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Aviation Thread - News, facts, questions, photos, videos, etc.

Started by Taaroa, June 04, 2017, 09:15:23 AM

Uncle Duke

https://youtu.be/qzkrW27c4h8

Interesting story I'd never heard before about the first "black" helicopter.


Kidnostad3

I stumbled over this a while ago.  A reduction of rotor noise to 3-4 decibels is a BFD as you can hear.  Would be masked by background noise in any urban/suburban area and beyond.

https://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-02/video-eurocopter-introduces-silent-rotor-blade-stealth-choppers/



Taaroa

I wonder if these helicopters have any kind of cooling for their crew beyond those little fans.

https://twitter.com/LNA2019M/status/1225770286928269312





Taaroa

This video has been making the rounds today - apparently the Guatamalan military got one of their pilots to fly a plane they had seized (which was being used for drug running) to get it back to base.

https://youtu.be/w5zuUt9Xdmc

Whoever landed it there probably did it at night too:
https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2020/01/27/authorities-in-peten-find-suspected-narco-jet-flew-low-over-belize-before-landing/


Quote from: Uncle Duke on February 08, 2020, 09:20:41 AM
Is that shot from a Hind?
Looks it.


Uncle Duke

Quote from: Taaroa on February 09, 2020, 10:54:00 AM
This video has been making the rounds today - apparently the Guatamalan military got one of their pilots to fly a plane they had seized (which was being used for drug running) to get it back to base.

https://youtu.be/w5zuUt9Xdmc

Whoever landed it there probably did it at night too:
https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2020/01/27/authorities-in-peten-find-suspected-narco-jet-flew-low-over-belize-before-landing/

Looks it.

Back in the early 90s I was working a program being run by a contractor working from a former USAF base in Texas.  One morning we drove into the facility to find dozens of police and other law enforcement swarming all over.  Despite some of us being in military uniform and all us having valid DoD IDs/travel orders, our vehicles were searched and each of us was individually questioned by federal agents.  My boss at the time, a USAF O-6, asked what was going on and to see whoever was in charge, turned out to be a DEA agent.  Long story short, during the night someone landed a large transport a/c, either a DC-4 or DC-6 on the former base, cleared it out of its drug cargo, and just left the airplane.  The DEA flew it out a week later.

Hog

Successful trials from the ski jumps carriers could certainly help F-18 E/F/G and perhaps their Advanced Superhornet offerings.

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/boeing-to-conduct-ski-jump-trials-for-f-a-18-super-hornet-strike-fighter/



Does anyone think the Brits would ever field some new F-18 Superhornets on their "ski-jump carriers'?  Would that even be possible?  or just invest in more F-35's?

The rear nozzles on the F-35 B STOVL variant sure look wild. Coming out the rear of a 45,000 pound thrust class engine and directing most of that energy downwards at more than 90º's while attaining directional control. Cool stuff that the USAF has been investing in since the 80's, maybe earlier.


peace
Hog

Uncle Duke

Quote from: Hog on February 10, 2020, 01:12:41 PM
Successful trials from the ski jumps carriers could certainly help F-18 E/F/G and perhaps their Advanced Superhornet offerings.

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/boeing-to-conduct-ski-jump-trials-for-f-a-18-super-hornet-strike-fighter/



Does anyone think the Brits would ever field some new F-18 Superhornets on their "ski-jump carriers'?  Would that even be possible?  or just invest in more F-35's?

peace
Hog

They might be able to launch an F-18 from one of the UK carriers, but they'd need to add arresting gear on the deck to be able to land on them.

Quote from: Uncle Duke on February 10, 2020, 09:54:29 PM
They might be able to launch an F-18 from one of the UK carriers, but they'd need to add arresting gear on the deck to be able to land on them.

Or they could just use Tilly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsnsWg6mR0k

Taaroa

Quote from: Hog on February 10, 2020, 01:12:41 PM
Does anyone think the Brits would ever field some new F-18 Superhornets on their "ski-jump carriers'?  Would that even be possible?  or just invest in more F-35's?
The better question is whether Australia could, since both carriers (or "LHDs")  have useless ski jumps and the RAAF already has a large fleet of Super Hornets and Growlers.

https://twitter.com/airspottersORG/status/1226960742357913605

Uncle Duke

Quote from: Taaroa on February 11, 2020, 08:07:57 AM
The better question is whether Australia could, since both carriers (or "LHDs")  have useless ski jumps and the RAAF already has a large fleet of Super Hornets and Growlers.

https://twitter.com/airspottersORG/status/1226960742357913605

The ski ramps were retained initially because the Australians considered buying a couple dozen F-35B STO/VL strike fighters. They eventually bought only A models.  Later they were kept to allow for possible cross deck operations of F-35Bs from US and UK gators and carriers.

albrecht

At first glance I thought this headline was a Phil Hendrie bit with "pilot" Art Griego but instead it is an actual article in Scientific American!

