Join us for this week’s Turbulent Tuesday Casual Server Event:
AC-130 Artillery Airlift
Gunships are being deployed from Edwards AFB to transport heavy artillery from Big Bear (L35) to Agua Caliente Springs (L54) for additional support. From EDW to L35, the max ceiling is 7500 ft MSL. Land at L35 and taxi to ramp to pick up artillery. Takeoff from L35 at NO LESS THAN MTOW and transport the heavy artillery to L54. From L35 to L54, the max ceiling is 8500 ft MSL while using the mountains as cover. After delivering cargo on the taxiway, then takeoff from L54 at NO LESS THAN 50% LOAD and fly back to EDW to complete the mission! Cruise altitude from L54 to EDW is 18000 ft MSL. Are you up for the challenge? Oh by the way, this is a NIGHT OP (Sunrise or Sunset times are allowed)!
Be sure to share your pictures for a chance to have one shared on our Instagram page!
Event details:
• Casual Server ONLY
• Tuesday March 28, 2017
• Event Start Time - 18:00 ZULU (11:00AM PST)
• Event End Time - 9:00 ZULU (2:00 AM PST on March 29th)
• Region: SoCal
• Aircraft type: AC-130 ONLY
• Starting location: KEDW
Hope to see everyone there!
This ought to be interesting with what I know will be some unruly folks flying around… I’m interested to see what other aircraft will show up at L35 and L54…
You have such a cool imagination @Mark_Denton. I think this is a very fun and challenging event not just one of the regular group flights. I’ll definitely try to attend if I’m still feeling better!
How to Takeoff from L35 without looking like a 4th of July firework show right here:
(Tested at L35 with AC-130 at 50kg over MTOW and 7kt headwind)
Start right at the threshold of the runway, select 50% flaps and brakes. Firewall the throttles and wait until you’ve hit max power before releasing the brakes. Once you pass the rectangle on the other end of the runway, you should be going at around 110kts. Now, rotate until the nose is about 10-15 degrees up and IMMEDIATELY retract the gear. Climb at around 1k FPM to avoid stalling, then retract flaps as necessary once you’ve gained enough speed to not crash and burn.
AC-130s don’t transport cargo in the real world. With everything that they have internally plus all of the ammo storage, there is barely enough room to even change your mind. However, for the purposes of today’s event and to just do something a little different with a different C-130, the AC-130s have been “virtually modified” to just have a little fun for Turbulent Tuesday. :)
