Snow Strips
Hi smujsmith
Only remember using one snow strip. Norway. The strip was raised slightly from the surrounding terrain and completely snow covered so no room for any deviation to the side. No correction figures to go on. There was nowhere to turn so after landing it was up to the Loadie on the ramp to give reversing instructions back down the whole length of the strip, stopping a few times to cool the oils.
Other snow stories:
Landed at a small airfield in Norway. Braking action was given as poor to medium. Numbers were good so landed only to find ice ice and more ice. Braking poor to really really bad or nil!!!! Offloaded and thought about take-off. Acceleration would be excellent but an abort would be a nightmare. Runway conditions really out of limits but no option but to go as aircraft would be there till the spring.
Bardufoss one winter's night. Runway was good but could only taxy in using power. After shutdown we could barely walk on the pan, just slid our way to the buildings. No problem as taxying out could be done on power until the runway. GTC wouldn't start. After lots of diagnostics phoned Group to say we were there for the night and explained conditions. Their suggestion was to get a windmill start from another Herc that was there! Giggled then asked the other crew what they thought of trying to reverse onto me using only power then going high power on the sheet ice. Held phone towards them so Group Controller could hear the calls of "F*** O** you red nosed clown" Nightstopped.
Any other examples of "advice / decisions" from our Lords and Masters?