View Full Version : C130 power plant
cessnapete
1st Jul 2014, 08:25
I spent a day or so recently on the base at Brize. During the time there was a great deal of noise from engine runs by the C130 fleet at all times of day and evening.
From past types the only reason for a short engine run is after an engine change. Just out of interest does the C130 powerplant have poor reliability and lots of engine changes, or is there another technical requirement for the many tests/runs?
Doobry Firkin
1st Jul 2014, 09:20
Could be many things - hydraulic issues, pressurisation, fuel, electrics.
Not every engine run is due to an engine problem!
cessnapete
1st Jul 2014, 11:39
They must have loads of defects then as engine runs pretty regular daily. Didn't seem many airframes parked on pans either.
You can't see the special forces ones. :E
EyesFront
1st Jul 2014, 12:25
You can't see the special forces ones.
Stealth in action... :)
Tinwacker
1st Jul 2014, 12:57
Cessnapete,
On all aircraft the engine run is not just for an engine change.
Fuel component changes to ensure that you have no explosive leaks and still get the correct power, leak checks on pneumatic ducting, oil components and gearbox, engine runs are also done on aircraft that have been parked for more than a certain length of time to ensure full lubrication of all bearings.
On this aircraft you may be required to run the engine for work done on the propellor, vibration surveys and the list can go on......
TW
Vendee
1st Jul 2014, 13:43
Thinking back to RAFG in the early 80's, we used to run the Jags every time the bomb-heads fitted an underwing tank. The Jag had white/black/crosshatched dolls eyes for external tank fuel indication. You had to run the engines until the dolls eyes went from black to crosshatched, indicating that you had fuel flow. The trick was to chop the engines the moment the dolls eye went crosshatched and the fuel in the lines ran back into the tank turning the dolls eye black again (full) meaning that you didn't have to get the bowser out to top up.
There was a period around 1982 when fuel was rationed (for financial reasons) so the II ac Sqn CO (Tiger Tim Thorn) decided to fly without the external tanks (less drag, better fuel consumption). Problem was he didn't want to get caught with his pants down on a "no notice" TACEVAL generation so he had the bomb-heads put the tanks on all the aircraft at cease flying and got them to take them all off again in the morning. He was not popular :ooh: