[Hornchurch]

Apparently, this has been shown to various units (as a 'what NOT to do' training vid') within the U.S.A.F. Tanker fleet.

Footage reputedly handed over via the French Air Force, to the U.S.A.F.

It shows a (stupidly) low-level pass by an F.A.F. KC.135 pilot, over the desert/gorse floor, endangering not only his a/c & crew - but also (as the a/c draws level with the cameraman), the idiots in a gaggle of jeeps/humvee type vehicles.

JUST ONE birdstrike, would have made this vid' interesting.


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xoprb_amateur-davion

.

[mustangdriver]

I hear you about it being dangerous, but these are guys that fight every day. They have to let off some steam. That is no diferent than the guys that did it during WWII with B-17's abd Spitfires. And by the way if you think tankers don't get into combat, you are mistaken.

[bsmith13]

Impressive video shot.

Yep, that's pretty low. Yep, it's pretty unsafe. IMHOm there has got to be a better way to blow off steam than endangering your aircraft for a camera pass. I've seen tanker pilots put in hack for higher low passes than that.

On the devil's advocate side, if we expect our pilots to do dangerous things, shouldn't the training syllabi contain dangerous tasks?


Finally, mustangdrvr, I don't wish to start any sort of a flame war, but how, exactly, do tankers get into combat? My (limited) definition of combat is if you are shooting at someone or vice versa. As a controller, if my tankers are being shot at, someone really screwed up! Or are you refering to being tanker crews being targeted while on the ground in a hostile country?

[jim]

Crazy yes but the pilot seems to run in across a long flat plain so he would have plenty of time to settle into his pass and slowly drop down. Still stupid though. I would have liked to have been on board.

Originally Posted by mustangdriver

I hear you about it being dangerous, but these are guys that fight every day. They have to let off some steam. That is no diferent than the guys that did it during WWII with B-17's abd Spitfires. And by the way if you think tankers don't get into combat, you are mistaken.

[mustangdriver]

No flame war, just a discussion, and that is cool. The 171st PA ANG was sent to Iraq and several time were used to decoy anti aircraft fire so that other attack aircraft could go in and hit the target. The KC's would fly high enoguht to avoid fire, but low enough to draw fire. I am with you guys that it was foolish for this pilot to make this pass, and it was dangerous, but I have seen worse things. My neighbor flew PBJ's in WWII with VMB 413, and on his last mission, he did a slow roll over the field in it!

[Hoverbug]

Originally Posted by mustangdriver

I hear you about it being dangerous, but these are guys that fight every day. They have to let off some steam. That is no diferent than the guys that did it during WWII with B-17's abd Spitfires. And by the way if you think tankers don't get into combat, you are mistaken.

I think the problem here is that it is an abnormal procedure. The occasional (even if illicit) low pass for the tactical guys may sometimes be a good thing as they indeed might be called on to do that some day. Unfortunately, this guy is operating is aircraft in an unfamiliar manner with no training to do so and with no margin of error. It's a recipe for disaster.

That said, if it was a KC-130 pilot, it might not be a big deal as they train to refuel helos at below 500'.

[Aircrafty]

Those guys are paid to fly those aircraft and don't have the right to endanger the aircraft or other people by doing stupid stunts.

[STARMAN 352ND]

I think it's ok to do in a fighter with permission granted first but a heavy plane like that is a little scary.
That does remind me of the B-52 pilot back in the 1990's that did that sort of thing and.........Once to many too...B-52 crew and all crashed...Rest their souls.
JP

[Cavtanker]

I've seen the video of that incident that you are speaking of, Starman. There is another video of the same pilot flying a B-52 and clearing a ridge by 30 meters, and he did get into some heat over that.

[admin]

The engine mods on the KC-135 sure make it sound cool and stealthy. Plus, the larger intakes just look cool.

Hey, sometimes you've just got to buzz the tower!




Ease up on the boys, A little fun goes a long way for morale.