Pop]

It might just be PPRudent to close this thread. Just a nagging niggle.