Re: Bombing questions

On Tue, 8 Dec 2009 09:56:45 -0800 (PST), "Ken S. Tucker" <dynamics@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

On Dec 8, 3:08 am, Strobe <Str...@xxxxxxxx!Beep!.com> wrote:
On Mon, 7 Dec 2009 09:58:56 -0800 (PST), "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:



On Dec 7, 2:43 am, Strobe <Str...@xxxxxxxx!Beep!.com> wrote:
On Sat, 5 Dec 2009 12:24:00 -0800 (PST), "Ken S. Tucker" <dynam...@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

We watched a TV show last night about Mosquito Pathfinders,
(my Old Boy trained to navigate them, he needed 1+ years of
navigation mainly studying trigonometry), and the fella's who
were interviewed called the navigator as the mission commander,
as he had to tell the pilot the speed, course, altitude etc. to make
sure the flares dropped on the right spot.
I hadn't realized that before, that the Mossy pilot was subordinate
to the navigator.
Ken

There's several other cases where that's necessary.
The Nav in a Nimrod becomes boss on patrol, the pilot is just his chauffeur.
That's because only the Nav can know where they are relative to any sensor
contacts he's prosecuting. It's probably the same with any maritime patrol
a/c.

That makes good sense, when you put yourself in the Nimrod.
The Nimrod is 'likely' collecting data from numerous sources,
such as radar, sonobouys, other ships and a/c, and would need
to plot an interception course to a moving target.

Don't forget one of the most important sensors; the Mk 1 eyeball is still very
useful, especially for S&R.

Add to that the potential risk to the Nimrod of the contact's defense
against it and you need a lot of brain focus by the Navigator, and
a different knowledge base than a pilot.

Remembering that the target is often not visible or positively ID'd, and may be
seen by your sensors only faintly and intermittently.

In the meantime just flying the big Nimrod (pilot) is a full time
job.

Naah, no harder than flying any other heavy twin.

;-), Well we were going to attend a CNE airshow a fews years ago,
that featured a Nimrod, that then crashed. The pilot was demo'ing
very low level "donut" flight then pulled the nose up, a bit too much
I'm afraid...stalled...into the lake, (7 died) that was in good
weather.

I'd not known of that - it's tragic.
Accident report says he reduced power too soon.

Considering the Nimrod needs to be able to hunt boats at night in a
fog at low level, I think you need a pilot with serious focus.
Incidentally across the lake from us, is an armed forces base, and
the area was swept using a helicopter MAD for munitions from WW2
practice.

Absolutely. He needs to be able to concentrate solely on piloting, not be
distracted by the tactical situation plot.

My 'no harder' comment was intended as ironic - flying precision donuts at 50'
is not easy at any time, in any plane. With the 100' wingspan of a Nimrod,
it's challenging.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Bombing questions
    ... were interviewed called the navigator as the mission commander, ... that the Mossy pilot was subordinate ... The Nav in a Nimrod becomes boss on patrol, ... to plot an interception course to a moving target. ...
    (rec.aviation.military)
  • Re: Bombing questions
    ... were interviewed called the navigator as the mission commander, ... that the Mossy pilot was subordinate ... The Nav in a Nimrod becomes boss on patrol, the pilot is just his chauffeur. ... Don't forget one of the most important sensors; the Mk 1 eyeball is still very ...
    (rec.aviation.military)
  • Re: Bombing questions
    ... were interviewed called the navigator as the mission commander, ... that the Mossy pilot was subordinate ... The Nav in a Nimrod becomes boss on patrol, the pilot is just his chauffeur. ... the only way to have no risk air shows is to not have air shows. ...
    (rec.aviation.military)
  • Re: Bombing questions
    ... were interviewed called the navigator as the mission commander, ... that the Mossy pilot was subordinate ... The Nav in a Nimrod becomes boss on patrol, the pilot is just his chauffeur. ... to plot an interception course to a moving target. ...
    (rec.aviation.military)
  • Re: Bombing questions
    ... were interviewed called the navigator as the mission commander, ... that the Mossy pilot was subordinate ... The Nav in a Nimrod becomes boss on patrol, ... to plot an interception course to a moving target. ...
    (rec.aviation.military)