A U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft declared an emergency over Scotland this morning before landing at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
A source told me that the issue was related to the landing gear.
“The aircraft had issues with its undercarriage, the crew were unable to lower the landing gear and as a result had to circle while the issue was sorted. The gear were soon lowered and locked and the aircraft landed safely.”
The aircraft arrived from RAF Brize Norton.
What is the significance of “Squawking 7700”?
Captain Hoke is a Boeing 757/767 captain for a package express airline and also runs the website AeroSavvy, he had this to say.
“Declaring an emergency means the crew determines they have an “urgency” or “distress” situation. “Urgency” means the crew is concerned about the safety of the flight and needs timely (but not necessarily immediate) assistance. A “distress” condition means that the flight is in serious and/or imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.”
You don’t often hear of issues with the C-17A, it appears to be a very reliable and safe aircraft (270+ in service).
Yes one USAF airframe was lost back in 2010, but it turned out the crash was pilot error, not a technical fault.
It will be interesting to watch what happens when the USAF eventually looks for a replacement, an evolved C-17B perhaps?
Sort of like in the past when a replacement for an old Herc was a new model Herc.
I think I will be a very old man when the USAF replaces the C17. They are still upgrading the C5 and given the extreme cost and complexity of building a new USAF aircraft I don’t think they will go for a new build for decades. The C17 was a complete distant at the start price wise.
I thought the program to upgrade some of the original C-5 fleet to current C-5M standard was complete? Maybe not?
And yes I’ll be very lucky (and very old) to see a C-17A replacement too.
Unlike the C-5, which is solely a USAF asset, the C-17 is also used by many non USAF operators.
It may not be for many decades yet, but I think there will be a market for an eventual C-17 replacement, which may also result in a ‘shared’ development budget too.
Anyway, still decades down the road.
The USAF is projecting C-17 use onto 2060. It is currently working with SpaceX to figure out how to use SpaceX rockets to transport cargo as well as trying to respond to US Army and Marine demands for a VSTOL cargo capability. I think we’ll see some type of rocket program and VSTOL aircraft rather than any C-17 follow-on.
Not much point in replacing it unless the tech moves on.
The only thing that will replace a C17 is another C17, literally at the pinnacle of aviation technology. There were rumblings a while back of using a standard C17 body and somehow wrapping stealth module around it but looks like boeing might have given up on that.
This can be a very scary and difficult situation, as you can see in the video link below, due to the differences between American and Scottish dialects:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGRcJQ9tMbY
Attacked by a land to air guided haggis
Haggis-ER
Taking advantage of their shorter legs on one side to get them up to speed quicker in the centrifuge.
It’s like a haggis velodrome.
Haggis is so soggy, stodgy, and heavy it would miss by miles, as would a tossing the caber telegraph pole missile.
There should be a declared emergency over the RAF’s reported prejudiced racist and sexist recruiting policy. Apparently, they have deliberately suspended recruitment of “white men.” Gone are the days when recruits were selected on ability and the content of their character. Now it is down to race, skin colour, sex or deviant gender norms.
https://www.rebelnews.com/royal_air_force_pauses_recruitment_of_white_men_for_women_and_ethnic_minorities?utm_campaign=lb_rafhiring_8_19_22&utm_medium=email&utm_source=therebel
Right, let’s get one thing straight. The recruitment process is the same for everyone, regardless of race, skin colour, or sex. If you can pass the aptitude test, medical, interview and fitness test, you will be offered a position. But requirements have always changed over the years depending on manning requirements for each branch or trade. When I first applied to join the RN, I had to wait 18 months before starting basic training after completing the tests/interview ect. The Armed Force’s do want to attract more females and people from ethnic backgrounds to reflect today’s society. But that doesn’t… Read more »
well said Robert. The fact it would be illegal for the RAF or any employer to use race (be that black, white, Indian, Native American or whatever) as a way to recruit individuals or block individuals seems to not be well recognised. Encouraging minority groups to apply on a level playing field is not some form of discrimination against white males and any organisation found to be discriminating due to race would be in legal hot water very quickly.
