formation speed?
- john (scooby)
- Posts: 1910
- Joined: 31 May 2018, 15:40
formation speed?
whats the max sensible speed you boys can fly formation at clean?
Sqn Ldr (Scooby) Burton RAF Air UK
XI(F) Sqn 2ic
XI(F) Sqn 2ic
Re: formation speed?
Depends on height. At sea level it will hold 240 plus comfortably with a load on - clean about 280-300 is tops, but not recommended.
At 20,000 ft, you can hold 210:,1 with a load.
For the climb use 200 kts, decreasing by 5 kts every 500 ft.
If you let me have a weapons load I will come up with more accurate values tomorrow.
You obviously have to fly no more than 10 kts above the top speed of the heaviest aircraft in the Flight.
At 20,000 ft, you can hold 210:,1 with a load.
For the climb use 200 kts, decreasing by 5 kts every 500 ft.
If you let me have a weapons load I will come up with more accurate values tomorrow.
You obviously have to fly no more than 10 kts above the top speed of the heaviest aircraft in the Flight.
Wing Commander Alan Johnson - RAFAir UK
- john (scooby)
- Posts: 1910
- Joined: 31 May 2018, 15:40
Re: formation speed?
clean light and low level, 270 knots ok?
Sqn Ldr (Scooby) Burton RAF Air UK
XI(F) Sqn 2ic
XI(F) Sqn 2ic
Re: formation speed?
Just done some trials. The speeds I quoted would be comfortable for an A-10C.
With around 3-4000lb fuel, 2 x Aim-9, TGP, EW Pod, and the rest of the pods empty, an A-10C_2, should be able to hold 300 kias , in formation, at up to 5000 ft agl fairly comfortably. Below 5k, with careful handling and a considerate Flt Lead, 330 kias should be OK. The 330 kts speed would be a problem if there were hills to cross or significant manoeuvring (< 30 degrees AOB).
Thus, you could plan for 300 kias, since the A-10C_2 is the normal model flown.
With around 3-4000lb fuel, 2 x Aim-9, TGP, EW Pod, and the rest of the pods empty, an A-10C_2, should be able to hold 300 kias , in formation, at up to 5000 ft agl fairly comfortably. Below 5k, with careful handling and a considerate Flt Lead, 330 kias should be OK. The 330 kts speed would be a problem if there were hills to cross or significant manoeuvring (< 30 degrees AOB).
Thus, you could plan for 300 kias, since the A-10C_2 is the normal model flown.
Wing Commander Alan Johnson - RAFAir UK
- john (scooby)
- Posts: 1910
- Joined: 31 May 2018, 15:40
Re: formation speed?
300 knots light fuel and no pylons thenFlyco wrote: ↑23 Apr 2021, 09:46 Just done some trials. The speeds I quoted would be comfortable for an A-10C.
With around 3-4000lb fuel, 2 x Aim-9, TGP, EW Pod, and the rest of the pods empty, an A-10C_2, should be able to hold 300 kias , in formation, at up to 5000 ft agl fairly comfortably. Below 5k, with careful handling and a considerate Flt Lead, 330 kias should be OK. The 330 kts speed would be a problem if there were hills to cross or significant manoeuvring (< 30 degrees AOB).
Thus, you could plan for 300 kias, since the A-10C_2 is the normal model flown.
Sqn Ldr (Scooby) Burton RAF Air UK
XI(F) Sqn 2ic
XI(F) Sqn 2ic
Re: formation speed?
Sorry, should have said 'pylons empty', not 'pods empty'. 300kts would be OK with a moderate fuel load, provided height could be kept at 5,000 ft or less.
Wing Commander Alan Johnson - RAFAir UK