Spotter guide to Northrop T-38 Talon

The Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced.

Most T-38s built were of the T-38A variant, but the USAF also had a small number of aircraft that had been converted for weapons training. These aircraft (designated AT-38B) had been fitted with a gunsight and could carry a gunpod, rockets, or bombs on a centerline pylon.

T-38C to extend their service life to 2020. Improvements include the addition of a HUD, GPS, INS (Inertial Navigation System), and TCAS as well as PMP (a propulsion modification to improve low-altitude engine thrust). Many USAF variants (T-38A and AT-38B) are being converted to the T-38C standard. The from  the T-38A to the T-38C changes are the new Burner cans, the reshaped inlet. The NASA T-38N have a Radar that is not use by the USAF fleet.

T-38N : Two-seat astronaut training version for NASA operates a fleet of 32 T-38 aircraft and uses the aircraft as a jet trainer for its astronauts, as well as a chase plane. Its fleet is housed primarily at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.

Veteran's Day

This is a special thank you to the Veteran's and their familys. Thank you so much for your sacrificial.

Northrop White rocket

As a kid you fond memories your first tricycle or Bicycle with training wheels, May of the US and NATO Air Forces pilots the Nortrop T-38 Talon is that aircraft that they remember. The “White Rocket” as it is call has served for over 50 years. In this blog I am going to just go over a bit of the history of this aircraft beginning, in later blogs I will go in depth more on it usage today.  So this migh be what you would call part one.

In the mid-1950s, Northrop started development on a low-cost, low-maintenance fighter, with the company designation N-156, partly to meet a US Navy requirement for a jet fighter to operate from its Escort Carriers, which were too small to operate the Navy's existing jet fighters. That requirement disappeared when the Navy decided to withdraw the Escort Carriers, but Northrop continued development of the N-156, with both a two seat advanced trainer (the N-156T), and a single-seat fighter (the N-156F) planned.

The N-156T was selected by the United States Air Force as a replacement for the  Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star in July 1965, allowing development of the trainer to progress at full speed, the first example, later designated YT-38 Talon, is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer flying on 12 June 1959 with a total of 1,158 Talons being built by the time production ended in January 1972. The Northrop T-38 Talon it was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. Most T-38s built were of the T-38A variant, but the USAF also had a small number of aircraft that had been converted for weapons training. These aircraft (designated AT-38B) had been fitted with a gunsight and could carry a gunpod, rockets, or bombs on a centerline pylon.

Student pilots fly the T-38A to learn supersonic techniques, aerobatics, formation, night and instrument flying and cross-country navigation. More than 60,000 pilots have earned their wings in the T-38A. Test pilots and flight test engineers are trained in T-38A's at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Air Force Materiel Command uses T-38A's to test experimental equipment such as electrical and weapon systems.

Advanced training for the bomber-fighter track is accomplished using the T-38 Talon and prepares pilots for transition to fighter and bomber aircraft. The T-38 is a tandem seat twin-engine supersonic jet. There is increased emphasis on formation, navigation, and low level navigation flying. Training takes approximately 26 weeks and includes 381 hours of ground training, 31.6 hours in the flight simulator and 118.7 flying hours in the T-38.

In 2000, over 500 T-38s, AT-38Bs were still operational with the USAF and were upgraded to the T-38C though a program called Pacer Classic the structural life extension program for the T-38, is integrating 10 modifications, including major structural renewal, Improvements include the addition of a HUD, GPS, INS (Inertial Navigation System), and TCAS as well as PMP (a propulsion modification to improve low-altitude engine thrust). This will to extend their service life to 2020.

Copperstate Fly-in 2011

Coppersate fly-in is one of two fly-in that are held at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport (KCGZ) each year. With the cooling temperatures of the early fall this has become 4^th largest fly-in in the US and the largest in the western states.  The great variety of aircraft is also a reason this that so many aviation enthusiast come out year after year. This is the 39^th year.

There are many activities for kids of all ages. One that is always fun is to build a rib and also a work shop on “how it works” which bring out the science of aircraft. There are several flying activity going on though out the three day event including the crowd favorite the “showcase “fly-by this give the crowd a chance to see the aircraft in-flight as they should be. 

