Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
I am curious, what did the co pilot solo consist of? Was it a few circuits, a navex or even a short route leg?
I assume the co did a left hand seat checkout first, but maybe not!
I assume the co did a left hand seat checkout first, but maybe not!
bingofuel
As I explained above, the instructor was in the RH seat and the 'co-pilot' he was checking in the LH seat. If all went well the instructor did a 'crew-change' with another co-pilot who took his place in the RH seat.
My logbook shows we were airborne for 30 minutes, so just a few circuits, maybe a PAR or ILS ( I can't remember, but doubt it! ), no practising any 3 engined stuff, possibly a 4 engined go-around/overshoot.
That would be the last time the co flew in the captain's seat until he returned for a captain's course some 2 and a half years later.
My logbook shows we were airborne for 30 minutes, so just a few circuits, maybe a PAR or ILS ( I can't remember, but doubt it! ), no practising any 3 engined stuff, possibly a 4 engined go-around/overshoot.
That would be the last time the co flew in the captain's seat until he returned for a captain's course some 2 and a half years later.
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Co pilot solos on the Herc conversion course
Adding to Brian's explanation above, on the early OCU courses, all pilots flew in the left hand seat on their instructional trips.
Unlike traditional pilot training, the co pilot solo occurred well over half way through the course (I had about 45 hours on type when I did mine), and it consisted of three circuits. The first two were rollers (touch and go in modern parlance), finishing with a full stop landing.
Co pilots learned their right hand seat flying when their trainee captain was doing his solo exercises and they were carrying out the co pilot duties.
At the end of the course, our log books were endorsed as "1st pilot Day Only/Co Pilot".
Those of us who were lucky enough to ferry our aircraft out to Changi got
plenty of practice at straight and level (ish) flying, as the autopilot had not yet been cleared for use by Handling Squadron at Boscombe. Like all good captains, mine delegated most of the cruise flying to me so after 25 hours I was getting the hang of it.
I don't think the nav was very impressed when he was trying to take his astro shots, but we got there anyway!
Happy days.
Tommy
Unlike traditional pilot training, the co pilot solo occurred well over half way through the course (I had about 45 hours on type when I did mine), and it consisted of three circuits. The first two were rollers (touch and go in modern parlance), finishing with a full stop landing.
Co pilots learned their right hand seat flying when their trainee captain was doing his solo exercises and they were carrying out the co pilot duties.
At the end of the course, our log books were endorsed as "1st pilot Day Only/Co Pilot".
Those of us who were lucky enough to ferry our aircraft out to Changi got
plenty of practice at straight and level (ish) flying, as the autopilot had not yet been cleared for use by Handling Squadron at Boscombe. Like all good captains, mine delegated most of the cruise flying to me so after 25 hours I was getting the hang of it.
I don't think the nav was very impressed when he was trying to take his astro shots, but we got there anyway!
Happy days.
Tommy
I have just had the pleasure of attending Bert Desmond's 80th birthday party.
This was organised by his daughter in secret and I think it may take some time for Bert to get over the shock. It was very well attended and it was nice to catch up with some old friends and 'chew the fat'. Not so good to hear of several who are no longer with us.
This was organised by his daughter in secret and I think it may take some time for Bert to get over the shock. It was very well attended and it was nice to catch up with some old friends and 'chew the fat'. Not so good to hear of several who are no longer with us.
Sorry for the very late post, and my sincere condolences at the news of Mike's (Coffman Starter's) passing. I've enjoyed a lot of banter on several PPRUNE threads from Chipmunk to Albert with him, the man had an insatiable appetite for "gen" from those who "did it" about the aircraft they flew and operated. I can only hope that his family can appreciate the trigger he has been for some major reunions and recollections across the PPRUNE threads. RIP MIke, I am proud to have been at least an on line friend.
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Slightly off thread, but with C-130 significance.
I regret to report the passing of Sqn Ldr Ron Collins, ex Hercules Nav following a fight with cancer, RIP Ron.
I regret to report the passing of Sqn Ldr Ron Collins, ex Hercules Nav following a fight with cancer, RIP Ron.
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Tragic news. Ron and I served on several units together and because we shared the same birth date we both retired on the same day. On clearing, the stores clerk said to me as the detritus of 37 years lay on his desk. "A Mk 2 B helmet. I haven't seen one of those for.. 5 minutes. Ron had just cleared ahead of me. Very sadly missed. Blue skies old chap.
