After almost 32 years of Government Service with the USAF and the FAA, I retired in 2004. 12 years Active Duty with one break and Two years Active Reserves, I served in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and Ten CONUS assignments as a Jet Engine mechanic (B52's and KC135's) an Air Traffic Controller ( Tower/ Radar and the MOB) and an Airfield Management Specialist (Reserves) and I can say I enjoyed all of them. I just enjoyed some more than others! I left the Air Force in 1984 when the FAA gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. I spent two more with the Air Force Reserve at Greater Pitt. After 30 years of telling pilots where to go, I hung up my headset and now I watch my 16 year old son grow up. And Yes he wants to be an Air Force Fighter Pilot. He's a Plane nut just like his dad!
Other Comments:
The Aircraft in this profile I either worked on as a mechanic, or controlled as an Air Traffic Controller in the US Air Force or the FAA. Some have interesting stories if you click on the photo.
While stationed at Patrick, I took a ride in a NASA C-140 testing the Microwave Landing Systen at the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center, They tried very hard to make us sick,it was 95 outside and 100 inside the airplane, doing 4G pullups etc.....Didn't work!!
Image
C-140 Jetstar II Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
The Lockheed L-1329 JetStar (C-140 in USAF service) is a business jet produced from the early 1960s through the 1970s. Although the Morane-Saulnier MS-760 flew earlier, the JetStar was the first dedicated business jet to enter service. It was also one of the largest aircraft in the class for many years, seating ten plus two crew. It is distinguishable from other small jets by its four engines, mounted on the rear of the fuselage in a similar layout to the Vickers VC-10 and the Ilyushin Il-62 airliner, and the "slipper"-style fuel tanks fixed to the wings.
General characteristics
* Crew: two pilots & typically one flight attendant * Capacity: 8-10 passengers * Length: 60 ft 5 in (18.42 m) * Wingspan: 54 ft 11 in (16.60 m) * Height: 20 ft 5 in (6.23 m) * Wing area: 542 ft² (50.4 m²) * Empty weight: 25,250 lb (11,477 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 44,500 lb (20,227 kg) * Powerplant: 4× Garrett AiResearch TFE-731-3 turbofans
Performance
* Maximum speed: 575 mph (920 km/h) * Range: 2,866 miles (4,585 km) * Service ceiling 43,000 ft (13,135 m) * Wing loading: 82.1 lb/ft² (401.3 kg/m²)
