First flight of the P-8A Poseidon and all things related to transition

[scoolbubba]

Edit: Schoolbubba beat me to it. Jerk.

Haven't classed up yet. Got nothing to do but drink and surf AW, especially since the Atlantic isn't cooperating in terms of water temp/wave height.

 

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

Wooo that is a sweet looking jet.

 

[STLEngineer]

I meant C-40, though not in the sense that Navy folks would actually fly them....just that the AF has taken folks from the T-1 and successfully "upgraded" them to things like the C-40 and larger. T-44 still seems like an overpowered light twin to me, in terms of performance and operating envelope. Also, in my short time here, it has become apparent that jets are flown somewhat differently than props. Seems like it would be an interesting transition to make on such a comparatively large aircraft.

A lot of your thoughts, especially T-1, apply directly to debates going on in the E-6 community.

The E-6 is in the process of stopping training in the T-1 at Vance for several reasons and moving to the T-44. I agree that the T-1 is a better aircraft for advanced studs who go on to fly the E-6 or P-8, but I believe money is a big factor, and I would expect resistance from the P-3 community to going through Air Force training.

 

[Pilot123]

AF training would have been a deal breaker for me.

 

[e6bflyer]

AF training would have been a deal breaker for me.

It sucks, but it's only 6 months of your life.

 

[Pugs]

I saw in this issue of Aviation Week this week that the ITAR exception was approved for the Indian purchase so that certainly helps the program.

 

[JMF2k10]

I'll be on the very edge of the transition ... 2010 commission and hopefully 2010-2012 flight school. I'm excited. That plane is a beauty.

 

[Praying4OCS]

Nice.....How will the transition work (if possible) for the winged dudes already in the community? Like myself, a primary stud shooting for P-3's and eventually the P-8.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Same way it worked for the Tomcat guys who turned in their planes, trained up in the new whip as a squadron, and then got them. Whether you, personally, will do the transition depends on when your squadron transitions and where you're going from there. I'd lay odds that if you're starting the program now, and go VP, you'll probably fly the P-8. Definitely will if you stick around the community after your JO tour.

 

[tjp2008]

it looks pretty.. does it do cool flips and stuff too?

 

[Moc1Sig]

Lateral Transfer thread is about to be lit up, % get Navy?

 

[zab1001]

Lateral Transfer thread is about to be lit up, % get Navy?

What the fuck are you talking about? Yeah no. Stay in your lane BDCP guy.

Oh yeah. % joke. Take a week off.

 

[Flash]

So, stupid question from the wife...
These are 'relatively' the same plane, right? Why is the SWA wingtips more vertical that the P-8A wingtips?

Am I over-thinking this?

.....raked wingtips instead of winglets...They do pretty much the same thing in improving efficiency and cutting drag, but I guess the raked wingtips are more efficient/cheaper than blended winglets.

Good eyes MrsPickle. The raked wingtips actually replaced the winglets because of icing concerns, I am not sure if it is the that anti-icing gear can't be put in winglets or the aerodynamics. Since the P-8 will often be operating in conditions that 737's usually try and avoid, like adverse weather, icing is a big concern.

The Air Force C-40's, AFAIK, are odds-and-ends planes for medium theater lift, like the Navy C-40A's.

The USAF's are all for VIP or COCOM staff transport/support, not regular transport.

 

[HighDimension]

What the fuck are you talking about? Yeah no. Stay in your lane BDCP guy.

Oh yeah. % joke. Take a week off.

Zab (Sir), are you an angry person in real life too?

 

[Sabre170]

Petty, I know, but I hope the temperature control is next to the TACCO so we can freeze the flight station and then make it miserably hot.... not middle ground.