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I worked on flight test analysis the Sea Vixen D3 program at FR Aviation in the late 70s and early 80's at Tarrant Rushton, then Hurn. XP924 of the recent wheels-up landing was the back-up trials aircraft (XN657 being the lead D3 conversion). The drone conversion involved a Universal Drone Pack "UDP" being produced by FR and this slid down onto the ejector seat rails of the Observer position and contained the telemetry system and flight computer. The goal of the "Universal" Drone Pack was something that could largely be re-used for future drone conversions - I recall the MoD also had their eye on the Lightning and then Phantom in the future. Electronic servo valves were added to the flight control actuators around the aircraft - so a form of analogue FBW was added to the Sea Vixen.
During the trials at Hurn and Llanbedr a safety pilot was always on board. All of the flight commands that could be sent from the ground were duplicated on a series of push-buttons in front of the pilot so he could effectively "fly" the aircraft by push buttons to mimic what a ground controller would do. pitch up, pitch down, bank left, bank right etc could all occur by pushing a button dedicated to that command with the flight computer turning the button pushes into proportional analogue commands to the servo valves on the control surfaces and throttles. During the trials on quite a few occasions the pilot flew the aircraft from lining up for take-off to landing entirely by pushing buttons, then we did it from the ground too. At any time the pilot could grab full manual flying control back by squeezing a button on the stick. So with XP924 am intrigued as to whether this reverted back to proper FAW2 status with the D3 conversion wiring, electronic servo valves, push-button console etc fully removed? Or some form of hybrid with the D3 servo valves and push-button flying controls still there but now disabled? |
Any photos or videos of her recovery from the runway to the hangar out there?
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Duxford was its first soiree out this year, according to the blurb on the website.
Y,know, there is a time to let precious things go. FAA fixed wing squadrons used to employ an awful lot of very dedicated hard working people who worked er very hard to keep them in the air. Believe me I know all about it. That little unit over south side have given it a good shot but its time to let it go and give it up. Someone will get killed. |
About following pilot notes/NATOPS... recently the 'Pilot Notes for the A-4K KAHU Skyhawk of the RNZAF' were sent to me. I can only guess they date from c.1991 while the parts below look to be from a late 1970 or beyond A-4F NATOPS we can see some complexity. I do not know the landing environment weather at the time of the TA-4K video overleaf, however I do know IIRC that in a discussion with the pilot on a forum years ago now and his story as told in a history book about the A-4K KAHU after discussion with bigwigs in the tower the course of action was taken (after a practice waveoff before final approach) as seen.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...a.gif~original http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...b.gif~original |
Just to show how NATOPS for USN A-4E/F & RAN FAA A4G had changed from 1970 version:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...A.gif~original http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...B.gif~original |
View of the runout on the empty drop tanks & LAST Display 2nd Video
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Originally Posted by Hangarshuffle
(Post 9787711)
Duxford was its first soiree out this year, according to the blurb on the website.
Y,know, there is a time to let precious things go. FAA fixed wing squadrons used to employ an awful lot of very dedicated hard working people who worked er very hard to keep them in the air. Believe me I know all about it. That little unit over south side have given it a good shot but its time to let it go and give it up. Someone will get killed. |
"Far too complex for the civilian team...." I wondered how long that bandwagon would take to start rolling. |
Originally Posted by Blacksheep
(Post 9788250)
Wasn't it designed by a bunch of civilians using slide rules, pencils and paper - and built by civilians using basic hand tools and windy drills?
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Originally Posted by Blacksheep
(Post 9788250)
Wasn't it designed by a bunch of civilians using slide rules, pencils and paper - and built by civilians using basic hand tools and windy drills?
True, but the expectations of aviation and engineering safety are far, far higher than they were back then so not really a reasonable example. |
Frpm the Navy Wings website...
https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net...74&oe=59A18DF0 https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net...b9&oe=59AC44BB |
The undercarriage does go "down" then. Good luck with the repairs, wold love to see it fly again, but not a risk to pilot safety
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Someone will get killed. |
Damage looks remarkably light considering. Hopefully she can be repaired and back in the sky soon, no doubt to the chagrin of some that seem to think everything's a death trap accident waiting to happen. Aircraft are complex but as the pilot demonstrated things can be dealt with in a cold calm and collective way. This incident posed no danger to anyone other than the pilot, the aircraft didn't drop out of the sky and the pilot didn't have to manoeuvre to avoid the obligatory school or old peoples home. Yes he had an issue, he followed the drills and got an great outcome, no injuries and the aircraft can probably be used again.
Personally I think it's great that people are able to see the wonderful range of aircraft from years gone by flying still, yes health and safety is important but as this event proved when something does break it can be dealt with professionally and safely. |
rubbish above
Sadly, as is usual with these threads, a lot of ill informed people think they can comment on events. The Sea Vixen team are made up of 60% sea vixen experienced crew. Things such as pilots notes and flip cards are tip top up to date and scrutinized for accuracy prior to each season. The Royal Navy scrutinize the entire operation before it allows a serving officer to fly a civilian aircraft due to their duty of care. You folks on this site are considered to be aviation enthusiasts. That being the case don't speculate or postulate on situations you clearly have no idea about. Congratulate Simon on a most spectacular landing in extremely difficult circumstances and wish a very dedicated team all the best for a speedy recovery.
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You folks on this site are considered to be aviation enthusiasts I suspect that many on this site have a bit more qualifications than "aviation enthusiasts" . :rolleyes: |
Originally Posted by N.HEALD
(Post 9788436)
Damage looks remarkably light considering. Hopefully she can be repaired and back in the sky soon,
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Memories of an immaculate wheels-up Cangerra at Tengah. They thought that was Cat 1 [buff it out on the flight line] until they found the rear spar of the bomb bay was bent.
