NAS Jax Planes

[BridgeTroll]

Spoke with someone "in the know" recently and was assured the P-8 flies great on one engine... performs well at low altitude < 500'.  The mission profile for long onstation times would require a refuel prior to onstation, or after leaving the datum, and even on the way home.  Crew endurance is the main issue... 3 hour preflight, + a ten hour flight, plus 3 hour postflight and debrief can make for a long day...

[CS Foltz]

Just out of professional couriousity was the "someone" flight qualified in that aircraft? Egineers have a different viewpoint than crew in the work room! The crew enduarance factor could be addressed with double crews..........but thats not my department! I want the best we can get and just not sure a twin jet is the answer. Aceleration factor, jet wise, is not the same as a jet prop or something turning paddle blades.....been in both and infront where the action is.

[BridgeTroll]

They were not qualified in the P-8... very few are... but pilots and Flt engineers talk and word gets around.  BTW... I have over 5k hours in the P-3 myself...

[CS Foltz]

Bridge Troll............I salute you! I worked on an old Lockheed Electra, was a Panama National Airliner and was converted to first class throughout except for the aft lounge.....had showers with stained glass doors! Was going to be used for Diamond M Oil company and crew changes in South America and Africa! Nice work and nice bird! Needless to say............one or two years ago!

[Dog Walker]

Here is another new plane the Navy is evaluating:









This thing looks like something out of Independence Day.  Supposed to be Mach 3 and stealth.

[acme54321]

LOL I hope that's a joke.

[CS Foltz]

Dog Walker............you have to be yanking my proverbial chain....right?

[BridgeTroll]

It is not true...

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/s/stealth.htm

Summary of the eRumor
Pictures of a stealth looking jet on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
The caption says it's a new plane known as the F/A-37.
It also shows the pilot, an attractive female whose name is written on the side of the cockpit.

   
The Truth
These are not stealth photos of a new military stealth fighter but are pictures from the filming of a new Hollywood movie titled Stealth.
Lt. Kara Wade is a character in the film and is played by actress Jessica Biel.
The plane in the photos is a prop made for the film.
According to the U.S. Navy, the pictures were taken aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln during a stopover in San Diego in 2004.
Note the camera crew in one of the shots.
The pictures were taken by a U.S. Navy photographer.

[CS Foltz]

Glad to hear it..........but one never knows! Area 51 has some oddball aircraft out there for sure!

[Overstreet]

.......... not sure the 737 is ideal for this particular mission! I have reservations about a twin jet of this size and weight operating at low altitudes.........first bird up the windpipe at low altitude ...............

Quite possible. However remember that external bypass fans were invented for low altitude performance. They are larger blades and can take more abuse. Fan air path does not go thorough the gas producer. It might not be the first or the second bird that does the damage.  It depends upon the size and number of the bird(s).

[CS Foltz]

Overstreet...I concur with your view! External bypass fans were invented just for the situation as you describe! Just trying to think ahead......been in area's with multiple birds at low altitude and ended up with pucker marks on the seat under my butt! I have my toes crossed for all involved! But I am just a lowly taxpayer with some experience in aircraft............A&P with inspectors endorsement and a heap load of bootleg hours in learjets, right seat! Also have bootleg time in helo's from Ft Rucker most of which are no longer in inventory!

[Dog Walker]

It is not true...

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/s/stealth.htm

Summary of the eRumor
Pictures of a stealth looking jet on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
The caption says it's a new plane known as the F/A-37.
It also shows the pilot, an attractive female whose name is written on the side of the cockpit.

   
The Truth
These are not stealth photos of a new military stealth fighter but are pictures from the filming of a new Hollywood movie titled Stealth.
Lt. Kara Wade is a character in the film and is played by actress Jessica Biel.
The plane in the photos is a prop made for the film.
According to the U.S. Navy, the pictures were taken aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln during a stopover in San Diego in 2004.
Note the camera crew in one of the shots.
The pictures were taken by a U.S. Navy photographer.

Thanks for researching this for us, BT.  It was passed on to me by a Navy guy so I bought into it.  I THOUGHT it looked like something from Independence Day!