jflimbach

www.internationalairresponse.com IAR is currently accepting applications for the following positions at the following locations: ■C-130 Loadmaster - Mesa, AZ ■C-130 Captain - Mesa, AZ and Gulfport, MS ■C-130 First Officer - Mesa, AZ and Gulfport, MS ■C-130 Flight Engineer - Mesa, AZ and Gulfport, MS * IAR is currenly looking for a Captain with C-130J experience * Job requirements and descriptions are listed below: C-130 Loadmaster Location: ■Mesa, Arizona Minimum Requirements: ■U.S. military C-130 Loadmaster/Jumpmaster training and experience ■Possess or be eligible for a US passport with no travel restrictions Preferred (not required): ■U.S. military C-130 Loadmaster/Jumpmaster instructor qualification ■FAA A&P Certificate ■C-130 maintenance experience Job Description: Applicant should possess the ability to perform Loadmaster/Jumpmaster duties for aerial delivery, parachute jump operations, aerial refueling (tanker), and oil spill dispersant operations (on-the-job training provided), as well as trainig and qualifying additional personnel in basic loadmaster/jumpmaster principles. Applicant should possess the ability to maintian C-130 aircraft as general maintenance technician and part of the maintenance department when not performing loadmaster duties. Loadmaster duties will typically take 50% of applicant's time. Applicant should be able to work remotely as part of a small crew from a location away from IAR's headquarters when required. Applicant must be able to travel out of the local area and/or U.S. for up to 30 days or more (travel typically occurs no more than two times per year). Contact: email [email protected] C-130 or L-382 Captain Locations: ■Gulfport, Mississippi ■Mesa, Arizona Minimum Requirements: ■FAA ATP ■2nd Class FAA Medical ■Possess or be eligible for a US passport with no travel restrictions Preferred (not required): ■C-130J expeience ■2,500 C-130/L382 flight hours ■Significant heavy aircraft experience ■Aerial application experience ■Aerial delivery experience Job Description: Applicant should possess the ability to work remotely and manage a small crew from a location away from IAR's headquarters. Position requires performance of Captain duties in the low altitude environment as well as personnel and project management duties. Candidate must be able to travel out of the local area and/or U.S. for up to 30 days or more (travel typically occurs no more than once per year). Contact: email [email protected] C-130 or L-382 First Officer Locations: ■Gulfport, Mississippi ■Mesa, Arizona Minimum Requirements: ■FAA Commercial Rating ■2nd Class FAA Medical ■Possess or be eligible for a US passport with no travel restrictions Preferred (not required): ■500 flight hours heavy aircraft experience Job Description: Applicant should possess the ability to work remotely as part of a small crew from a location away from IAR's headquarters. Position requires performance of FO duties in the low altitude environment as well duties assisting Captain as needed. Candidate must be able to travel out of the local area and/or U.S. for up to 30 days or more (travel typically occurs no more than once per year). Contact: email [email protected] C-130 or L-382 Flight Engineer Location: ■Gulfport, Mississippi ■Mesa, Arizona Minimum Requirements: ■FAA Turbopropeller Certificate ■2nd Class FAA Medical ■FAA A&P certification ■Possess or be eligible for a US passport with no travel restrictions Preferred (not required): ■3,000 C-130/L382 flight hours ■Heavy aircraft maintenance experience Job Description: Applicant should possess the ability to work remotely as part of a small crew from a location away from IAR's headquarters. Position requires performance of FE duties in the low altitude environment as well as field level maintenance duties. Candidate must be able to travel out of the local area and/or U.S. for up to 30 days or more (travel typically occurs no more than once per year). Contact: email [email protected]

That is a true "rumor". Not quite a done deal, but very close.

They sure do get a lot of TLC and that is important to we flight crew! Particularly with some of the work we do with them. This is at least the third aircraft built up from the scrap pile in the past 10 years. 57-0512 was first, followed a few years later by 56-0511 (N121TG, sometimes known as the "Bat Plane".) 56-0511 was built up for a test program flown mostly at China Lake and subsequently came into the airdrop fleet where its now the primary aircraft used on airdrop testing at YPG. When it first showed up 6 or so years ago and I walked up the ramp for the first time, I was amazed. It looked and even smelled like a brand new airplane. Of course I've managed to dirty it up a good bit since then, but its still our best flyer. Interesting comments about 534. I'll have to take a closer look at it the next time I'm in Coolidge. Maybe later this week after we finish at YPG.

