Dont try this at home!

[thindog]

I decided to see how big I could go on the STOL strip at Bills ranch, I settled for the C130 as I know it to be quite tough, I still pilled up quite horrably four times and only got it at the fifth attempt. here is what success looked like.

Ive left out the boring early morning take of from Doesberg International and skipped right to the action.

I am aproaching below runway leval using the two brightly painted sheds to line up with the runway (Thats what they are there for)


Now we go into a climb up to the plateaux.


As we crest the plateaux I cut the throttles retract flaps and go into a controled stall


This is the last practical shot after this I was to busy holding the nose up at just the right angle getting onto the ground and grabbing all the brakes I could lay my hands on... Somehow I totaly forgot about reverse thrust???


Stopped with room to spare even without reverse thrust


Now lets try the other way turned around brakes of throttles full and we start to roll


Of the edge of the cliff and praying for speed before the valley floor


Did it we have enough speed to pull up into a climb and were away to a normal landing at the big airport, hopefully with practice I will progress to bigger aircraft and less wreckage.

[Ragtopjohnny]

Came close there Rory - you don't need any more planes coming out of your paycheck!

John Thuot II
A+/Network+

[BillD22]

Yikes Rory!!! That scared me...........and I'm fearless

[aircav1970]

Hah! Very cool Rory! You can get a Herc into some of the shortest fields anywhere,Great job! btw,does that C-130 have the JATO on it? That would have made the take-off a lot faster!

[thindog]

That runway is around 1400 ft or 500metres and no I did not have JATO it is absolutely standard what surprises me is that if Id used reverse thrust I am almost certain I could have halved the roll out on the landing, If you got scared bill you should have seen the view from the cockpit that Barn seemed to be rushing madly at me determined to destroy me... there was a distinctive aroma in the cockpit I can tell you, now I need to change me underods Yes it was close John... I wonder how the Brabazon... NO! no bad idea

[davestan_ksan]

Well of course you have the confidence to try such a stunt because you have a very good mechanic . Love the shots my friend, you do live up to your reputation. I think that's a good thing, lol.

Greets to South Africa!!

[Smiffy]

Great shots Rory

[wolf2]

nice! i like the way u fly!

[darrenvox]

i agree...well done rory..

is there a tower or controller for these airports??

[thindog]

For Doesberg International (PEER), Davistans maintainance facility (KSAN) and Noziphoville regional (NZRG) there is ATC, however Bills ranch (BILL), The amphibious landingfield (NELD) The Seaplane port (SPLD) The Powerstation heliport (BI22) the Melika sports complex helipad (SPT1) and the Seaplane port helipad (LD1) there isnt. KSAN, NZRG and PEER have ILS but BILL doesnt the STOL field is thus seat of the pants which is why its such an exciting challange. I hope that answers your question Darren.

Thank you for the compliments guys I do insist on having fun