Quote:
Originally Posted by copeab
Worth noting here that in the 1960's the US Navy ran some tests and successfully landed and launched a C-130 from an aircraft carrier deck, without aid of a catapult or arrestor gear. They tested it up to a 25,000 lb load.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM5AI3YSV3M |
Yes, I recall that.
That means that a lightly loaded C-130 can land on a much shorter runway than published safety guidelines suggest for fully loaded aircraft. However, that might well, in GURPS terms, require a risky Piloting roll. Worth noting is that the pilot was specially selected and decorated for courage after the experiment.
If available for a similar price, the Il-76, with its thrust reversers for STOL performance, would seem like an advance over the C-130/C-100. It only needs 450 m (1,476') of runway to land, and can handle landing or taking off on grass or rough ground, as well as being faster and having longer range.