The United States Army Aviation Engineering Flight Activity performed a limited handling qualities and performance evaluation of the TS-2A airplane modified with a retardant tank system for use in the United States Forest Service airtanker mission. The evaluation was conducted in two phases: Phase I, prior to installation of the liquid dispensing tanks, and Phase II, following installation of the tank modification. Phase I was conducted in 1972 by USAAEFA. The Phase II evaluation was conducted from 3 October through 6 December 1977 at Edwards Air Force Base (elevation 2302 feet ) and South Lake Tahoe Airport, California (elevation 6262 feet). Thirty-three flights were accomplished for a total time of 50 hours, of which 36.5 hours were productive. The tanker equipped TS-2A airplane is marginal, but satisfactory for the airtanker mission. With few exceptions, the information contained in the NATOPS flight manual as modified by the FAA supplement is correct and appropriate. Recommended changes to the NATOPS manual and FAA supplement include: (1) dynamic minimum-control airspeed of 100 knots indicated airspeed; (2) rotation airspeed of 100 knots indicated airspeed for heavy gross weight operations; (3) lift-off airspeed of 105 knots indicated airspeed for heavy gross weight operations; and (4) the inclusion of accelerate/stop data generated during this test, plus a NOTE relative to abort takeoff emergency procedures.
TS-2A Airtanker Evaluation. Phase II
1978
97 pages
Report
No indication
English
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