Read this from the guardian, of all places. The woman in charge of RAF recruitment has said she is “unashamed” of a policy that critics claim could mean women and people from ethnic minorities being prioritised over white men. Air Vice-Marshall Maria Byford said she had “slowed” down the recruitment process for all candidates after figures showed the RAF was not hitting diversity targets. Her comments followed the resignation of an unnamed female group captain, who ran the recruitment department at RAF Cranwell, apparently over concerns the fighting strength of the RAF could be undermined by “impossible” targets, Sky News reported.… Read more »
Then why did the Cranwell officer resign because of the halt in recruitment, awaiting more ethnic and gender minorities was, she simply refusing to break the law? Look like they lost a good officer. Quote. The head of RAF recruitment has resigned in protest at an “effective pause” on offering jobs to white male recruits in favour of women and ethnic minorities, defence sources have claimed. The senior female officer apparently handed in her notice in recent days amid concerns that any such restrictions on hiring, however temporary and limited, could undermine the fighting strength of the Royal Air Force… Read more »
Aye but unfortunately “hot water’ is now in short supply your lucky if you can get mildly lukewarm these days…
I remember watching (retrospectively in the 90’s) Harry Callaghan lambasting the SFPD recruitment board about their “ Stylish” recruiting ideas during the mid 1970’s fast forward to today seems the chickens are coming home to roost…..🤔
🏴🇬🇧
It would be indeed. Hence why the officer in charge of recruitment resigned her position.
At least there are some with integrity in service.
Well said.Sadly they just lost one of the good female officers. It’s kind of ironic.
That may be so but the current “manning requirements” for the RAF are reported as non-white, non-males, to fill some imposed meaningless quota. Is that true or not.
So let’s get this very straight too Robert. I’m standing with Martin Luther King on this one. It should be completely down to ability and character to fill the required vacancy. This reported policy is discriminative by any definition and deeply insulting to all concerned.
I note it has somehow slipped through the usually critical media. Even this forum has missed it.
My thoughts on why it’s missed all normal media is perhaps it’s not entirely true. I can’t really find much about the actual truth of the matter and the RAF say it’s not the case. So who knows really.
Armed Forces Minister James Heappey has clarified the recent reports about the RAF’s recruitment approach. Earlier in the week, there were reports alleging that there had been pauses in job offers to white men to meet diversity targets set by the air force. Mr Heappey has strongly denied these allegations, telling Sky News, “what is definitely not true is that recruitment of white men has in any way been paused”. They have a defence minister saying it’s rubbish and anyone discriminating against anybody will be dealt with. It’s seems to stem from this statement: The head of recruitment in the… Read more »
Reality check MS. The statement was made because the head of RAF recruitment at Cranwell resigned over it! Which makes the official response sound like some politically correct appointment covering her orifice. When A good internal probing is in order.
Respect to the fine lady at Cranwell, who decided that bringing the matter to national attention, was worth her career. Obviously the RAF just lost a really good female officer. Which makes an even bigger mockery of the woke policy.
Monty Python would be hard pushed to better the satire. I’m sure the ChiComs Iranians and Ruskies appreciate the humour.
They’re playing the ‘We didn’t do anything illegal’ card, even though they were damn well planning something illegal.
They’re just sorry they got caught and called out.
Agreed. This PC woke ideology is toxic and extremely harmful to the armed forces. Sadly, if the grapevine is to be believed. This is only the tip of the iceberg.
