Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnews!cbnews!military From: jlc@milton.u.washington.edu (Jeffrey Casterline) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Aircraft turnaround and maintenance Message-ID: <1991Feb13.221910.6268@cbnews.att.com> Date: 13 Feb 91 22:19:10 GMT Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 29 Approved: military@att.att.com From: Jeffrey Casterline As a mere observer, I have another set of questions about how the air operations really work. Excuse me, please, if these seem simple or stupid: a. Are aircraft assigned to only one pilot? I could see an advantage to having only one particular ground crew. But, with turnaround time being what it is and the rest requirements for pilots after extended missions, do they assign more than one pilot per plane to maximize efficiency for the use of the aircraft? b. I read and hear that thousands of sorties are flown each day and this has been continuing for weeks. How often to these high- tech, sophisticated, planes need a "complete overhaul." I assume that aircraft are being cycled in and out of service. But, are we reaching a point more progressively more aircraft will require extended downtime? c. Is the payload of one of the navy aircraft restricted when launched from a land base? On an aircraft carrier, the catapult aids the takeoff. With no such ground assist, do these planes carry less when they take off from a land base? Thanks to all who will help me understand. Jeff (jlc@milton.u.washington.edu)