RECORD ATTEMPTS PLANNED B-1B LANCER AIRCRAFT TO PURSUE NEW WORLD STANDARDS.Byline: Daily News EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. - B-1B Lancer crews are geared up to attempt to break four world records and set 48 more in two flights during this weekend's open house and air show. The bomber will start and finish most of its record-attempt flights over the air show, following three closed-circuit courses - ranging from 62 miles to 620 miles - and two speed dashes. ``We thought the idea of attempting to break 52 world records would hit a brick wall, but we've received support from many organizations,'' said Maj. Wim Libby, 419th Flight Test Squadron flight commander and project pilot. ``Everyone involved is excited to be able to pull this off, and, without the multitude of support, this wouldn't have happened.'' The 330,000-pound bomber falls into sub-class C-1 for land planes, and group three for its turbo-jet engines, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Libby. In order to certify world-record data, National Aeronautic Association The National Aeronautic Association of the United States (NAA) is a member of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the international standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. NAA is the record-keeper for United States aviation. representatives will be attending. Although this is the first world-record attempt for an Edwards B-1B, the aircraft holds records for speed and around-the-world missions, according to Libby. The bomber will carry its maximum load of dummy 500-pound MK-82 bombs on bomb racks bomb rack n. A framework or mechanical holder for bombs on a combat aircraft. Noun 1. bomb rack - a device on an aircraft for carrying bombs bomber - a military aircraft that drops bombs during flight brought to Edwards from Ellsworth Air Force Base Ellsworth Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base near Rapid City, South Dakota and is home to the B-1B Lancer. The host wing is the 28th Bomb Wing, which includes an operations group, a maintenance directorate, a mission support group, and a medical group. , S.D. Other B-1B events scheduled for the air show include a ``sonic boom,'' Air Force Flight Test Center review, simulated bomb drop with pyrotechnic displays and a bomb drop each day on Edwards' Precision Impact Range Area. Crews have readied two bombers for the record attempts. During the air show, the primary B-1B will have to keep a tight schedule in order to successfully break the planned world records, according to Libby. The spare bomber will be on stand-by if the primary does not pass preflight pre·flight adj. Preparing for or occurring before flight. tr.v. pre·flight·ed, pre·flight·ing, pre·flights To check (an aircraft) for airworthiness before flight. checks. On Wednesday, both aircraft were weighed at three different fuel loads, and after the weight checks, maintainers checked their instruments, particularly the data recording systems. CAPTION(S): 7 photos, box, map Photo: (1) Crewmen load 500-pound dummy bombs into a B-1B bomber to prepare for a series of world-record attempts at this weekend's air show. (2 -- 3) An Air Force CV-22 Osprey osprey (ŏs`prē), common name for a bird of prey related to the hawk and the New World vulture and found near water in most parts of the world. , above, hovers during a September test flight. At left, a B-52 bomber takes off on a test of new electronic gear. Daily News (4 -- 6) The B-2 stealth bomber, above left, comes in for a landing at Air Force Plant 42, while, below left, an F-117 Nighthawk This article is about the stealth fighter. For the F117-PW-100 turbofan engine, see Pratt & Whitney PW2000. The Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk is a stealth ground attack aircraft operated solely by the United States Air Force. banks into a turn. Above is the Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance craft. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer (7) One of the latest in futuristic designs, Boeing's Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle, is shown in an artist's conception. Box: LORDS OF THE WINGS Map: EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE Daily News |
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