See what I’m struggling with is that what i think is being said is that the RAF recruitment is breaking the law with respects to equal opportunities etc. I don’t think you can pick ethnicity of candidates without a very good reason. Then when the RAF are meeting their so called diversity targets what reason is there to take the actions that have been stated? Hopefully someone impartial does an investigation to get to the truth. If it is true heads must role for the actions taken and the place needs a shake up. Will be interesting to see the… Read more »
Had this been 50 years ago, I would have dismissed it as nonsense. However, in todays woke world. I’m inclined to believe it simply follows the fashionable trend. Positive discrimination is still discrimination. With the potential to cause real world problems. Adding to the levels of problematic prejudice in society, NOT reducing it. If the accusation is true, then it is seriously toxic and needs to be discussed openly and honestly. Imagine a successfully recruited applicant lesbian woman from an ethnic minority. Who is taken on 12 or 18 months before people who were interviewed on the same day. Will… Read more »
And it is about ability. Let’s not forget, that until very recently females could not apply for a number of roles in the Armed Force’s. gay men or females were also not allowed 25 years ago (i can’t remember the exact year). If you have what it takes, the Armed Force’s will welcome you with open arm’s. You will not be turned down simply for being white and male. A black man or female will not be allowed in if they don’t meet the entry requirements. Simple as that. The RAF are trying to represent a positive image to all… Read more »
Of course it should be about ability and character. Both are important and it should be “simple as that.” I agree with you Robert. But positive discrimination is still discrimination. Having ones career slowed or “halted.” In preference to an equally capable candidate from a minority is still discrimination. The worst form of racial or sexual or gender prejudice. Doing wrong for the right reason is no defence. This is not a case of being mis-read. Do you see my point or not. What is your decision on introducing prejudice into the recruiting process, to meet some arbitrary woke minority… Read more »
It was not missed George. We’ve had a good rant about it on a few previous articles, starting with the Airpower Australia one I think with FA18 photos.
I’m with you, if it is true it is bonkers.
I suspect that there’s elements of truth which have been blurred with hysteria by the time its been reported. Suspect RAF are genuinely concerned about missing targets, and from there through the flow through the grapevine that’s been distorted. It then ends in a media who know that its the ideal story to get certain people frothing at the mouth, insert the odd reference to woke here and there, go to print. Imagine some in RAF may be almost glad focus is on this effectively non-story rather than the issues they’re having getting people through flight training, which believe is… Read more »
Of course. The main issue for many is the report that recruiting of whites has stopped in the meantime, the bulk of this nations population and thus the recruitment pool. Recruitment of more women and non whites is not the issue. All should be recruited based on suitability. Interesting point re the diversion story from pilot training. If they replace 175 Tucano with 9 then 14 Texan and then only use 28 Hawk T2s is it any wonder? Assets are limited and instructors have probably gone the same way as the assets. The problem goes further up to the OCUs… Read more »
If that’s what were happening I’d agree it’d be concerning, but as say suspect it’s got exaggerated/twisted along the grapevine, and it conveniently fits into the wider pattern of media/politicians focusing on so called “culture wars” as a handy distraction from bigger issues going on at the moment.
Yeh big issues going to start coming through I’m sure, especially with commercial airlines desperate for pilots and the attractiveness that’ll have for those further in career.
It would appear the former Head of RAT recruitment disagrees with you. The head of RAF recruitment has resigned in protest at an “effective pause” on offering jobs to white male recruits in favour of women and ethnic minorities, defence sources have claimed. The senior female officer apparently handed in her notice in recent days amid concerns that any such restrictions on hiring, however temporary and limited, could undermine the fighting strength of the Royal Air Force (RAF), the sources said. They said the service was attempting to hit “impossible” diversity targets. The defence sources accused Air Chief Marshal Sir… Read more »
I wouldn’t believe everything you read in the press George. If you are a man or woman of colour, would you be concerned? probably not. The RN has been recruiting from the Caribean Islands for the last two decades. Never been a problem
The press may have confused the title Head of RAF recruiting title. However, a female officer from Cranwell apparently did resign over this discriminatory halting of the process. For good reason.
I’m ex-army and have served with soldiers from the Caribbean, Hong Kong and Fiji. Great people who actually added to the units they served in. I like diversity, love it in fact. But that is not the issue here and I think you know it. So called positive discrimination is still discrimination and even more toxic. It is a backward step and reflects badly on our armed forces.
+1
Wholeheartedly agree with you George.
An excuse to fill up on single malt.