G1 Op's info req
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London
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The old G159, lovely aeroplane, fraid I am old enough to remember. Your question will it operate well from unpaved strips, if its hard enough and without too many pot holes probably. Is it certified is another question, I might have an old manual in the loft but I somehow doubt it was certified for anything other than a paved surface.
The HS748 on the other hand was designed for the rough.
The HS748 on the other hand was designed for the rough.
Tom,
That would have been N748AA at Biggin. The MK Air G1 corporate hack. A mate of mine used to fly it - never a dull moment, always going tech. Pretty looking aircraft though.
That would have been N748AA at Biggin. The MK Air G1 corporate hack. A mate of mine used to fly it - never a dull moment, always going tech. Pretty looking aircraft though.
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I don't remember it going tech anymore than any other turbo prop. The Darts where near on bullet proof although you could fry them on start if you didn't pay attention.
We used to try and get from TOD to the threshold without touching the power levers, you could make limited power adjustments with the fuel trim switches.
It would do 290kts IAS in the descent and you could drop the air brakes (main gear) at up to 310kts. I have trawled these figures from memory so may be incorrect. The avionics where state of the art clockwork stuff which would put majority of airliners at the time in the shade.
We used to try and get from TOD to the threshold without touching the power levers, you could make limited power adjustments with the fuel trim switches.
It would do 290kts IAS in the descent and you could drop the air brakes (main gear) at up to 310kts. I have trawled these figures from memory so may be incorrect. The avionics where state of the art clockwork stuff which would put majority of airliners at the time in the shade.
Join Date: Sep 2007
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I flew them in 22/24 seat airliner configuration. With regard to unpaved strip operation, as I recall, the tyres maybe a problem. They are quite a soft compound. When landing on a wet runway they were prone to aquaplaning. If this happened a 'wedge' of water formed which would boil and melt the tread right off. Never known another aircraft to suffer from this.
Great aircraft though. Pulling the speed brake handle lowered just the main gear. Selecting gear down using EITHER of the TWO gear handles would then lower the nose gear. Very effective in a turboprop capable of 290ktas.
Likely to be very maintenance intensive these days. Very complicated series of propeller stops with eight lights on the glare shield to tell you if they were functioning. A prop runaway is a G1 pilot's worst nightmare.
Have fun with the old girl......
Great aircraft though. Pulling the speed brake handle lowered just the main gear. Selecting gear down using EITHER of the TWO gear handles would then lower the nose gear. Very effective in a turboprop capable of 290ktas.
Likely to be very maintenance intensive these days. Very complicated series of propeller stops with eight lights on the glare shield to tell you if they were functioning. A prop runaway is a G1 pilot's worst nightmare.
Have fun with the old girl......
