hurricanemk1c 195 Posted December 8, 2013 Report Share Posted December 8, 2013 Hi all, So, around to carry the baton again. Last time I did it in a VC-10. Not a lot of technology - just cable runs and good old basic navigation. And that last point was the bit I failed. Incorrect alignment of the INS spelled downfall. This time, there would be no mistake. I was knocking around in Chile for some reason that has left me. I was enjoying it, anyway. The railways here look quite nice. I was simply observing them until this big Australian came up to me with the Baton. Curious, I asked him who he was. He said he was Gonzo. Not quiet sure about that name...... The next day, waking up to the wonderful sound of my phone, was tough. Whatever happened the night before was obviously good! Anyway, bleary eyed and not bushy-tailed, I answered the phone, to discover a Tornado that needed a pilot. After a brief conversation, I had the job of moving it to Mataveri Int for live weapons trials in the climate. Having arrived back in the airport, I quickly looked at a map. Blimey! 2024nm straight. It's going to be a push. Luckily, the RAF had already thought that, and had provided a number of tankers to be used between here and there. Good - should be three 'prods' and off we go. Problem was, I was very rusty on my AAR skills. Luckily, the bloke in the back (who refused to be identified for some reason) had years of practise and would give me some tips and tricks for the fueling. Walking out into the murk to see the Tornado Nice and cold, sadly! Letting the breeze in before closing up Engines have started All the radar equipment in the back has warmed up nicely as I set up the HUD Time to taxi We are good to go as the Tower clears some local traffic to land No burners as the landing traffic was reasonably close, and also for fuel consumption Departing in style Off we go over the water For another 1900-od nm just water A quick glance at the fuel-flow indicators shocked me. I knew the Tornado drank fuel, but this was registering about 12000lb/hour between both engines. That's just over an hour until the tanks are dry. Better re-arrange those refuelling brackets! Probe out 'Oscar 22, Rafar 31, we have you in sight, joining behind, awaiting futher instructions' Breaking away having took on about 13000lbs And so it carried on: The final break-away, barely 100 miles off the coast, or the island The island is in sight, descending Gear down! Heading down Touchdown! Taxiing off the runway And finally off for debriefing Total fuel used was about 91220lbs - a tad more than what the Tornado can hold, even with four external tanks! That's that - oh and Joe, you might have a few letters about the slight noise we made on departure.......... Link to post Share on other sites
rosariomanzo 545 Posted December 8, 2013 Report Share Posted December 8, 2013 Nice flight and choice of aircraft! Link to post Share on other sites
hifly 925 Posted December 8, 2013 Report Share Posted December 8, 2013 +1 good one Kieran and a good choice of a tanker too. Link to post Share on other sites
brett 2,315 Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 That certainly is a fun way to eat up some water miles. Nice work Kieran. Hope the RAF gets a discount on fuel. Link to post Share on other sites
stu7708 244 Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 Great flight Kieran! The Tornado is a great looking airplane, but with a fuel consumption of 0,02 mpg I guess fuel efficiency wasn't a primary concern in the design process And just to make sure, that wasn't the Baton you had strapped across the tail fin was it Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 Superb flight Chuck You were right about the phone calls, but once I told them it was the baton in transit, it smoothed the water! Well done on taking one of our longest flights Cheers/ Joe Link to post Share on other sites
ddavid 149 Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 What about the fuel used by the tanker?!? Did you calculate that? Whatever, great flight- thanks for getting us over the ocean. Cheers - Dai. Link to post Share on other sites
Kasper 14 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 Great flight. Certainly not an aircraft I would have thought of taking! Link to post Share on other sites
J G 927 Posted December 11, 2013 Report Share Posted December 11, 2013 Nice one Kieran, glad to see someone else flying the military as well. Lovely piece of hardware the Tornado. J. Link to post Share on other sites
jaydor 345 Posted December 12, 2013 Report Share Posted December 12, 2013 Great PIREP and a good story as to what could have been a very boring flight over all that water. So the Tornado and refuelling broke the monotone.. Link to post Share on other sites
rob16584 42 Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Fantastic aircraft Kieran. The sound of those engines is awesome Link to post Share on other sites
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