Planning and Executing the C-130J
Air Shows
Wayne Roberts
Chief Test Pilot - Airlift Aircraft
Cary Depew
Lead Aircraft Systems Specialist
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
C-130J - An Air Show Airplane?
• Performance
− Minimum Turn Radius – less than 1000 ft
9 plane lengths
− Sustained Turn Rate - 17 degrees/sec
− At Cornering Speed - Excess Power to Climb
− Takeoff and Landing Ground Roll
Each Less than 1000 ft
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
2
C-130J - An Air Show Airplane?
• J Model Situational Awareness
− Head Down Display – Ground Track Awareness
GPS accuracy (within feet)
Predicting track displayed one minute ahead
− Head Up Display – Incredible
Precise control of parameters to make show
repeatable
Safety and performance parameters - in primary field
of view
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
3
Safety in Air Shows Remains Challenging
Russian SU 30
Opening Day
Paris Air Show 1999
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
4
Safety in Air Shows Remains Challenging
JULY 24th, 1010
Canadian CF-18 Crashes during
Air Show Practice
"All of a sudden you could hear 'pop,
pop, pop,' " witness Roland Booth
told CTV News. "I saw sparks come
out of the one engine. The plane
started banking over to the side.
That's when the pilot bailed out with
his parachute."
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
5
Air Show Safety Remains Challenging
JULY 28th, 2010
4 Killed in C-17 Crash Practicing for
Elmendorf AFB Air Show
“I was watching it do maneuvers, practicing for the Air Show this
weekend.”
“I saw it just drop out of the sky followed by a huge fireball. RIP
fellow brothers.”
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
6
Air Show Development Focused on Risk
Reduction
• Establishing basic safety margins
− Minimum altitudes vs. bank angle
− Minimum/maximum speeds (VMC Speeds)
− Air Show Box shape/limitations
− Margins on g limits
− Added margins on rolling pullouts
− Side slip management
• Developing a series of individual maneuvers
− Engineering Analysis – Maneuvering Diagram
− Cornering Speed Display - HUD Stall Caret and maximum G
− Energy Management
Two power settings – Takeoff Power and Flight Idle
Pitch/Bank and G (and side slip)
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
7
Air Show Development Focused on Risk
Reduction
• Start of each maneuver is fully defined and fixed
− Airspeed/altitude/attitude/power/position over ground/track
• Maneuver defined in detail
− Exact sequence of pitch/bank/g
− Exact transition points between Takeoff and Idle power
− Rollout course defined by flight path line on Head Down
Display
• End of each maneuver is predictable – becomes the fixed start
for next maneuver
• Tolerances - minimums/maximums defined
− Pitch attitude vs bank vs altitude vs airspeed
− Smart Copilot call outs when approaching maneuver limits
• Link maneuvers together based on air space box limits and
crowd location and time
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
8
Le Bourget Air Space
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
9
1000 ft – 4783 ft
Reviewing Stand
Chalets
500 ft – 4783 ft
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
HUD Viewing angle Equivalent to Two Displays
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
11
Risk Analysis and Contingency Planning
• Completed Lockheed Martin Safety Review Board to identify
and mitigate residual risk
• Utilized our engineering simulator – well over 100
practice runs after show fully developed
• Prepared for all types of emergencies
− Identified and practiced escape maneuvers for a worst
case engine failure at all places in the routine
− Identified procedures for all types of systems failures
• Third crew member sat in center seat to identify and analyze
any system malfunction immediately
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
12
Air Shows and the Civil Regulations
• Air show pilots who wish to practice aerobatic
maneuvers ….. below an altitude of 1,500 feet above
ground level (AGL) must use a waivered aerobatic
practice area. (FAA Order 8900.1)
• A pilot who wishes to perform aerobatics or certain
other flight operations at a public aviation event (air
show) must possess a valid FAA Statement of
Aerobatic Competency. (FAA Order 8900.1)
• International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) –
Great help for Air Show Performers
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
13
Aircraft Preparation
• Aircraft Systems
−Review records (GMS/DTADS-J-model)
Nuisances /intermittent; non-repeatable
−Run-up (full system)
Engine/Propeller Rigging
• Optimize (not just within acceptable limits)
» Minimum Torque
» Performance Check
» Minor Leaks
Clean cargo and storage compartments
• If not needed for ferry flight
» Remove it!
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
14
Work-up/Practice
• Take a storage container
−
Remove everything and put it in the container
Bare minimum publications
O2 masks minimum number
• Hoses and masks will fly
Chains/jacks/straps
• Zero “G” Check
Plan enough time to secure straps and bag found items
• Ladder
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
15
Maintenance
• Preflight/Post flight/Thru flight
− Debrief (J-model)
− DFDR download
• What if something goes wrong?
− Safety Observer
Radio and manuals
Records
•
Portable Maintenance Aid (PMA) J-model
− Call for help
Global Sustainment Support Center (GSSC)
• Hercules Technical Support Center
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
16
Chaffing Wire – Disables Elevator Trim
Lockheed Martin Proprietary Information
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
17