How did you fly a LUCERO instrument approach?
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How did you fly a LUCERO instrument approach?
In the 1950's the RAAF had Lincoln Mk 31 (long nose) bombers mainly for maritime reconnaissance. Instrument let downs were mainly by ATC operated VHF/DF or sometimes ADF if the aircraft was so fitted. However we also practiced LUCERO let downs with the two aerials situated either side of the nose and the navigator giving the pilot left/right guidance from a Cathode Ray tube. I remember we practiced LUCERO let downs at Darwin, Australia.
What I cannot remember is if we had specific LUCERO instrument approach plates that gave us heights and distances for safe descent like a DME Arrival chart. Darwin is a sea level airport and in those days had an NDB so there wasn't much chance of hitting terrain during the let down during a LUCERO instrument approach. Question therefore: Did Lucero require a specific instrument approach chart or was it by guess or by God for terrain clearance?
What I cannot remember is if we had specific LUCERO instrument approach plates that gave us heights and distances for safe descent like a DME Arrival chart. Darwin is a sea level airport and in those days had an NDB so there wasn't much chance of hitting terrain during the let down during a LUCERO instrument approach. Question therefore: Did Lucero require a specific instrument approach chart or was it by guess or by God for terrain clearance?
LUCERO was a development of the Rebecca/Eureka system - the latter was still installed in the RAF Varsity navigator trainer in the 70's. BABS was similar.
The leading edge of the signal on the CRT gave range - the amplitude across the centre of the scope indicated whether you were L or R. AFAIK, there were no instrument approach charts published. You worked out your own GP and terrain clearance.
The leading edge of the signal on the CRT gave range - the amplitude across the centre of the scope indicated whether you were L or R. AFAIK, there were no instrument approach charts published. You worked out your own GP and terrain clearance.
