TriStar Experience shared a video showing the high speed taxi test performed a few days ago in prepararion for the ferry flight of N910TE to Kansas City.
More news on L-1011 N910TE IV
Another update from TriStar Experience's FB:
To all TriStar supporters, the L1011 is materially ready and approved by the FAA for her ferry flight back to KC. See the recent posts below showing the aircraft being put through her paces. Now its down to crew scheduling and a bit of fundraising. We can really use your help. To make a monetary donation, please visit TriStar Experience. Thank you.
More news on L-1011 N910TE III
TriStar Experience announced that their L-1011 N910TE is now airworthy but they need to raise funds for the upcoming test flight and for the subsequent ferry to Kansas City Airport:
L1011 Update. It looks like N910TE is now airworthy and ready to fly to KC. As with each plane thus far, it was more expensive than we anticipated to get her to this point. We're raising additional funds prior to putting her in the air. An extra $10,000 would help with test flight fuel and other costs. Thanks for your help. To donate visit: tristarexperience.org/donate
N140SC flew today in preparation for the CYGNSS launch
From Orbital's Twitter account:
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| N140SC © Orbital ATK |
Our L-1011 #Stargazer lands in VAFB to conduct check outs for the upcoming #Pegasus launch of @NASA's #CYGNSS satellite
According to SpaceFlight Now website, the launch is now scheduled to take place on Nov. 21.
- Twitter: Orbital ATK
More news on L-1011 N910TE II
It looks like the new date for the ferry flight of the L-1011 N910TE to Kansas City will be on October 12th.
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| N910TE © TriStar History and Preservation |
TriStar Experience have been working on this ex-Flying Hospital aircraft for some months now and they have a new dedicated L-1011 page on their website which replaced the previous one with information about N91011.
- TriStar Experience: N910TE
L-1011 Cargo Adventure
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| TT-DWE © Delta L-1011 website |
Delta L-1011 Retirement Website recently published a very interesting article with great photos about the adventure of flying a TriStar in its freighter role.
- Delta L-1011 Website: L-1011 Cargo Adventure
Number Two engine and 'S' duct explained by Lockheed
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| Number Two engine and 'S' duct |
The Number Two engine is installed in the aft fuselage. Like the wing engines it is a 50,000 pound thrust Rolls Royce Engine. Its inlet is a curved "S" duct which provides performance equivalent to that of a straight through duct,
(There is no performance penalty)
Aside from improved looks, there are several advantages to using an "S" duct. First, this lowers the #2 engine, which gives a low center engine thrust line. This reduces pitch up tendencies, and permits both wider lateral spacing of the wing engines, and a wider flap span.
The aft fuselage does not taper as much as other wide body aircraft because of #2 engine. This allows a longer fuselage constant section and more passenger room.
The lower engine allows for a one piece rudder which gives improved handling by increasing rudder effectivity.
Surprisingly, the "S" duct design also reduces aircraft weight. The engine is mounted in the aft fuselage. This eliminates the need for heavy structural supports (800 lbs.) which would otherwise be required, Those supports, if used, would reduce the passenger cabin by 65 square feet, or 11 seats.