It seems that it was a very busy day and a “good ol’ boy” American (Texas-sounding) AF C-130 reserve pilot was in the instrument pattern for landing at Rhein-Main. The conversation went something like this…

c130_4

Tower: “AF1733, You’re on an eight mile final for 27R. You have a UH-1 three miles ahead of you on final; reduce speed to 130 knots.”
AF1733: “Rog-O, Frankfurt. We’re bringin’ this big bird back to one-hundred and thirty knots fur ya.”

Tower (a few minutes later): “AF33, helicopter traffic at 90 knots now one-and-a-half miles ahead of you; reduce speed further to 110 knots.”
AF1733: “AF thirty-three reinin’ this here bird back further to 110 knots”

Tower: “AF33, you are three miles to touchdown, helicopter traffic now one mile ahead of you; reduce speed to 90 knots”
AF1733 ( sounding a little miffed): “Sir, do you know what the stall speed of this here C-130 is?!”

Tower (without the slightest hesitation): “No, but if you ask your co-pilot, he can probably tell you.”

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Aviongoo Marketing Team
Aviongoo Marketing Team
13 years ago

He is getting down close to stall speed for a C-130. I would have been concerned.

Algie
Algie
11 years ago

I’m sure he would be getting the stall horn.

DJ Meberg
DJ Meberg
10 years ago

Reportedly happened in the skies of SEA. An F-4 overtaking a C-130 made a “watch this call” and proceeded to perform a series of rolls. To which the C-130 commander responded, “not bad, but watch this.” and proceeded to fly straight and level for a period of time. The F-4 jock was confused, “Well, when are you going to do something?” “Oh, I’ve already done it. I went to the back and relieved my bladder, then I made a cup of soup in the galley, brought a cup of coffee for the flight engineer and now I’m back in my… Read more »

djmeberg
djmeberg
10 years ago

2 questions. 1. Why didn’t ATC tell the Huey to speed up? 2. Why didn’t the C-130 tell ATC to roll the crash vehicles for the impending crash or declare a missed approach and go around?

warriorpilot
warriorpilot
10 years ago

I’d like to know why the UH-1 was on approach to an active runway… That, firfirst of all, should’ve been avoided if there was fixed wing traffic inbound on final.

Planesdude
Planesdude
3 years ago

The huey was out of place, why was it near an active runway?!?!