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I'm an aviation enthusiast.
As well as being IEng, MRAeS and a practicing engineer in Continuing Airworthiness Management with over 50 years military and civilian experience in electrical and avionics maintenance. My comment about civilians was simply to point out that aviation is as much a civilian business as military, regardless of the end-use of the machine. The Sea Vixen is an aeroplane and the background of its maintenance and operating crews is irrelevant as long as they are aviation professionals. |
Touche sir!
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Bit of a thread drift but the Shuttleworth Gladiator had to make a forced landing today due to what appears to be engine problems. Happy to say that the Pilot walked away and the Gladiator appears to vitually undamaged.
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Many thanks to all of those who have worked so hard over the years to keep this wonderful Sea Vixen flying, be they maintainers, pilots, support staff, fund raisers, etc. Also what a great credit to the pilot and the aircraft designers that the aircraft could survive so well after such a wheels up landing. Best wishes with the repairs and I hope that this great aircraft will be gracing the skies again as soon as possible.:D
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I hear that, alas, the Rotol gearbox between the Avons has been badly damaged.
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Originally Posted by XV490
(Post 9796319)
I hear that, alas, the Rotol gearbox between the Avons has been badly damaged.
I guess it also depends on spares availability... I seem to recall a few years ago the team changed one of these after small metal particles were identified in the oil filter? |
It will buff out.....won't it. Hope so....
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Have they found the reason for the undercarriage failure to extend?
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Thanks for the pici's!
A lot of airframe repair work there! It will be interesting to hear about the gearbox damage. Good luck with the repairs.:ok: OAP |
Originally Posted by H Peacock
(Post 9784743)
I think she's a bit too complex an aircraft for the Navy to maintain! :D
I am sure you are great company. Dick. |
1 Attachment(s)
AEROPLANE Magazine July 2017 'End of Classic Jets?' PDF 8 pages attached.
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Seen on the key forums site today:
"Brief news item on BBC spotlight this morning. Interviewing the "Chief Engineer", who said that so far they had not found any damage that would stop it flying again, but it will take another two weeks to complete the inspection." I've not found the clip/news item myself yet, but if true this is welcome news. I guess serious funds will be needed now if the aircraft is to be rebuilt back to airworthiness... |
A very short piece here from about 32:50:
BBC Local Live: 'Serious failures' at council children's services - BBC News Summarised as: Engineers still don't know whether a rare Cold War fighter aircraft can be repaired after its emergency landing at Yeovilton's naval air station two weeks ago. The only flying example of the Sea Vixen was on its way back from an airshow but it's wheels didn't come down and it was forced to do a belly landing. Experts at Royal Navy historic flight are still trying to assess the damage and say it's too soon yet to say whether it will fly again. |
Thanks Beagle.
I guess it's a case of no news is good news... I'm really hoping it is good news although this aircraft seems to evoke polarising opinions on here! |
It would be tragic if the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and couldn't return to flight.
In some ways this aircraft is a natural replacement for the Vulcan on the airshow circuit as a Cold War 'heavy' jet. |
NickB wrote:
I'm really hoping it is good news although this aircraft seems to evoke polarising opinions on here! 51 ( :eek: ) years ago after I'd won an RAF Scholarship, the RAF wouldn't let me have an air experience flight in a Chipmunk as our school only had a pongo section of the CCF; however, thanks to a family friend, the FAA gave me a trip in the coal hole of a 'Vixen - in the 1966 Farnborough Air Show display, no less! No clear view looker's roof in those days - all I could see were the pilot's legs and the outside world through the small side window. But it was a fantastic experience!! |
There was a little piece about it on the B.B.C. south west local news programme this evening. It would seem that the team are (fairly) confident that it'll be cleaving the air again one day.
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Originally Posted by BEagle
(Post 9801509)
NickB wrote:
I hope so too as I have rather a soft spot for the 'Vixen! 51 ( :eek: ) years ago after I'd won an RAF Scholarship, the RAF wouldn't let me have an air experience flight in a Chipmunk as our school only had a pongo section of the CCF; however, thanks to a family friend, the FAA gave me a trip in the coal hole of a 'Vixen - in the 1966 Farnborough Air Show display, no less! No clear view looker's roof in those days - all I could see were the pilot's legs and the outside world through the small side window. But it was a fantastic experience!! you missed a great show! |
Originally Posted by BEagle
(Post 9801509)
NickB wrote:
I hope so too as I have rather a soft spot for the 'Vixen! 51 ( :eek: ) years ago after I'd won an RAF Scholarship, the RAF wouldn't let me have an air experience flight in a Chipmunk as our school only had a pongo section of the CCF; however, thanks to a family friend, the FAA gave me a trip in the coal hole of a 'Vixen - in the 1966 Farnborough Air Show display, no less! No clear view looker's roof in those days - all I could see were the pilot's legs and the outside world through the small side window. But it was a fantastic experience!! A friend of mine is an ex-FAA Observer on Phantoms although he started his training on Vixens - he couldn't wait to get on to F4s as it wasn't a pleasant place to be in the coalhole, day in, day out. I think a lot of the time was spent assisting the pilot with fuel management! Fingers crossed she gets back into the air. |
Originally Posted by Treble one
(Post 9801404)
It would be tragic if the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and couldn't return to flight.
In some ways this aircraft is a natural replacement for the Vulcan on the airshow circuit as a Cold War 'heavy' jet. |
Originally Posted by Dr Jekyll
(Post 9802263)
Although it was returned to flight in civilian hands many years before the Vulcan.
Indeed Dr J-I meant in the sense that as the Vulcan is no more..... |
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