Buddy starts were great. Never did one in a Herc, but back when I started on C-119s it was routine and comforting to know that if you could start one engine on one airplane, then you could start the whole squadron.

Larry: No telling how original the wings were. Most of the IAR birds average around 14,000 - 15,000 airframe hours. Most of them are "FrankenHercs" to some extent. The Photo Mappers have a good website with lots of info on the old birds at www.1370th.org

I took 37,000 pounds in an "A" model a couple years ago, but not very far. Went right up to 25,000 feet (SLOWLY) and extracted it. Came down faster.

Some good news. After years of rumors that 57-0520 (ex-Tanker 88, ex-N138FF) c/n 3227 was to be scrapped, I'm pleased to report that after more than a year of hard work and flight prep, it's just about in shape for a ferry flight from Coolidge, AZ (P08) to its home at Williams-Gateway Airport (KIWA) for painting and installation of avionics and the A/A32H-4A Cargo Handling System (Dual Rails), etc. It now has the FAA registration N119TG. For the past 20 years or more, it's been the property of International Air Response (IAR) and has been pretty much derelict. With increasing work available in oil spill dispersal spraying, IAR made the decision to make another aircraft flight ready, looked over the back lot and decided that Tanker 88, 57-0520 was in the best shape. i.e., had a good center wing box. The rest of the boneyard fleet (N133HP, N131FF, and N131HP) contributed parts, including two outer wings from N131HP (56-0534). One of the major tasks was removing the built-in fire retardant tank and rebuilding the underfloor structure, then fairing over the drop doors on the belly. Of course after 20+ years of sitting in the AZ sun, all the wiring and hydraulics had to be ripped out and replaced. I was walking around in it today and it's really close to flight ready. There are two more floor panels to be reinstalled. All four engines have been run but one had to be removed and has not yet been replaced. Some pictures taken today follow. [ATTACH=CONFIG]13001[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]13002[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]13003[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]13004[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]13005[/ATTACH]

The only thing towed by the Herc was the four stuntmen. All the lifting of the turboprop was done with a helicopter. I fly as a loadmaster for the company that operates the C-130 in the film, International Air Response in Mesa, AZ (www.internationalairresponse.com). The aircraft is a C-130A, registration N121TG (ex-USAF 56-0511 LPN 3119). The filming was done over a 4-5 week period in July of last year. Unfortunately (for me) they didn't require a loadmaster so instead of a sojourn in chilly Scotland, I instead got to go do airdrops at Yuma, AZ in one of our other C-130s. A good bit warmer. Prior to shooting, one of the first things the production guys asked IAR was "how slow can that thing fly?, to which the reply was, "let's take it up an find out". The answer was about 80 KIAS straight and level with full flaps. You'll notice that in the film the flaps are at 100% which is not usual for straight and level flight. The not to exceed airspeed for filming was typically 90 KIAS in order to not outrun the camera helicopter. Makes for interesting formation flying. As related by the pilot, during one sequence they indavertently found themselves inside a cloud with four guys trailing out the back. Two released and parachuted down and the other two were winched quickly back into the plane. Although only exposed for maybe 30 seconds, they were coated with ice and had experienced a serious drop in core temperature. My company, Big Sky Aviation Interational, was also contacted in the spring of 2011 by a production company who was bidding on some of the aerial work for this film. The portion that we bid on involved rigging a Bandierante fuselage, sans wings for lift by a helicopter, and also rigging the fuselage without the nose and tail for lift in a vertical plane and subsequent cutaway from a helicopter with the stunt men aboard the fuselage. Unfortunately for us, the production company we worked with didn't wind up with the contract. Looks like from what you write that they used a standin for the actual Bandierante, but the fuselage hanging in the vertical plane does appear to be done with a helicopter and the rigging appears similar to what we discussed in our proposal. Early next week I will be flying an airdrop mission on the same aircraft used in the movie, N121TG, flown by the same pilot. I'd be happy to pass on any questions you may have for him. Just e-mail to me at [email protected]

There was a gov't contract to provide refueling training for spec ops helicopters not to tie up SOF assets. Sort of the same kind of reason why this A model (N118TG, ex-USAF 57-0512) has a Hellfire missile rack in place of the right external, i.e. a nice government contract. [ATTACH=CONFIG]2940[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2941[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2942[/ATTACH]

Filmed a couple months ago in Coolidge, AZ Our latest TV show appearance, Top Gun Korea. The storyline was that the first parachute failed. Didn't surprise me as there was nothing but a block of styrofoam in the parachute bag. That first car was really flat after it hit. So, the story goes, they had one more chance to get it right but the host of the show had to jump in with it. He acted scared but had it been me, there wouldn't have been any acting required. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_u8kTLiASg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUhBcIHdjGk John L

Fritz and crew did a a great job of nailing the Trane! -

Not on that one. I was on for the filming of the Top Gear Korea show the following week, throwing more Chevy Sonics out. Also the GM Chevy Sonic commercial and the Advantage Auto Parts one a while back, which for a change involved throwing Honda Civics out.

