Linton Closure

[Audax]

The problem with goon suits in the Tucano is to do with the break up of the canopy on ejection. Apparently the perspex disintegrates in such a manner that the suit would be torn and would fill with water on landing in the og---not a recommend technique for survival.

[LateArmLive]

JF - Thanks for the reply. I remember it being a tragic story, but the details were sketchy as it's been a while since I heard the story on groundschool.

Audax - I think I'm correct in saying that the canopy isn't cleared for fracturing in flight for the reason that the pilot will end up with shards of perspex in his chest. Not nice, although I can't think of many times I'd want to frag the canopy in flight.
Lots of happy memories of the Tucano, except for that damn slip ball........................

[Elmlea]

There's 2 sections to the front cockpit transparency. Only the section above the pilot's head fires on ejection, while the front section also fires if you use the fracture handle. That's the bit that would deposit big chunks of perspex in your chest.

Interestingly, I seem to remember the aircrew manual saying that there was "a high likelihood of serious injury to the front seat occupant during any ejection" or words to that effect.

[BluntM8]

Elmlea, in both yours and my current roles the dangers of front seat ejection ought not to be a concern that often!

Doesn't the front canopy split along the centre during ejection, and get pushed aside by the seat as it travels upwards? I seem to remember the comparision between the splitting canopy and a bug's wing case as it opens!

Agreed, I'd be most dis-inclined to use the canopy fracture in flight! Is there not a hawk drill which invloves manual bale out that way, though?

Blunty.

[Elmlea]

Blunty, it has linear cutting cord rather than MDC, which burns the canopy down to a tiny thickness along its length. The idea, I think, is that the airflow over the canopy assists in pulling it open; the reason the front seat had sharp canopy breakers rather than rounded ones was in case the canopy failed to fracture at all, as it's markedly thicker than the back seat. That was why it was so important to sit at the right height in the front- I wouldn't want my head trying to open that canopy before the breakers had done their job!

I think the Hawk "seat fails to fire" option involved disconnecting your PSP, fracturing the canopy, turning upside down, pulling the MOR handle and crossing your fingers. Mad, but better than the Tucano option of "pull again, harder!"

While the back seat might be ostensibly safer in an ejection, I'm very aware that it's very close to the front seat that generates all these lethal daggers of perspex.... good job you get 1.4 seconds to get away!

[klingonbc]

Syerston?

Audax, WTF does Syerston have to do with FT. Isn't it the Central Gliding School for the Air Cadets which = Youth Organisation not RAF, even though a high percentage of future mil types emerge from that organisation?

[Audax]

Klingonbc, if you'd bothered to read my post correctly, I didn't say Syerston was involved in FT as such. I said it was a training base, which if you look at the websites concerning Syerston and the units flying from there, it surely is. As for the cadets being a Youth Organisation not RAF, why does the RAF have an Air Commodore Cadets who presumably oversees the ATC?

Syerston, at the last count was known as RAF Syerston and the photos of based aircraft show them with RAF serials-posibly a hint that if the MoD wishes to close Syerston, it can. Why not move the activities to an underused airfield with other military presence--Kirton in Lindsey springs to mind.

[Audax]

Stn Cdr at Linton has stated in local press that Linton is safe for the time being; quotes from the article:-

"Speculation that Linton is to close are unfounded"
"I can therefore confirm that rumours about the Tucano moving to RAF Valley in North Wales are unfounded"
"Because the basic training of UKMFTS is still under consideration I will expect to have a far clearer picture of RAF Linton-on-Ouse's long term role by next summer"

[ColinB]

Callinicus

I suspect Valley will not work, all the quarters were sold off and much of the camp is derelict The only service personnel are aircrew, the rest are Dara.
I could see Leeming being used, there would be no great upheaval and the large number of landing strips would be still be available.
I was at Linton in the early 60s and the area and station are a delight. The station had its own fishing rights on a stretch of the Ouse, and there's the rub can you imagine a modern training airfield on a low-lying area adjoining a river. I remember spending many days playing football at the side of the runway because flying was canceled due to bad visibility.
For personal reasons I hope it doesn't close but I fear for it. I always thought that someone up there had a love affair with Leeming, we shall see.

[Ash679]

Klingon BC,

Further to Audax's comments on Syerston, FYI, The Air Cadet Organisation, (ACO) which incorporates both the ATC and CCF (RAF), IS actually part of the RAF, albeit not the operational arm of course.

HQ Air Cadets (at Cranwell) is administered through No.22 (Training) Group, AOC 22 Gp is also AOC Air Cadets, and Commandant Air Cadets is a regular Air Cdre.

The Air Cadets Central Gliding School at Syerston (via Wg Cdr Fg at HQ AC) is commanded by a regular Wg Cdr, and the Chief Instructor is a regular Sqn Ldr. Understand that Syerston itself is administered as part of RAFC, it certainly used to commonly be referred to as "RAF Syerston", but more correctly as "RAFC Cranwell Syerston Detatchment" (that is what used to be on the gate).

Just like to clear up misconceptions - minor bugbear of mine you understand!

Cheers,
Ash679

PS) Hope the old place dosnt get closed - many happy hours spent there

[Rocket_123]

Church Fenton is still open! 3sqn 1 efts fly there along with Yorkshire Uni Air Squadron, and 9 AEF!

[Cyclone733]

Reopen Coltishall, there is bugger all traffic out that way. Just the occasional F-15 doing it's own thing to worry about. As for low level, there is a great route just between Norwich's two Cathedrals (ok pulling at straws for that part of the experience)

[Pieman007]

Is there any truth in the reports out there that Linton is closing after these latest RAF cuts? What will this mean for the lodger units and Church Fenton?

[High_Expect]

Also heard the same rumour on 'the island'

[airpolice]

Linton to close

With a recently resurfaced runway and an expensive new tower, it seems certain to close.

[KPax]

As alluded to in another thread, if we are only buying 20 something of the new Hawks, then that would leave plenty of room for the 20 something Tucano replacement at Valley, this would give a great saving by closing Lin, Cfn and Top. I think the PM said in SDSR that MFTSas subject of an ongoing process.

[airborne_artist]

Linton to close
With a recently resurfaced runway and an expensive new tower, it seems certain to close.

The tower at the secret Somersetshire naval air station was re-done fairly recently, so the obvious solution would be to close Linton, and move them all to VL, which will otherwise close. Keep some LibDem voters happy

[Wensleydale]

No one appears to have mentioned the most obvious requirement for a basic training establishment - what is the availability of local nurses' homes near Valley? I gather that even the local SAR crews are having to get married to secure company on the Island.....

[footster]

The goverment look likely to give the Irish goverment £7bn to bail them out of their financial mess so supose they need to get it from somewhere so why not close more airbases. Obviously the defence of our country is of little importence compared to helping Ireland or alike in their eyes.

[Wyler]

Our Banks loaned the Irish Banks 142 Billion. If they go t!ts up you will all be flying hangliders and living in tents. Career politicians and Bankers......