Let me preface this post by saying I started using the CaptainSim C-130 many years ago as a young teenage excited about the Aircraft. Luckily I have become a USCG Aviator and C-130 Pilot, I am currently in the Transition Course learning to fly the HC-130H. I am also a software engineer (by degree and hobby) and have been looking to Mod the C-130 to reflect our current Aircraft and update some of the logic to match the real aircraft. I was wondering if anyone from CaptainSim would be of assistance in allowing me to Mod the Aircraft for personal use and training.  That being said if anyone on the forum has any questions please do not hesistate to send a message my way.

-Matthew Chase
HC-130H Pilot
CGAS Barbers Point

Matthew Chase wrote on Jun 6^th, 2013 at 12:57am:


Matthew, congratulations on making that boyhood dream a reality!! Thanks for your service!!

I have the C-130 and am having some problems getting down on approach and landing even with a LONG runway. Any advice you would have would be GREATLY appreciated.

I have full flaps, engine throttles at cruise, props fully feathered, landing gear down and still it takes me forever to get down and stop. How do you do it when you are looking at 4,000 feet or less runway?  

Off-topic because I cannot create new posts - just looking for and airspeed reality check.  My C130 maxes out at about 250KIAS/350 true airspeed on the navigator's panel, regardless of load.  Is this true to the real thing?

KSATBob wrote on Jul 28^th, 2013 at 5:18pm:


KSATBob - I read your comments with interest, and I'm curious about the aircraft configuration you describe.

I don't have experience on the real world Herc, but I do have plenty on smaller medium-size turboprops like the Dash 8, operating out of dirt airstrips around Western Australia, so I hope I might offer some suggestions that will help you out. It's about 1/4 the size of Herc with less than 1/3 the power, but with all due regard for the obvious differences, they kind of work the same in some respects.

First of all, what is your own experience/background, and also, do you have any performance documentation? If not message me and I'll get some stuff to you.

The "engine throttles at cruise" would probably be too much power for an approach and landing. For a given weight, there will be a prescribed approach speed. One table I have shows that for a weight of 120,000 lbs, the speed over the threshold with full flaps should be 120 kts. At 120 kts, the rate of descent down final would be 600fpm on a 3 degree profile (getting rid of the "0"'s, 1/2 of 12 is 6...). You will essentially be using whatever power is necessary to maintain the speed when established on a stable glide slope. Try doing a few ILS's with the autopilot engaged while you're controlling the speed, and you will see: a) how much power is required, and b) what nose (pitch) attitude is required. Both together will control the final trajectory. Attitude + power = performance.

Also, are you sure that you are trying to land with the props fully feathered? Could you please explain what you mean by that. If the props were really feathered, they would be producing no thrust at all, so I'm picking that you're actually trying to refer to something else. Feel free to PM me if you feel like it.

Cheers,

Chris Allan
A320 Pilot
Australia