Lots of training today, but the 2 highlights are beginning training on the Deltas and a trip out to the Ice Runway to pick up people from a C-17 flight.
The Deltas are these huge former Navy vehicles, something like 44,000 pounds. Replacement cost for these 37 year old behemoths is estimated to be $800, 000. You climb up a short ladder to get inside the cabin. The engine is behind that and then comes a large box with bench seats for the passengers. Some are configured to carry cargo rather than people. They are articulated between the cabin and the box and this makes it possible to turn in an unlikely radius, basically their own length. Try that with your SUV! They are a bit much to handle, but when I get more experience with them, I think that they're going to be the one I'll enjoy driving most.
We had morning training in airfield operations and then we drove out to the Ice Runway. The C-17 came in but it was obscured by a large snow berm and I hope that later I'll be in a position to see it better. As it came on to the apron, its size was very apparent, though it's small compared to the C-5s they occasionally fly in. (The C-5s are supposed to depress the ice 14 inches when they land.) As the people land and get off they are all bit with the urge to stop, turn around, and take a photo, just like we were the other day. On an active apron they can't do this and we are supposed to shoe them up to the vehicles for safety. Still, the urge is there.
The Deltas are these huge former Navy vehicles, something like 44,000 pounds. Replacement cost for these 37 year old behemoths is estimated to be $800, 000. You climb up a short ladder to get inside the cabin. The engine is behind that and then comes a large box with bench seats for the passengers. Some are configured to carry cargo rather than people. They are articulated between the cabin and the box and this makes it possible to turn in an unlikely radius, basically their own length. Try that with your SUV! They are a bit much to handle, but when I get more experience with them, I think that they're going to be the one I'll enjoy driving most.
We had morning training in airfield operations and then we drove out to the Ice Runway. The C-17 came in but it was obscured by a large snow berm and I hope that later I'll be in a position to see it better. As it came on to the apron, its size was very apparent, though it's small compared to the C-5s they occasionally fly in. (The C-5s are supposed to depress the ice 14 inches when they land.) As the people land and get off they are all bit with the urge to stop, turn around, and take a photo, just like we were the other day. On an active apron they can't do this and we are supposed to shoe them up to the vehicles for safety. Still, the urge is there.
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