T-1 soars past expectations with 1,000th flight

Valley Press ^ | Saturday, March 15, 2008. | ALLISON GATLIN

[BenLurkin]

EDWARDS AFB - When the first C-17 aircraft took to the air in September 1991, the airplane was expected to have the typically short life of a developmental vehicle, then retire to a museum or some similar fate. However, some 16 years and 1,000 flights later, the airplane known as T-1 continues to contribute to the success of the cargo aircraft program.

"T-1 has really been an amazing test vehicle," said Lt. Col. Robert Poremski, director of the C-17 Integrated Test Team at Edwards Air Force Base, T-1's home since it first flew from The Boeing Co.'s manufacturing plant in Long Beach.

"It has proven itself time and time again."

Originally designed for a lifetime of 1,500 hours, the dedicated test aircraft has logged more than 4,620 hours, with more than 3,200 of those in the air.

"It has turned out to be so valuable, with all the (test) instruments built into it," officials decided to overhaul the aircraft in order to keep it flying at least another 15 years, Poremski said.

"It's now good out to 7,500 hours," he said.

The combined test team of Air Force military and civilian personnel and contractor employees took a break from their flight test duties Friday to mark the aircraft's productivity and its 1,000th flight.

The milestone flight "isn't really what stands out in my mind," said Lt. Col. Chris Dobbs, commander of Edwards' Global Reach Combined Test Force, of which the C-17 team is a part.

"It's what was accomplished over those 1,000 flights and how it was accomplished that is of note," he said, highlighting the partnership between the Air Force and Boeing.

[BenLurkin]

"TOUCHING THE MILESTONE - The C-17 T-1 in the hangar Friday during the program celebrating the 1,000th flight of the aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base." BERNARD KANE/Valley Press

[MississippiMan]

I have a vague understanding of how these testbed aircraft work, but I’d like to know more. Anyone here know enough to provide a concise capsule?

MM

[BenLurkin]

I’d only be guessing.

[AlaskaErik]

If you want real longevity...AC-130A USAF 53-3129, c.n. 3001. First production Hercules, modified to gunship configuration in November 1967, survived 37 mm AAA hit over South Vietnam in March 1973, repaired, and finally retired from the 711th Special Operations Squadron in 1995 for display at the Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Florida. Named “The First Lady” since November 1970.

[MindBender26]

Short sensing cycle g meters, strain gages, temp and pressure sensors everywhere, all recording to multi channel data recorders.

That way, when it crashes, you can very quickly learn which engineering committee to blame.

[AlaskaErik]

For those not versed in USAF aircraft tail numbers, the first two digits are the year production started on that particular aircraft. In this case, 53-3129 was started in 1953 and was delivered in 1955. When I was in Afghanistan last year, there were 44 year old Herks flying daily missions all over the country. And when the last C-17 is retired, the C-130 will still be in service. As an aside, sometimes the tail number is abbreviated. 53-3129 can also be displayed as 3-3129. Then you have to know your airplanes to know what the first digit is.

[MississippiMan]

I was assuming that this was like a similar testbed aircraft I’d read about before, that had equipment on board that allowed it to “emulate” other aircraft under development, etc. Am I off base? Is that not what this is?

MM

[papasmurf]

Thanks for the 411.