Originally Posted by
Nitefrater
An 80% launch reliability rate may be a good thing in the AF, but it'd mean bankruptcy for FedEx. Maybe that's why we don't own any military lifters.
Been a while since I turned an AF wheel. Don't know if all the airlifters are using MELs now, but back in the day, if the AC (or eng if the AC was smart) said the jet isn't moving, it didn't move. Today using the MEL, I'd bet that the launch reliability rate is somewhat higher than back then. Add to that the fact that the AF typically underfunds spare parts in favor of curbs and the Club, and you have a formula for crappy reliability. Also, flying unique aircraft (C5 vs 747 with lots of tech support) hurts the numbers. Lockheed built some great planes, but their exclusivity makes the reliability worse. Just one old fart's perspective.
TH1