Page 28 - AAPT March 2019

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the trigonometry to achieve an exact to glide nicely at 130kts, achieving 10). Rolling is rapid and concise for 4
dive angle, airspeed and release about 3NM per 1,000 feet of altitude point rolls, with minimal altitude loss.
height for ballistics. Any variation, as in an engines out scenario. This A not her f abulous airborne
minute as a degree or 5kts, plus any characteristic enables slow speed characteristic of the A-37B is that
wind, required the pilot to manually loitering at reduced power settings is basically does not have a Vmca
compensate for his “pickle” (weapon behind the lines, but with a combined problem. This is the minimum single-
release). 5,700# (military rated capability) engine controllable airspeed in flight.
Typical attacks could include thrust, full power rushes the A-37B Most aircraft on one engine, when
Pop attacks or Wagon Wheels. Pop to and attack speed of about 400kts the other is brought up to full power
attacks allow the pilot to approach, in seconds. This, combined with a have a very adverse yawing or rolling
unseen, low level, and at a pre- very agile airframe, make the A-37 a inverted tendency. As the engines
determined range, pull up about 15 very potent weapon platform. are closely spaced in the airframe,
degrees, delay for only 1-3” while In terms of general handling, the yawing is easily countered with
acquiring the target or FAC smoke, the Dragonfly is docile, yet very a little rudder, and any pitch attitude
roll the aircraft onto attack heading responsive to stick movements. less than 15 degrees nose up results
and hold steady until release height. For displays, I set 92% thrust and in immediate acceleration.
Wagon wheel attacks are conducive use 250kts as my target speed, Both the United States and South
when you have battlefield superiority. enabling me to do continual aerobatic Vietnamese Air Forces utilized the
The pilot flies a continual circuit manoeuvres until I run out of fuel, A-37B to great effect during the
around the target area at a specific keeping the airframe to less than war. The relative ease of operation
attack altitude. Once his eyes are 3G. A 250kt loop will require 2,200’ of the aircraft, combined with large
talked onto the target or the FAC of vertical air, over the top still with numbers available, allowed a lot of
hits it with smoke, the pilot tips in 130kts. This allows me to bleed off ordinance to be delivered rapidly
from altitude and slant range while stick pressure at 3G to regain 250kts to the battlefield. In terms of its’
attaining attack parameters. and join the next manoeuvre. From significance to Australian troops
The range of energy addition in a safety aspect I know that is can in Vietnam, it would have been
the A-37B is impressive. The straight actually pull the aircraft out of this primarily in support of our Australian
wing design allows the Dragonfly loop in a mere 1,300 feet (my IAS x Special Forces. Their mode of

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