A400M first flight this morning
Discussion
Speaking of the A400M, we have a group design project on at the minute to design a fire fighting aircraft. Because one of the specifications is that it must fly at around 100 knots when dumping water and picking up from lakes we decided to use turbo-props as they are more efficient at lower speeds.
We also decided that our maximum speed would be 400 knots at sea level so off our propulsion guy toddled to source an engine and props capable of powering the 78 tonne water filled monster.
Cue our PDR meeting last week with two of our supervisors. Supervisor A = Ex Rolls Royce engines man. Supervisor B = Don't have a scooby but know that he has a PPL.
The transcript went something like this....
Supervisor B - No prop driven aircraft in the world can fly at 400 kts (Mach 0.6), you have made a massive mistake in your calcs...
Us - Erm no, I think you'll find we haven't.
B - Yes you have
Us - No we haven't
B - Why not, name an aircraft capable of flying at those speeds then....
Us - The A400M can fly at around 420 kts (iirc)
B - Well you'll never be able to fly at that speed without shaped tips
Us - Well we've specified in our report that we'll use the same props as the A400M
B - Well it still won't work.
Supervisor A - Er yes 'B', it will, I've seen their calculations and I'm happy with it.
Supervisor B didn't ask us another question over the whole of the PDR
We also decided that our maximum speed would be 400 knots at sea level so off our propulsion guy toddled to source an engine and props capable of powering the 78 tonne water filled monster.
Cue our PDR meeting last week with two of our supervisors. Supervisor A = Ex Rolls Royce engines man. Supervisor B = Don't have a scooby but know that he has a PPL.
The transcript went something like this....
Supervisor B - No prop driven aircraft in the world can fly at 400 kts (Mach 0.6), you have made a massive mistake in your calcs...
Us - Erm no, I think you'll find we haven't.
B - Yes you have
Us - No we haven't
B - Why not, name an aircraft capable of flying at those speeds then....
Us - The A400M can fly at around 420 kts (iirc)
B - Well you'll never be able to fly at that speed without shaped tips
Us - Well we've specified in our report that we'll use the same props as the A400M
B - Well it still won't work.
Supervisor A - Er yes 'B', it will, I've seen their calculations and I'm happy with it.
Supervisor B didn't ask us another question over the whole of the PDR
Bit of thread resurrection here, but I was out for a walk this afternoon when this flew over, not something I'd seen in the area before.
I saw it head off towards Bristol, turned out it was heading to Filton - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-12850...
I saw it head off towards Bristol, turned out it was heading to Filton - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-12850...
staples230uk said:
Sorry I have to say it but......"OMNOMNOMNOM!!!"
I remember seeing the c-5, c17 and c130 lined up at Al Udeid AFB a few years back the c130 looked like a child's plaything in comparison. Looking forward to seeing how the a400 squares up to it!
Not a C-5 but the RAF have lined already lined up the A400M next to a C-17 and Hercules.I remember seeing the c-5, c17 and c130 lined up at Al Udeid AFB a few years back the c130 looked like a child's plaything in comparison. Looking forward to seeing how the a400 squares up to it!
blueedge said:
Bit of thread resurrection here, but I was out for a walk this afternoon when this flew over, not something I'd seen in the area before.
I saw it head off towards Bristol, turned out it was heading to Filton - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-12850...
I saw it head off towards Bristol, turned out it was heading to Filton - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-12850...
I walked out the Dispatch office to see her doing a low pass up the runway at Bristol Airport, a nice change from all the Ryanair's and easy jets i see every day.
blueedge said:
Bit of thread resurrection here, but I was out for a walk this afternoon when this flew over, not something I'd seen in the area before.
I saw it head off towards Bristol, turned out it was heading to Filton - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-12850...
I saw it head off towards Bristol, turned out it was heading to Filton - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-12850...
Damn Freightliner!!!!
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