So when you see the aircraft takeoff it seems to not rotate, but when the fuselage is level, the wings are at a positive angle of attack. When the B-52 is in level flight, the nose is down, you can not see the nose from the cockpit and it is like you are sitting on a cloud.
Why do B-52 smoke so much?
There are a few reasons. The first is that the engines run more efficiently when the aircraft is moving . As the aircraft moves faster, it's easier for it to get more air into the engine, which helps it run more efficiently. The second reason is even simpler: like most aircraft a B-52 only rarely runs at full throttle.
Does the B-52 have a toilet?
In the B-52, a small urinal is located behind the offense compartment , according to photos featured on Popular Science. A B-52 typically has two pilots, a weapons officer and an electronic warfare officer, but can have up to five crew, according to the Air Force.
Can B-52 be shot down?
The air war over Vietnam saw some incredible dog fights, but it still may surprise you to learn that the mighty B-52 heavy bomber successfully shot down not one but two Vietnamese Mig 21 fighter jets near the tail end of the conflict.
What makes the nose of a plane go up and down?
Used together, the rudder and the ailerons are used to turn the plane. The elevators which are on the tail section are used to control the pitch of the plane. ... Lowering the elevators makes the plane nose go down and allows the plane to go down. By raising the elevators the pilot can make the plane go up.
How old is the oldest B-52 in service?
The Air Force has recently decided to extend the service life of the B-52 through the 2040s. At that point, some of the B-52 airframes will be approaching an incredible 90 years old , making the planes considerably older than anyone flying them.
Why does the B-52 have 8 engines?
Each B-52 uses eight TF33 engines to fly , which means maintainers spend a lot of time ensuring each engine functions properly. And when more than one engine needs repairs, that entails more work for the personnel that are already performing multiple assessments, Arnold said.
How many B-52 are in the Boneyard?
The B-52 has been in service with the USAF since 1955. As of June 2019, there are 76 aircraft in inventory; 58 operated by active forces (2nd Bomb Wing and 5th Bomb Wing), 18 by reserve forces (307th Bomb Wing), and about 12 in long-term storage at the Davis-Monthan AFB Boneyard.
Do B-52 pilots sleep?
Pilots have resting cabins where they can sleep on long-haul flights. The cabins are usually located behind the cockpit and above first class. The small sleeping area typically contains a lie-flat bed, reclining seats, and sometimes a TV and bathroom.
How long can a B-52 stay in the air?
The Air Force expects production of the new engines to start in mid-2027. Around that time, the new B-21 bomber will arrive and the Air Force will phase out its B-1B and B-2 bombers, but the B-52 will hang on until 2050 . For Middents, flying the bomber as it approaches a century in service isn't a concern.
Does the B-52 have guns?
The bombers never bristled with turrets, as World War II bombers did. But B-52s featured defensive armament in the tail: A through G models had quad . 50-caliber machine guns , and H models employed a single M61 20 mm rotary cannon. The gunners who manned these weapons were enlisted personnel.
How many b52 bombers were lost in Vietnam?
North Vietnamese forces had fired about 1,240 SAMs. The Air Force lost 15 B-52 bombers , which amounted to a loss rate of less than two percent.
Can a b52 break the sound barrier?
B-2 bombers have a max speed of Mach 0.95, or 630 mph, and are not capable of breaking the sound barrier .
Can a plane fly with one wing?
No, an airplane cannot fly with only one wing . ... With only one wing, the weight is shifted to one side of the plane. This makes it impossible to balance. There have been instances in history where pilots had to improvise when their planes lost one of their engines.
What is the most efficient wing shape?
The elliptical wing is aerodynamically most efficient because elliptical spanwise lift distribution induces the lowest possible drag.
Why do planes tilt when landing?
Just like trucks, larger, heavier planes have 2 sets of wheels to help balance the weight. But when the wheels aren't in use, they retract up into the wheel well, and while they're up there, they're tilted. ... So when the landing gear retracts into the wheel well, it tilts a bit to fit into the wheel well space .