N121TG, ex-USAF 56-0511 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQojZYDMsOQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Three Chevy Sonic cars dropped from N121TG (ex-USAF 56-0511) at Coolidge, AZ on 5 Mar 12 for Top Gear Korea. One car had a real parachute, the other two fakes. I'm pretty sure you can tell which was which from the before and after photos. Drop altitude was 11,000 feet. [ATTACH=CONFIG]2650[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2651[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2652[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2653[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2654[/ATTACH]

More A-models at Coolidge, AZ. N121TG shown just prior to filming airdrop of Chevy Sonics for the Top Gun Korea TV show on 5 Mar 12 [ATTACH=CONFIG]2646[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2647[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2648[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2649[/ATTACH]

The rebuild is coming along. According to the latest schedule, it's to be ready for a ferry flight by the end of August to Mesa-Gateway airport where the refurbishment will be completed. The new registration is N119TG. Here's a picture I took just last Sunday ( 4 Mar 12) [ATTACH=CONFIG]2645[/ATTACH]

Could be. We (International Air Response, Mesa, AZ) have made two recently. Last year for Advance Auto Parts and this September for GM with the Chevy Sonic. If anyone is interested in getting a C-130 for a film shoot, they should contact Travis Grantham at IAR. www.internationalairresponse.com

I'd appreciate one as well. Thanks. [email protected]

I'm not sure where they got the chute. It was packed in a G-12 bag, but obviously something else. I know they told me, but I have trouble remembering what I had for breakfast and the combination to the airplane most days. They used a standard skydiving automatic opening device which obviously worked OK. Kind of a sloppy looking deployment, I thought but they weren't taking off any points for style.

Every LM who ever rode in the back of a 3 blade "A" is seriously hearing impaired. Compared to the 3-blade, the cargo compartment of the later models and 4-blade "A"s is dead silent.

Yep. All the USAF birds were coverted back in the 1970's. Earl Cherry operates an "A" still with 3 bladed props but I think its heritage goes back to the Australian Air Force.

I know I always do. Never without my lawn chair when we have to pre-breathe. [ATTACH=CONFIG]2511[/ATTACH]

No drift strap. At "Green Light" I cut the 1-inch tubular nylon loop that was providing aft restraint. The strap you see wrapped around my arm was attached to the anchor cable and I used that to maintain my balance when I went down to cut it. Once the strap was cut the skydivers pushed it out. On all of the drops where we roll a vehicle out on its wheels, something on the frame or rear axle contacts the end of the ramp as it goes out. To prevent damage to the ramp we tie a piece of 3/4" plywood down on the aft end of the ramp. That takes any impact and the ramp is not damaged. At least so far.........

We dropped three brand new Chevy Sonics a couple months ago down at Eloy, AZ. The aircraft was N121TG, ex-USAF 56-0511 operated by International Air Response. They've released some of the footage on YouTube and it should be showing up on the TV soon. Links to a couple of the better ones so far: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2eRHLs2Mwc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-XPZH3OoOI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ealq_Tamdho&feature=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-XPZH3OoOI These are similar to the one we did for Advance Auto Parts last year using Honda Civics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyE7vjM6eC4 You can also see N121TG in the movie "Fast Five" out now, and the next episode in the "Batman" movie series to be released soon. Also appearing for the U.S. Army at YPG once or twice a month. John Limbach CMSgt, USAF (Retired) Loadmaster "Older than the airplane, but not by much"

and an obscure fact to add to your databank of useless information. LM trained the Qatari loadmasters at Dobbins on a C-130A (N121TG, ex-USAF 56-0511) leased from International Air Response of Mesa, AZ. Just goes to show a Herk is a Herk is a Herk........at least as far as the loadmasters are concerned. [ATTACH=CONFIG]2416[/ATTACH]