ths@lanl-a.UUCP (09/17/84)
Interesting comments on the B-58 lead me to ask if it is possible to perform the "bomb toss" (Immelmann reversal) in a B-58 if they were indeed limited to +2.5Gs. My understanding was that they were not only gas hogs (4 J-79's) and difficult to fly (3 fatal crashes at the Paris Air Sow in three successive years I recall), but they were a maintenance headache. Versions of the "weapons pod" provided for various combinations of weapons and/or fuel. It is unfortunate that an airplane as beautiful and fast as this one, was unable to serve us for such a short period. One other note....someone mentioned their "biannual" flight review a week or so ago. The term is "biennial" (with or without the hyphen). Biannual means twice each year and biennial means every two years. Also, make sure that you adhere to the actual date of the previous biennial or flight test. One young man that I examined for a biennial had used the date on his pilot certificate. That date was the date the FAA had issued the license, about 90 "after" the actual flight test itself. One more note.... even though the Cessna Skymaster doesn't present you with asymetrical thrust problems during an engine out situation, it still has the highest accident rate of ANY light twin. Possible reasons include a very awkward fuel arrangment and poor engine cooling for the rear fan.