Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: ewing
Probably he could, which is not very reassuring...steal one from a legitimate but perhaps unused airliner, paint the logo on the plane, and maybe it could pass for that plane. Add to the recipe a country either hostile to us or neutral but bribe-happy to help with refueling or landing, it might cook up a real disaster. But pilots might know more about these possibilities?

40 posted on 06/19/2003 9:41:27 AM PDT by MizSterious (Support whirled peas!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies ]


To: MizSterious
The American Ailrlines logo had been scratched off the bird.
42 posted on 06/19/2003 9:46:42 AM PDT by ewing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies ]

To: MizSterious
Personally, the whole idea seems far fetched and comically ameturish.

From what I have been able to gather, the tanks inside are not tied in to the fuel system. From what I know about jet fuel systems,(which is limited) to tie in tanks is a very complicated process requiring specially skilled mechanics and the right parts to re-plumb the jet. Then there is the issue of the fuel lines running through the pressure hull (VERY complicated!).

All that aside, perhaps the plane could get fueled, but the range is still a problem. It takes fuel to haul fuel. And fuel weighs 6 pounds a gallon. Doubling fuel does not double range.

A 727, especially one that is being sought, could not get close to the US without attracting all kinds of unwanted attention. An aircraft at that altitude (20,000+ feet) without a transponder, or one without a filed flight plan, or one that is not following proper flight procedures, or vectoring in from an unusual direction, or one that does not respond to communication....
You get the picture.

I think that this plane will be found scattered over a jungle or savannah in Africa, due to the fact that it was sitting (I am assuming without maintenence) for 14 months. It takes a crew to keep aircraft like that going. The engines have to be run up, fluid levels checked and replaced, etc....
49 posted on 06/19/2003 10:20:24 AM PDT by Mr. Quarterpanel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson