Ask the Captain: Reader questions about military aircraft
Question: Why is a military jet engine a lot louder than a commercial jet liner?
— Submitted by reader Craig, Lititz, Pa.
Answer: Military jets are pure turbojets, while airliners are fanjets. The fan produces lower-velocity air that acts as an insulator to the high-energy air produced by the core of the engine, thus dampening the noise.
The noise from a jet is the shear of high-energy air against low-energy air.
Q: How do commercial airliners and military aircraft share the skies?
— James, Miami
A: Air traffic control does a great job of keeping airplanes separated, be they commercial, private or military. In addition, the military branches have special airspace they can use for training and maneuvers.
Q: Is it easier to pilot a commercial airliner or military aircraft?
— Chris, Mesquite, Texas
A: It depends on the type of airplane involved. Flying an airliner is very similar to flying military cargo airplanes. Tactical and fighter airplanes do an entirely different job so comparing them is difficult.
Q: What determines the ceiling of an aircraft? Why can a MIG-29 go to 70,000 feet and an F-18 to only 50,000?
— Allison Miller, Trevor, Wis.
A: The design of the airplane and engines determine the ceiling. The MIG-29 and F-18 were designed for two different reasons. The MIG-29 was a high-altitude air superiority fighter, while the F-18 is a multi-role navy fighter/attack aircraft. The F-18 is not intended to fight at very high altitudes; other U.S. fighters cover that role.
Q: The F-111 aircraft proved effective during two Gulf Wars, why was it retired? Are there any of these war planes serviceable?
— ADOC McBride Aviation Technician, Houston
A: The F-111 technology was ahead of its time, but it was designed in the mid-1960s. After the Gulf Wars, the military planners determined other aircraft could meet the fleet’s strategic needs and the F-111 was retired. I do not believe any are serviceable.
Q: I live in rural Indiana and a few months ago I saw a group of five jets, the middle appeared to be a C-17 and the other four jets were in a 'V' formation around it. My question is what types of flights would need an escort like that over a place like mine?
— Gage, Indiana
A: The C-17 may have been carrying ground equipment and ground crew for the fighters. If they were going to the same airport it would be normal for them to fly together.
Q: Does a pilot of an F-16 have any control if the plane goes into fuel exhaustion? How far could the plane glide?
— Pat, Mesa, Ariz.
A: Yes, an F-16 can be landed without an engine. It has been done in the past. The glide ratio of a fighter is not very high, so it would not go very far compared to other types of airplanes, but if there were a landing strip within that range the pilot could land the airplane.
Q: How far can a Canadian Forces Snowbirds CT-114 glide if it should lose power at 500 feet altitude at high speed? Also, without power can the CT-114 be turned 45 degrees to the right?
— Jim Lubischer, Hillsboro, Ore.
A: I don’t know the exact distance, but a military jet losing an engine at 500 feet will have to convert airspeed into altitude in a hurry. If there was enough airspeed to convert into altitude, it might be possible for the CT-114 to land at an airport if the engine failure occurred during an airshow.
Yes, the CT-114 can turn without an engine running.
Q: Did you ever have any jet fighters fly alongside of you just to say hi or even have a little fun?
— Chris, Japan
A: No, fighters do not “say hi” or have a little fun with airliners.
John Cox is a retired airline captain with US Airways and runs his own aviation safety consulting company, Safety Operating Systems.
IN PICTURES: Ride along on a fighter jet refueling flight