AN-124 - why it has to stay on the runway so long before t/o?
 

The AN-124 has recently became a frequent visitor at my home base - actually it comes there every day. What I have noticed is that every time after lining up the runway, the crew says they need about 3-5 minutes before they can commence the takeoff. It usually causes quite a lot of mess in the airspace of what is a relatively calm airport. I can't imagine what would happen in say LHR, or FRA :} So - why do they have to stay so long on the runway?

I think they have to do an engine run before releasing brakes.

Yes they have to spool up the engines slowly over a period of time to full power allowing them to stabilize at set rpm's, about 10 mins in total if i remember correctly.

I haven't noticed that at MSP. They taxi out and scoot.

Then I'd suggest you're not looking at a 124. They always do the power check from what I've seen (and I've worked at one airfield where the beast is very nearly a daily visitor).

The conspiracy theories have it that the Lotarev's on the 124 (and 225) were "heavily based" on the GE CF6, after some were acquired by the Soviets from a DC10 that was trapped on the ground in Kabul when they invaded Afghanistan!

Did you just suggest that an airline pilot doesn't know what a Ruslan looks like?

An-124s are very frequent visitors at my local, EMA/EGNX, and without exception the crew always request 3-4 mins on the runway to run up the engines - my understanding is its to do with stabilizing the internal temperatures - never has one just 'taxied and scooted' so i can't see why this would be any different for any other airport they operate from.

-Regards, RP:)

Flyboyike, yes perhaps I did, but I've met plenty of other pilots who don't have the best of a/c recognition skills, so don't feel I further need to justify that statement.

As others have said, they always do the power check.

I was at the Farnborough Airshow the day one blew an engine at the start of the display take-off roll - it was a big bang :eek:

You're right, I could have easily confused it with any of the dozens of other extremely large, high-winged, four-engine, conventional tail, 84000-series-tail-numbered aircraft. Sorry.

Wycombe: I was at that one too and didn't notice the bang, but I was a bit surprised when he abandoned takeoff as I was the Tower Controller at the time!

with respect how would you "notice" the bang if you were cocooned in the tower? also why is ATCO suprised to see an RTO?

not being smart.....just interested in your thoughts chevron and what angle you guys have.

rgds

b

they have to in the uk and im sure they do it everywhere else as well. As far as I know the oil seals can be blown easily if they put to much power on to quickly.

When i was working in Shannon(EINN) there was always one or two AN-124's based there (Volga-Dnepr) as i remember and we would frequently watch them come and go. They always requested a few minutes on the runway before takeoff. Also had the pleasure of seeing the 225 there one night, fantastic sight.

er, An-124/225 are in the 82000 range actually................

Regards, RP

Touche' ;)

The few times I've seen 'em - at Boeing Field in Seattle - they do the same delay prior to departure.

Close enough.

Those with long memories will recall the early TriStars with -22B engines did the same...initially.
Rather long run-ups at partial power prior to brakes release.
Early problems (big time) with the -22B's.
I recall seeing seven of these RR engines on the ramp on engine stands at MIA in 1974.
All, and I mean all the turbine blades were...ah, gone.:uhoh:
Must have been expensive:sad:

I would have thought that with a 5- or 6-strong crew, they need all that time to complete the before take-off checklist :E ;)

You mean, as in rollcall:8