What is an Airlifter?

This article describes the components that make up the Tactical Air Command flight crew, from loadmaster, to flight engineer, to navigator, to copilot, and lastly, to pilot. All together, the crew work in coordination to deliver the goods or the troops. This article was Dr. Brady\u27s last as editor of TAC Attack. Under his two-year leadership, the safety message continued to be heard

Another Look at Hydroplaning

This article examines the factors contributing to the hydroplaning of aircraft tires on airport runways: ground speed, tire pressure, and water depth vs. tire tread depth. Aircraft weight does not bear any affect on aircraft tire hydroplaning

The Four Horsemen

From 1956 until 1960, the Air Force\u27s Tactical Air Command (TAC) fielded a team of four C-130 Hercules pilots to perform as an aerial demonstration team. The shows thrilled audiences around the United States and the pilots, known as the Four Horsemen, showed the power and maneuverability of the huge airlifters also known as troop carriers. The aircraft used in the demonstrations were taken from the inventory of whatever air base was closest to the show

Gear-Up Landings, or...Let It All Hang Out

Gear-up landings, or belly landings, continue to plague civilian, military and commercial aviation. A study has begun on a new effective device to warn pilots if the landing gear is not deployed correctly before landing

The Orteig Prize

It can be reasonably argued that, apart from the Wright brothers\u27 epic flight of 1903, which ushered the world into navigation, the single most important flight made in the twentieth century was the transatlantic flight made by Charles A. Lindbergh in May 1927

Pilot Education: The Beginnings

For those of us involved with flight education, it is easy to take for granted some of the concepts that we practice daily, concepts such as a standardized flight curriculum, periodic flight checks, clearly defined flight instruction procedures, and progression from the simple to the more complex aircraft. These concepts did not simply appear full-blown, they were born, shaped, and modified via the crucible of world conflict. To find the roots of these flight education concepts, we have to look to Europe, to the early days of flight, to 1914, to what we now call World War I

The C-130 Fin Stall Phenomenon

The C-130 Hercules airplane is known for its idiosyncrasies related to the large sideslip angles. Precise pilot reactions are needed to control the ship when this situation arises

The Professionals

The professional pilot is able to handle many critical situations with calmness, split-second decision-making skills, and knowledge of aircraft capabilities, all the while depending on team support

The Lure of Home

This article recounts an aircraft accident that could have been avoided. The pilot ignored flight manual warnings to not fly in icing conditions. The pilot disregarded all advice to stay on the ground but he was anxious to get home and celebrate an occasion with his family. All lives lost on the flight