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/no-one-can-explain-why-planes-stay-in-the-air/



Taaroa

Quote from: Uncle Duke on February 11, 2020, 09:54:58 AM
The ski ramps were retained initially because the Australians considered buying a couple dozen F-35B STO/VL strike fighters. They eventually bought only A models.  Later they were kept to allow for possible cross deck operations of F-35Bs from US and UK gators and carriers.

If I remember correctly, the government was too cheap to put in the necessary modifications that would allow F35Bs to use them, but they were also too cheap to remove the ski ramps which were part of the original Spanish (?) design. So now you have helicopter carriers whose deck can't be fully utilised by helicopters because there are useless ski ramps.

Quote from: Taaroa on February 11, 2020, 08:07:57 AM
The better question is whether Australia could, since both carriers (or "LHDs")  have useless ski jumps and the RAAF already has a large fleet of Super Hornets and Growlers.

https://twitter.com/airspottersORG/status/1226960742357913605
Why would they call this thing “the other Blackhawk”?  Looks more like a 2 man Apache style attack helicopter seating configuration to me but minus any apparent useful pewpewpew missile pods on the wings?  The Blackhawk is a fair bit slower and wider and more transport oriented with a crew of five I believe.

Uncle Duke

Quote from: Taaroa on February 11, 2020, 11:49:39 PM
If I remember correctly, the government was too cheap to put in the necessary modifications that would allow F35Bs to use them, but they were also too cheap to remove the ski ramps which were part of the original Spanish (?) design. So now you have helicopter carriers whose deck can't be fully utilised by helicopters because there are useless ski ramps.

Yeah all that's possible, I don't know anything about Australian political decisions relative to their gators.  I do know the Aussies considered buying B models at one point, however.  I don't remember where I read about cross decking B models from allied navies, maybe AFM.  Also, last I heard both Japan and SK were considering B models for their helo carriers. Good chance Australia could find themselves in a coalition with those nations as well.

Taaroa

Quote from: Enard P Farkwark on February 12, 2020, 12:02:44 AM
Why would they call this thing “the other Blackhawk”?  Looks more like a 2 man Apache style attack helicopter seating configuration to me but minus any apparent useful pewpewpew missile pods on the wings?  The Blackhawk is a fair bit slower and wider and more transport oriented with a crew of five I believe.

Because it was privately built by Sikorsky and called the Blackhawk internally and predates the other one by a few years, but the US Army gave the name Blackhawk officially to the UH-60. This one was a prototype attack helicopter capable of fairly high speeds and maneuverabilityn but the later one is mainly a transport.


Kidnostad3

Quote from: Enard P Farkwark on February 12, 2020, 12:02:44 AM
Why would they call this thing “the other Blackhawk”?  Looks more like a 2 man Apache style attack helicopter seating configuration to me but minus any apparent useful pewpewpew missile pods on the wings?  The Blackhawk is a fair bit slower and wider and more transport oriented with a crew of five I believe.


I believe the name “Blackhawk” associates it with the manufacturer, Sikorsky, who produced the original Blackhawk and variants and now is producing “the other Blackhawk.” 

Uncle Duke

Quote from: Kidnostad3 on February 12, 2020, 10:01:45 AM

I believe the name “Blackhawk” associates it with the manufacturer, Sikorsky, who produced the original Blackhawk and variants and now is producing “the other Blackhawk.”

The US Army has traditionally named their utility/transport helicopters after Indian tribes....Sioux, Chickasaw, Iroquois, Blackhawk, Apache, etc.  Not sure if the manufacturer or the DoD officially assigns the name, probably done by mutual agreement.