So this is one to put on the wish list and enjoy some wonderful Arizona weather and flying.  http://www.copperstate.org/

Honda little hotrod in the sky

This past Friday I had the pleasure of seen the HondaJet in Phoenix on it way to the NBAA Annual Meeting & Conference in Las Vegas, NV.  This unique aircraft has many unusual design features. Most notable is the engine arrangement with the engine Over-the-Wing engine mount   (OTWEM) actual achieves a low drag than the fuselage mounted of many of the today Bizjet. This small jet uses Natural-Laminar-Flow Airfoil (NLF) though out the wings and the nose of the fuselage. The two GE Honda Aero Engines HF120 turbofan engines, have a wide-chord swept fan, two-stage low-pressure compressor and counter rotating high-pressure compressor based on a titanium impeller. Allowing for greater fuel efficiency and reduced emissions are two of the results of the engine's lightweight design.

Honda Aircraft company’s Greensboro facility is a buzz with activity as work is being completed on three conforming aircraft for the test program, and gearing up for production of aircraft.  Honda test program will have a third conforming aircraft (F2) entering the test program shortly, and F3 and F4 soon to follow. The production facility brings together all aspect of assembly of airframe components, interiors, and interiors exterior finish. Honda has made a commitment to environmentally responsible in creating a exceptional “green footprint” with a simple approach to achieve zero ”waste to landfill” in the assembly operations.

Coolidge Municipal Airport Monthly Fly-in

On the first Saturday of every month (Oct –May) Coolidge Aviation LLC conduct a fly-in breakfast  that is served by Coolidge Lion’s club.  The event usually starts about 8:00AM and ends around 12:00PM and is held in front of the 1940’s hangar with the orange roof. Of the original three runways they still use 17-35 and 5-23. The fly-in normal use 5-23 for both departure and arrivals which provides a nice light during this event.  There is a nice mix of old and new aircraft, both civilians and older warbirds. 

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is plane easy

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport formerly Williams Gateway Airport is affectionately know as Willie from its days as Williams Air Force Base. Located in the southern part of the East Valley of Phoenix metro area this little airport holds many surprises. On any giving day you could see Harriers, Goshawk, Talon, and Hueys. Allegiant Air also operates flight out of here so MD-80 is a common sight. With all that you might just get lucky and catch something out of the ordinary. The airport property is surrounded by both private property and business, so photographing from these area will not be covered in this blog.

 

This airport is community friendly with a small park located next to the airport Fixed Base Operator Gateway Aviation Services. Photography from this park is permitted and it is encourage as this is the only public area open to the public on the airport property. This park come with several shaded areas and a hill that give a nice shot over the fence line. You can use a 4 ft (1.2192 m) step at the fence area but not any taller. They also frown upon standing on case for safety. Restroom and coldwater, and vending machines are available in the FBO building. Also in this building are the Pilots Shop and the Flightline Café. The ramp is located in this area and is used for the transient aircraft which on weekends can be quite crowded. The light is good in the afternoon and get better later in the day.

Areas that you can’t take photographs from are the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and passenger terminal. Both of these areas are off limits due to security issues. If you are a ticketed passenger then you can take picture during while conducting you business. ICE and other businesses are private property. You can how ever take pictures of their aircraft from the park area as they taxi or in flight.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport hosts an open house on the second Saturday of March (March 10. 2012) each year. The gates open at the park area at 9:00am and close around 2:00pm and is free. During this open house the weekend operation continues. For those who wish to get “media access” for this event you can contact Community Relations Coordinator, Patrick Oakley at 480-988-7637 or at poakley@phxmesagateway.org. Please do so not later than two weeks ahead of this event.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport’s park is located at 5803 South Sossaman Road, Mesa Arizona 85212.

Airport codes: IATA: AZA, ICAO: KIWA, FAA LID: IWA),

 Radio Frequencies: ATIS 133.5, clearance 135.05, ground 128.25, tower 120.6 west, 124.75 east, and Gateway Aviation Services 129.875