The U.S. Air Force has ordered its entire fleet of KC-135 tankers to be grounded for inspection over concerns that their tails could fall off mid-flight if not properly fixed.
Truly boggling the tail could fall off.
Lucas/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user76/13.pngoffline(netAirspace ATC & Founding Member) 17 Feb 23, 02:21
Instantly reminded of this:
Raybin/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user3656/1.pngoffline17 Feb 23, 06:46
Spangdahlem AFB currently has at least 4, sometimes up to 12 KC-135 for operations on the Ukrainian border. They all fly directly over my house several times a day. Mostly around 3000 feet. So far they haven't bothered me. I hope that doesn't change.
Be human, stay human When flying, the dangerous thing is the earth (Wilbur Wright)
captoveur/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/default.pngoffline17 Feb 23, 15:27
I guess after 60+ years you start to have problems.
I like my coffee how I like my women: Black, bitter, and preferably fair trade.
paul mcallister/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/default.pngoffline17 Feb 23, 16:30
Currently 3 over SW England (1626 UK Time) heading W.
LAGR815 60-0353 LAGR816 59-1470 LAGR817 61-0315
ShanwickOceanic/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user55/8.pngoffline(netAirspace FAA) 17 Feb 23, 18:15
Just the tankers, not the Rivet Joint or E-3?
My friend and I applied for airline jobs in Australia, but they didn't Qantas.
DXing/forum/images/avatars/gallery/business/1.pngoffline17 Feb 23, 19:14
Sounds like it has more to do with how the refueling boom is attached. In any event, it's a 30 minute inspection which means that it's in a pretty easy location to get at. Not like they have to drag them all into the hangar and break them down. Waiting for Vic to chime in as this sounds like they got some bad parts.
What's the point of an open door policy if inside the open door sits a closed mind?
miamiair/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user54/1.pngoffline(netAirspace FAA) 21 Feb 23, 10:56
That inspection has been around for decades. You remove the access panels and then perform an NDT Eddy Current inspection of the terminal fitting lugs. See the arrows in the image below.
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And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight. — E. B. Jeppesen
paul mcallister/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/default.pngoffline21 Feb 23, 16:01
Thanks for this, I will go and check mine now. LOL