Hog

Quote from: Uncle Duke on February 12, 2020, 10:52:31 AM
The US Army has traditionally named their utility/transport helicopters after Indian tribes....Sioux, Chickasaw, Iroquois, Blackhawk, Apache, etc.  Not sure if the manufacturer or the DoD officially assigns the name, probably done by mutual agreement.
That's racist.  Rotary Kill Machine number 1, 2,3,4 and 5 would suffice.

peace
Hog

Kidnostad3

Quote from: Uncle Duke on February 12, 2020, 10:52:31 AM
The US Army has traditionally named their utility/transport helicopters after Indian tribes....Sioux, Chickasaw, Iroquois, Blackhawk, Apache, etc.  Not sure if the manufacturer or the DoD officially assigns the name, probably done by mutual agreement.

Yup, referring to the F-15 as the Eagle or Strike Eagle as a working title rather than "Air Superiority Fighter and Multirole Role Attack Aircraft (F-15) has obvious advantages.  The name is probably arrived at by agreement of the military program manager and the manufacturers project director over cocktails. 

Uncle Duke

Quote from: Kidnostad3 on February 12, 2020, 12:24:24 PM
Yup, referring to the F-15 as the Eagle or Strike Eagle as a working title rather than “Air Superiority Fighter and Multirole Role Attack Aircraft (F-15) has obvious advantages.  The name is probably arrived at by agreement of the military program manager and the manufacturers project director over cocktails.

What's interesting is in some cases, regardless of what name is officially given for an a/c, it's virtually ignored and replaced by other names.  For example, I never heard anyone refer to the F-16 as the Falcon, it was always referred to as the Viper. F-16 pilots wear "Viper Driver" patches. Same with the B-52, it was "BUFF", never Stratofortress.  The F-111 was uniquely (at least in modern times) never given an official name, but was universally known as the Aardvark or 'vark, while the EF-111 was called the "Spark 'Vark."

Kidnostad3

Quote from: Uncle Duke on February 12, 2020, 12:54:23 PM
What's interesting is in some cases, regardless of what name is officially given for an a/c, it's virtually ignored and replaced by other names.  For example, I never heard anyone refer to the F-16 as the Falcon, it was always referred to as the Viper. F-16 pilots wear "Viper Driver" patches. Same with the B-52, it was "BUFF", never Stratofortress.  The F-111 was uniquely (at least in modern times) never given an official name, but was universally known as the Aardvark or 'vark, while the EF-111 was called the "Spark 'Vark."

Very true.  How many today would refer to the A10 as the “Thunderbolt” rather than it’s much less sexy but more apt affectionate name “Warthog.”  (Let’s face it, for all it’s success, it’s an ugly ass plane and there is a certain resemblance)

Uncle Duke

Quote from: Kidnostad3 on February 12, 2020, 01:40:19 PM
Very true.  How many today would refer to the A10 as the “Thunderbolt” rather than it’s much less sexy but more apt affectionate name “Warthog.”  (Let’s face it, for all it’s success, it’s an ugly ass plane and there is a certain resemblance)

Another aspect of naming US military a/c is manufacturer's legacy.  For example, Republic Aircraft names begin with "Thunder"....P-47 (Thunderbolt), F-84 (Thunderjet), RF-84 (Thunderflash), F-105 (Thunderchief), and A-10 (Thunderbolt II.)  Grumman Aircraft fighters were named for cats....Wildcat, Hellcat, Bearcat, Panther, Cougar, Jaguar, Tiger, Tomcat.  Lockheed named their aircraft for aerial phenomena....Lightning, Shooting Star, Starfire, Starfighter, Constellation, Tri-Star, Lightning II.  Bell used the name "Cobra"...Airacobra, Kingcobra, and then just Cobra for the Cobra gunship helicopter.

Taaroa

Coronavirus triggers boom in private jet inquiries
QuotePrivate jet operators have seen a big spike in requests from passengers wanting to charter their own planes during the coronavirus outbreak. With airlines scaling back flights in and out of China, some travellers are stuck inside or outside the country. The wealthy ones are turning to private jet operators to ask them to arrange flights, despite the huge costs. But the companies are having to turn them away due to travel bans and a lack of available planes and crews.

"Many simply do not want to send their aircraft and crews into mainland China. Aside from the risk of exposure for the crews, the operational and business concern is that when they return from mainland China they will essentially be unable to work for two weeks as they will have to go into quarantine immediately.''

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51527042

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TXnwyATa5E




Hard times at Lanzarote airport in the Canaries right now.  Live webcam shows it all ate up with a sandstorm blowing from the mainland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Fi3INpot8



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