Originally Posted by
KC10 FATboy
The reason we had so many officers was because it was a CAPSTONE mission. Think of it as a giant field trip for 1 stars with a 4 star chaperon. If you want to know more
Welcome to CAPSTONE.
184 knots indicated is ridiculous. haha
I hate when you have an approach like that, all that energy, you get it down to the runway, and then it wants to float. Good times.
KC10:
It was a UAL 747-400 from NRT to HKG, must have been 2002. Four-hour flight, and weather was crap. Taiwan was VFR, but mainland China (Communist) won't allow using free-Taiwan as an alternate.....so our alternate is NRT, where we launched from!!
As such, our bingo fuel is (I still remember this) 100,000lbs.
Airplane is full, so we are up against maximum weights.
We get to 50 or 60 miles from HKG and they put us in holding. I'm watching the gas; I tell the boss "We're a bit under bingo." About then, they give us clearance for the approach. OK, we'll push it.
It wasn't looking bad until about 4000 ft on final. Then, good God: I swear, the windshield looked like a fire truck was outside the airplane, and they were spraying us with a 4-inch hose. I'd never used windshield wipers on high before...we were...and it wasn't enough! It is, to this day, the heaviest rainfall I have ever seen.
Because we were right at max structural landing weight, and max brake-performance (due to the 100k fuel weight), approach speed (if memory serves) was around 155-160 kts. United allows a max of 20 kts added for approach (gust factor, etc).
We're on final, and the speed-trend arrow is going + and -30 kts of Vref. Capt is flying; I want to say something, but I know I'm not supposed to.
Finally, I say "Boss, I'd feel a lot better if we added 10 knots..."
"Me too!! Give me ten more!!" That's how we got 184 indicated.
We get the runway in sight around 3 miles out. Good God---you can see the runway lights, but they are nothing but a blur due to the rain and unbelievable precip on the windshield. (It's night).
He makes one of the most unbelievably smooth landings possible under the circumstances. It is obvious, even through the shimmering windshield,
that the runway is under about two inches of water.
I start my callouts: "Spoilers up; four in reverse. You are drifting left. You are drifting left. YOU ARE DRIFTING LEFT (with some urgency).
Him: "I know; I know!!"
He kills the reverse thrust and brakes to a stop.
As we taxi clear, the F/As are making their announcements, and you can hear the whole cabin cheering.
I thought: if they only knew how scared I was.....(I think the Boss too)...