Page 29 - AAPT March 2019

Feature Story
aerobatics, but we purposely retain to normal landing gear and flaps, I
empty fuel tanks under the wings land with speed brakes deployed.
in the unlikely event that I can’t The speed brake deployment allows
lower the landing gear via normal or for ‘thrust attenuators’ to action open
alternate methods. This would allow behind the engine exhaust pipe
me to belly land on the tanks and giving a higher power setting at lower
save the airframe. speeds. This means a more rapid
Safety is paramount at the Temora engine response and less engine
Aviation Museum and this philosophy spool up times, should the need
has been applied to the A-37B. Our arise to go around during the critical
operation had them in contact with aircraft has been retro-fitted with new landing phase.
enemy troops behind the lines on ‘live’ Martin Baker Mk8 ejection seats. The A-37B lands sedately,
many occasions, necessitating They are rated 0-70. This means at ‘0’ between 105-110kts depending on
calling in A-37B weapons support to feet or at ground level, and a forward fuel weight. The hardest thing to
ensure they weren’t overrun, usually speed of 70kts, if you eject, you will overcome is the very low seating
in a ‘danger close’ environment due achieve a safe aircraft separation sight picture on touch down, with
to the close proximity of the enemy and survivable rate of descent in my rear being only about two feet
to our troops. your parachute. From the time of off the ground.
The side by side seating pulling the handle, the sequence of I feel very privileged to display
arrangement doesn’t pose any major events will have you under a chute this potent performance aircraft to
problems other than a slight sight in 1.5 seconds! As my aerobatic the public. Based on my experiences
picture adjustment depending on manoeuvres are accomplished above as a Fighter Pilot, I can well imagine
direction of roll, and of course during 500’AGL, through all phases of flight exactly what the pilots would be
close formation flying while looking I have over a 200’ buffer, even if feeling as they went about their
cross cockpit through the canopy I ejected inverted, which is a very business over the jungles of Vietnam
rails. A frequent question is why the impressive seat capability. in the best Cessna ever built.
underwing tanks? The tank drag is The A-37B has a unique landing Photo credits Gavin Conroy, except picture
minimal due to the engine thrust for configuration and that is, in addition on opposite page; Darren’s private collection.

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