Riding the Boom- Part V....

In no time at all, we rotated and lifted off.  Since this was a practice mission, I'm guessing that we weren't carrying enough fuel to actually re-fuel other aircraft.   This may partially explain the seemingly short take-off.

At any rate, the boom operator/loadmaster told me that our flight track would take us to 25,000 feet (above sea- level).  We would fly a pattern roughly two hundred miles off the California coast.

Indeed, once we were on station, it was time for us (meaning we passengers) to take turns lying on the mattresses which are placed on either side of the boom operator.  For his part, the boom operator lies on his stomach, and a padded cradle supports his head.  He flies (literally) the boom into position, via joysticks which move vanes (winglets, really) on the end of the boom itself.

Unfortunately, by the time my turn came, the two aircraft were already connected. My disappointment was short-lived, as only forty feet from the viewing window, the huge C-17 transport loomed.  So close was it, that I could see the faces of its pilots, as well as those of the passengers on its flight-deck.

When the two aircraft finally separated, it was with a noticeable bump.  Then, the C-17 seemed to drift slowly out of sight.

I shot this video with my Android phone- which I'm still learning how to use!

Coming soon: A desert mini-expedition in search of an opal deposit...

Riding the Boom-Part IV.....

Holding on to the bulkhead behind me, I was reminded of my rides on the New York City subway, that I took when I was a boy.  Only, there are no hand-hold straps in the KC-135's cockpit.

Almost as soon as that thought passed through my mind, the load master had me sit in the jump seat immediately behind the left-hand pilot's seat.  The left seat is the "pilot-in-command" seat in small airplanes.  I assume that that holds true in large, jet aircraft, as well.  Perhaps a reader who is more knowledgeable than I can comment further.  

Nevertheless, one of the things that I like about flying from March Air Reserve Base as a private pilot (I rent a Cessna 182 from the base's Aero Club) is the fact that there is very little traffic.  So, I'm not kept waiting very long for take-off clearance, generally.  Therefore, it came as no surprise when we taxied on to the runway immediately.  

From my little jump seat, I couldn't see much outside, but it seemed as though we were going to use runway 14, which is 13,300 feet long.  

Once we were in position for take-off, the pilot in the left seat jammed all four throttles forward.  There was a rumble as the four CFM International turbo-fan engines, each of which generates over 21,000 pounds of thrust, spooled up.  

I was pushed back into my seat, as the aircraft began to accelerate.  

To be continued.....

Riding the Boom, Part III

Photo by Scott Schwartz

Upon my stepping into the aircraft, a fellow CAP member motioned for me to join him on the flight deck.  He had gotten permission from the flight crew for us to ride in the two jump seats during the take off.

Did I mention that the temperature was already in the ninety's on the flight line?  Contrary to what some might believe, the KC-135 is not simply a military 707.  It was designed and built as a cargo aircraft from the beginning, and as such, has very thin insulation.  Consequently, the air conditioning isn't very effective on the ground. This probably explains why one of the pilots was going through the pre-engine-start check list in his tea shirt.

Even with my government-issue earplugs in, I could hear the first engine start with an audible "wuff".  After all four engines were turning and burning, and with me still standing on the flight deck, the aircraft began to move.

To be continued.

Riding The Boom- Part II..

The metal detector was a portal into another, smaller waiting area.  While staring out the window at the blue buses that would take us to our KC-135, I saw the little Cessna 182 that I fly with the March Aero Club taxi by.  The wistfulness that I momentarily felt was replaced by excitement, after I remembered what I was here for.

After two and a half hours of waiting, we climbed aboard the buses, which took us to the North end of the field, where the KC-135's are parked.

Once we were stopped in front of our 50+ year-old aircraft, the boom-operator/load master came aboard the bus in order to give us our safety briefing.  It was hard to pay attention, as I could see the stair-truck easing up to the airplane through the darkened windows of the bus.

Briefing completed, we were ushered off the bus and toward the air-stairs.

To be continued....

Riding the Boom-SandNSky Flies Aboard A KC-135R...

As a member of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), I, several other adult members and cadets, were given the opportunity to fly as passengers aboard a Boeing KC-135R and a Boeing C-17, respectively, while the pilots of the latter aircraft practiced engaging and disengaging from KC-135's refueling boom.  The Air Force refers to these flights (flights on which CAP members and certain other civilians are taken as passengers) as "incentive flights".  If the purpose was to encourage people to join the Air Force, they missed the boat with me, for at forty eight years of age, I doubt that I'd qualify for enlistment.

Nevertheless, I arrived at the March Air Reserve Base passenger terminal at 0800 Local time on Wed., August 1, 2012.  After providing my name to the Air Force personnel who were checking us in, I sat in one of the plastic seats which faced a large flat-screen television monitor, on which the Olympic games were being shown.  

Since I didn't know any of the other passengers (no one from my squadron had arrived at this point-and I wasn't sure if any of my squadron mates had signed up for this), I pulled out my phone and began to play a turn at "Words With Friends".  Just then, a gentleman from my squadron came through the doors, with a distinguished-looking elderly lady at his side.  My squadron mate introduced the lady to me as Alma Farnell, who is a former Women's Air Service Pilot ("WASP").  During World War Two, Ms. Farnell flew B-26 Marauders while towing practice targets.  

As I was making small talk with ms. Farnell, a Sergeant came into the room and announced that all those who were flying on the KC-135 were to step through the metal detector and enter another waiting area.

More to follow......