Military jets it to CMH?

[HardDrive]

On occasion, I will see a military jet (fighter) lining up to land at CMH. We are about 8 miles from the airport. Hard to tell, but if forced guess, I would say they are T-38s. They appear to be dark in color, perhaps dark blue.

We do have another airport to the south, Rickenbacker (LCK), and there is a national guard air refueling wing there.

So are there military jets going to CMH for some reason, or are they simply flying a pattern that eventually takes them to LCK? It certainly appears they are lining up for CMH.

Anyone have any insights?

[kach22i]

I found this, much more than T-38's getting fuel.

Military Aircraft at John Glenn Columbus International (CMH)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.261201860676027.60294.261186194010927&type=3

Central Ohio Spotters Most of the time, it's just luck. If you spend enough hours at CMH, eventually you will see something stopping in for fuel.

June 15, 2017 at 4:00am

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn_Columbus_International_Airport

Aircraft

For the 12-month period ending January 1, 2009, the airport had 163,984 aircraft operations, an average of 449 per day: 44% air taxi, 18% general aviation, 37% scheduled commercial, and 1% military. There are 92 aircraft based at this airport: 46% single engine, 16% multi-engine, 37% jet aircraft, and 1% helicopters.[2]

[HardDrive]

Wow, cool. Thanks man!

Originally Posted by kach22i

I found this, much more than T-38's getting fuel.

Military Aircraft at John Glenn Columbus International (CMH)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.261201860676027.60294.261186194010927&type=3


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn_Columbus_International_Airport

[wolds]

Hey HardDrive, are you a MORPCA member?

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Anyone have any insights?

When you fly military aircraft and stop to get gas, you can only refuel at airports that have "contract fuel" - an acknowledged, GSA monitored price per gallon. Which is only fair and the right thing to do.

I have pulled into CMH more than once...I have flown Blackhawks and Seahawks across the country a number of times and CMH was a pivot point. Completely professional.

There are contract fuel airports that, at least in the 80's, had Hooter-esk dressed young ladies come out in golf carts to refuel military aircraft.

That is the rumor - I never stopped at those places

[GH85Carrera]

My dad was an Air Force pilot. He flew C-124 and C-47s around in the Pacific and over 50 trips from Hawaii to California. Of course they are supposed to always get fuel at a US military base if possible. On one trip that I don't remember the circumstances he had to stop at a private facility. They had to have fuel to continue the journey to Christmas Island.

They had to dig into the procedures manual and in a sealed envelope was a metal credit card. They filled up a C-124 and likely drained the supply tank. The FBO said for that much fuel they will give them 40 cases of beer. When they landed at Christmas island they were greeted as heroes. They brought in a load of mattresses, and the beer. The troops were real happy to have something better to sleep on but they had some beer!

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by wolds

Hey HardDrive, are you a MORPCA member?

No, I am currently without a P-car.

[onewhippedpuppy]

One other consideration, they could be practicing different types of approaches. T-38s frequently do touch and goes at Wichita (ICT), I believe because they can practice WAAS LPV approaches there but not at nearby McConnell AFB.