Hour Rule - Rise and Shine

"f86sabre" (f86sabre) 03/10/2014 at 06:05 • Filed to: planelopnik

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Tethered Phantom

ttyymmnn > f86sabre 03/10/2014 at 08:57

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Imagine the hardware required for this.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > ttyymmnn 03/10/2014 at 09:24

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It's actually very common. That F-4 is on what's called a "trim pad". It's an place where maintenance guys can take the jet and run it full throttle after maintenance or for troubleshooting. The crew chief in the cockpit is usually on the brakes as well (chocks are in too).

The trim pad shouldn't be confused with a Hush House, where engines or whole aircraft are tested/checked.

I'll be the first to admit, needed to change my pants after being in a Hush House for an F-16 run. But that's a story for another time.

ttyymmnn > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole 03/10/2014 at 09:44

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I'm familiar with the procedure, I'm just thinking about the nuts and bolts necessary to tether an afterburning jet to the ground. I guess that's why we need engineers. I'm guessing that the AF jets have some sort of bolt-on bracket for this procedure. Tailhooks don't come as standard equipment, do they?

Lekker > f86sabre 03/10/2014 at 09:49

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I bet the pilot likes to do burnouts, jk. Imagine how much thrust is being applied to that anchor thingy. Wouldn't want to be the guy who unhooks it that is for sure.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > ttyymmnn 03/10/2014 at 10:00

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They were pretty beefy bolts/mountpoints in the ground. I don't know specifics, but I wouldn't want to fix one if it ever broke.

Actually, most USAF fighters have a tail hook for emergency landings.

Like I said, they aren't used like the Navy in normal landings, but in an emergency, they can deploy the hook and snag a "barrier" wire near the end of the runway in case of brake failure.

I almost won a bet because of this when I was a brand new mechanic in technical school. That bet taught me a big lesson on following my gut instinct. Missed out on almost $1000 because I wasn't willing to put up my tickets to go home for Christmas as my end of the bet.