Tango Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 (edited) DBO (Daulat Beg Oldi) is a nondescript small campsite lying at the base of the Karakoram Pass of the Mighty Himalayas. The landscape is semi-arid with a brown desert like look in summers but characterized by a blinding whiteout in winters due to snow. Even with azure skies, the place looks fairly desolate with not even a blade of grass and bereft of any wild life whatsoever. To further embellish the picture, add the fact that this monochromatic play of nature is happening at an elevation of 16,614 ft AMSL, where winter temperatures drop to minus 50°Celsius and summers scorch at 20°Celsius (Temp Dev +38, in aviation parlance!). The Indian Air Force undertook the unprecedented task of landing a C-130J at DBO on 20 Aug 13, thereby creating a world record of the ‘Heaviest Aircraft to Land at the Highest in the World’! Preparations for the challenging landing were never-ending; with no TOLD data, high TAS considerations, nose wheel speed limits, max braking limits, bumpy unprepared sandy surface, emergency handling on ground, engine out considerations and no room for go-around, terrain clearances over the mighty Himalayas, etc, etc, etc!?! The mission was high risk and the remained shrouded by mystery till landing! The take-off even more hazardous! Prior to this, the Herc had only landed at El Alto Airport, La Paz, Bolivia at an elevation of 13,325 ft AMSL (assuming it to be the highest it will reach!). DBO was another 3500 feet above and at such altitude every feet and every added degree of temperature counts!! Perfect touchdown! No manufacturer guarantees any such acts of bravado, Lockheed Martin didn’t (but they are entitled to take post facto credits!!). The aircrew of Indian Air Force with very limited experience on the C-130 have put the Super Herc is on top of the world and it is not just an achievement for the crew that flew the mission but for the entire Herc community! Fly high, fly safe! Ready to roll! See video on - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8HzOLE4fo8 Edited October 19, 2015 by Tango Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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