Jpinera

Again, what's the context? That's the conditions. Are they in a hurry, being chased/shot at? - is it a suspenseful part? Or is a leisurely takeoff, re-positioning the plane for a future mission? You could get off the ground at very low speed max-performing the plane in a time-critical or runway-restricted manner, or you could take off at a normal speed on a normal runway with no hurry.

200mph is way, way too high...that's a cruise speed

Sorry, now I get your meaning on context. Yes they are being chased. They are trying to make a quick getaway and a convoy of cars approach them block the main runway. They turn off this main runway and start heading to an alternate runway but one that is much shorter and normally would not be long enough for thier normal take off. So they must hit this shorter runway at fairly high speed so they can have enough room to liftoff. This is totally contrived but can make for an exciting (though perhaps not very realistic) scene. Still this is fiction...

I think any reasonable range of the speed for take off would be fine for my purposes.

Thanks, you guys are the best!

Post the context of your scene and we can give you something that will be factual. There are too many variables to give you a number that would be accurate.

The plane does not have a payload. Only a skeleton crew and the conditions are normal (low wind etc.). Is that enough? I currently have it talking off at 200 mph but that is a wild guess.

Thanks for any information you can give.

I have been looking for the average speed a C-130 needs to be going for take off. I see lots of information on how it can take off and land on short fields but cant find how fast it needs to be going to liftoff. I dont need to be exact just a general range. I am writing a piece of fiction and there is a scene where a C-130 is taking off and speed is part of the story. I just dont want to put something in there that is obviously wrong.

Thanks

Julio

Only who don’t believe that one member can fly the plane should read this…:

A serviceable C-130 parked on a strip at a remote Caribbean island, flying crew was not expected to have any mission, so and to enjoy a “Caribbean night activity” all the crew- except the pilot-were involved in taking local tuff drink in which they reached a point of not recognizing head from foot….(off topic:- That is why military stuff ordered to wear head caps,.. just to help in such cases…)

Early morning broadcast declared hurricane will sweep off the island within 6 hrs, captain try to wake-up his crew he failed, so and by the help of local he managed to take them as a “load”.

5 crew including LM were strapped on the cargo floor with 10,000 lb chains. (off topic:- Captain extra measure of safety)

4hrs left, sky getting dark, local people start gathering asking to go, captain started the APU switched on HF box calling “OPS” requesting permission to evacuate the island with maximum pax. And asking permission to fly the plane alone, halve an hour later answer from GHQ was; for passengers “visa” is must, regarding flying the plane alone, idiXXXXXXXt…son of xx xbook limit…..

HF switched Off, captain ask all to get inside, chocks removed, doors closed, all overhead ungraded switches “forward”/“on line”, hydraulic panel set, parking brake set, engines on speed, taxing, take off, climb, and cruise.

Level 210, captain turned to the right seat talking to a native old women with 3 months baby on her chest: “Never flown smooth and quite mission such this; keep them tied on the chains".

Closer to home border he switched on radio and starts giving standard call.

Brothers this is a “novel”; where is the harm to fly it alone???!!

Note: All rights reserved regardless of spelling, grammar, and structure mistakes.

I am the person who posted the question. First of all you guys are extremely knowlegeable about the topic and secondly - you are a riot. Funny stuff. Thanks for the info, I will take a little literary license and have two pilots fly the plane. As for why I am writing an novel that includes something I know nothing about -- its needed to make the story work. Its about a wealthy businessman who develops a substance that weakens hurricanes when dropped along the eyewall of a storm. It makes for some good action scenes as he flies through the hurricane, which is why I chose the C-130 since I understand it is/was used by the Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the Air Force Reserves to monitor the storms. The working title is "Eyewall" and I hope to complete the novel by the end of the year. If you want to read the work in process just google "Julio Pinera Eyewall" and tell me what you think. When I am done I will have someone with some flying knowledge give it a read for reasonableness (like a techincal advisor). Thanks again, I hope you will let me come back from time to time and ask some questions. Regards Julio

Thanks for the information and the quick response, its a big help. I wanted to keep the crew size down to two and the other person would be a pilot.

Thanks for the info.

I am an aspiring writer and am in the middle of a novel where C-130's play a part. I know next to nothing about C-130's not to mention flying in general. I see this is a very technically oriented site so my questions will extermely basic.

Can a two person team fly a C-130 if the only mission is to fly the plane. No payload. Would a pilot and navigator be enough? Could one person fly the plane in an emergency?

Thanks for any information you could provide.

Julio