Dougie M
Dougie M
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The posts regarding co-pilot solos on the OCU reminded me that on Beverleys we flew co-pilot mutual ie 2 co-pilots, eng, nav, siggy, and ALM (no qualified captain). On one such sortie at Abingdon we had an overspeed on No 2 (the one next to the nav's ear) as we were turning base leg onto finals. The noise of a Centaurus overspeeding was enough to put the fear of God up you, without the thought of what was about to happen if the flight deck didn't sort it out in the next few seconds. Fortunately we had a very experienced eng (probably by intent) and the engine was shut down and we landed safely. Could have been very different.
Excuse me for popping into this great thread.
I live on the Central Coast of California and there is a RAF C130 based here at our local airport, I havn't been able to get close enough to read its Reg., but it is flying quite frequently.
Anybody have any ideas??
Regards,
f
I live on the Central Coast of California and there is a RAF C130 based here at our local airport, I havn't been able to get close enough to read its Reg., but it is flying quite frequently.
Anybody have any ideas??
Regards,
f
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Ex FREEFALL ENDEAVOUR - RAF Falcons time to top up their tans 
KSBP is too far north for the above Ex
KSBP is too far north for the above Ex
Last edited by Top Bunk Tester; 16th Nov 2016 at 12:27.
"Not an insignificant length of coastline! Could you narrow down the location a little?"
Vzlet, it is KSBP.
North of here are a couple of large US Army bases, south is Vandenberg AF base.
I work just of the NW corner of the airfield, so see them taking off into the west.
We also get an occasional US Navy E2D Hawkeye.
F
Vzlet, it is KSBP.
North of here are a couple of large US Army bases, south is Vandenberg AF base.
I work just of the NW corner of the airfield, so see them taking off into the west.
We also get an occasional US Navy E2D Hawkeye.
F
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Pt Mugu
Went there from CLake as part of a joint HATS OEU trial. Winter and aircraft had cold soaked overnight. Like climbing into a fridge so short trip to Pt Mugu dressed in jackets etc to be marshalled in by the guys in shorts and t shirts looking at us as though we were aliens.
Short finals waiting clearance to land 1 on - no clearance so went round. Bollocked on landing for not complying earlier with "wave-off" lights! Unfortunately we didn't speak Navy and hadn't seen them.
Saw one of the old Navy ski-equipped Hercs there. Quite an agricultural bit of engineering but it obviously worked.
Short finals waiting clearance to land 1 on - no clearance so went round. Bollocked on landing for not complying earlier with "wave-off" lights! Unfortunately we didn't speak Navy and hadn't seen them.
Saw one of the old Navy ski-equipped Hercs there. Quite an agricultural bit of engineering but it obviously worked.
Heavy load dropping
At the beginning of the Test Pilots video (http://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/369246-fighter-pilot-bbc-1981-merged-again-5.html#post9582957)
there is a sequence about a C-130 dropping a 30,000 lb tractor.
Besides the main parachutes, there is a smaller one. What was that for?
there is a sequence about a C-130 dropping a 30,000 lb tractor.
Besides the main parachutes, there is a smaller one. What was that for?
Anti swing chute, as the load "pivots" under the extractor chute it has a tendency to "pendulum" .. this "sideways" operating chute stops that .. 
Leastways, thats how this FE always understood it ... a suitably qualified ALM will be along shortly to correct me ... no doubt ..
Leastways, thats how this FE always understood it ... a suitably qualified ALM will be along shortly to correct me ... no doubt ..
Thanks, OmegaV6, that makes sense.
I wonder if that was figured out in advance or if it was the product of bitter experience?
As a slight thread drift, I remember being very impressed by an ULLA drop at Farnborough in the late 60s.
I wonder if that was figured out in advance or if it was the product of bitter experience?
As a slight thread drift, I remember being very impressed by an ULLA drop at Farnborough in the late 60s.
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RNZAF C130 in action recently airdropping water and supplies to communities cut off by the recent Kaikoura earthquakes:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-...cules-kaikoura
Ki Nga Hau e Wha
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-...cules-kaikoura
Ki Nga Hau e Wha
Omega,
I have arrived on the first bus as in this part of the world (Sussex) the trains seldom run. You are correct it is the anti swing doing 'what it says on the tin'. Due to the low drop height of reefed mains MSP/HSP without such a device
the load would not have time to stabilise before landing on the DZ. I have seen what happens to the load when the anti swing does not work as advertised. Not pretty !
I have arrived on the first bus as in this part of the world (Sussex) the trains seldom run. You are correct it is the anti swing doing 'what it says on the tin'. Due to the low drop height of reefed mains MSP/HSP without such a device
the load would not have time to stabilise before landing on the DZ. I have seen what happens to the load when the anti swing does not work as advertised. Not pretty !