B52 x 6 at Fairford
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
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Interesting, in the video, that the B52s approach in a distinctly nose-down attitude. Do military big jets make steeper approaches than civilians?
(In a B52 it probably doesn't matter which gear lands first.)
Only one pilot visibly pops the braking chute. Perhaps he was late touching down. I'd have thought Fairford would be long enough even for the most nervous B52 driver.
(In a B52 it probably doesn't matter which gear lands first.)
Only one pilot visibly pops the braking chute. Perhaps he was late touching down. I'd have thought Fairford would be long enough even for the most nervous B52 driver.
B-52's have a very distinct nose down appearance on approach and even climb. Very characteristic of the type given it's massive flaps which have two setting: fully up or fully down, and a lengthy transition.
Actually USAF have form in Spiriting hardware into Fairford un-announced. Earlier this year they deployed a couple of B2s seemingly into Spain, but then quickly and unexpectedly moved them to Fairford. I had one of those "WTF!?" moments whilst pottering in the garden when one flew low over my house en route to the base.
Fun and games for all.
Fun and games for all.
Although "long planned" is this is another example of the "Dynamic Force Employment Model"? I linked a couple of articles here Baltic BUFFs - Minot - Baltic - Minot
So I assume deployments like this one will become more frequent.
"The transition to a “dynamic force employment” model allows the bombers to operate from a “broader array of overseas locations” with greater resilience, while keeping the aircraft permanently based in the U.S., AFGSC said."
Instead of long-term deployments, the service is currently focusing on sending small groups of bombers on short-notice flights across the globe to be more unpredictable.
Surely this is nothing new. I grew up near Newbury with the sound of B47's everyday over my Primary School as they got airborne from Greenham Common. Some must have been on go round as they had tail chutes billowing along behind. TDY rotations were the norm in the 60's
Not just because of the flaps. The wing on a B-52 is mounted at a significant positive incidence angle on the fuselage so that it will have enough AoA at a zero body angle to fly off the runway. Due to its distinctive gear arrangement, it cannot rotate during take off. The side effect is that it needs to decrease this AoA once airborne to get to the proper climb AoA, or to accellerate.
huge72:
The B-47 trailing a drag chute did not necessarily indicate a go-around. The B-47 was very slick in terms of drag, and the single-spool J-47 very slow to wind up from low rpm.
The type carried 2 chutes; the smaller one would be deployed prior to final approach, to enable higher engine rpm (and thus faster engine response). This also reduced the minimum drag speed, and thus improved speed stability on the approach.
The larger, 32 ft diameter chute, would be deployed only after touchdown.
The B-47 trailing a drag chute did not necessarily indicate a go-around. The B-47 was very slick in terms of drag, and the single-spool J-47 very slow to wind up from low rpm.
The type carried 2 chutes; the smaller one would be deployed prior to final approach, to enable higher engine rpm (and thus faster engine response). This also reduced the minimum drag speed, and thus improved speed stability on the approach.
The larger, 32 ft diameter chute, would be deployed only after touchdown.
Last edited by kenparry; 26th Aug 2020 at 11:18. Reason: Added text ref min drag speed
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://www.defensenews.com/global/e...-nato-members/
Six US Air Force B-52 bombers make symbolic sweep over all NATO members
COLOGNE, Germany — The U.S. Air Force is sending six B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers to fly over each of NATO’s 30 members on Friday, a gesture meant to signal the alliance’s unity.
Four bombers, taking off from Royal Air Force Fairford in the United Kingdom, will pass over NATO’s European members, according to a statement by U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. Two B-52s departing from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, are scheduled to fly over the United States and Canada.
“This single-day mission, titled ’Allied Sky,’ is intended to demonstrate NATO solidarity, enhance readiness and provide training opportunities aimed at enhancing interoperability for all participating aircrews from the U.S. and NATO allies,” the European Command statement read. Aircraft from 20 alliance members are scheduled to provide aerial refueling and other support throughout the day, it added......
“U.S. security commitments to the NATO alliance remain ironclad,” Gen. Tod Wolters, the head of European Command, was quoted as saying in the statement. “Today’s bomber task force mission is another example of how the alliance sustains readiness, improves interoperability and demonstrates our ability to deliver on commitments from across the Atlantic.”.......
Six US Air Force B-52 bombers make symbolic sweep over all NATO members
COLOGNE, Germany — The U.S. Air Force is sending six B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers to fly over each of NATO’s 30 members on Friday, a gesture meant to signal the alliance’s unity.
Four bombers, taking off from Royal Air Force Fairford in the United Kingdom, will pass over NATO’s European members, according to a statement by U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. Two B-52s departing from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, are scheduled to fly over the United States and Canada.
“This single-day mission, titled ’Allied Sky,’ is intended to demonstrate NATO solidarity, enhance readiness and provide training opportunities aimed at enhancing interoperability for all participating aircrews from the U.S. and NATO allies,” the European Command statement read. Aircraft from 20 alliance members are scheduled to provide aerial refueling and other support throughout the day, it added......
“U.S. security commitments to the NATO alliance remain ironclad,” Gen. Tod Wolters, the head of European Command, was quoted as saying in the statement. “Today’s bomber task force mission is another example of how the alliance sustains readiness, improves interoperability and demonstrates our ability to deliver on commitments from across the Atlantic.”.......
