Texan T 6 now doing T & Gs over my house.

Zeke · 07-01-2009, 12:58 PM

That's a painting I found with google. This plane is white with red bands on each wing and one on the fuselage behind the canopy. It appears to have Air Force markings but it says "Marines" on the bottom right wing and fuselage. What do I know, it might not be an actual T 6, but it's close enough.

He's making some pretty good laps. Most of the time it takes 7 minutes to make the circuit. He's closer to 5. His gear has been up on each pass. I'm a couple 1000 feet or more from the end of the runway. Of course he's airborne long before that, so call it 3000 feet. But, does that old gear fold up that quickly? On his first pass, he was only 6 to 700 feet up from my best guess.

Flying out of LGB, anyone know this cat?

Zeke · 07-01-2009, 01:06 PM

Sorry, I don't have a long lens. This is the best I could do and wouldn't you know it, he got up there on the one pass I was ready for.

Hugh R · 07-01-2009, 01:10 PM

Don't you mean T & L, Not T & G? I was wondering why you'd be getting Tongue and Groove done over your house.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Awesome airplane. I'd love the chance to get some time in one...

Zeke · 07-01-2009, 01:16 PM

It's not "touch and go?" As I said, what do I know except that there are planes over my house from daylight to darkness and sometimes beyond. Every now and then there is something interesting. Most of it is just annoying.

For the record, he's just flying in circles, up and down. Maybe he doesn't land at all. He's gone now. 6-7 times around and that's usually an hour's worth of fly time. He did 6 at the most.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

It's absolutely necessary to remain proficient and to stay current. Although it might appear that he's just doing the same thing over and over, every approach and landing is different and he may very well be drilling emergency procedures (simulated gear failures, simulated engine failures, etc.) as well. A good pilot does. Often.

I'd have no problem living under a flight path. None. I happen to like airplane noise.

I love it when the DC3 flies over here twice daily. Very cool.

Zeke · 07-01-2009, 01:28 PM

Well, this thread will degenerate, no doubt, but it is after all, about an old plane. I guess I'd rather hear the planes all day than the police chopper all day AND night. I know whenever I'm near the beach, I hear the faint noise of the airliners as they leave in the opposite direction. But I hear that damn chopper and he flies low. Got to take a good look at any T & A out there on the beach, ya know.

Heel n Toe · 07-01-2009, 01:42 PM

Such wonderful machinery... I hope the day never comes when there aren't people willing to put in the time and money to keep 'em flying.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I notice that the LBPD "ghetto-bird" hasn't been flying nearly as much this year. I sincerely doubt it's because crime is down too... A couple years ago that thing used to be up EVERY NIGHT for at least an hour or two, usually circling to provide air support/surveillance of police operations. Usually they were up between 7th & PCH (or up in the North LB area) but occasionally were down this way too. Damn annoying at 3AM when they're circling at 500' AGL - no question.

The Coast Guard helicopters are on the loud side, but they do tend to stay offshore 1/2 mile or so...

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

I was up the other day playing a little hide the ball!

mikester · 07-01-2009, 02:04 PM

I've flown a T6 a few times back when I was 18 - They don't go fast - just vibrate more with more throttle. =-)

I live near LAX. I love airplanes too but those little jets are loud as hell.

Pazuzu · 07-01-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I notice that the LBPD "ghetto-bird" hasn't been flying nearly as much this year. I sincerely doubt it's because crime is down too... A couple years ago that thing used to be up EVERY NIGHT for at least an hour or two, usually circling to provide air support/surveillance of police operations. Usually they were up between 7th & PCH (or up in the North LB area) but occasionally were down this way too. Damn annoying at 3AM when they're circling at 500' AGL - no question.

The Coast Guard helicopters are on the loud side, but they do tend to stay offshore 1/2 mile or so...

In Tucson, they had to drop to 3 night a week because they couldn't afford to put it up every night anymore

I wouldn't be at all surprised if you had the same issue.

Zeke · 07-01-2009, 02:30 PM

We might. Hourly operational costs are staggering. They might be grounded for lack of sufficient funds. And, come to think of it, I don't see the bird often anymore. But remember, I'm in a fixed wing pattern. I think for them to come around here, there has to be a real need.

Zeke · 07-01-2009, 02:37 PM

Hey, Jeff, here comes your DC3. You got 30 more seconds to get out on your balcony. Aw, make it 5 since I type so slow.

Joeaksa · 07-01-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Awesome airplane. I'd love the chance to get some time in one...

Best to get some time in a smaller taildragger before you do. A T-6 will keep you on your toes during landing! BTDT!

Friend of mine has one and its good practice for both of us. He also has an Aeronca and we practice in this before hitting the T-6. Course 40 gallons of fuel an hour makes us spend more time in the Aeronca anyway!

Joe A

onewhippedpuppy · 07-01-2009, 06:53 PM

I'm at my in-laws house in central KS, we just had two B-1s buzz the house. Low pass then a hard climb with afterburners. Cool stuff.

I live under the flight path for Jabara Airport (business and GA), as well as McConnell AFB. I get to see a nice mix of biz-jets, the occasional warbird, lots of GA stuff, as well as all the cool military stuff. Lots of tankers, the occasional fighter, and every once and a while something really neat like a B2. I've also seen Air Force 1 flying into the Boeing mod center near McConnell. It's cool with me, I love watching planes.

tcar · 07-02-2009, 11:07 AM

T & G (touch and go) is correct. Never heard T & L used (takeoff and landing?).

I've ridden in a T6, flew for awhile, turns, etc. Cool. We did some barrel rolls and loops.

masraum · 07-02-2009, 11:43 AM

I used to live on an AF base in Japan. I miss it. The commercial stuff from the airport up the road doesn't interest me much. I do have an AF base fairly close that NASA shares. I see lots of little T38s flying around. I occasionally see a Guppy flying around. Those are really amazing to see in the air. Hollow or not, they don't look like they should fly.

t6dpilot · t6dpilot's Garage

As much fun as acro in a T6 is, the landing phase is probably the most rewarding. Plus, taxiing back for t/o (if you are doing full stops) is a pretty neat feeling. I love the sound of the P&W at idle as you S-turn down the taxiway.

And Milt, a good 'six pilot with the pattern to himself, should be able to do a circuit in much less time than 5 minutes - more like maybe 2 or 3. You just make your base leg part of final - roll out level just as you are crossing the fence. Damn, I love that.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

"Every approach is a short approach". I like that. A man after my own heart.

You shouldn't need ANY engine past midfield downwind. Try it.