Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: Rockwell International Model: B-1B. Nickname: Lancer
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Large Jet
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane Multi-engine Land
> Engine Description: Twin jet
Aircraft Experience
> As of: 10/4/2021
> Number of Hours Flown: 6
> Number of Times Flown: 1
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: None
First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 97
> Date First Flown: 11/13/1997
> Location First Flown: Dyess AFB, TX
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: 127th Bomb Squadron
(c) Wikipedia
Recollections:
Like many airplanes, I only flew the B-1 once–in this case I was the USNTPS staff monitor for a “DT-II” (the graduation exercise where Test Pilot School students are assigned to fly an airplane they’ve never flown before, they’re required to write a complete test plan, conduct several test flights and then write a huge report of their findings). But, oh boy, what a flight it was. I went low and fast, I got to refuel off an Air Force tanker, I got to do (simulated) bomb drops and I got to see how well the radar worked (I got out mid-flight to go back and see the radar image…probably not allowed to say too much but IT WAS REALLY IMPRESSIVE resolution). Things I remember about this experience include the fact that it can’t go very high (mid, maybe upper 20’s…surprisingly low), that it can’t really “hack” icing very well, and that its system (ground following radar coupled to the autopilot, used at the same time as ground mapping radar) was incredible. The people were incredible, too. And the students passed their DT-II.
(c) Bob Stoney
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